Pick for me....

[RichGem]

Some C&D tobacco "mysteriously" :ihih: showed up at more door today and I'd like suggestions on what to crack open & fire up first. Please select from: Autumn Evening, Blockade Runner, and After Hours and let me know. Comments on those also welcome. You have until about 8pm Eastern before I fire up.

Thanks in advance!

[Blue_2]

Unfortunately I only have experience with one of those, Autumn Evening. I like that one but my vote is biased. :lol:

[BBrad]

I also had some arrive yesterday . . . but mine was no mystery!!! :biggrin1:

I'm going to try the Autumn Evening first. (Even if it is winter outside!)

[Psicko]

I tried the first two. I prefer autumn evening. Its one of the only aromatics I can smoke.

[RichGem]

looks like the "autumns" have it. thanks !

[Dustinl]

looks like the "autumns" have it. thanks !

Please do let us know how it is. The only C&D that I have smoked is Purple Cow.


DL

[RichGem]

Please do let us know how it is. The only C&D that I have smoked is Purple Cow.


DL

So far, I'm liking it (smoking it now). It's a bit wet and so I have to relight & tamp frequently. The maple scent is very noticeable (and pleasant) in the can. I don't notice it as much when it's lit, but the room note is there with a touch of sugar... reminds me a bit of kettle pop corn minus the corn and butter tastes, if that makes sense. And of course, mapley goodness is evident. I'll have to wait 'till I finish smoking to get the real room note tho. So far, tho, I'm pleased.

[Blue_2]

I definitely like my Autumn Evening (actually most aromatics) on the dry side. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[RichGem]

I definitely like my Autumn Evening (actually most aromatics) on the dry side. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Thanks, Blue. I have two more to try, but I'm thinking AE could be a keeper.

[RichGem]

So far, I'm liking it (smoking it now). It's a bit wet and so I have to relight & tamp frequently. The maple scent is very noticeable (and pleasant) in the can. I don't notice it as much when it's lit, but the room note is there with a touch of sugar... reminds me a bit of kettle pop corn minus the corn and butter tastes, if that makes sense. And of course, mapley goodness is evident. I'll have to wait 'till I finish smoking to get the real room note tho. So far, tho, I'm pleased.

After finishing my smoke and sniffing some ground coffee (it resets your sense of smell), the room note seems to be largely "sugar" with a hint of maple. A little unusual, perhaps, but not at all unpleasant. Tomorrow morning, after the room has had a chance to marinade, will be the true test.

[Commander Quan]

Autumn Evening is a really good aromatic, it makes me want pancakes.

[Dustinl]

Autumn Evening is a really good aromatic, it makes me want pancakes.

I'm convinced.:lol:

Next time I place an order with Smoking Pipes, I'll get a tin of Autumn Evening.



DL

[RichGem]

I'm convinced.:lol:

Next time I place an order with Smoking Pipes, I'll get a tin of Autumn Evening.



DL

That's where I got mine. IIRC, there's a sale on at the moment, or maybe the price was a bit discounted.

[Dustinl]

That's where I got mine.

I've bought from them a couple of times in the past. There was another online vendor that i liked but I don't recall their name.



DL

[RichGem]

Blockade Runner's up tonight.

I must admit some initial confusion/surprise when I opened the tin and found what appeared to be a brownie.

So, question... should I crumble the whole thing up now or just break up a chunk at a time?

[Dustinl]

Blockade Runner's up tonight.

I must admit some initial confusion/surprise when I opened the tin and found what appeared to be a brownie.

So, question... should I crumble the whole thing up now or just break up a chunk at a time?

Rich, not a 100% sure but I think you only flake off what you intend to smoke at the time.


DL

[RichGem]

Rich, not a 100% sure but I think you only flake off what you intend to smoke at the time.


DL

Thanks, Dustin. That's what I was betting on.

So far, not an overly flavorful smoke (tho smelled quite "english" in the tin), but it burns beautifully.... minimal relighting thus far, but perhaps a bit more tamping than others.

edit: upon second can-sniff, I can detect more of the rum scent there.

[Commander Quan]

You can do whatever you want with it, it's your tobacco, but I would recommend, like Dustin said, use a sharp kitchen knife and slice off a flake at a time, you can then vary your prep to see how you like it best, you can break the up flake into chunks and smoke it, or cut it up into a thin shag, or fold in in half across the grain and then fold it in half with the grain, twist it a little and stick the whole thing in you pipe.

