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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Nov 7, 2018 14:53:11 GMT -5
Three basics;
Smoothness
Complexity in flavour or simplicity in flavour when I am going for an old fashioned smoke.
Does the damn stuff stay lit and if not can I nuke it to make it stay lit. If it still won't stay lit it's too much damned work.
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haveldad
Junior Member
Posts: 477
Favorite Pipe: Kaywoodie Freehand Poker
Favorite Tobacco: Vintage Syrian
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Post by haveldad on Nov 7, 2018 14:56:13 GMT -5
Does a blend offer something unique to me? Is there a blend that does what this blend does but better? Would I reach for this over something else? Those are the questions I ask when considering if something is worth stocking up on. I smoked a bowl of Dorchester for the first time this morning. While I found it good and pleasant, it is not something I will be buying any time soon. It offers nothing unique, to me. I have better VaPers that do what it does better and I would reach for instead. Dorchester is a super simple pleasantly topped Vaper with not much Complexity, even at one year I didn't find it too complex. Same thing with Dunbar, Cardiff, ect. Seems to me a lot of Eso blends are already aged well enough (Besides StoneHaven and Tilbury which do seem to develop complexity over time). Its a good smoke, not a Vaper I reach for every day either, even though I have a lot of it. I've actually yet to find a Vaper I regularly reach for. |
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Screaming Jazz
Junior Member
Enjoying a peaceful night
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Post by Screaming Jazz on Nov 7, 2018 15:54:22 GMT -5
Does a blend offer something unique to me? Is there a blend that does what this blend does but better? Would I reach for this over something else? Those are the questions I ask when considering if something is worth stocking up on. I smoked a bowl of Dorchester for the first time this morning. While I found it good and pleasant, it is not something I will be buying any time soon. It offers nothing unique, to me. I have better VaPers that do what it does better and I would reach for instead. Dorchester is a super simple pleasantly topped Vaper with not much Complexity, even at one year I didn't find it too complex. Same thing with Dunbar, Cardiff, ect. Seems to me a lot of Eso blends are already aged well enough (Besides StoneHaven and Tilbury which do seem to develop complexity over time). Its a good smoke, not a Vaper I reach for every day either, even though I have a lot of it. I've actually yet to find a Vaper I regularly reach for. If Salty Dogs was easier to get my hands on I would regularly reach for it. Sadly it is not so I reach for it only when I really crave it. |
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Post by Dramatwist on Nov 8, 2018 0:55:59 GMT -5
Time and experience.
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Post by haebar on Nov 8, 2018 6:45:26 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
- It tastes good! (my tastes slowly change over time, so that's a moving target)
- It is easy to light and keep lit. (assuming that it is at the right moisture level for smoking)
- It burns relatively dry. (so as to not be goopy or cause my pipe to gurgle)
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Post by scrooge on Nov 8, 2018 7:54:01 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
- It tastes good! (my tastes slowly change over time, so that's a moving target)
- It is easy to light and keep lit. (assuming that it is at the right moisture level for smoking)
- It burns relatively dry. (so as to not be goopy or cause my pipe to gurgle)
Exactly! A little Nic hit helps too. |
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Post by haebar on Nov 8, 2018 8:54:01 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
- It tastes good! (my tastes slowly change over time, so that's a moving target)
- It is easy to light and keep lit. (assuming that it is at the right moisture level for smoking)
- It burns relatively dry. (so as to not be goopy or cause my pipe to gurgle)
Exactly! A little Nic hit helps too. Right! You and me would have to factor that in. |
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Nov 11, 2018 9:37:12 GMT -5
My process is really quite simple. I have purchased several different blends over the last couple of months as I smoke them I rotate them to the front of the cellar if I like them they stay in the front if I don't like them they stay towards the rear after a month or so the ones in the rear get pulled out and gifted and I start over again. The ones I really like her always to the front and that's how I decide if I like a blend or not
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Post by Darin on Nov 11, 2018 9:43:33 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
- It tastes good! (my tastes slowly change over time, so that's a moving target)
- It is easy to light and keep lit. (assuming that it is at the right moisture level for smoking)
- It burns relatively dry. (so as to not be goopy or cause my pipe to gurgle)
