Whats the Ultimate Pack, Does Tighter = Better Flavour and Burn?

[stuart]

My experience is that tighter doesn't equal more flavor, nor a better burn. I've found that moisture content is the main factor for flavor intensity, with packing following closely behind. Since I mostly smoke Virginias, Va/Pers, and Va/Bur/Per blends the moisture level is a little bit shy of bone dry. I'll pack "medium to loose" depending on the cut. I want the draw to be open and effortless. Once i get the tobacco lit I just let it simmer as I take slow sips. I also snork to pick up the flavor nuances since there are more flavor receptors in your schnoz than in your mouth.

Thank you, that's really interesting to hear people views and appreciate you sharing them. I am with you guys in that I find dryer and loser better, I guess am always on the quest to know more and try and improve things so curious whether there is a better way that exists. Perhaps I'll try the 'Frank' method to explore this for a while as seems that air pocket is important. I guess that however the pipe is smoked it must have adequate free draw to match the density of the pack as otherwise it is going to overheat to keep it going, or go out and not smoke. Perhaps the Frank method could be used for the 3g contests to fill with more tobacco into the pipe? I may have to experiment to see whether the Frank method uses more tobacco than the normal 3 step method or whether it is just a different approach to filling it.

Thanks again for sharing thoughts, ideas and experience guys

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

If you're talking about something heavily topped like the Lakeland blends then I'd call it a tragedy if the tobacco isn't smoked fresh from the tin (maybe leave it out for a few hours if the first puff feels like you're drowning in flowers).
The guys who like their tobacco bone dry tend to avoid Lakeland blends like the plague so I guess it's no loss to them, but some blends definitely should be more moisture controlled.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The guys who like their tobacco bone dry tend to avoid Lakeland blends like the plague

Smoking them immediately after drying intensifies them for me.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Smoking them immediately after drying intensifies them for me.

Interesting.
I'll need to set up an A-B comparison someday.

 

[stuart]

If you're talking about something heavily topped like the Lakeland blends then I'd call it a tragedy if the tobacco isn't smoked fresh from the tin (maybe leave it out for a few hours if the first puff feels like you're drowning in flowers).
The guys who like their tobacco bone dry tend to avoid Lakeland blends like the plague so I guess it's no loss to them, but some blends definitely should be more moisture controlled.

Thanks, this is interesting as have seen people do this and have found that there is alot of flavour that goes with it. What are the changes to technique to be able to smoke wetter tobacco, more of an air pocket at the bottom tighter pack in upper bowl to decrease speed of burning and temperature, softer lighting technique to only light the tobacco on the very top of the bowl, more gentle puffs/draws to think of a few?

Out of interest frozenchurchwaden are you in the UK as found for whatever reason people in the states tend to opt to dry their tobacco more? Not saying either is better or judging anyone asking from a position of curiosity. Thanks

 

[Chasing Embers]

What are the changes to technique to be able to smoke wetter

Gravity filling.