jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 4:49:45 GMT -5
Hey all, thought I'd kick one off here, tell me about your first, 'perfect smoke'. Y'know, that first time on your journey, when everything just came together, the tobacco, the pipe, the ambience and the smoking itself?
Mine's was about 3-4 months into the hobby, like most newbies I was learning on the hoof, with help from the old Web etc., packing, lighting, keeping the pipe lit, cadence, draw, you all know,, there's little few that just pick up a pipe from scratch and start puffin away,,
But then it happened... we were decorating at the time, and the good lady wife 'allowed' me to enjoy my Saturday night smoke in the lounge,with a nice glass of malt ale, as it was "getting painted anyway" . đ
I had my Pete 303 ebony finish loaded with nightcap. I'd had a few bowls of 'cap during earlier sessions, but was struggling to 'get it',-just struggling in general, but that night the stars aligned. I had few, if any, relights and I sat there, eyes closed, sipping, sipping, sipping, consciously slowing my cadence til I was barely puffing at all, letting the rich, leathery, spicy smoke roll around the inside of my head, firing the taste buds, exhilarating the sinuses,, I was no longer in my lounge, I was somewhere far away, and long ago,,, transported.
As the bowl developed, the flavours changed, developed,, transporting my mind somewhere anew, again..
I sat there, transfixed, meditative, just swimming in the experience, and letting myself go with it,,, bliss.
Now I 'got it', the tabac spirit had taken me on my first mystical escapade and I was hooked.
Before I knew it, I was drawing on air, and on inspection of my 303, I discovered a fully consumed pyre of fine white ash,, finally,, fine white ash. Another milestone reached!
So tell me, if you recall, that first time when it all came together, and you thought, "yeah, 'know what, this is pretty amazing, and I'm gonna love it"?
Hey, maybe you're one of those guys that picked up his first pipe, stuffed it and puffed it..
Anyways, let me know, would love to hear your stories,,
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Post by isett2860 on Mar 6, 2024 7:35:28 GMT -5
Wow Jon.
Only 3-4 months in.
There is a reason so many here have been smoking for years.
Still trying fot that day!đ
Mine was an evening as the summer sun was setting.
I too, was only about 7 months in to the journey.
I had a coin of Escudo and a pinch of HH Pure Virginia left.
So I mixed them together to make a bowl,
And put it in an MM Country Gentleman.
I was sitting in the yard watching the sun go down.
No mosquitoes pestering me. And before I knew it. I had smoked the entire bowl. Only had done the initial light.
And realized it was one of the most pleasant smokes I had yet.
That tobacco combo is now a go to for me in my rotation.
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Post by Darin on Mar 6, 2024 7:53:50 GMT -5
It was a beautiful summer day in the country. The barn cats were playing up and down the stacked bales of hay and the milking cow was contently swooshing her tail while munching on some feed. My cousin and I were 14 at the time and had just finished making our first Cob pipes. He produced a pouch of Carter Hall from his overalls and we both loaded a big pinch. The smoke slowly rolled up towards the rafters as we layed back and sipped our pipes. It was a glorious afternoon.
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jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 10:01:21 GMT -5
It was a beautiful summer day in the country. The barn cats were playing up and down the stacked bales of hay and the milking cow was contently swooshing her tail while munching on some feed. My cousin and I were 14 at the time and had just finished making our first Cob pipes. He produced a pouch of Carter Hall from his overalls and we both loaded a big pinch. The smoke slowly rolled up towards the rafters as we layed back and sipped our pipes. It was a glorious afternoon. sounds great, getting Mark Twain vibes,, âď¸ |
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jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 10:03:55 GMT -5
Wow Jon. Only 3-4 months in. There is a reason so many here have been smoking for years. Still trying fot that day!đ Mine was an evening as the summer sun was setting. I too, was only about 7 months in to the journey. I had a coin of Escudo and a pinch of HH Pure Virginia left. So I mixed them together to make a bowl, And put it in an MM Country Gentleman. I was sitting in the yard watching the sun go down. No mosquitoes pestering me. And before I knew it. I had smoked the entire bowl. Only had done the initial light. And realized it was one of the most pleasant smokes I had yet. That tobacco combo is now a go to for me in my rotation. great story, love after blends my favourite is peterson 3ps and dunhill flake half n half, |
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Post by Gypo on Mar 6, 2024 10:25:59 GMT -5
I am not sure it took me a long time to figure it out and most of what I have learned was on the patch.
