abbeyraven
New Member
Posts: 6 
First Name: Andrew
Favorite Tobacco: Nightcap (for right now, anyway)
Location:
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Post by abbeyraven on Mar 2, 2021 17:47:39 GMT -5
I'm trying to learn "how to taste" pipe tobacco. With cigars there were lots of publications which detailed the flavors to look for (pepper, leather, pencil lead, etc.) that were commonly found in various types of cigars from regions around the world. They were specific and straightforward. Not nearly as subtle as I am finding the flavors of pipe tobacco to be. Is there a guide, a publication, a particular YouTube creator, or a specific forum here that can give practical advice on what to look for and how to look for it? Or, is experience the only true way to learn to appreciate the multiple flavors and strengths? Should I smoke pipes side-by-side for comparison or would that be a mistake? Thanks for any help with this. Sorry for such a "noob" question.  |
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Post by puffy on Mar 2, 2021 18:38:59 GMT -5
I've found that a good way to find out what I liked was to keep a record of the blends that I tried as to what type of blend it was..After a while it showed a pattern as to the type of blend that I like..Over the years I've probably tried close to 400 blends..I probably only really liked 10 percent of them..The sooner you can establish your pattern the more dollars you can save by not buying blends you won't really like.
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Post by sparks on Mar 2, 2021 18:48:42 GMT -5
I'm trying to learn "how to taste" pipe tobacco. With cigars there were lots of publications which detailed the flavors to look for (pepper, leather, pencil lead, etc.) that were commonly found in various types of cigars from regions around the world. They were specific and straightforward. Not nearly as subtle as I am finding the flavors of pipe tobacco to be. Is there a guide, a publication, a particular YouTube creator, or a specific forum here that can give practical advice on what to look for and how to look for it? Or, is experience the only true way to learn to appreciate the multiple flavors and strengths? Should I smoke pipes side-by-side for comparison or would that be a mistake? Thanks for any help with this. Sorry for such a "noob" question.
No question is a "noob" question, so don't ever worry about asking something you are curious about.
www.tobaccoreviews.com will show you reviews for almost every pipe tobacco under the sun. I don't believe there is one "ultimate" authority on flavors as that is always subjective. You may taste one thing, and I may taste another. Some people never identify complex flavors in pipe tobacco. That being said, you should be able to get some ideas of flavors to look for from what you find there.
At the end of the day though, remember to enjoy yourself.
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Post by taiguy66 on Mar 2, 2021 18:57:15 GMT -5
I see Justin beat me to the punch. Tobaccoreviews.com is probably the best site around to help you with your tobacco decision making process.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 2, 2021 19:46:25 GMT -5
I bought blending Perique so I could identify it. I CAN DEFINITELY identify it! 🤮
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Post by addamsruspipe on Mar 2, 2021 20:23:28 GMT -5
I'm trying to learn "how to taste" pipe tobacco. With cigars there were lots of publications which detailed the flavors to look for (pepper, leather, pencil lead, etc.) that were commonly found in various types of cigars from regions around the world. They were specific and straightforward. Not nearly as subtle as I am finding the flavors of pipe tobacco to be. Is there a guide, a publication, a particular YouTube creator, or a specific forum here that can give practical advice on what to look for and how to look for it? Or, is experience the only true way to learn to appreciate the multiple flavors and strengths? Should I smoke pipes side-by-side for comparison or would that be a mistake? Thanks for any help with this. Sorry for such a "noob" question.
No question is a "noob" question, so don't ever worry about asking something you are curious about.
www.tobaccoreviews.com will show you reviews for almost every pipe tobacco under the sun. I don't believe there is one "ultimate" authority on flavors as that is always subjective. You may taste one thing, and I may taste another. Some people never identify complex flavors in pipe tobacco. That being said, you should be able to get some ideas of flavors to look for from what you find there.
At the end of the day though, remember to enjoy yourself.
The big piece for me was once I understood my own palate. My limit at the moment is usually up to three separate flavors. That way when I look up reviews on tobaccoreviews.com I can better understand what I am likely to get out of a blend based on the reviews.  |
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Post by Gandalf on Mar 2, 2021 20:38:44 GMT -5
As mentioned in a couple posts above: www.tobaccoreviews.comI learned a lot by reading the reviews and learning what it was that people looked for, commented on, and how they described it in the reviews. Then I kept notes myself about each blend I tried - for the first several times. Many times a blend will taste different at different times and in which pipe you smoke it. Many times I'll use a corn cob pipe the first couple of times. They seem to allow the "true" flavor to come through. |
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Post by trailboss on Mar 2, 2021 22:17:58 GMT -5
Jiminks suggests smoking straight blends.
