Your biggest Surprise in Pipe Smoking?

[hauntedmyst]

My biggest surprise in smoking came when after 20 years, my tastes in tobacco just flipped. Prior to that, I only smoked aromatics and couldn't stand English blends, both with and without Latakia. Then one day I decided to try another English, one of the McClelland bulks and BAM!, it was wonderful. Then I tried 965 and it was wonderful! I still smoke aros but for the most part, they are only an occasional smoke. In the last 3 years, its been mostly non-latakia Englishes - aka GH&Co and Samuel Gawith. I'm still not a big Virginia smoker but smoke them occasionally. This forum has taught me to buy them anyways since I may one day like them and it will be nice to have some with age.

 

[Python 357]

biggest surprise is how much better tasting pipes are than cigars

 

[WVOldFart]

Thanks for sharing your surprises.

 

[WVOldFart]

biggest surprise is how much better tasting pipes are than cigars

Hello and welcome from West Virginia. I use to smoke an occasional cigar, but they don't compare to a pipe. What part of PA are you located. It is a beautiful State.

 

[jaytex1969]

Amazingly, never had a bad smoking Peterson.

A minor surprise for me, as well. Looking over my hodgepodge rotation of new and used pipes, Peterson has, without any planning, become my most represented marquis.

I now have five, all estates, and at least 4 very good smokers. (still evaluating the spigot)

 

[Chasing Embers]

Been rolling the question around most of the day and I'm drawing a blank.?‍

 

[jaytex1969]

Been rolling the question around most of the day and I'm drawing a blank.

You should be surprised with HH Rustica, finally getting a nic hit for a change.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You should be surprised with HH Rustica, finally getting a nic hit for a change.



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I could get a nic hit out of any of it smoking that much. It took four flakes at once to do what hot boxing a couple of cigarettes can do.?‍

 

[Chasing Embers]

@jaytex1969

I think I need to replace all of my cellar with mapacho and tambolaka.

 

[gamzultovah]

I was surprised to find a thriving pipe community. Pipe smoking had always been a solitary activity for me, and I had never met another pipe smoker in my 22 years of dabbling in the pastime (nor did I really care to). While searching for certain pipe artisans online, I ran across this site and in a moment of melancholy , joined. All of this has been a departure (surprise) for me, but a pleasant one.

 

[STP]

I purchased a Gigi bent billiard for $40’ish because I like Its appearance. It’s one of the best smoking and easiest to clean (passes a pipe cleaner) pipes that I own. Proof that spending a lot of money doesn’t necessarily mean a better smoking pipe. I actually learned this a while back w/Rossi. I still like the fine stuff too, but those starting out and not wanting to spend a ton, there are certainly budget friendly quality pipes available.

 

[Philosopiper]

I’ve had a few surprises in my relatively short time smoking. Among them, that a ~$5 MM cob is one of my favorite pipes; that englishes aren’t my main smoke; that the same blend can taste so different on different occasions; that I’m not noticeably addicted to nicotine.

 

[anotherbob]

when I bought a pipe that cost more then my rent. Also when I found out drier really is better thought I would have to toss the tin boy was I wrong. I felt like I had wasted years not drying it out first.

 

[anotherbob]

I could get a nic hit out of any of it smoking that much. It took four flakes at once to do what hot boxing a couple of cigarettes can do.?‍

that it's keeping you alive and vibrant.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I had no clue about the depth and breadth of the different types and blends of tobacco. Also was pleasantly surprised to find this place and its treasures of advice on anything and everything and the goodwill demonstrated 24/7.

 

[wolflarsen]

What big surprise have you had in your pipe smoking experience.

I love the taste of granny panties!

#7 Broken Flake, Grasmere, Ennerdale, Kendal Flake ... I love them all.

 

[tfdickson]

I thought of another. That is, the amount of tobacco I accumulated in a short period of time. When McClelland and Dunhill shut down in the same year, I took that as a wake up call and accumulated over 350 lbs in two years. If someone in 2017 would have told me I’d have 500 lbs off pipe tobacco in 2021, I’d been more than surprised. Now it’s in place and hopefully there will be no bad surprises to make me regret that.

500 lb! All is right in the world.

 

[Chasing Embers]

that it's keeping you alive and vibrant.

Sane. Work is keeping me alive.

 

[anotherbob]

Sane. Work is keeping me alive.

Work is the worst thing for you. It's put more people in the grave then smoking or anything fun. Guess you're a lucky guy to have a job like that.

 

[Frasermac]

Biggest surprise?
Easy, how much I love it?
Oh and the Gawith’s??