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Post by Silver on Mar 6, 2024 13:39:25 GMT -5
When I started smoking a pipe, I chose bulk aromatic blends, like many people. I'd go to a tobacconist and sniff from the large jars and make my choice. Always some heavily flavored, goopy blend. They were tough to keep lit,they gunked up my pipe and bit my tongue. I finally tried an English blend. The tobacco was drierand was less gunky, burned better and wasn't as bitey. Combined with improving my smoking technique, I was enjoying the pipe smoking experience much more. It took me a couple years to get there. These days, I don't worry too much about relights. If the pipe goes out, it gets relit. Same thing goes with running a pipe cleaner through the stem and shank. That said, the dryish burley/Va/Perique blends I smoke these days are pretty trouble-free.
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jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 13:47:16 GMT -5
When I started smoking a pipe, I chose bulk aromatic blends, like many people. I'd go to a tobacconist and sniff from the large jars and make my choice. Always some heavily flavored, goopy blend. They were tough to keep lit,they gunked up my pipe and bit my tongue. I finally tried an English blend. The tobacco was drierand was less gunky, burned better and wasn't as bitey. Combined with improving my smoking technique, I was enjoying the pipe smoking experience much more. It took me a couple years to get there. These days, I don't worry too much about relights. If the pipe goes out, it gets relit. Same thing goes with running a pipe cleaner through the stem and shank. That said, the dryish burley/Va/Perique blends I smoke these days are pretty trouble-free. don't get me wrong Silver, that night I had my first 'perfect smoke', but I've had loads of bad ones since then,, the whole experience just taught me, that with the right circumstances, I 'could' achieve what others were talking and writing about. Slowing down is the main thing,, learning to become one with the pipe and such. I'm still learning, every day, that's the main reason for coming on here,,, Still learning. đ |
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Post by Silver on Mar 6, 2024 14:09:48 GMT -5
When I started smoking a pipe, I chose bulk aromatic blends, like many people. I'd go to a tobacconist and sniff from the large jars and make my choice. Always some heavily flavored, goopy blend. They were tough to keep lit,they gunked up my pipe and bit my tongue. I finally tried an English blend. The tobacco was drierand was less gunky, burned better and wasn't as bitey. Combined with improving my smoking technique, I was enjoying the pipe smoking experience much more. It took me a couple years to get there. These days, I don't worry too much about relights. If the pipe goes out, it gets relit. Same thing goes with running a pipe cleaner through the stem and shank. That said, the dryish burley/Va/Perique blends I smoke these days are pretty trouble-free. don't get me wrong Silver, that night I had my first 'perfect smoke', but I've had loads of bad ones since then,, the whole experience just taught me, that with the right circumstances, I 'could' achieve what others were talking and writing about. Slowing down is the main thing,, learning to become one with the pipe and such. I'm still learning, every day, that's the main reason for coming on here,,, Still learning. đ I'm still learning, too! Not every smoke is a "perfect " smoke. I just don't worry about it. |
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Post by urbino on Mar 6, 2024 14:39:04 GMT -5
You know, I don't really remember. It would've been in an Amadeus pipe I had. My first briar pipe. It was a sandblast clone of a Savinelli 316, made in Greece. Wish I still had that one. The tobacco was probably some store blend I got from the same shop.
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Post by olbluesmoke on Mar 6, 2024 15:28:44 GMT -5
Hmmm, I don't remember my first perfect smoke.
