Smoking my own blends. Mostly a vaper topped by a mix of three types of vinegar. I also smoke my oriental heavy English and a vaper with an added amount of Latakia to change things up.
I was trying to get some of that good old McC smell and taste that I have been missing so I thought just maybe a little vinegar might get me close. I started with just some apple cider vinegar, not right. Next worked in some balsamic to the vinegar mix. Last batch added red wine vinegar. I start with my red VA vaper and spread it on a tray and mist in the vinegar. Jar it while still damp. It seems to change the chemical makeup of the smoke and mellows it out. It is still a work in progress. I am now trying to figure out how to get the tomato into it for the catsup effect.
Tried out a new (to me) blend, GL Pease Navigator, absolutely the best Navy type virginia / dark fired Kentucky blend I've ever had, tumbled flake, touch of rum, the Virginia seems to be the base, love it.
Smoking some C&D “Milk & Honey” in one of the first pipes I made a new stem for, some 7-8 years ago. It is a Savinelli that was made for Iwan Ries & Co. I believe it was a #802 or #802KS originally? I made the stem longer and gave it a bit of a downturn more like a #812. The stem is red/black swirl “Cumberland” acrylic.
I have to say, this tobacco smokes smooth and dry, but it is not my “cup-a-tea”. The Dark Fired Kentucky is too close to Latakia😖
Tnx @motie2 I actually added the stem. The original is vulcanite and very nicely done, but I was starting to make minor teeth marks in it so I decided to fit this acrylic stem to the pipe in an effort to give the original some relief...
At last years pipe show blending seminar I made two tins of a quasi English /American / Balkan with unflavored black Cavendish. Really the only thing I did not add was perique.
The latakia they had was really wimpy, so while its in there it very sublime; after a year to age it has turned out to be incredibly smooth blend, in a Molina bent Dublin.
@motie2 I'm here. Today's been a better day for me mentally, but I think as long as I have my current job, it's going to be a struggle. My back is somehow doing worse today, but I think it's from the punishment its been through during the week. Not sure how long it will take to fully recover, but I look forward to that day. I will say it's a stark improvement over the other times I've pulled my back, as I'm not bedridden over it. Thank you for asking.
Comments
@michaelc1945
Whoa, whoa. Please tell us a bit more about this vinegar treatment. Please!
genius AND awesome! Thank you for explaining.
BTW, check out Seattle Pipe Club’s two Barrel Aged blends.... very Frog Morton Cellar-like, especially the Plum Pudding/Bourbon one.
How are you feeling?
Sweet lookin’ pipe. Love the red stem.....
A really good look......