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

[Benedict Munsinger]

Today’s smoke: Pipe: Peterson Kildare Silver Mounted (X105), P‑Lip stem Tobacco: Maverick Space Needle by Cornell & Diehl (Landmark Series). Blend composition: straight Virginia only.
Smoking impressions:
Right from the tin, I was greeted with a clean, wine‑like Virginia aroma — rich and herbal. After some air, it settled into a deeper nutty‑chocolaty tone.
In the pipe, there’s no sweetness or exotic spice — just pure, well‑matured Virginia. Burns evenly to the dottle with no bite or harshness, and remains dry and stable throughout.
Bottom line:
Maverick Space Needle is a true straight Virginia blend: no frills, no casing, just honest tobacco character. Kudos to Cornell & Diehl for capturing the essence of Virginia in its purest.

 

[Scrapyard Ape]

Dunno Bout the rest of you, but I'd pay good money just to spend one hour with Jim and watch him smoke.

 

[Sigmund]

HU Tuarkeh in a Viprati.

 

[JimInks]

A quarter of the way through this bowl of Wilke Pickett’s Charge in a post-WW2 straight smooth brown pre-Republic Peterson’s Dublin 3 bulldog with a nickel band and a tapered black vulcanite p-lip stem. This'll do it for me today.

 

[Benedict Munsinger]

HU Tuarkeh in a Viprati.

View attachment 407078

I used to chase down every Latakia-heavy blend I could get my hands on — the smokier and bolder, the better. Eventually, I burned myself out on them (Lat bomb fatigue, anyone?). These days, I gravitate toward more subtle mixtures, but judging by the feedback, this one seems like a real standout.
Reportedly, the blend clocks in at around 52% Cypriot Latakia, paired with bright, fragrant Orientals, some orange-hued Tanzanian Virginia for citrusy sweetness, and just a touch of Perique to add a bit of spice and depth.
Sounds like a well-crafted, complex Balkan — definitely one for those who still enjoy a Latakia-forward smoke with finesse.
P.S. Viprati is damn fine as alway

 

[Sigmund]

@Benedict Munsinger

I like lat and when I do its typically a lot of it but I dont smoke it that often.

Tuarkeh (to me) is VERY similiar to GLP Quiet nights. It burns faster becuase its cut smaller. It also doesnt have quite the flavor intensity of quiet nights...just a touch less pine/juniper sensation.

Quiet nights is expensive in the EU since its an import

 

[Benedict Munsinger]

@Benedict Munsinger

I like lat and when I do its typically a lot of it but I dont smoke it that often.

Tuarkeh (to me) is VERY similiar to GLP Quiet nights. It burns faster becuase its cut smaller. It also doesnt have quite the flavor intensity of quiet nights...just a touch less pine/juniper sensation.

Quiet nights is expensive in the EU since its an import

That's right, everything should be for pleasure and according to your own feelings.

 

[PaulRVA]

C&D Exclusive in a Dunhill 4109 and Coffee ️ on the side

 

[Mortar0341]

Haunted Bookshop in the Brebbia Ninja Noce 1001. Black coffee. Hanging out with my parakeet Mango on the porch. We're watching the tree in my front yard it's got a family of woodpeckers in it.

 

[Roach1]

OJK in a BC Big Bowl #1553.

 

[judcole]

Amphora Virginia in a Comoy's 1981 Christmas pipe. a Dublin with a 1/8 bend, rather like a prince in that regard.

 

[Choatecav]

Is Faulkner Flake a Country Squire blend? Never tried any of their blends. Thinking of placing an order.

Yes, it is. I have been ordering it for years and keep coming back to it as a good, consistent VA. Plus, it is one you can order in bulk, if you choose.

 

[Sigmund]

Some Reiners golden flake in a Kai

 

[BlueRidge]

1792 in a Castello

 

[spearheadbill]

PS luxury bullseye in a 55

 

[PaulRVA]

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

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

I’ve had a fun but exhausting weekend and yesterday morning I was happy to wake up only a quarter dead instead of half based on how much cycling and boozing I did on Friday night. In Milwaukee we have had an annual bike event for the past 15 years or so called the Riverwest 24, a 24 hour bike race. It’s a great time and while it is a “race,” it’s in name only though there is a podium and team classes. Anyways I’ve been on teams and rode on shifts during all times of the day but now that I’m older I’m usually just spectating and enjoying the company of my friends and just enjoying it. The weather turned out great for it as well.

This morning I’m easing into the day with a bowl of Sherlock Holmes in a Grabow with a hot cup of coffee and my cat snoozing by my side.

 

[bobpnm]

Good morning! Beautiful wife of my life riding with me this morning. Try to get a quick 20 miles in before the heat index gets over 115. Coffee, burley, cob.

 

[bobpnm]

Yes, it is. I have been ordering it for years and keep coming back to it as a good, consistent VA. Plus, it is one you can order in bulk, if you choose.

Thanks!

 

[Steddy]

2012 GL Pease Cairo in an IMP Meer. Time to get to chorin. Chorin is a word I picked up from watching Letterkenny. Thank you Canadians for increasing my vocabulary. Pitter patter let’s get at er.