My most recent perfect smoke was about 2 years ago. I was going outside to the front porch to sit in a deck chair. The pipe was packed perfectly, the weather wonderful, the chair commodious. The pipe was a bulldog by Stanwell and the tobacco was Sir Walter Raleigh regular. Before I knew it, the pipe had burned to the heel and I was off into space, as it were.
By the way, Jon, thank you for your story and the other really good posts you've shared. đ
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NJDan
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Post by NJDan on Mar 6, 2024 16:16:36 GMT -5
I too started out with gloopy aromatics, and remember the first pipe tobacco I really connected with was a bowl of Frog Morton On the Town. It was a revelation, and led to me leaving those aromatics far behind. For a while I was uninterested in aromatics but nowadays I do enjoy scented tobaccos especially some of the Peretti offerings. Iâm also a Lakeland fan. Itâs interesting how tastes evolve over time.
I also remember being worried about keeping the pipe lit, proper packing, and so on. Now I just donât sweat relights and packing is just natural. But I will never forget that old first bowl of the Frog. I think it was less about that specific blend, because I didnât stockpile any of it and with so many excellent choices donât really miss it. But the revelation of a truly satisfying smoke stayed with me and ensured I would keep at the hobby.
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jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 16:52:08 GMT -5
Hmmm, I don't remember my first perfect smoke. My most recent perfect smoke was about 2 years ago. I was going outside to the front porch to sit in a deck chair. The pipe was packed perfectly, the weather wonderful, the chair commodious. The pipe was a bulldog by Stanwell and the tobacco was Sir Walter Raleigh regular. Before I knew it, the pipe was burned to the heel and I was off into space, as it were. By the way, Jon, thank you for your story and the other really good posts you've shared. đ there's a lot of factors at play in that elusive perfect one, like you say, the chair you're sitting in even,, you're welcome olbluesmoke, I enjoy the banter here, glad to contribute,, |
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jonmc75
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First Name: Jon.
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 17:02:06 GMT -5
I too started out with gloopy aromatics, and remember the first pipe tobacco I really connected with was a bowl of Frog Morton On the Town. It was a revelation, and led to me leaving those aromatics far behind. For a while I was uninterested in aromatics but nowadays I do enjoy scented tobaccos especially some of the Peretti offerings. Iâm also a Lakeland fan. Itâs interesting how tastes evolve over time. I also remember being worried about keeping the pipe lit, proper packing, and so on. Now I just donât sweat relights and packing is just natural. But I will never forget that old first bowl of the Frog. I think it was less about that specific blend, because I didnât stockpile any of it and with so many excellent choices donât really miss it. But the revelation of a truly satisfying smoke stayed with me and ensured I would keep at the hobby. hey Dan, as you know, I'm less than 3 years into the hobby, but as a newbie, I hear a lot about the McClelland blends, especially the frog morton series, some folks really bemoan it's loss, but the old saying, you don't know what you got till it's gone,, but your experience resonates with mine, the smoke that changes everything, that opens your eyes to the possibilities,,, great stuff. |
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Post by urbino on Mar 6, 2024 17:23:17 GMT -5
