Best Of
Re: What are you guys smoking right Now?
Hey guys, I’m back!! It’s been a minute. Great to see the old crew is still active on TPL!
@motie2 - super great to see you posting again.
You guys should join us some Friday evening on our virtual pipe club. I make it about half the time.
jfreedy
5 ·
Re: St. Louis Pipe Show 2024
Mapletop and his Mrs. had a table right next to mine. They were busy giving out free bowls of tobacco while promoting the upcoming Chicago Pipe Show. He serves on the committee for the show.
We were able to chat off and on most the day and I can tell you they are really nice people. I'm proud to know him as a TPL brother...
We were able to chat off and on most the day and I can tell you they are really nice people. I'm proud to know him as a TPL brother...
KA9FFJ
4 ·
Re: What are you guys smoking right Now?
Well Brothers;
Today I turn 80 years old. I haven't decided which pipe or Tobac I'll select to celebrate. I'm sure I'll end the day with a bit of "Teeling Irish Whiskey". I never dreamed I'd live to be 80, but I'm glad I didn't miss any of it. Life has been good. I am truly blessed. The next 80 might get a little rough, but bring it on.
Today I turn 80 years old. I haven't decided which pipe or Tobac I'll select to celebrate. I'm sure I'll end the day with a bit of "Teeling Irish Whiskey". I never dreamed I'd live to be 80, but I'm glad I didn't miss any of it. Life has been good. I am truly blessed. The next 80 might get a little rough, but bring it on.
opipeman
5 ·
Re: Other Hobbies
Had an ugly Zippo with feathers printed on it. Not sure where I picked it up? I brushed off the printed face and added one of the game tokens I have kicking around. I have used those coins for so many other projects, wishing had a few more.
Zouave1864
5 ·
Re: What are you guys smoking right Now?
I'm still in a pipe muck but did manage to have a pipe on Saturday along with an expertly crafted old fashioned 😎
Londy3
5 ·
Re: Perspectives from a Developing Piper
@KA9FFJ that is unfortunate and I’m sure true for a number of others. While these considerations may not help all they may help some. As someone who can for the time being taste many of these things I will be sure to savor the experience. I suppose not everyone even wants to be the equivalent of a craft beer nerd for pipe tobacco
Whoispra
5 ·
Re: Perspectives from a Developing Piper
Tasting Pipe Tobacco part 1 by whoispra
One of the most frequent troubles expressed by new pipe smokers, and some veterans alike, is the inability to taste the kinds of things described on tins by pipe tobacco manufacturers or our good friend Jiminks on Tobacco reviews. Elegant descriptions of things like black currant, baking spices, hay, molasses, liquor, figs, etc. that for the average pipe smoker likely oversells and underdelivers especially in relation to the delectable smells coming from the tin. I myself have much to learn in this regard but have been able to discern more and more of these notes as my pipe journey has progressed. Sure, there is probably some confirmation bias going on but progress has been made of that i am certain. I also know that for some, they like a blend, or a few, or maybe even all the blends they smoke and that's what they can say about it. I like Carter Hall and that's what I like. If this is maximal enjoyment for you then more power to you. Best advice I ever received was smoke what you like and smoke it down until you stop enjoying it and then empty your bowl.
When that common question is posed, I see the same answers spouted ad nauseum on the forums back at those seeking just a bit more out of the tobaccos they're trying. Things like smoke slower, really sip the tobacco, dry more, dry less, try gobs of tobacco etc. Some of these recommendations I think are certainly appropriate, especially for the novice, but no one goes deeper than that. It's as if the basic tenants of pipe smoking are all you need to get maximal enjoyment. I'm not necessarily arguing that it isn't, but there's more, at least for me there is. Two things that I think can help anyone develop a better ability to taste pipe tobacco are first, to experience more flavors in all things taste related within and beyond tobacco and second, things you can actually do with your mouth and all its parts to change the way your tongue and mind receive/perceive what is going on e.g. "chewing the smoke".
So, with that said, let's discuss those two things in greater detail.
On the first point, there is no substitute for language and experience. Both equally as important and necessary to develop when going from this tastes sweet to this tastes like caramelized sugar, anise, and cocoa. My first recommendation is to just try as many tobaccos as your budget can stand. This is especially true for new pipe smokers. This is one of the recommendations i definitely stand behind when others give it as is often the case. You will most likely not be able to discern the finer points of a latakia tobacco if you hate the taste or if you've only ever tried Presbyterian mixture. In experiencing a wide variety you've accomplished multiple things in addition to developing an unhealthy retail addiction, like learning what it is that you like and don't like, developing a broad sense of what "blend types" are about and assigning those blend types into the most basic taste categories e.g. aromatics are sweet, burley is more earthy, latakia/dark fired is smokey etc. This quest to try new things doesn't stop at the tobacco front. You can't describe something as tasting like cherry if you've never had cherries before. You picky eaters out there will be at a disadvantage but the more flavors and tastes you know, the better comparison you can make for yourself and for others. With broadened tastes you'll probably also pick up a broader vocabulary for describing the food or tobacco at hand. Terms bandied about in the pipe tobacco community might include things like full bodied, silky mouth feel, syrupy sweet, etc. What does it all mean? I'll be surprised if many of you bother to read this far but i know for fact i'd lose you trying to define all the possible terms running around and so i'll spare you. However, even if you don't feel like you have the words to describe what you taste, use what you have. Maybe you're smoking a notorious rope tobacco and the only thing that it reminds you of is a creosote log being used as a parking black that's been baking in the summer sun, Use that! Somebody will understand exactly what you mean by it. Also, don't be afraid to say words that dont even sound like they belong in describing a flavor, even if its just for your own benefit. Maybe refrain from talking to yourself in public, but im not here to tell you how to live your life. If you're smoking a VaPer and it tastes "boggy" then use that as word and try to think through what that means to you. Maybe first try to decide what ingredient is pushing that flavor. In this instance i'd argue the perique. Is it a taste that reminds you of the way a puddle or some damp place smells? Does it seem round, sharp, full or some other shapely word? Does it remind you of a color like green? I've used that one many times for many things. Something about saying green evokes a smell or taste to many. In exploring the language and the breadth of flavor out there you will almost certainly pick up more of the tobacco flavors you're seeking and likely something not even on the label.