Exactly! A little Nic hit helps too. +3 ... these cover the bases for me.  |
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Post by jeffd on Nov 11, 2018 12:42:32 GMT -5
If after I have smoked it I have this overpowering urge to get on The Patch and tell everyone how great a time had, then it is more than likely true that i liked it.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 11, 2018 14:59:57 GMT -5
If after I have smoked it I have this overpowering urge to get on The Patch and tell everyone how great a time had, then it is more than likely true that i liked it. Great answer. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 22:25:33 GMT -5
It has to contain prodigious amounts of Latakia in it.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Nov 11, 2018 22:32:52 GMT -5
It has to contain prodigious amounts of Latakia in it. it's funny how a taste for Latakia can creep up on you... |
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 12, 2018 8:23:49 GMT -5
Ask a friend?😁
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haveldad
Junior Member
Posts: 477
Favorite Pipe: Kaywoodie Freehand Poker
Favorite Tobacco: Vintage Syrian
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Post by haveldad on Nov 12, 2018 10:03:33 GMT -5
My process is really quite simple. I have purchased several different blends over the last couple of months as I smoke them I rotate them to the front of the cellar if I like them they stay in the front if I don't like them they stay towards the rear after a month or so the ones in the rear get pulled out and gifted and I start over again. The ones I really like her always to the front and that's how I decide if I like a blend or not I like this idea. |
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Post by jeffd on Nov 19, 2018 0:33:36 GMT -5
When every molecule in my body is happy, I figure I am on to something.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 11:30:11 GMT -5
So my method has always been keep trying new stuff. I have a lot of one off tins that I haven't even tried that are 5 years old. I know my tastes change from year to year and season to season and usually full circle. SPC Plum Pudding is one that is very seasonal for me. Matter of fact it was the first tobac I purchased 1 lb of after smoking one bowl at Richmond Pipe Show many years ago. I don't smoke it often but enjoy it when I do.
Some tobacco's, as Tommy Chong said in Up In Smoke, just grab you in the boo-boo. Those I immediately buy in quantity. Others I try and either and don't buy again or give away if I immediately don't like it.
Comes down to 3 categories:
1) Immediate satisfaction - turns into immediate bulk buy
2) Complex - Smoke for two weeks and decided. These are stock up but don't smoke all the time.
3) Immediate nope - give the tobac to someone who may enjoy it
Hmmm, Now that makes me want to break down my cellar into not tried or had in a long time, complex/rare and daily . . . sounds like I have a new project this afternoon.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 25, 2018 11:49:24 GMT -5
So my method has always been keep trying new stuff. I have a lot of one off tins that I haven't even tried that are 5 years old. I know my tastes change from year to year and season to season and usually full circle. SPC Plum Pudding is one that is very seasonal for me. Matter of fact it was the first tobac I purchased 1 lb of after smoking one bowl at Richmond Pipe Show many years ago. I don't smoke it often but enjoy it when I do. Some tobacco's, as Tommy Chong said in Up In Smoke, just grab you in the boo-boo. Those I immediately buy in quantity. Others I try and either and don't buy again or give away if I immediately don't like it. Comes down to 3 categories: 1) Immediate satisfaction - turns into immediate bulk buy 2) Complex - Smoke for two weeks and decided. These are stock up but don't smoke all the time. 3) Immediate nope - give the tobac to someone who may enjoy it Hmmm, Now that makes me want to break down my cellar into not tried or had in a long time, complex/rare and daily . . . sounds like I have a new project this afternoon. I like your approach. It resonates with me. |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 25, 2018 12:49:51 GMT -5
I think this pretty much covers my answer to this question. |
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5star
Junior Member
"In my all my fifty years of military service, I have never learned how to bomb HALF a bridge"
Posts: 129 
First Name: Mac
Favorite Pipe: Costello Sea Rock, MM CG with Forever stem, London 1792 clay
Favorite Tobacco: HH ODF, FVF, SWRA, 5 Brothers,10 Russians,Ennerdale flake, La Brumeuse
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Post by 5star on Nov 27, 2018 4:18:37 GMT -5
I’ll try a blend, and like others have mentioned, most of them are ‘just o.k.’. Not bad, but nothing to really get excited about. Those are jarred to be tried again later. - - I have found that on revisiting a blend, the smoking experience can be much better. Of course, many things can influence the quality of a smoke. That includes the pipe they’re smoked in, the food you recently ate, how fast you smoked it, etc. When these factors are change, you can experience a whole different smoke.
