Yes It Is, Tambolaka

[mso489]

Cosmic, interesting about size bowl and nicotine intake. One primal experience I had was with a great Group 5 poker, Jerry Perry artisanal, in which I tried my first fine big bowl of Nightcap, long enough ago that I think the nic was decidedly higher than now. While I didn't make myself sick, I was lucky it was a late evening on the porch and I could just stagger off to bed. Not a bad experience, but a definite nic high. I agree, strong tobacco doesn't have to be smoked always in small or extra small bowls, but I still think it is wise to get the range on a strong blend in a small bowl. If you aren't hydrated or don't have a big meal under your belt, it's far easier to back off with a small bowl; you can better get the range on a leaf -- or that's my way of going at it.
deathmetal, I try to keep it in perspective, and I really enjoy milder blends in rotation. I'm not just tending toward the head-spinning leaf. For a strong tobacco, Semois is pretty refined, not a head-knocker at all. Most of my rotation is non-aro, flavorful but not high test. I think the extra strong blends actually set off some of the milder ones, if they're not all you smoke. For some people, MM 965 is extra strong, and that's great. A good range, whatever ones range is, is likely most pleasing. Poor old Nietzsche, as if life doesn't lay enough gloom at your feet even when you are an optimistic generally upbeat person. But an interesting writer yes; he made his mark.
I'm finishing this bowl of Tam. It goes much, much better after a hardy meal, for sure. Not quite but almost tame.

 

[pylorns]

If you want to find other sources of indonesian tobacco there is a guy who will send you samples of lots of cottage blends.
Here is a write up I did on them:

https://medium.com/@pylorns/indonesian-pipe-tobacco-71630487a33d#.yqyw499hk

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I "think" that a larger bowl presents a strong urge to puff a little harder making more billowing smoke. I know that I am always tempted, but I just force myself to breathsmoke them to keep the intake of smoke marginalized to the more mellow "open" flavor. But yes, always try new blends in different pipes. That's a wise suggestion. I have some bright Virginias that I prefer in a larger pot, and some that I like in narrow. It's not always as cut and dry a decision as we may think it will be, matching a pipe to tobacco and flavor.

 

[condorlover1]

I like Tambo either mixed with Condor or Brown twist for that early morning life affirming experience with a couple of expressos to get your day started on the right note. Not for the nicotine averse but well worth trying out.

 

[mso489]

condor', that's a wake-up call! I'm trying my final pinch of Tam with something else, maybe McClellands 5100, to get the Virginia-burley thing going. The brown twist mix must help you levitate.

 

[mso489]

So I'm back to my first full-size (Group 4) bowl of Tam. It may not be my every day smoke, but I am surprised at how well it goes, sipped, over the course of a bowl. It actually calls me back. Thanks, Stan, for the second sample via first class letter. It's not the very horrible and mean leaf I'd dreaded. You have to make friends with it, and it's not for the nicotine sensitive nor for those who like a milder leaf. However, I detect no bite, and I don't stagger away from the experience. If you like a stronger leaf at least occasionally, and can handle nicotine now and then, it's earthy and flavorful. Personally, it doesn't put me off milder blends either. I can go back happily to a bowl of Frog original or Home and Hearth Chestnut. But when I want something strong and rowdy, Tam is there for me. The pipe is a Sav unfinished straight billiard panel, bought from Tobacconists of Cary, N.C., at the TAPS pipe show in April 2014 for (as I recall) $48.