Jesse Jack
New in Town
- Messages
- 29
- Location
- Butte, MT
Just a few other suggestions; in a nutshell, pipe smoking has a bit of a learning curve so there's more to it than just finding the right tobacco. In addition to experimenting with different blends, it's also an acquired taste and has a proper technique to it, which will come with time.
Latakia blends have a more pronounced flavor but also a more pungent aroma. Straight burley and Virginia blends have a more muted (but pleasant) aroma; the burleys have kind of a nutty taste and the virginias are more sweet. Aromatics have the best aroma but it's difficult to find one that tastes as good as it smells. There's other blends out there and ones that kind of blur the lines between these categories but that kind of covers most of it.
As far as an acquired taste, it's just one of those things like coffee or beer where you pick up the nuance more after a while. To me it's not so much like the taste of eating a candy bar or something. It's more of a dark-chocolatey aftertaste on the back of your tongue.
Technique is the main thing. Don't smoke too hot. If you draw too hard or puff too fast you'll just burn up everything and get a hot, acrid smoke which is probably what you're describing. "Sip" at the pipe. Another way I've heard it described is to try and smoke right on the thin line between staying lit and going out; that's where you get your best flavor and aroma. Finding the right technique in loading the bowl is important too because if you pack it too loose it'll burn hot; if you pack it too tight you'll have to smoke it hotter to keep it lit.
It seems like a lot to figure out but you just fool around with it until you start to get the hang of it. Maybe I've said a lot that you already knew so my apologies for any redundancy, but I just like to help a new piper along.
Finally, one thing about humidors. I know nothing about cigars but I have seen on websites little things you throw in there to keep the right humidity; if you have one, toss it. You want to more or less seal in what's already in the tobacco; if it's really moist you may even need to dry it, but definitely no added moisture unless it's already dried out to the point of being crispy. If it's too moist it'll give you grief too.
There. I'll shut up now!
Latakia blends have a more pronounced flavor but also a more pungent aroma. Straight burley and Virginia blends have a more muted (but pleasant) aroma; the burleys have kind of a nutty taste and the virginias are more sweet. Aromatics have the best aroma but it's difficult to find one that tastes as good as it smells. There's other blends out there and ones that kind of blur the lines between these categories but that kind of covers most of it.
As far as an acquired taste, it's just one of those things like coffee or beer where you pick up the nuance more after a while. To me it's not so much like the taste of eating a candy bar or something. It's more of a dark-chocolatey aftertaste on the back of your tongue.
Technique is the main thing. Don't smoke too hot. If you draw too hard or puff too fast you'll just burn up everything and get a hot, acrid smoke which is probably what you're describing. "Sip" at the pipe. Another way I've heard it described is to try and smoke right on the thin line between staying lit and going out; that's where you get your best flavor and aroma. Finding the right technique in loading the bowl is important too because if you pack it too loose it'll burn hot; if you pack it too tight you'll have to smoke it hotter to keep it lit.
It seems like a lot to figure out but you just fool around with it until you start to get the hang of it. Maybe I've said a lot that you already knew so my apologies for any redundancy, but I just like to help a new piper along.
Finally, one thing about humidors. I know nothing about cigars but I have seen on websites little things you throw in there to keep the right humidity; if you have one, toss it. You want to more or less seal in what's already in the tobacco; if it's really moist you may even need to dry it, but definitely no added moisture unless it's already dried out to the point of being crispy. If it's too moist it'll give you grief too.
There. I'll shut up now!
