The Palate Issue

[cosmicfolklore]

Indeed. Clutching at straws here really. Not too hot and not too fast. Tobacco is dry. I can taste the difference between most French reds and whites. I can taste just about everything from saffron to anchovies. Coffee needs to have milk to get a taste but that’s the only anomaly I can think of.

I think that we all want to help. But, if you think that you are smoking as slow as you can with only small trickle of smoke, being savored slowly as you progress. And, your pipe isn't grossly dirty, you feel confident that your packing skills are right one...
then... maybe try different tobaccos. Not all blends are for everyone. I have to be in a certain mood on a blue moon to smoke an aromatic.

 

[burleybreath]

Can't taste pipe tobacco or coffee? Sounds ridiculous at first, but your descriptors remind me of my post-covid experience. A year later, and my taster still comes and goes. I'm currently quite capable of lighting up a bowl and tasting almost nothing. It has to be a neurological, nasal sensor, brain wiring disorder in my case, I'm thinking. Proof lies in my tolerance for Cult Blood Red Moon (or whatever it's called), a blend that would have made me retch, prior to my suffering brain damage. (And may I add, due to that damage, I should not be held responsible for anything I say here.)

 

[JJ_JJ_JJ_JJ]

Can't taste pipe tobacco or coffee? Sounds ridiculous at first, but your descriptors remind me of my post-covid experience. A year later, and my taster still comes and goes. I'm currently quite capable of lighting up a bowl and tasting almost nothing. It has to be a neurological, nasal sensor, brain wiring disorder in my case, I'm thinking. Proof lies in my tolerance for Cult Blood Red Moon (or whatever it's called), a blend that would have made me retch, prior to my suffering brain damage. (And may I add, due to that damage, I should not be held responsible for anything I say here.)

Oh come on , in the world of aromatics CBRM is one of the best ones

 

[gervais]

If you're doing everything right, you need to try a boat load of different blends. Try something with a big Oriental leaf hit. Try black frigate. Try bayou night. Those are flavour bombs.

You gotta find your blend preference. I had a bowl of Reiner Golden Flake that has a huge positive feedback score. I barely tasted a thing.

 

[LotusEater]

Can't taste pipe tobacco or coffee? Sounds ridiculous at first, but your descriptors remind me of my post-covid experience. A year later, and my taster still comes and goes. I'm currently quite capable of lighting up a bowl and tasting almost nothing. It has to be a neurological, nasal sensor, brain wiring disorder in my case, I'm thinking. Proof lies in my tolerance for Cult Blood Red Moon (or whatever it's called), a blend that would have made me retch, prior to my suffering brain damage. (And may I add, due to that damage, I should not be held responsible for anything I say here.)

I hadn’t considered the possibility of a COVID effect- seems very plausible.

Having intermittent loss of taste must suck. I’ve been lucky enough not to have had Covid (yet/that I know of).

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Right after covid, I noticed a decline in my taste when I bought a Nickelback CD.
At least it didn't last long.

 

[sparker69]

Post-covid is a good point. My first few bowl had a taste - but it was strange - I was getting full-on cotton candy when I was smoking Virginias/VApers!

 

[sparker69]

I think that we all want to help. But, if you think that you are smoking as slow as you can with only small trickle of smoke, being savored slowly as you progress. And, your pipe isn't grossly dirty, you feel confident that your packing skills are right one...
then... maybe try different tobaccos. Not all blends are for everyone. I have to be in a certain mood on a blue moon to smoke an aromatic.

Yes - I think there has been a lot of good advice here.
I guess the question in the end, and in no means is it meant to discourage you, is: if you're getting just a smoke taste after trying multiple types of tobacco, working on packing, correct drying, etc., what is drawing you to smoking a pipe - and is it really something you want to pursue in the end? Maybe, at the end of the day, you just don't like it. Maybe you like the pipes and everything around pipe smoking, but the actual putting the pipe in your mouth and lighting the tobacco, it's not something that you really enjoy in the end. And hey - that's alright. I'm never going to like tofu - smoked, baked, grilled or whatever.

 

[LiamClanNastey]

Yes - I think there has been a lot of good advice here.
I guess the question in the end, and in no means is it meant to discourage you, is: if you're getting just a smoke taste after trying multiple types of tobacco, working on packing, correct drying, etc., what is drawing you to smoking a pipe - and is it really something you want to pursue in the end? Maybe, at the end of the day, you just don't like it. Maybe you like the pipes and everything around pipe smoking, but the actual putting the pipe in your mouth and lighting the tobacco, it's not something that you really enjoy in the end. And hey - that's alright. I'm never going to like tofu - smoked, baked, grilled or whatever.

It’s a good point and I have thought about it. Yes, I really enjoy the process. The pipes, the cleaning and some attempts at renovation. I suppose I’m still driven by the idea that I will develop that elusive taste and that’s what drives me at the moment.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I don't experience much of any specific taste, but still enjoy smoking good blends (of mostly English blends)

 

[sparker69]

I suppose I’m still driven by the idea that I will develop that elusive taste and that’s what drives me at the moment.

Well, that's a good motivator. Keep up the work! Maybe a taste in general - be it tobacco or other - maybe take it down to the essentials: is it sweet? sour? bitter? Good luck!

 

[Sjmiller CPG]

While I would usually defer to the opinions of more experienced smokers than myself, I believe the first and simplest step to take is to quit thinking so much. Some of my most enjoyable smokes or ah ha moments regarding flavors in a blend have happened when my mind was completely absorbed in something else.

 

[dontbeaburleyman]

I've smoked pipes for a few years now and understand your pain. My wife has much better hearing and palate than I do. Drives me crazy.

A few months ago I dedicated myself to using the breath method as taught by Muttonchop Piper. It's changed everything. Tasting nuances I never knew existed. May want to give it a try.

 

[AJL67]

I've smoked pipes for a few years now and understand your pain. My wife has much better hearing and palate than I do. Drives me crazy.

A few months ago I dedicated myself to using the breath method as taught by Muttonchop Piper. It's changed everything. Tasting nuances I never knew existed. May want to give it a try.

Just because we all know what's coming next

 

[Yadkin1765]

I tend to think of the "breathe method" mostly as a tool to manage the ember. If the ember's fading I use it, if the ember's too strong, I pause on smoking, then use it gauge it's strength, I use it sparingly in every bowl, or if I'm busy while clenching. But, no doubt, employing it can greatly improve one's ability to enjoy a smoke by reducing puffing and overheating the leaf.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Well, the breath method is all right, but not necessary for anything for many people. Some cannot be happy except with it.

Diff strokes; diff folks.

 

[LiamClanNastey]

I've smoked pipes for a few years now and understand your pain. My wife has much better hearing and palate than I do. Drives me crazy.

A few months ago I dedicated myself to using the breath method as taught by Muttonchop Piper. It's changed everything. Tasting nuances I never knew existed. May want to give it a try.

Hi
Yes I have tried that and liked his 2nd explanation video. Made a lot of sense!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I'll ask again, do you retrohale. Without retrohaling, I wouldn't be able to taste pipes, cigars, or cigarettes.

 

[LiamClanNastey]

I'll ask again, do you retrohale. Without retrohaling, I wouldn't be able to taste pipes, cigars, or cigarettes.

Yes, I’ve retrohaled. And used breathing method too.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And used breathing method too.

The breath method just keeps a pipe cool and burning. It has negligible affect on flavor. Regardless of how you smoke, if you're producing large clouds, you risk burning a hole in the pipe sand losing all flavor.