Tobacco Tasting Different in a Different Pipe

[djgilx]

Title edited for capitalization. Please see rule 9. -jpm

I think it’s the first time I have asked a question like this!
Since first tasting Nightcap a few weeks ago, one of the highlights of my day has been an evening bowl of Nightcap!
I have a calabash with a meershaum liner which I have never really enjoyed and seldom use, but last night I filled it with Nightcap. But the tobacco did not taste the same.
Why was that?
This evening I shall be back to my Savinelli!

 

[sablebrush52]

THAT is the $64,000 question. Different blends respond differently in different pipes.
Other factors include differences in prep and pack, the phases of the moon, and whether it’s a leap year.

 

[cragdhack]

I would assume it's some form of ghosting, in the sense that your first smoke of it was through a pipe that has been used fairly often. And as I saw from other posts, meerschaum pipes seem to taste differently as well, either fresh or well into taking colour, simply from how the material behaves compared to wood, in respect to presence / absence of carbon cake, absorption of tars, etc.

My pipes don't differ much between them in smoking experience, except if I do a blunder and leave one with a partially smoked bowl over a drunken night. The humidity and tar buildup quickly does its work and that particular pipe will need a good alcohol scrub much sooner than the others to be fresh again. I assume a well taken care of pipe will also alter the taste slightly, though not in the sour / bitter sense.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If the calabash is new, it will mute flavors until the gourd is saturated with tobacco oils.

 

[judcole]

Different tobaccos seem to like or dislike certain bowl shapes.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Unless ghosted, pipes don't change tobacco flavor for me. One tobacco tastes the same in any pipe.

 

[seanv]

I've had this happen with a brand new Chacom. I smoked some Elizabethan out of it and it was terrible. That Chacom is bow used for otc style burley blends.

 

[reloader]

The only pipe I can really tell that my tobacco tastes different while smoking is my meerschaum. I can really taste the PG or whatever is used to keep the tobacco moist. At least I believe that's what I'm tasting.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yep, some pipes tend to just suck the flavor out of the tobacco, and some let you taste everything going on. Big pipes, little pipes, tall cone shaped bowls, short squat pots, fat and wide... all tend to give me different perspectives on the tobacco.

 

[Grangerous]

Clean pipes can taste similar. But it’s true that some repeatedly offer a blander smoke than others. Cobs are the most reliable for a tasty smoke. I’ve do believe that tastebuds need rest more than pipes. Every time I’ve skipped smoking for a day or more the tobacco tastes great in any “clean” pipe. Draw and burn characteristics change from pipe to pipe.

 

[dctune]

Clean pipes can taste similar. But it’s true that some repeatedly offer a blander smoke than others. Cobs are the most reliable for a tasty smoke. I’ve do believe that tastebuds need rest more than pipes. Every time I’ve skipped smoking for a day or more the tobacco tastes great in any “clean” pipe. Draw and burn characteristics change from pipe to pipe.

I second this about the CLEAN pipe. I’m not overly meticulous about cleaning. I mainly just make sure to regularly run a pipe cleaner through the stem, the shank, and then fold it on half and swab out the bowl.

And I’ve said this in several posts here, but I’ll repeat it, bc it was some helpful advice I picked up (in these forums, I believe): I’ve found that unpleasant flavor is often the result of a less than clean shank. Not 100% sure if the same applies in OP’s scenario since he’s referring to a calabash, but that’s my $0.02, adjust for inflation … (so that’s my $0.000964)

 

[Eastmon]

I tend to think, in unflavored tobacco, there will always be some slight variations due to the fact it’s not an exact science. It’s a plant that will have a different nutrient uptake, even down to do each node.

 

[anotherbob]

and some pipes smoke sweeter then others.

 

[TheWhale13]

I don't know if it's just me but everything tastes slightly different every time almost. As said there are endless variables.

 

[Mopiper]

Yep. It happens to me also.

 

[Searock Fan]

Here's a old saying I just made up....

"The pipe can make as much difference in the quality of the smoke you get as the tobacco."

That's why many experienced smokers will pay several hundred for a Castello instead of 20 bucks for a Grabow.

 

[PipeIT]

Here's a old saying I just made up....

"The pipe can make as much difference in the quality of the smoke you get as the tobacco."

That's why many experienced smokers will pay several hundred for a Castello instead of 20 bucks for a Grabow.

You haven’t see my 1967-1969 Grabow then.

Smokes as nice as my most expensive pipes. ?

I certainly can’t vouch for newer Grabows, but this one is great!

The Commodore of this era was also done in a big blast, it’s really amazing too.

 

[jpmcwjr]

In addition to the above, a smoke of the same tobacco might taste differently depending on your body chemistry- so what you've eaten, done during the day, how you feel, etc. can make a difference.

And if you didn't like that pipe, that will have an impact as to how she smokes.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

…and some pipes just seem to suck all the flavor of the tobacco. Greg Pease has written about this, and I have a few…. I equate this with maybe an unpolished draft in the briar, or maybe just the briar.

 

[djgilx]

Thank you gentlemen for your helpful posts!