poverello
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First Name: Skip
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Post by poverello on Jun 12, 2019 19:41:23 GMT -5
Hey there. This is my first post on Briarpatch. If I do this wrong, forgive my presumption please.
I desire to take up pipe and tobacco once again. Was an avid pipe smoker in an earlier life. Tended towards the milder cavendish blends. Alsbo Black was my favorite, but I ventured out to the Orientals and Turkish content ones occasionally. The relaxing nature of the pipe, with delicious taste, were the most satisfying aspects of it all. I look forward to resuming my smoking.
The problem I'm having: beginning about 15 years ago, I realized I had lost practically all of my sense of smell. The cause of the loss: use of nasal swabs containing zinc gluconate to control the onset of the common cold. I must say, the swabs helped control colds. They really did. But they destroyed my smell sense. As a result, I can no longer appreciate the delicacy of flavors and bouquets found in pipe smoke, cigars, bourbons...you name it. I still taste the basics of sweet, bitter, sour and salt. But I can't parse bouquets of (for example) oak, vanilla, coffee, leather, clove, etc. that one may encounter in a good blend of pipe tobacco.
I'm asking the forum whether any of you have heard of such a problem and what, if any, recommendations you might make for a good tobacco blend I might choose. Perhaps it might be something you regular "smellers" would consider over-the-top in flavor, that I might find enjoyable. Any advice is most welcome! Thanks in advance.
poverello
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Post by pepesdad1 on Jun 12, 2019 19:51:08 GMT -5
First, Welcome to the Patch! Sense of smell is shot...I guess smoking some of the heavier blends might give you some taste...maybe something like Bengal Slices or Plum Pudding Special Reserve...Penzance if you can find it. In my limited knowledge I would say you are not gonna get anything from smoking Va's and light tasting blends...just my suggestion.
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poverello
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Posts: 6
First Name: Skip
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Post by poverello on Jun 12, 2019 19:59:04 GMT -5
Thank, Walt. Good advice. Appreciate it.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jun 12, 2019 21:59:18 GMT -5
My dad has almost no sense of smell anymore. He enjoys HEAVY aromatics, because they're the only ones he can taste/smell. His favorite is Sutliff Molto Dolce, followed by Sutliff Aromatic English. He also likes Sutliff Creme Brulee, which is 95% the same as Molto Dolce, just a tad less topped. It's topped with the same flavor, and it's available in bulk, much cheaper than the Molto Dolce. C&D Autumn Evening is also a good in-your-face aromatic.
If you want something NOT sweet, Plum Pudding Special Reserve is bold. Any of the Gawith and Hogarth Lakeland blends might trip your trigger: Ennerdale, Dark Flake Scented, anything scented, really. They're more floral, and may not be your cup of tea.
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poverello
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Posts: 6
First Name: Skip
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Post by poverello on Jun 12, 2019 22:42:02 GMT -5
Many thanks, Jason. About the time I perceived my sense of smell leaving me, I read somewhere that such a phenomenon was an early sign of developing Alzheimers. (!!) Well, like I said above, it has been 15 years and I still seem to have most of my brain function. My wife might argue that point, though. Heheh.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2019 22:59:32 GMT -5
Welcome from the Mile High City, Skip! Glad to have you with us.  In regard to tobacco recommendations, you may like Rattray's Black Mallory. It is a full English with a lot of flavor. Another I recommend is Gawith Hoggarth's Dark Bird's Eye. It is a Virgina/Kentucky burley blend with a lot of flaver. It is med to strong in the N department though, so if that's a problem, best stay clear. Hope you find some blends that work for you. |
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Mac
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First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: Ken Barnes Canted Billiard
Favorite Tobacco: Margate, Smyrna, Vintage Syrian
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Post by Mac on Jun 12, 2019 23:08:20 GMT -5
Welcome, Skip.
Have you smoked anything recently?
You may find that even with taste greatly diminished, smoking a pipe is still enjoyable, almost regardless of the blend. I hope!
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Post by Yohanan on Jun 13, 2019 5:55:18 GMT -5
Hello Skip, and Welcome to the Forum!!!
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poverello
New Member
Posts: 6
First Name: Skip
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Post by poverello on Jun 13, 2019 14:20:57 GMT -5
Gentlemen...
Thank you all for the welcoming and the fine advice! It's great to be here.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 14, 2019 7:58:17 GMT -5
A warm welcome to the forum. You'll find many here with a plethora of experience.
I have a sense of smell, but I find it hard to taste anything. It all tastes like smoke to me. But I do enjoy the experience.
I'd take the advice above and go for heavy tastes like latakia and heavy aromatics. Maybe even try strong lakeland.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Jun 14, 2019 8:05:24 GMT -5
Latakia man. Develop a taste for it. Latakia is where the flavour is. Lat and like really good VaPers.
Maybe you should consider a tin of Presbyterian and a few ounces of Luxury Bullseye Flake to see if that does anything for your taste buds?
I can't smell ANYTHING EVER either. I go for flavour town.
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elric
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Post by elric on Jun 14, 2019 10:56:02 GMT -5
Welcome.
I'd recommend English Oriental Supreme for it's mouth feel & lots of smoke with every puff. Very smooth. Mild to medium. Mild nic.
(Not sure why it's called Oriental when the latakia is more noticeable)
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poverello
New Member
Posts: 6
First Name: Skip
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Post by poverello on Jul 14, 2019 13:55:02 GMT -5
Thought I'd give a little update. I'm really glad I took up the pipe again. It's an enjoyable and relaxing thing to do. I have tried a few pipe tobacco blends, and I'm starting to believe those who told me Latakia may be key in finding a tasteful way to smoke, over and above the enjoyment of the pastime. Here's what I'm liking so far: Sutliff Creme Brulee, Stokkebye English Oriental and SPC Plum Pudding. My very favorite, though, is Russ' Tastykake. I didn't order enough, so I'll have to correct that mistake.
I found out that there's a well known tobacco nearby me (Old Virginia Tobacconist)...gotta run over there soon to see what they have. Gotta order some more of other brands you all suggested, but really, you've hit some homers for me already. Thanks again.
Best.
poverello
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Post by Legend Lover on Jul 14, 2019 18:05:42 GMT -5
Thought I'd give a little update. I'm really glad I took up the pipe again. It's an enjoyable and relaxing thing to do. I have tried a few pipe tobacco blends, and I'm starting to believe those who told me Latakia may be key in finding a tasteful way to smoke, over and above the enjoyment of the pastime. Here's what I'm liking so far: Sutliff Creme Brulee, Stokkebye English Oriental and SPC Plum Pudding. My very favorite, though, is Russ' Tastykake. I didn't order enough, so I'll have to correct that mistake.
I found out that there's a well known tobacco nearby me (Old Virginia Tobacconist)...gotta run over there soon to see what they have. Gotta order some more of other brands you all suggested, but really, you've hit some homers for me already. Thanks again.
Best.
poverello
I'm glad you found latakia as a solution to your problem. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2019 13:28:25 GMT -5
I have had occasions when my taste buds have seemingly zeroed out and a Latakia blend has kick started them again, as you report.
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Post by sperrytops on Jul 15, 2019 15:08:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the Patch from Northern California.
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