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jackdiamond
Full Member
Posts: 860
First Name: Montgomery
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli Lollo
Favorite Tobacco: Davidhoff Flake Medallions. No wait, Semois. No wait, Squadron Leader. Ugh. I dunno.
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Post by jackdiamond on Feb 18, 2019 21:32:36 GMT -5
Bump.
This is a great thread. I'm still learning not to condemn or laud a blend at first smoke.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 22:48:55 GMT -5
Flavor
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atison
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First Name: Andy
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Post by atison on Feb 19, 2019 9:06:09 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
If I get nervous that I might run out of it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 9:53:02 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend? If I get nervous that I might run out of it. Andy, today that’s very true, so stock up plenty before one of your favorites might be gone forever. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 17:11:43 GMT -5
when I find myself frequently thinking about a blend.
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Post by Low and Slow on Feb 21, 2019 23:22:57 GMT -5
I’m not a big spender and I’m still exploring the varieties. So, for now I decide if I like something by asking myself “would I order it again?” This includes the notes, flavors, burn quality, etc. Even if I don’t order again immediately I will keep track of these to hopefully stock up on at a later date. I’ve only had one so far I’ve not loved, I liked it, but also I think my pállate wasn’t ready for it at the time. I also like blends that stay with the stache, so I can enjoy them even longer than the smoke itself!
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Post by AJ on Feb 21, 2019 23:35:19 GMT -5
For me to like a blend it has to satisfy three requirements:
1 - It must have a certain amount of sweetness, preferably a natural sweetness.
2 - Easy to obtain. It doesn’t matter how great it tastes, it must be readily obtainable.
3 - Price, the blend must have reasonable price.
I apply this to all genres of tobacco and if the blend meets these 3 requirements then there is at least a 95% chance that I like it.
AJ
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Post by blackmouth210 on Feb 21, 2019 23:36:08 GMT -5
It's hard deciding which blends I "like" in general because I am into a wide variety of blend types.
It's easier for me to just eliminate what I DON'T like and move on.
If I start wishing I'd chosen a different blend while I'm smoking something, well that's pretty much the kiss of death for that tobacco.
I may give it away or send it to the deepest part of the cellar to be given another chance later (much later). But it's definitely not going to be a part of my smoking time again any time soon.
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Post by monbla256 on Feb 22, 2019 0:18:34 GMT -5
How do I tell if I like a blend?
- It tastes good! (my tastes slowly change over time, so that's a moving target)
- It is easy to light and keep lit. (assuming that it is at the right moisture level for smoking)
- It burns relatively dry. (so as to not be goopy or cause my pipe to gurgle)
Exactly! A little Nic hit helps too.  |
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cwpiperman
Junior Member
Posts: 234
Favorite Pipe: Radice Rind Pure Billiard
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate/Mississippi River/Plum Pudding/NightCap/Gaslight
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Post by cwpiperman on Mar 3, 2019 18:02:29 GMT -5
And nothing ever will be. Over the past thirty years I've had favorites disappear and have found nothing comparable, but have found other blends to love. Bingo. Find a blend to enjoy on its own merits, not what you would like it to be. Well said, Cap'n. |
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