Post by elric on Apr 14, 2019 0:59:53 GMT -5
G'day everyone, thanks for having me here.
After decades of smoking cigarettes, I switched to a pipe around 8 years ago.
For 7 of those years I was doing everything wrong. Smoking the same pipe day in day out. Taking the stem off while still hot.
Around a year ago I discovered pipe forums & have been doing a lot of research & have learnt the basics.
Here in Aus. tobacco is outrageously expensive; $90 for 50g. By the end of this year it will be $100 for 50g.
Variety of choice is very limited here thanks to the ludicrous plain packaging laws & disgraceful 'health warning' pics.
I mainly smoked Dr Pats Irish Mixture, Erinmore Mixture, both blended with Borkum Riff Whiskey to help them burn without the need to dry them.
Then I discovered the wonderful world of on-line tobacconists.
Discovering new blends, researching different leaf types & finding my likes & dislikes was a steep learning curve.
My first introduction to latakia left me unimpressed (Becks ol' Limey Bastard) with a tin note of asphalt, burnt rubber & butt. Once blended 50/50 with Windsail Virginia though, I didn't mind the taste.
Today I smoke English, American & crossovers more than anything else. Blends like Sutliff 302 English, Epiphany & Count Pulaski for e.g.
I enjoy Va/Pers like PS Luxury Navy Flake & Aj's Vaper, which are a part of my rotation.
I'm just venturing into straight Virginia's such as H & H Marble Kake.
Although I don't mind a lightly flavoured blend, I'm not fond of aromatics.
Choosing blends without first trying was a bit daunting at first. www.tobaccoreviews.com has been a big help in that regard, JimInks reviews in particular. (Thank you Jim. Your efforts are much appreciated)
Our Customs laws are changing in June (It will become a criminal offense to import commercial quantities of tobacco without a licence) As we're not sure how that will affect those of us who are importing tobacco for personal use, I've been concentrating on ordering by the pound.
Now that I've got over 30lbs cellared, I'll start buying tinned blends that I'd like to try.
I've now got over 50 pipes & have around 24 of them in my rotation, including pipes from MM cobs, Falcons, Ropp, Roma, Dr Grabow, Vennini, Brebbia, Lorenzo VIP plateaux, a George Jensen, 70's UTOR Churchwardens, French Skippy Bruyere Garantie & many more.
I'm learning how different bowl shapes can give a different experience.
Looking forward to learning more here & meeting fellow brothers & sisters of the briar.
After decades of smoking cigarettes, I switched to a pipe around 8 years ago.
For 7 of those years I was doing everything wrong. Smoking the same pipe day in day out. Taking the stem off while still hot.
Around a year ago I discovered pipe forums & have been doing a lot of research & have learnt the basics.
Here in Aus. tobacco is outrageously expensive; $90 for 50g. By the end of this year it will be $100 for 50g.
Variety of choice is very limited here thanks to the ludicrous plain packaging laws & disgraceful 'health warning' pics.
I mainly smoked Dr Pats Irish Mixture, Erinmore Mixture, both blended with Borkum Riff Whiskey to help them burn without the need to dry them.
Then I discovered the wonderful world of on-line tobacconists.
Discovering new blends, researching different leaf types & finding my likes & dislikes was a steep learning curve.
My first introduction to latakia left me unimpressed (Becks ol' Limey Bastard) with a tin note of asphalt, burnt rubber & butt. Once blended 50/50 with Windsail Virginia though, I didn't mind the taste.
Today I smoke English, American & crossovers more than anything else. Blends like Sutliff 302 English, Epiphany & Count Pulaski for e.g.
I enjoy Va/Pers like PS Luxury Navy Flake & Aj's Vaper, which are a part of my rotation.
I'm just venturing into straight Virginia's such as H & H Marble Kake.
Although I don't mind a lightly flavoured blend, I'm not fond of aromatics.
Choosing blends without first trying was a bit daunting at first. www.tobaccoreviews.com has been a big help in that regard, JimInks reviews in particular. (Thank you Jim. Your efforts are much appreciated)
Our Customs laws are changing in June (It will become a criminal offense to import commercial quantities of tobacco without a licence) As we're not sure how that will affect those of us who are importing tobacco for personal use, I've been concentrating on ordering by the pound.
Now that I've got over 30lbs cellared, I'll start buying tinned blends that I'd like to try.
I've now got over 50 pipes & have around 24 of them in my rotation, including pipes from MM cobs, Falcons, Ropp, Roma, Dr Grabow, Vennini, Brebbia, Lorenzo VIP plateaux, a George Jensen, 70's UTOR Churchwardens, French Skippy Bruyere Garantie & many more.
I'm learning how different bowl shapes can give a different experience.
Looking forward to learning more here & meeting fellow brothers & sisters of the briar.
. 
