***What Are You Smoking, October 2024?***

[dottlejockey]

I do the same thing frequently, but in my case I wonder if it's contemplation or procrastination!

Likewise, but you know, trying to give myself the benefit of the doubt since it can't be proven beyond a shadow in a court of law.

Moving along to breaktime with a bowl of 2013 Hamborger Veermaster in an Ahmet Govem commission piece and then back at to tie up a couple loose ends and finish out the day's toil.

 

[JimInks]

A quarter of the way through this bowl of year 2021 unreleased Sutliff Black Virginia Flake in a late 80's, early 90s James Upshall P DS Tilshead England Made By Hand L185 Canadian with a silver band and a tapered black vulcanite stem.

 

[Fralphog]

Cowboy Coffee in the SMS. Black french roast on the side.
View attachment 340592

Hey @PrivatePiping , are you using your coloring bowl still?

 

[Scottmi]

Field mow is done! And what a beautiful day--too hot even to sit on the deck in the sun so in the porch where it is an idyllic shady 68F. Royal Yacht in the WDC Hesson Guard Zulu and water.

 

[xrundog]

OJK in a 1920s WDC Milano triangle shank panel.

 

[FurCoat]

Rouxgaroux in a Jekyll and Hyde Peterson

 

[das3353]

KBV B. Frog’s Colonial Reserve in a Pete Christmas Hudson

 

[telescopes]

VaBur with perique #4
C&D Long Cut Perique 7 grams
C&D Dark Burley 5 grams
C&D White Burley 5 grams
Watch City Simply Red 5 grams
C&D Bright Virginia 3 grams
P&C Blending Maryland 3 grams
with eight o’clock decaf.
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That's an interesting blend - If I read it right, it is heavy on the burley. What tasting notes are you getting from it? Is the red Virginia prominent or does the burley take more of a center stage? Do you think it might benefit from some stoved virginia or toasted Cavendish?

 

[telescopes]

@MattRVA - as you know, I have been working on a blend - I'll call it PMP (poor man's penzance). I used some proportions for a Balkan that I saw Ernie from Watch City recommended. I discovered that the Green River Cavendish, when pre flavored from the manufacturer, has a positive impact on guiding the other tobaccos - the latakia, orientals, and the Virginias. I still have no idea what specific leaf Esoterica is using, but according to those whom we trust, Cavendish or stoved tobacco plays a role in what makes Penzance unique. I've discovered the influence now for myself on this very standard Balkan blend and I am convinced that while I can't make the horse drink, I can lead it to water. This particular blend in the pipe, my PMP, is perhaps one of the finest I have ever concocted for myself. I was surprised at how the Cavendish changed everything. No, I didn't nail it on the head in terms of recreating a Penzance, but yes, I did create a worthy Balkan that has some of the intrinsic taste actions that go on with Esoterica blends. I am learning. That's all I have for now.

 

[JimInks]

Now smoking Wilke Little Round Top in a straight smooth brown 2017 unbranded James Upshall Canadian with a tapered black vulcanite stem. Haven't smoked this pipe lately.

 

[Bright Orange Red]

Well aged Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong Flake in a Savinelli Capri Root Briar 121.

 

[xrundog]

OJK in a small 1950 Parker Super Briar Bark 81F

 

[PaulRVA]

Capstan Blue Ready Rubbed in a J Mouton Short Liverpool

 

[Scottmi]

2005 MB Stockton in a Gefapip 2500 rusticated canadian.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

MB Virginia Flake in an Altinay.

 

[JimInks]

Relaxing after a wonderful salad, chicken legs and sugar snap peas dinner with strawberries for dessert. I'm near the first third of this bowl of year 2022 unreleased Sutliff Brown Virginia Flake in a 1920s medium bend smooth dark brown BBB Umbra bulldog with a tapered black vulcanite stem with an orific bit. Ice water and bergs is my drink for right now. Watching the Royals-Yankees game.

 

[MattRVA]

That's an interesting blend - If I read it right, it is heavy on the burley. What tasting notes are you getting from it? Is the red Virginia prominent or does the burley take more of a center stage? Do you think it might benefit from some stoved virginia or toasted Cavendish?

I had some Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe Krantz from 2019 and it was really good. When I tried it years ago it was harsh and I hated it. I bought both blends lately and they seem milder. I’ve been enjoying strong burley blends lately so I wanted something strong. The aged blends had a tangy sweetness to them, I fell in love with that taste, maybe a little acidic. The 2019 blends were from a bulk purchase jarred. I was originally trying to recreate something similar but with strength like picayune. I spoke with Mark Ryan about Picayune at the most recent Richmond show and he emphasized using air cured leaf for strength. Picayune is a whole other animal. To answer your question, yes the burley takes center stage but I just blended a small amount tonight so the components haven’t melded. The Maryland is throwing it off for me. I ran out of my favorite burley, C&D Burley Ribbon Cut, that stuff was the best I think. I was originally against cavendish but I think you’re right to recommend it, if not a small amount. Though I was going for something strong, it is rough! I definitely want more red Virginia and stoved is a great idea… the possibilities are endless.

 

[Ben.R.C]

C&D Exclusive in an S Bang. For whatever reason, I tend to overpack this pipe, or it’s sensitive to overpacking, however you choose to frame it. if I’m careful, it smokes great.

 

[cshubhra]

Gawith Hoggarth’s Bob’s Chocolate Flake in an Altinay translucent meerschaum billiard

 

[MattRVA]

That's an interesting blend - If I read it right, it is heavy on the burley. What tasting notes are you getting from it? Is the red Virginia prominent or does the burley take more of a center stage? Do you think it might benefit from some stoved virginia or toasted Cavendish?

I’ve also always been interested in making a burley perique blend with minimal Virginia leaf. That would definitely need cavendish or stoved Virginia… Maryland would maybe work well with that. Maryland is interesting to me.