Smoke a bowl of straight Virginia
“. “ of perique
“. “ of Burley
And all the other varietals.
Etc.... Mary McNeil of McClellands says the same thing.
You will then be able to do a better job at ferreting out all of the tastes, nuances, etc.
That is their opinion, not mine. But in this regard, they are the wise ones.
Having said that, tobacco reviews has been helpful in allowing me to recognize tastes that otherwise, I would not.
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Post by exbenedict on Mar 3, 2021 10:00:31 GMT -5
I've been smoking pipes for about 8 years and there are still times I find something new in a blend I've had before. Your palate is always evolving and everyone moves at a different pace.
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Post by CrustyCat on Mar 3, 2021 11:12:58 GMT -5
I can never taste what people describe. I just "know" if I like it or not. Same with cigars. The only actual flavor I have been able to pick out is cherry. Probably due to my many years of cigarette smoking.
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Post by fadingdaylight on Mar 3, 2021 11:39:48 GMT -5
I'm in about the same boat. I can find things that are more like descriptors than flavors. Smooth, spicy, creamy, salty, whether or not it bites, etc. Moreover, I can just tell you if I like it or not. I can never detect hints of plums and raisins or anything like that.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Mar 3, 2021 19:39:50 GMT -5
Are you retrohaling? That helps a ton.
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Post by urbino on Mar 3, 2021 23:52:26 GMT -5
I can never taste what people describe. I just "know" if I like it or not. Same with cigars. The only actual flavor I have been able to pick out is cherry. Probably due to my many years of cigarette smoking. Same here. Can't pick apart the flavors at all. It just presents as one, unitary thing. Either I like it, or I don't. I can somewhat make comparisons between one blend and another, but describing a single blend I'm useless. |
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Post by CrustyCat on Mar 4, 2021 2:46:59 GMT -5
Are you retrohaling? That helps a ton. Yup. Still tastes like tobacco to me...  |
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 4, 2021 20:24:46 GMT -5
tobaccoreviews.com is always my first stop. I try to compare my impressions of a tobacco with those of the experts, like Jiminks.
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Post by urbino on Mar 4, 2021 23:28:23 GMT -5
So, did Jim Inks decide one day to become the uber pipe tobacco reviewer, or is that just how it turned out?
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Post by trailboss on Mar 5, 2021 8:16:28 GMT -5
So, did Jim Inks decide one day to become the uber pipe tobacco reviewer, or is that just how it turned out? I think it just evolved with him. |
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Post by Darin on Mar 5, 2021 10:10:04 GMT -5
So, did Jim Inks decide one day to become the uber pipe tobacco reviewer, or is that just how it turned out? His reviews aren't for everyone but he has done 100's of them which is impressive. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 5, 2021 11:53:58 GMT -5
So, did Jim Inks decide one day to become the uber pipe tobacco reviewer, or is that just how it turned out? I think it gives him an outlet for all those extra words. 😜🤠😮 |
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abbeyraven
New Member
Posts: 6
First Name: Andrew
Favorite Tobacco: Nightcap (for right now, anyway)
Location:
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Post by abbeyraven on Mar 9, 2021 16:01:11 GMT -5
Are you retrohaling? That helps a ton. If that's the term for releasing the smoke through my nose (which I think it is), then yes. I agree, it certainly gives another perspective on the taste. I think I just have to be more patient than I've been so far and develop my palate a bit. |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Mar 9, 2021 16:55:40 GMT -5
So, did Jim Inks decide one day to become the uber pipe tobacco reviewer, or is that just how it turned out? And gives a post count that seems to be important to him. For me I either like it or not...depends on the day and the pipe also. Leaves me with a lot of tobacco blends that over the years I have found that I'm just no longer interested in them. |
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abbeyraven
New Member
Posts: 6
First Name: Andrew
Favorite Tobacco: Nightcap (for right now, anyway)
Location:
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Post by abbeyraven on Mar 22, 2021 18:13:51 GMT -5
Are you retrohaling? That helps a ton. Absolutely. I'm finding that's the best way to taste. Thank you! |
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