[RichGem]

You can do whatever you want with it, it's your tobacco, but I would recommend, like Dustin said, use a sharp kitchen knife and slice off a flake at a time, you can then vary your prep to see how you like it best, you can break the up flake into chunks and smoke it, or cut it up into a thin shag, or fold in in half across the grain and then fold it in half with the grain, twist it a little and stick the whole thing in you pipe.

Thanks!

I broke off a chunk and rubbed it (I guess) into a bunch of (mostly) flakes. Seems to have worked well and pipe loaded easily. I think I'll keep it in "brownie" form with the exception of the left over flakes from the first loading.

[RichGem]

Well, pipe's finished... not much of a room note other than general "pipe scent." But, it smoked cool and had some flavor to it. I found a lot of unsmoked tobacco left afterwards tho. I assume I need to work on my technique... maybe I packed it too tightly?

Also, noticed (as I did yesterday) much more of a nic punch than other pipe tobacco's I've tried.

"After Hours" is up for tomorrow... the can scent is really interesting.

Slightly OT, but if you haven't lit up a Glade "Hawaiian Breezes" candle, you really should (not used while smoking, btw). Very warm and ambery scent. Supposedly, mango, pineapple, and others, but not sweet.

[RichGem]

Up for tonight: "After Hours" in my just-arrived MM "Diplomat" straight stem.

[jwhite]

Up for tonight: "After Hours" in my just-arrived MM "Diplomat" straight stem.

I've been enjoying your posts. I'm glad you're enjoying the experience.

[RichGem]

I've been enjoying your posts. I'm glad you're enjoying the experience.

Thanks, James. It's a relatively new experience for me and an enjoyable one. Tho, I think I'm more of a cigar smoker (and not that much of one either). But, pipe tobacco can at least be tolerated indoors when it's too cold out to scare off the bugs otherwise. :lol:

[RichGem]

I lit up "After Hours" about 1/2 an hour ago. Initial impressions .....

Can scent: sweet w/ noticeable rum flavoring with a hit of sugar and smack of fruit (to my nose).

In the pipe: mellow flavor & scent. Rum and other notes hardly noticeable, but nothing harsh in the taste or scent. However, so far, is harsher on my throat that the other C&Ds I've tried so far. Room note is mellow and pleasant, but no outstanding "flavor" detected. Draw was very easy in my new MM Diplomat which might explain some of the throat harshness.

I'll give it a few more goes, but probably not one that I'd keep in rotation (tho I probably would finish it). But, -- again so far -- a lot of promise in the can, not much on the delivery. Blockade Runner is better on flavor.

I'll give it another run tomorrow in a standard (9mm) briar just to see if that makes a difference.

[jwhite]

Air cured VA can get a bit bitey or sort of acidic if not smoked at a leisurely pace. They can seem to have a lack of flavor which encourages the smoker to puff a little harder in trying to get at it. In fact the opposite is true to get the most out of Va's slow down your smoking as much as possible even at the risk of letting it go out. I think you'll find you get the most flavor out of this type when its right on the cusp of going out/staying lit. When you get the hang of it you'll notice much more flavor that deepens as you progress down the bowl.

I want to add a that I have not had this particular blend but I am familiar with the breed.

[RichGem]

Air cured VA can get a bit bitey or sort of acidic if not smoked at a leisurely pace. They can seem to have a lack of flavor which encourages the smoker to puff a little harder in trying to get at it. In fact the opposite is true to get the most out of Va's slow down your smoking as much as possible even at the risk of letting it go out. I think you'll find you get the most flavor out of this type when its right on the cusp of going out/staying lit. When you get the hang of it you'll notice much more flavor that deepens as you progress down the bowl.

I want to add a that I have not had this particular blend but I am familiar with the breed.

Interesting. Thanks & I'll give it a try tomorrow night.

[RichGem]

I'm giving "After Hours" another go. This time in an Angelo briar. It's not as harsh on my throat, but still not much flavor. Pleasant enough room smell tho. I broke up the tobacco a bit more this time and I think I may have packed it better as well. Interestingly (ok, annoyingly), some particulate is getting past the 9mm filter and into my mouth.

[Bloodhound]

I have tried all three of these blends...the AE makes me want pancakes, and I am on Atkins Diet...so I put it in the back of the cabinet for when I can have carbs without killing the diet:001_rolle

The After Hours is too mild and sweet for my taste....But I have been enjoying Blockade Runner for about 6 months...it is a great Navy Crumble Cake. The first tin I rubbed out completely, the 2nd tin I crumbled just what I was going to smoke...now I slice it like a plug...this makes for less dust and waste.

