I have been smoking pipes for about four or five months now and I admit it is a far more rewarding experience then smoking cigars (which I did for three or four years previous). There is far more of a ritual to it, there are pipes that almost seem to develop personalities and tobacco/pipe combinations that take an ordinary ok blend and turn it into something masterful. Of the blends I have tried (up to a couple dozen) I have not had any better smokes then Virginia blends. That being said, I have not had any worse smokes then Virginia blends and from what I can see I didnt do anything different to separate one from the other! I packed it the same, I puffed on it the same, I even smoked it at the same time a day in a temperature controlled room! This has inevitably led to some frustrating hours spent puffing BUT! as they say, there can be no accomplishment without risk.
For this seemingly negative attribute I have firmly taken to smoking Virginia based blends four bowls out of five and I see no sign of slowing down. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when the flavors burst over my tongue and that depth of flavor is present in this majestic hour spent smoking and it gives me a sense of determination when all I seem to taste is ash. Virginia may be a fickle mistress but it is one that has a firm hold on my heart.
For this seemingly negative attribute I have firmly taken to smoking Virginia based blends four bowls out of five and I see no sign of slowing down. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when the flavors burst over my tongue and that depth of flavor is present in this majestic hour spent smoking and it gives me a sense of determination when all I seem to taste is ash. Virginia may be a fickle mistress but it is one that has a firm hold on my heart.
