Chronicles of a Beginner Pipe Smoker

Thanks insignia for sharing your thoughts and reviews on the forum. I'm finding them extremely beneficial as well as a nice read.

3/26/2019

This evening I cracked open a jar of Peter Stokkebye English Oriental Supreme. I've been rationing my Arango Balkan Supreme lately since it seems to be out of stock everywhere (more on that below). It definitely scratches the same itch, and at least after a single smoke I'd say I enjoy it immensely. I may have to rethink my recent strict bias against burley tobacco, as after some quick research I realize that this blend does contain a bit. I have been battling some sinus/congestion issues recently (possibly related to some medications I've been taking), so my sense of taste is not as acute as I would like. Having said that, I did notice the same creamy consistency that I first noted from Arango Balkan Supreme, and the sweet Virginias are present in the mix as well. The smoke is thicker and more substantive, likely owing to the burley content. Thankfully, I did not notice the ashy taste on the back of my tongue that bothers me so much with other burley blends. So far it seems like a worthy English blend to consider cellaring, and as I finish my small sampling I may well order some to stock up and fill out my slowly growing cellar.

With regards to the difficult to find Arango Balkan Supreme, after some reading the consensus is that it is likely identical to Peter Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme (or at least close enough that more experiences tobacconistas than myself fail to notice any significant difference). Thus, I recently ordered 16oz of the stuff from 4noggins to test and likely cellar. I also took this opportunity to order a tin of GL Pease Stratford (thanks to the reviews from Bradley from the STUFFandTHINGS Youtube channel) and a sample of PS Luxury Bullseye Flake to fill out the Va/Per offerings available for me to sample.

I also plan on making weekly trips to the local B&M where I found two tins of Esoterica, with the goal of buying at least one tin of something every visit (and who knows, maybe more Esoterica will show up?).

Stay tuned.

3/27/2019

As the warm weather continues, my tobacco thoughts follow! I decided to change things up today. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been battling sinus/congestion issues for the last 18 months or so. I've noticed a noticeable decrease in my olfactory senses, and considering smell is so important to our sense of taste, its no wonder that I've been having some issues. I think this is one of the reasons why I've been gravitating towards the stronger English blends -- I can actually smell them!

Well, today I was having a good nose day, and decided to break out the sample of Lane 1-Q I have in my aromatic drawer. As many I'm sure have noticed, I am veering away from aromatics quite dramatically, but I do want to learn to appreciate them. I'm sure if I'm ever smoking a pipe around someone who is not used to English blends, they may react more positively to a nice aromatic. 

With my nose relatively clear today I was able to appreciate the vanilla flavoring added. There was really no tobacco flavor to speak of, even leaving minimal to no aftertaste. Certainly a light, non-pipe-smoker-appropriate option for when the need arises. However, I can honestly say there was absolutely nothing in the taste or aroma that would have me craving it in the future, though hopefully that may change if I can sort out my congestion issues. 

In other news, I've developed a bit of an affinity for my Molina pipe, and have decided to order another, the Barasso Cumberland 108 with an attractive red swirly saddle bit. Pics to follow when it arrives. I've also discovered that I most definitely prefer filtered pipes, those with 9mm filters when possible. I may have to invest in a nice Savinelli at some point. I do have a filter adapter to eliminate the 9mm filter in the future for experimentation purposes.

Oh, I'm also lusting after the Holtz Leather "Dapper Jack" pipe roll. Can't justify a pipe roll that fancy at this point in time, but may be forced to if/when I get some higher dollar pipes in the future.

I’m one of those that can not smoke 1Q, dries my mouth completely. Most likely my meds and Ph cause this, but I’ve read this prior as well from other pipe smokers. 1Q is till the number one selling pipe tobacco, so many do enjoy this Lane blend.

sometimes filters help to enhance the flavour for me. @chico has had similar experiences.

I am very much looking forward to trying it, however I want to get a few more blends under my belt before taking the dive. I want to give myself the best shot at being able to appreciate it fully, and be well versed in other blends that will make up my regular smokes since this will be a special occasion only blend due to availability.

You might want to pick up some bulk blending Latakia and Perique, to add a pinch here and there.

Try some Pease Telegraph Hill or Fillmore. Also, C&D Bayou Morning (like 25% Perique), but definitely put it away for 6 months. Bayou Night is also good - it's Bayou Morning with Latakia.

4/4/19

No smoke today, but some thoughts. Over the past year I have been noticing that my sense of smell has been becoming less acute. For the past two and a half years I have been taking a beta blocker to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia. This is considered a relatively benign condition, but prior to starting treatment my resting heart rate was 100-110 bmp. Now, with treatment, my heart rate is usually a much more relaxed 70-75 bmp. In and of itself, the condition is benign, but an elevated heart rate does tend to make one feel a bit anxious all the time. I feel much better on my beta blocker.

I have recently been switched to a newer beta blocker. The first beta blocker I was on (bisoprolol) seemed to cause considerable nasal congestion starting about 6 months after I began treatment. Since switching to my new medication (Bystolic) I have noticed that, while not eliminating my nasal congestion completely, it has improve significantly. Now that I can breathe through my nose I'm finding that my sense of smell is genuinely reduced, not just made more difficult by nasal congestion. While this has many benefits in my field of veterinary medicine, its not ideal in the world of cuisine and tobacco!

I am beginning to postulate that this effect on my olfactory senses may be one of the reasons I am drawn to the stronger English/Balkan blends and have some trouble teasing out the flavor profiles of VaPers and other lighter blends. I am hoping that my sense of smell will gradually improve the longer I am on my new beta blocker, and perhaps may improve even more if/when I am able to get off my CPAP.

8/14/2019

It has been many months since I last updated this thread, however I have not been idle. I have been sampling my Macbaren HH Old Dark Fired. It is funny to look back at my previous thoughts, as they have COMPLETELY changed. What I once described as a flavorless, bland blend has changed to a stout, flavorful bowl. It is quickly becoming a favorite. Interestingly, I think I may have a pretty high nicotine tolerance (not a previous smoker) -- this is the first tobacco to give me what I think is a bit of a nicotine buzz. 

I have also been working on some Va/Pers, having finally finished off my first tin of Escudo and now working through some Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake. Additionally, I'm beginning to explore more burley blends and have a tin of Haunted Bookshop that is in process. 

08/16/2019

I got my Morgan Pipes Bones series pipe in today. This is a really good lookin' pipe! I had been wanting sitter pipe for a while and when I saw this on the Morgan website I couldn't resist. The sandblasting is really cool, and its a nice chunky pipe. I broke it in with a flake of Macbaren HH Old Dark Fired and had a nice hour and a half smoke under the stars this evening. It is already taking on a nice patina (photos tomorrow, if I remember) -- I'm guessing as the pipe warms it sucks in all the oils on the skin. This is already my favorite pipe.

I did have to deburr the draft hole a bit, and there was a bit of plastic partially obstructing the hole in the stem that I had to remove, but other than that it was great. And the price ($44) simply can't be beat! 

As a side note, HH ODF really does pack a punch. I definitely felt a nicotine hit, but it was only nearing the end of the 90 minute smoke. I'd hate to have tried it without a full stomach...

you're right, but not if it was finished as intended. The stummel for this pipe was probably a rough for a Dublin/Calabash, maybe Rhodesian, shape that wasn't finished being roughed out. Looks like they cut the top of the bowl and the shank on the lathe. They left all the excess meat on the bottom, and blasted it.

more meat will definitely make it a cooler smoke. I'm glad they left it the way it is. It's unique.