***What Are You Smoking, August 2025?***

[xrundog]

I originally tried Russian Caravan because of someone else on this forum, can’t remember who, then moved to Lapsang Souchong and never looked back. Love the smokiness! Glad to help your memory!

I’ve had a Russian Caravan subscription for….years.

 

[Sig]

Try Autumn Evening. A great aromatic, at the top of my list.

Ive smoked through 4 ounces of Autumn Evening the last couple months. Its been my evening smoke. But tonight im changing it up....stay tuned to this thread for tonight's choice.

 

[JazzInAZ]

MB HH ODF in an unbranded Meer.

A bit muggy TX afternoon, but still really nice out.

Hot black tea with cream -- Marks & Spencer Extra Strong.

 

[Sig]

I’m excited for it, I’m looking forward to taking my time experimenting with my different Va-dedicated bowls and preparation methods. I’m probably going to sharpen up dad’s ole Swiss Army knife for the task, in the past I’ve gotten that sucker sharp enough to shave my face

Ive been using my Buck Stockman. This blade was pristine before the Gold Brick. Its getting pretty gummed up.

 

[bobpnm]

Two (actually 4) Smokes, Yesterday and Today. Will make sense when you read them. Here's the first "pair". Explanation underneath pic:


View attachment 414444

This is the "disaster" of a couple of nights ago, when I took this oriental-biased McQueen Miniature "Mage" and stuffed it with a lat. Well, I cleaned it out right after with a scrape and a bowl wash, and stuffed it last night with SWR to assess the damage. To my utter surprise, I had a great smoke, almost full-flavoured in spite of my hampered taste buds. Best smoke I've had since the last best smoke I had.

With the pipe guys at my picnic table (no pic) I did a repeat. The pipsqueak "Mage" with SWR. Again, a great smoke. Was quite thrilled. Is there a new dedicated pipe in the offing? A distinct possibility, as SWR is my favourite Codger, as a chew, as a mixer, and as a smoker. Stay tuned.

View attachment 414446

The second smoke in this post was last night's initial "break-in" smoke with the Brog "Birdie", a less obnoxious looking little brother of "Miss Piggy." As we all (presumably) confront break-ins with malice and a shotgun attitude of it's him or me and the body won't be found, I put up with about 25 minutes and let it die. However, with the planned break-in day of rest, then going to another pipe, I figured it might be a good idea to finish off the bowl this morning.

An excellent idea. After all, it's the same pipe, the same fodder, and about the same length of sufferage. It worked, very very well. I'll start on the next break-in on the Olivewood Lubinsky tomorrow, and repeat smoking half the bowl, finishing it the next day. Will report on this next month, which happens to be tomorrow.

In the meantime, Y'all have a great Labour Day, eh?

I'll finish the month late tonight with "Skippable Drivel," which'll be more whining on Apple Fest and my final smoke of August, whatever it'll be. Salut!

“Best smoke I've had since the last best smoke I had.”
Eloquent and profound.

 

[Sig]

MacBaren HH Balkan in an Outsized Charatans Make 211.

 

[Choatecav]

Don't know if will help but I take a photo with my phone, send it to myself in email,download the email photo and then I can load it on the forum, and I'm just a computer dummy. Not sure if this will work in your case.

I use the same method which is infinitely easier now that we have finally gotten broadband out here in the sticks.
Btw, @huntertrw, I second the request to see the pipe....... Oh, and with your reference to a bluebird Sunday, were you at the Bluebird Cafe? If so, who was playing?

 

[Choatecav]

Wife is cooking chicken on her new stove and in order to prepare myself for my assistance in this endeavor (eating) I had some GLP Union Square Virginia in my Hanseatic bent......

 

[JimInks]

Near the quarter mark of this bowl of year 2025 STG/MacBaren Navy Flake in a 1960s Austrian meerschaum bent apple with a tapered yellow stem. Reviewing this blend. Getting ready to watch the Braves-Phillies game. Harry the Hairy got on my lap and we took a short snooze together.

 

[Kobold]

Having some Sillems Black in a Bones poker. Really nice weather right now.

 

[Chieftiabo]

KBV Deep House blend in a Volkan with a half & half

 

[Choatecav]

HU Janneman Flake in a Castello KK10 Bent Sea Rock and Ice Water on the side
View attachment 414445

Paul, you seem to have a nice stock of HU tobak that you keep referencing. I have purchased only one but want to grow that base when I have my next outbreak of TAD....

If I may ask, what HU blends have you tried which are your favs...?

 

[xrundog]

It’s overcast and muggy. The patio concrete hasn’t even dried from last night’s rain.
OJK in a Norm Triptow olive wood stack.

 

[huntertrw]

Oh, and with your reference to a bluebird Sunday, were you at the Bluebird Cafe?

No, "bluebird day" is an apt phrase to describe one that is beautifully perfect. I picked it up from a Robert Ruark story.

 

[ashdigger]

Opened a new tin of Capstan Blue, been so long since I’ve had fresh I thought I’d remind myself. Third bowl of it today. Still a favorite well aged, but fresh is very good.

This bowl is in a 1922 Pete Deluxe

 

[JazzInAZ]

Still sipping this slow-burning ODF, so figured I'd share a couple ugly mugs ...

The shirt was a gift from my dear brother, who is also a lover of cats ...

 

[mah2325]

Smoked: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake tonight. This was my first experience with an aged tobacco ( 2015 ). Wow.. What a difference that makes.. Time to get the cellar built up

 

[Speak Easy]

Exclusive in a Ropp this evening.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

5/21 MB HH Pure Virginia in an Altinay.

 

[The Clay King]

A great day at Nottingham Pipe Show yesterday; good to meet Andy & Eddy again.
Gave Eddy my drawing of the Cross Keys pub, he got me a pint for it and some Virginia Flake to smoke in my clays.
Had a go with my briar churchwarden & meer pipes, the one time in a year I smoke them.
Got plenty of free pipeweed as well!
Beers drunk at Nottingham:
Castle Rock Preservation: Preservation | Castle Rock Brewery - https://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/beers/preservation/
Castle Rock London Thunder
Pipeweed smoked at Nottingham:
Condor / Rich Dark Flake / Perique mix
Stokkebye Bullseye Flake
Match Balkan Sobranie
MacBaren Bold Kentucky
Capstan Blue Flake
+others
I need to claim compensation for a delayed train journey.