I too started out with gloopy aromatics, and remember the first pipe tobacco I really connected with was a bowl of Frog Morton On the Town. It was a revelation, and led to me leaving those aromatics far behind. For a while I was uninterested in aromatics but nowadays I do enjoy scented tobaccos especially some of the Peretti offerings. Iâm also a Lakeland fan. Itâs interesting how tastes evolve over time. I also remember being worried about keeping the pipe lit, proper packing, and so on. Now I just donât sweat relights and packing is just natural. But I will never forget that old first bowl of the Frog. I think it was less about that specific blend, because I didnât stockpile any of it and with so many excellent choices donât really miss it. But the revelation of a truly satisfying smoke stayed with me and ensured I would keep at the hobby. The Boswell aro's are tasty without being gloopy, I'm finding. |
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NJDan
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Post by NJDan on Mar 6, 2024 17:29:41 GMT -5
I too started out with gloopy aromatics, and remember the first pipe tobacco I really connected with was a bowl of Frog Morton On the Town. It was a revelation, and led to me leaving those aromatics far behind. For a while I was uninterested in aromatics but nowadays I do enjoy scented tobaccos especially some of the Peretti offerings. Iâm also a Lakeland fan. Itâs interesting how tastes evolve over time. I also remember being worried about keeping the pipe lit, proper packing, and so on. Now I just donât sweat relights and packing is just natural. But I will never forget that old first bowl of the Frog. I think it was less about that specific blend, because I didnât stockpile any of it and with so many excellent choices donât really miss it. But the revelation of a truly satisfying smoke stayed with me and ensured I would keep at the hobby. The Boswell aro's are tasty without being gloopy, I'm finding. Agreed. After I posted I thought of Boswell. My wifeâs family lives near the Boswell store in Alexandria Pa, and I had a chance to visit and smoke in the shop last year. I bought a pipe and a few blends and they were very good. I still have a bit of Northwoods. I should also mention that it was one of the best experiences at a tobacco shop Iâve ever had. They are very gracious and welcoming folks, from the owners to the few folks in the smoking lounge. I wish we had such a store nearby, Iâd never leave. |
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Post by urbino on Mar 6, 2024 17:35:11 GMT -5
The Boswell aro's are tasty without being gloopy, I'm finding. Agreed. After I posted I thought of Boswell. My wifeâs family lives near the Boswell store in Alexandria Pa, and I had a chance to visit and smoke in the shop last year. I bought a pipe and a few blends and they were very good. I still have a bit of Northwoods. I should also mention that it was one of the best experiences at a tobacco shop Iâve ever had. They are very gracious and welcoming folks, from the owners to the few folks in the smoking lounge. I wish we had such a store nearby, Iâd never leave. Good to hear that about the shop. I've only bought from them online. I have some Northwoods but haven't gotten into it, yet. The 2 aro's I really like from them are Sweet Tea and Vanilla Cream. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 6, 2024 18:00:15 GMT -5
I've had several, and they aren't uncommon, but the first one is lost in the fog of time.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 6, 2024 18:02:13 GMT -5
The Boswell aro's are tasty without being gloopy, I'm finding. Agreed. Â After I posted I thought of Boswell. My wifeâs family lives near the Boswell store in Alexandria Pa, and I had a chance to visit and smoke in the shop last year. Â I bought a pipe and a few blends and they were very good. Â I still have a bit of Northwoods. Â I should also mention that it was one of the best experiences at a tobacco shop Iâve ever had. Â They are very gracious and welcoming folks, from the owners to the few folks in the smoking lounge. Â I wish we had such a store nearby, Iâd never leave. We had one like that in Houston,but I wouldn't dare spend more than a few minutes in there. $$$$$$! |
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Post by Plainsman on Mar 6, 2024 18:23:14 GMT -5
I use Sutliff Z92, and when I get a bag that is too damp I toast it in the oven until itâs as dry as I like itâ which is pretty dry. I get âperfectâ bowls pretty frequently, and always in a Pete House or Pub.
