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

[JimInks]

Almost a third of the way through this bowl of Watch City Simply Virginia/Oriental in a brown straight smooth Paul Perri billiard with a black acrylic tapered stem.

Arlo Guthrie announced his retirement, and said he's gone fishing. M'lady and I enjoyed seven of his concerts. He had a long, distinguished career, and I hope he catches a lot of fish.

 

[mso489]

Watch City Slices, sample courtesy of a fellow Forums member, a sturdy Va/Bur/dark fired blend, in a BC straight blast tapered billiard, after a cheeseburger, chips and Yuengling Lager.

 

[JimInks]

I sadly don't have time to keep up with all the cool kid news...but is that (HU quality drop) and official 'noticed thing' now? I ask because I've been smoking Makhuwa for a while and it's been one of my "Oooohhhh yeeeeaaaah" blends. I recently got into tins ordered earlier this year and it had become an "Oh, that's a shame...." blend. Tried a few tins and all were harsh/bitter compared to the chocolatey toned fun it was prior. Though maybe it was a bad batch, but interested if others are having similar experiences with HU.

You're correct about Makhuwa. I bought mine last August and experienced the same thing you did. In addition, Director's Cut and Old Fredder's have less perique, and they added more DSK to DC. I sent Hans an e-mail about it to let him know people are unhappy with the changes.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

You're correct about Makhuwa. I bought mine last August and experienced the same thing you did. In addition, Director's Cut and Old Fredder's have less perique, and they added more DSK to DC. I sent Hans an e-mail about it to let him know people are unhappy with the changes.

How much control does Hans now have? Really a sad developer if it can not be reversed.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

The pipe is a Ser Jacapo Jucunda.

Arlo Guthrie announced his retirement, and said he's gone fishing. M'lady and I enjoyed seven of his concerts. He had a long, distinguished career, and I hope he catches a lot of fish.

Only saw him once, but the experience was much like this.

IMNSHO, the best cover of what I will always consider the greatest song he wrote was the way Willie did it live as part of The Highwaymen.

 

[jerseysam]

You're correct about Makhuwa. I bought mine last August and experienced the same thing you did. In addition, Director's Cut and Old Fredder's have less perique, and they added more DSK to DC. I sent Hans an e-mail about it to let him know people are unhappy with the changes.

Thanks for that input Jim, appreciated. I am decidedly *not* a pipe tobacco super-taster so am often quicker to point the finger at my taste buds than the blend......but that more recent tin-batch of Makhuwa was flat out lousy to me. I'm not sure if that blend was a big seller....but changing the taste profile on Directors Cut seems a bit bold. I can easily imagine boutique blends struggling to source high-quality leaf as demand ramps up....but squelching on Perique? Unless there's been some import/levy increases, don't think that is a source that's been drying up.

Get while the gettin' is good folks, you never know when your favorite blend will head south!

 

[Perique]

Previously, Iwan Ries Three Star Blue in a Foreverstemmed Country Gent. Currently Peretti Dundee in a Stanwell No.11

 

[FurCoat]

Dinner was delicious. Butternut squash soup with pecans and and grilled cheese (12 grain bread and extra sharp cheddar). Now time to relax with ESO ASTB in a Peterson Derry.

 

[JimInks]

Part way through this bowl of D&R Windsail in an undated straight brush etched black Molina apple with a nickel band and a black tapered vulcanite stem. Time to do one more set of walks.

 

[--dante--]

Black Frigate again -- but I can quit smoking it whenever I want . Oh look, I have it preloaded in another pipe. I must have forgotten that. May as well smoke it too.

 

[Pit&Pipes]

Nightcap in me EMC Cob. Broke her in nice after getting her yesterday.

 

[virginialover]

Hello from Mont-Laurier !

Hi!

 

[--dante--]

PS Navy flake after my evening stroll.

Have a good evening.

View attachment 48039

Cripes is that your house!?

 

[jpberg]

The pipe is a Ser Jacapo Jucunda.
View attachment 48176

Only saw him once, but the experience was much like this.

IMNSHO, the best cover of what I will always consider the greatest song he wrote was the way Willie did it live as part of The Highwaymen.

I see Oriental #14 back there. To my taste, it’s one of the greatest McC creations, and one that I miss - always unsung and available.
I’m smoking Dark Plug in a Castello.

 

[tomatamot]

Thanks for that input Jim, appreciated. I am decidedly *not* a pipe tobacco super-taster so am often quicker to point the finger at my taste buds than the blend......but that more recent tin-batch of Makhuwa was flat out lousy to me. I'm not sure if that blend was a big seller....but changing the taste profile on Directors Cut seems a bit bold. I can easily imagine boutique blends struggling to source high-quality leaf as demand ramps up....but squelching on Perique? Unless there's been some import/levy increases, don't think that is a source that's been drying up.

Get while the gettin' is good folks, you never know when your favorite blend will head south!

I heard, weeks ago from Thomas Darasz, TAK ( Motzek ) That there are difficulties in his supply of tobacco.
Now we are Months further and still no changes.
As I read above He is not the only manufacturer with this problem.
I'll wait and see what happen.

 

[--dante--]

Here's some more groovy tin art for ya....................And by the way, I have one last packet of Condor,looks something like your's.View attachment 48070

Argh! 4oz mason jars! 4oz mason jars! My Condor's look the same but I ripped em all out of the packs and jarred them lol

 

[shikano53]

C&D Pegasus in my IMP meer

 

[craig61a]

GH&Co Brown Flake Licorice in a 1979 Peterson Deluxe 11s.

 

[Winterreise]

After a long hike and writing session in the « montagne du diable » (The devil mountain close to Mont-Laurier) i’m smoking a well deserved bowl of Quiet Nights in my Savinelli 320KS St-Nicholas 2020 with a strong black coffee . This year edition is my favorite so far , this pipe call for complex english/Balkan to me !

 

[briarbuck]

30 year old Davidoff royalty in a old . Peterson with old Forester 100 Proof. About ready to get big time thunderstorms in Ohio.