***What Are You Smoking, August 2020?***

[cshubhra]

Capstan Gold Ready Rubbed in a Paykoc Meerschaum Sherlock Holmes ?️‍/ From Holmes / Watson two pipe set.
Capstan Gold is a blend of bright Virginias from three continents, widely available at all online retailers.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Can't believe its August! Feeling a little nostalgic today.
Rattray's Winter 2014 in my very first (basket) pipe.

August! Less than five months in this abomination of a year! We all need to enjoy the rest of the summer, and the hopefully a beautiful fall. Then of course comes the inevitable riots, maiming, and burning after whoever wins in November. With any luck, that will be over by the holiday season where those of us who survived 2020 will give thanks and we'll welcome 2021 and hope for a better year.

In the mean time, I'm having a bowl of Fusiliers Ration SR.

 

[MattRVA]

Home VaBurOr mix in a Kaywoodie relief grain bent billiard.

 

[seanv]

More aged dunhill Elizabethan. This time in a Brigham six dot. Absolutely sublime smoke. Everything about the way this blend aged is fantastic

 

[trubka2]

Peterson Deluxe 407 ❤ Erinmore.

 

[MattRVA]

Home VaPer mix in a White Spot 3111 lovat.

 

[JimInks]

Did a little snacking, and am now smoking Watch City Virginia Prototype in a 2002 smooth natural straight silver banded Ardor Venere Extra Fatta A Mano Maigret billiard, signed by Dorelio Rovera and a black acrylic tapered stem.

 

[hawky454]

Capstan Gold Ready Rubbed in a Macbaren Billiard.

Capstan Gold is a mixture of bright Virginia tobacco from three continents. If I remember my history correctly, this was originally blended by WD & HO Wills many years ago. This is currently manufactured and distributed globally by Macbaren. I do believe the rights to this brand name is/was owned by multiple companies around the world. I remember from my college days in India back in 1998 it was sold as WD & HO Wills Gold Flake Pipe Tobacco. In fact in India there is still a cigarette brand sold as WD & HO Wills Gold Flake by ITC, although the pipe tobacco has disappeared.

I would say that this is a quintessential bright Va Blend, as it has been in continuous production for many years, and blending rights owned by multiple companies in different markets. Personally I find it an excellent bright Va blend and would recommend.

I agree, it’s a great tobacco! I was lucky enough to get some while SPC had some 2013 tins on sell!

Currently smoking 1792 Flake in a St. Regis Prince



& some St. Bruno in a Stanwell

 

[craig61a]

Sutliff Match Victorian in a Tilshead Billiard.

 

[JimInks]

Now smoking the last of this tin of D&R Raccoon’s Friend in a pre-1980s straight dark brown Comoy's Sandblast 186 billiard with a black vulcanite tapered stem.

 

[MattRVA]

Newminster 400 in a Blue Room Briars square shank apple.

 

[marlinspike]

I tried a sample of C&D Bayou Morning, and I must say that this blend didn't sit well with me. It probably came too dry from the retailer - it certainly burned faster than I'd prefer, and I'm not a rapid puffer. Maybe the combination of dryness in the burn put the perique a little too far forward, and made it overall more than a bit harsh...in any case, I didn't care much for it.

 

[JimInks]

Now smoking 2012 Rolando’s Own in a smooth straight early ‘60s Lane era “William Conrad” Charatan Executive Extra Large stretch apple with diagonal channel cuts on the lower right and left of the bowl along with a black vulcanite double comfort stem. This pipe was formerly owned by actor William Conrad. Phone chatting with the fella who gifted me the pipe.

 

[trubka2]

D&R Ramback in a Savinelli Roma 122. My first time with this blend. I'm enjoying it, and it's triggering a lot of memories. It strongly reminds me of the bottom-shelf Russian cigarettes I used to smoke when I was a broke exchange student there in the 90s. Everybody back then used to look down on what they called "Bulgarian tobacco," so these cigs only cost about 20 cents a pack. Fun times!

 

[alaskanpiper]

I tried a sample of C&D Bayou Morning, and I must say that this blend didn't sit well with me. It probably came too dry from the retailer - it certainly burned faster than I'd prefer, and I'm not a rapid puffer. Maybe the combination of dryness in the burn put the perique a little too far forward, and made it overall more than a bit harsh...in any case, I didn't care much for it.

The Flake version is quite good

 

[alaskanpiper]

D&R Ramback in a Savinelli Roma 122. My first time with this blend. I'm enjoying it, and it's triggering a lot of memories. It strongly reminds me of the bottom-shelf Russian cigarettes I used to smoke when I was a broke exchange student there in the 90s. Everybody back then used to look down on what they called "Bulgarian tobacco," so these cigs only cost about 20 cents a pack. Fun times!
View attachment 38361

I was in Vietnam in 2005. Smokes called Vinatabas were 30 cents a pack. Not the best, but they did the job. On another note, the 122 is one of my favorite shapes.

 

[marlinspike]

The Flake version is quite good

Probably the better tobacco preparation for a blend like that.

 

[trubka2]

I was in Vietnam in 2005. Smokes called Vinatabas were 30 cents a pack. Not the best, but they did the job. On another note, the 122 is one of my favorite shapes.

View attachment 38362

Yeah, the 122 is a great shape. It's very practical, and my Roma isn't much to look at, so it's a real "tool pipe" for me. One of these days I'll get a pretty one and treat it nice...

 

[alaskanpiper]

Yeah, the 122 is a great shape. It's very practical, and my Roma isn't much to look at, so it's a real "tool pipe" for me. One of these days I'll get a pretty one and treat it nice...

Mine are similar, a porto cervo and a 121 milano EX, which is enormous. Both under $100 and great rotation tools for sure. I have also been wanting a higher end one. Some day.

 

[JimInks]

Enjoyed a tasty navel orange, and am now smoking D&R Three Sails in a smooth straight late 1970s Charatan Special 4148DC Reg. No. 203573 pot with a black double comfort vulcanite stem.