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jonmc75
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 6, 2024 18:45:18 GMT -5
I use Sutliff Z92, and when I get a bag that is too damp I toast it in the oven until itâs as dry as I like itâ which is pretty dry. I get âperfectâ bowls pretty frequently, and always in a Pete House or Pub. Yep, I'm definitely moving to the drier end of things myself, seems to raise the odds of a really good bowlful,, |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 6, 2024 19:08:52 GMT -5
I use Sutliff Z92, and when I get a bag that is too damp I toast it in the oven until itâs as dry as I like itâ which is pretty dry. I get âperfectâ bowls pretty frequently, and always in a Pete House or Pub. Pipes are like fish tanks, the bigger they are, the less fiddling you have to do. |
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Post by urbino on Mar 6, 2024 19:48:53 GMT -5
I use Sutliff Z92, and when I get a bag that is too damp I toast it in the oven until itâs as dry as I like itâ which is pretty dry. I get âperfectâ bowls pretty frequently, and always in a Pete House or Pub. Yep, I'm definitely moving to the drier end of things myself, seems to raise the odds of a really good bowlful,, There are tobacco experts who say there's almost no such thing as "too dry" for pipe tobacco. I don't know that I agree with that for my particular purposes, but I do think pretty dry is better than even moderately too wet. |
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Post by CrustyCat on Mar 8, 2024 0:21:08 GMT -5
I don't know if I've had a perfect smoke. I know one time I had a bowl of Prince Albert, and it smoked all the way to ash and was pretty easy. That being said I don't really care for it too much. On the other hand, now a days, I don't think about it too much anymore. Sometimes I just have to keep relighting my pipe and I don't really care. Or it starts getting hot because I'm puffing too hard, but I don't really care. Or it might get a little gurgley, in a pipe cleaner goes. Sometimes I overstuff my pipe and on my first light it starts to expand out the top. I say to myself, self, you shouldn't put that much tobacco in. But, eh, I deal with it. Unfortunately, I'm not very fastidious at "cleaning" my pipes, but they all do get a pipe cleaner run through them after smoking. I have a couple I need to take my reamer to but haven't got around to it. Hmmm, I seem to have gotten off track.
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Post by urbino on Mar 8, 2024 1:13:54 GMT -5
I don't know if I've had a perfect smoke. I know one time I had a bowl of Prince Albert, and it smoked all the way to ash and was pretty easy. That being said I don't really care for it too much. On the other hand, now a days, I don't think about it too much anymore. Sometimes I just have to keep relighting my pipe and I don't really care. Or it starts getting hot because I'm puffing too hard, but I don't really care. Or it might get a little gurgley, in a pipe cleaner goes. Sometimes I overstuff my pipe and on my first light it starts to expand out the top. I say to myself, self, you shouldn't put that much tobacco in. But, eh, I deal with it. Unfortunately, I'm not very fastidious at "cleaning" my pipes, but they all do get a pipe cleaner run through them after smoking. I have a couple I need to take my reamer to but haven't got around to it. Hmmm, I seem to have gotten off track. You and I were separated at birth. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 8, 2024 13:21:20 GMT -5
A perfect smoke is subjective. It is a personal standard.
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Zach
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Post by Zach on Mar 10, 2024 0:51:41 GMT -5
I distinctly recall during my first few months smoking black cavendish aromatics and getting tongue bite and working out the mechanics of packing, lighting, cadence, etc. I very quickly realized I must have been starting out smoking trash. I went into my B&M and bought Dunhill MM965, Balkan Sasieni, bulk McClelland VA and VaPer flakes, and multiple tins of McCellandâs (Frog Morton & 221b Baker St series, Grand Orientals, etc etc) Early on Orlik Golden Sliced also became a favorite. With the English mixtures and McClelland Virginia flakes I dialed in my smokes and Id have to say that driving while clenching a pipe and smoking also did wonders for learning how to smoke. Being partially distracted and zoned in on a great smoke on a good long drive is wonderful. After my first year in I can honestly say Iâve never had a bad smoke since, mechanically. Today, I smoke a bit of each and every genre; VA, burley, English/Oriental, Lakelands. Being able to sense by taste and mouthfeel if your tobacco is too moist, and amply drying it before smoking are key. Too dry and it loses most of itâs flavor and the right burn characteristics. A perfect smoke to me, is when it all aligns so well that it becomes âunputdownable.â I take that saying from one of my Scottish pipe smoking buddies. When the smoke is so good, you just canât put your pipe down or take a break from it.
