What Affects the Taste of Pipe Tobacco?

[admin]

Here's a great new article by G. L. Pease where he talks about all the variables that can affect the taste of a pipe tobacco. He warns that first impressions can be deceiving.
The Fickle Nature of First Impressions

 

[onizuka]

Wow. That is really interesting that locale can have such a dramatic effect on the tobacco. Good read.

 

[bubbadreier]

Great article! I was really surprised at how much the climate and location can effect a blend...

 

[unclearthur]

Wonderful article! Years ago I started taste testing new blends in a clean clay. No ghosting . Though clays are getting a bit harder to come by these days!

 

[superdan]

greatest line: "so I’ll just wave my hands, attribute it to magic, and move on." lol

 

[colonelmcmuf]

Great read. I learned a lot about things that have been baffling me. Like yearly tastes.

 

[fred]

For me, the subjective component of smoking any blend is the most heavily influenced aspect of the entire experience. I have trouble separating the participants in this event, generally. I have noted that new-to-me locations can influence what I smoke, but as yet haven't found that an appreciation of a new -to-me blend can change much when I get home...
My habit of letting a blend sit in the cellar could have something to do with this, since it is the befits that age brings that I frequently opt for.
Greg has illustrated how the evolving components combine to create the dynamic experience - not unlike the alignment of the planets.

 

[mlaug]

Greg made some good points.
I'm a complete tobacco omnivore. I like everything. The biggest difference between a good smoke and a bad one usually isn't the tobac. Its me.
If I start to smoke and don't get "slowed down" during the prep routine....I end up smoking too fast. Simple agitation ruins the best of tobaccos.
I've almost never had a bad smoke on vacation...but at home here on the farm, I need to plan a little.
For example, I discovered I can't do my business' bookwork while smoking. I can't relax enough, so smoking is a wasted endeavour.

 

[admin]

mlaug, I echo your comments 100%.