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

[HeavyLeadBelly]

Last Night's Smoke - and it was a disturbing smoke. The prelude is that I gave away another MM regular size cob, and replaced it, forthwith. I was able to select the pipe from about a dozen, and I picked the smallest bowl of all that were at Sheffield's at the PG Mall. I wanted a picnic pipe that would give me about a 40-45 minute smoke, and it delivered more, even on break in. (Yeah, another one ) It was just Smoker's Pride Cherry Cavendish. Very decent smoke, even for a break in procedure . . . . .

BUT . . . . . ​

I related it to a previous post @happy_lunter, in which he said (paraphrase) that he noticed that the flavour of Steamworks was much better if the tobacco was dry as a bone.

I agreed, but had mentally reserved the possibility that other tobaccos may not respond to dessication.

However . . . . .​

While smoking the pipe, I Ran into an interesting phenomenon that I'd never seen before, but the following picture reveals something I found disturbing, and now confirms my conversion to the glaring possibility that tobaccos should be dry before smoking. Look at the following picture:

View attachment 405203​

That's heavy duty condensation that I had never seen before, because I'd only smoked tobacco in opaque stems, never in a transparent one.

I'd imagine that this condensation is a result of wet tobacco, (actually, I know it is) and will indeed ruin the flavour of so many tobaccos that are too wet. And I'm now aware that this condesation will rear it's ugly head in opaque stems, as well.

I think it also is the main cause of gurgling, and too many relights and other frustrations. Condensation is also caused by turbulence inside the stem. Slow smoking also will help with that. But, wet tobacco definitely causes wet smoke.

I put in a pipe cleaner, and removed the condensation, but it quickly returned and so did ash and debris as I got to the bottom of the bowl. That crap contributed to an acrid taste that was rather noticeable, and told me a lot of other things.

I present this to all of you for your consideration and comments, and will leave my post without opinions except that I'll be drying out my tobacco much more in future.

Have at it, please. Seems learning is a never ending process, eh? Let me know what you think of all this. Thanks.

Eh I don’t think the condensation is from overly moist tobacco, I thinks it’s a combination of the moisture in the tobacco and you own natural saliva. I mean, I don’t know many people who dry their tobacco out so much that it has zero moisture content so inevitably there’s going to be some even in the tobacco you let dry for some period of time. Plus Gord, those aros you smoke might take years to fully dry out lol. I’d say don’t worry about it but keep a pipe cleaner at hand so you can run it through the stem once the gurgling starts.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

Having a bowl of Bobs Chocokate Flake in a Grabow this morning with a cup of good hot coffee ️.

 

[ashdigger]

Ripping through AZ. Hamborger Veermaster in a Pre-Republic Pete. This one is a big System 0. Love this pipe.

 

[Sig]

More Wessex Classic Virginia.....with Perique, in a Rad Davis Smokers Forums POY 2008.
Even though this tin is from 2025, the other tin I have isn't going to last long. This is perfect right from the fresh tin. My favorite tin pop in 2025 so far.

 

[Sig]

Ive got a 100 yard "range" in the yard. It goes between the house and detached garage, so be sure the wife isn't coming out the door.
Its actually a pistol range.
But I converted an old pasture into a 1000+ yard range close to the house.
I only have a few 1000 yard guns, but it seems a waste to not stretch them out occasionally. Plus, Its like when you own a truck......friends come out of the woodwork.

Here is the view of the 100 yard range. Down the driveway, over the garden, between the house and garage....no problem.
Gotta zoom in to see the targets....and don't hit the doggies.

 

[Roach1]

Briar Fox in an Irish Seconds Calabash 05.

 

[PaulRVA]

C&D Exclusive in a Castello KK 10 and the last of the Coffee ️

 

[The Benedictine]

Smoking Peter Stokkebye 6 Vanilla out of a Peterson Churchwarden.

 

[Searock Fan]

Ok, so right now I'm smoking a mixture of the small remainders from 4 different English blend samples given to me by a friend. None of them were anything special so I put them together to see what would happen. Now I know that 4 so-so blends together make up one larger so-so blend.

 

[Scottmi]

Red Virginia in the Bones Poker with morning coffee.

 

[LotusEater]

Sillem’s Black in a small C.P.F calabash

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I tried Ennerdale for the first time last night and was concerned about ghosting, so I smoked it in a cob.
The closest thing I've ever tried to a Lakeland was Bob's Chocolate Flake, so I was interested to see how this was.
Very strong perfume smell in the bag. I found that the taste didn't translate nearly as much as I anticipated.
I think I like it. Nice strong tobacco and not nearly as soapy and perfumey as I was expecting.

 

[towhee89]

Morning pipes.

Marxman Dunsboro w Granger


Wally Frank era Custombilt stamp 4 (made by Weber) CH+5 Bros

 

[infectedpsyche]

Got after it and managed to finish work early today! Celebrating and kicking off the weekend with some Sansepolcro in my Kehler Nosewarmer Pot.

 

[alwayslit]

Squadron leader in a N Monier

 

[Tabacco]

C&D Virginia Flake.

 

[gord]

I have one tobacco I like real well that has become unobtanium. No rationing for me. I smoke it whenever I’m in the mood, which is frequently as of late. I’d rather enjoy it today in case I don’t see tomorrow. I dread the thought of my relatives throwing out a favorite tobacco after I die because I was stingy with it. Eat, drink, smoke, and be merry. After it is gone I will still have good tobaccos to smoke.

That attitude is coming along a bit in me, as well. I've been smoking different tobaccos lately that I've come to really enjoy. A reality check is good for the soul!

 

[Phiredog]

Had a quick bowl of Early Morning Pipe in a little Medico Crest pipe with a cold bottle of Topo Chico to drink during my lunch break.

 

[gord]

Eh I don’t think the condensation is from overly moist tobacco, I thinks it’s a combination of the moisture in the tobacco and you own natural saliva. I mean, I don’t know many people who dry their tobacco out so much that it has zero moisture content so inevitably there’s going to be some even in the tobacco you let dry for some period of time. Plus Gord, those aros you smoke might take years to fully dry out lol. I’d say don’t worry about it but keep a pipe cleaner at hand so you can run it through the stem once the gurgling starts.

I'll keep an eye on the proceedings . . . I don't retrohale much, but could be a cause. I'll give the pipe another whirl with something I have in my stash that's bone dry and compare. What was in the pipe was sticking together - very moist. Thanks

 

[dottlejockey]

After-breakfast bowl of Winchester in an Ahmet Govem commission piece with coffee. Life is good.

Packing up and heading out to the Gorge in George (Eastern WA) for a Mumford and Sons concert tonight. Loud music in the dessert and a cigar to top the night off is the plan. See y'all Saturday.