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jonmc75
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 10, 2024 4:59:31 GMT -5
I distinctly recall during my first few months smoking black cavendish aromatics and getting tongue bite and working out the mechanics of packing, lighting, cadence, etc. I very quickly realized I must have been starting out smoking trash. I went into my B&M and bought Dunhill MM965, Balkan Sasieni, bulk McClelland VA and VaPer flakes, and multiple tins of McCellandâs (Frog Morton & 221b Baker St series, Grand Orientals, etc etc) Early on Orlik Golden Sliced also became a favorite. With the English mixtures and McClelland Virginia flakes I dialed in my smokes and Id have to say that driving while clenching a pipe and smoking also did wonders for learning how to smoke. Being partially distracted and zoned in on a great smoke on a good long drive is wonderful. After my first year in I can honestly say Iâve never had a bad smoke since, mechanically. Today, I smoke a bit of each and every genre; VA, burley, English/Oriental, Lakelands. Being able to sense by taste and mouthfeel if your tobacco is too moist, and amply drying it before smoking are key. Too dry and it loses most of itâs flavor and the right burn characteristics. A perfect smoke to me, is when it all aligns so well that it becomes âunputdownable.â I take that saying from one of my Scottish pipe smoking buddies. When the smoke is so good, you just canât put your pipe down or take a break from it. |
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jonmc75
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 10, 2024 5:01:13 GMT -5
I distinctly recall during my first few months smoking black cavendish aromatics and getting tongue bite and working out the mechanics of packing, lighting, cadence, etc. I very quickly realized I must have been starting out smoking trash. I went into my B&M and bought Dunhill MM965, Balkan Sasieni, bulk McClelland VA and VaPer flakes, and multiple tins of McCellandâs (Frog Morton & 221b Baker St series, Grand Orientals, etc etc) Early on Orlik Golden Sliced also became a favorite. With the English mixtures and McClelland Virginia flakes I dialed in my smokes and Id have to say that driving while clenching a pipe and smoking also did wonders for learning how to smoke. Being partially distracted and zoned in on a great smoke on a good long drive is wonderful. After my first year in I can honestly say Iâve never had a bad smoke since, mechanically. Today, I smoke a bit of each and every genre; VA, burley, English/Oriental, Lakelands. Being able to sense by taste and mouthfeel if your tobacco is too moist, and amply drying it before smoking are key. Too dry and it loses most of itâs flavor and the right burn characteristics. A perfect smoke to me, is when it all aligns so well that it becomes âunputdownable.â I take that saying from one of my Scottish pipe smoking buddies. When the smoke is so good, you just canât put your pipe down or take a break from it. great post, 'not putdownable' is the perfect turn of phrase for it. |
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jonmc75
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 10, 2024 13:52:34 GMT -5
I donât recall the first time. I have lots of memories of great bowls in great settings or with cherished friends. Maybe my fondest pipe-smoking memory is from 7-8 years ago. I was dove hunting on opening day of the season in northeast Colorado. We were strung out along a sandy, dry creek bed. I hadnât seen any birds for twenty minutes or so, and decided to smoke my favorite cob. I broke open the action of my late 50âs Bernardelli 16g SxS double and set it down on a log. I loaded up some Sutliff Ready Rubbed match and sat down in the shade of a big black cottonwood on a little folding stool. About five minutes into the bowl, my buddy started hollering at me from about 75 yards down the creek. I stood up and looked for him. I saw him frantically pointing at a doce flying towards me. I grabbed the shotgun, closed the action and took a shooting stance. I started to bring the gun up and realized I could not get a cheek weld with the pipe in my mouth. Rather than drop my smoke or skip taking the shot, I lined up and fired at the bird as he passed in front of me about 30 yards away and 15 feet up. I saw him dip under a big snag of timber that blocked my view. I lowered my gun, put it on safe, took a couple of puffs to see if my pipe was still going. I quickly stepped around the snag and there was the dove. Hit perfectly with #9 shot. Might be the best shot I have ever taken. I hope I will remember that moment clearly for the rest of my life. I enjoyed the rest of that bowl immensely. I kept my gun loaded and resting across my lap. I also found a spot I could quickly set my pipe if I needed to. No more birds came by though and I enjoyed the whole bowl in peace. great pipe smoking/hunting story Don, thank you for sharing, |
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