Tune in for part 2.
To cool smokes and few relights.
Cheers
One of the most frequent troubles expressed by new pipe smokers, and some veterans alike, is the inability to taste the kinds of things described on tins by pipe tobacco manufacturers or our good friend Jiminks on Tobacco reviews. Elegant descriptions of things like black currant, baking spices, hay, molasses, liquor, figs, etc. that for the average pipe smoker likely oversells and underdelivers especially in relation to the delectable smells coming from the tin. I myself have much to learn in this regard but have been able to discern more and more of these notes as my pipe journey has progressed. Sure, there is probably some confirmation bias going on but progress has been made of that i am certain. I also know that for some, they like a blend, or a few, or maybe even all the blends they smoke and that's what they can say about it. I like Carter Hall and that's what I like. If this is maximal enjoyment for you then more power to you. Best advice I ever received was smoke what you like and smoke it down until you stop enjoying it and then empty your bowl.
When that common question is posed, I see the same answers spouted ad nauseum on the forums back at those seeking just a bit more out of the tobaccos they're trying. Things like smoke slower, really sip the tobacco, dry more, dry less, try gobs of tobacco etc. Some of these recommendations I think are certainly appropriate, especially for the novice, but no one goes deeper than that. It's as if the basic tenants of pipe smoking are all you need to get maximal enjoyment. I'm not necessarily arguing that it isn't, but there's more, at least for me there is. Two things that I think can help anyone develop a better ability to taste pipe tobacco are first, to experience more flavors in all things taste related within and beyond tobacco and second, things you can actually do with your mouth and all its parts to change the way your tongue and mind receive/perceive what is going on e.g. "chewing the smoke".
So, with that said, let's discuss those two things in greater detail.
On the first point, there is no substitute for language and experience. Both equally as important and necessary to develop when going from this tastes sweet to this tastes like caramelized sugar, anise, and cocoa. My first recommendation is to just try as many tobaccos as your budget can stand. This is especially true for new pipe smokers. This is one of the recommendations i definitely stand behind when others give it as is often the case. You will most likely not be able to discern the finer points of a latakia tobacco if you hate the taste or if you've only ever tried Presbyterian mixture. In experiencing a wide variety you've accomplished multiple things in addition to developing an unhealthy retail addiction, like learning what it is that you like and don't like, developing a broad sense of what "blend types" are about and assigning those blend types into the most basic taste categories e.g. aromatics are sweet, burley is more earthy, latakia/dark fired is smokey etc. This quest to try new things doesn't stop at the tobacco front. You can't describe something as tasting like cherry if you've never had cherries before. You picky eaters out there will be at a disadvantage but the more flavors and tastes you know, the better comparison you can make for yourself and for others. With broadened tastes you'll probably also pick up a broader vocabulary for describing the food or tobacco at hand. Terms bandied about in the pipe tobacco community might include things like full bodied, silky mouth feel, syrupy sweet, etc. What does it all mean? I'll be surprised if many of you bother to read this far but i know for fact i'd lose you trying to define all the possible terms running around and so i'll spare you. However, even if you don't feel like you have the words to describe what you taste, use what you have. Maybe you're smoking a notorious rope tobacco and the only thing that it reminds you of is a creosote log being used as a parking black that's been baking in the summer sun, Use that! Somebody will understand exactly what you mean by it. Also, don't be afraid to say words that dont even sound like they belong in describing a flavor, even if its just for your own benefit. Maybe refrain from talking to yourself in public, but im not here to tell you how to live your life. If you're smoking a VaPer and it tastes "boggy" then use that as word and try to think through what that means to you. Maybe first try to decide what ingredient is pushing that flavor. In this instance i'd argue the perique. Is it a taste that reminds you of the way a puddle or some damp place smells? Does it seem round, sharp, full or some other shapely word? Does it remind you of a color like green? I've used that one many times for many things. Something about saying green evokes a smell or taste to many. In exploring the language and the breadth of flavor out there you will almost certainly pick up more of the tobacco flavors you're seeking and likely something not even on the label.
Tune in for part 2.
To cool smokes and few relights.
Cheers
Whoispra
5 ·
Re: Pipes Pipes and more Pipes...
UNSMOKED MARK TINSKY ROOT FOUR STAR VOLCANO '6' 2022 BRIAR PIPE VERY RARE! eBay. $167.50
motie2
5 ·