Blockade Runner is that happy middle ground for me...not to sweet, not to strong, just a great smoke...but watch that Vitamin "N" kick at the last 1/4 of the bowl...:thumbup1:

[Psicko]

Virginia blends such as after hours are definitaly better when "sipped" instead of gulped.

For the blockade runner, you might want to dry out the bit that you smoke a little, and also don't pack as tight. especially if you smoke it in flake form.

[RichGem]

Taking another run tonight at C&D's "After Hours" while sipping a pineapple-whisky liquor I just picked up in the islands. This time lighting up my churchwarden.

[jwhite]

Taking another run tonight at C&D's "After Hours" while sipping a pineapple-whisky liquor I just picked up in the islands. This time lighting up my churchwarden.

Good deal I hope you enjoy it. But in case I haven't said it before all blends, or types of blend, aren't for all folks. It's not a character defect to not get on with something, and there are a lot of folks who would be happy to work out a trade if it's not your smoke and you don't want to store it for later.

[stroppy]

But in case I haven't said it before all blends, or types of blend, aren't for all folks. It's not a character defect to not get on with something...

+1 There can be far too much posturing around pipe tobacco. "One man's poison is another man's pleasure" is never truer than when it comes to personal tobacco tastes. Find your pleasures and enjoy them while exploring the vast treasure of 'baccy that's out there.

[RichGem]

all good points. I just need to find what I like and there are just way too many choices.

So... new picks .... (not yet ordered)

Pease Robusto
Pease Key Largo
C&D Habana Daydreams
C&D Purple Cow

Which 3 should I try?

[RichGem]

all good points. I just need to find what I like and there are just way too many choices.

So... new picks .... (not yet ordered)

Pease Robusto
Pease Key Largo
C&D Habana Daydreams
C&D Purple Cow

Which 3 should I try?

OK, I just decided on Robusto, Key Largo, & Purple Cow. Yeah, I'm a little impatient. :blush:

[jwhite]

OK, I just decided on Robusto, Key Largo, & Purple Cow. Yeah, I'm a little impatient. :blush:
:lol::lol::lol: yea that was pretty quick.

[RichGem]

:lol::lol::lol: yea that was pretty quick.

The best bit is that I also just picked up a tasty bundle of local made (non-Cuban) cigars in St. Maarten. Sigh. Can I still call myself only an occasional smoker? Maybe sporatic or serial smoker would be better.

[RichGem]

Question for you all...

It seems that despite any number of relights, I'm wasting a lot of tobacco in my pipe. IE: I'm finding a lot of unburned tobacco in the bottom of the bowl. What, if anything, am I doing wrong?

[arghblech]

What, if anything, am I doing wrong?

You aren't smoking it all the way down. Srsly though, I usually end up gently applying the pick and tipping out some of the ash midway through a bowl. Then I tamp it back down and relight. Sometimes I'll even give a gentle stir before I tamp it. That really helps me get almost all of what's in the bowl.

[jwhite]

You aren't smoking it all the way down. Srsly though, I usually end up gently applying the pick and tipping out some of the ash midway through a bowl. Then I tamp it back down and relight. Sometimes I'll even give a gentle stir before I tamp it. That really helps me get almost all of what's in the bowl.

+1 that will often save a bowl thats being difficult.

A couple of things could be causing you trouble is packing a bowl too tightly, or tamping too hard. The draw on your pipe should be much more free than a cigar. Take a look at the how to load your pipe thread in the GE sticky, there is some good advice. Also pipe tobacco will pack best burn most evenly if it is a little on the dry side. Check those two variables and see if your experience doesn't improve.

[RichGem]

You aren't smoking it all the way down. Srsly though, I usually end up gently applying the pick and tipping out some of the ash midway through a bowl. Then I tamp it back down and relight. Sometimes I'll even give a gentle stir before I tamp it. That really helps me get almost all of what's in the bowl.


+1 that will often save a bowl thats being difficult.

A couple of things could be causing you trouble is packing a bowl too tightly, or tamping too hard. The draw on your pipe should be much more free than a cigar. Take a look at the how to load your pipe thread in the GE sticky, there is some good advice. Also pipe tobacco will pack best burn most evenly if it is a little on the dry side. Check those two variables and see if your experience doesn't improve.


Thanks for the suggestions! I'll give 'em a try.

[Bloodhound]

I too have had this problem...I used to stuff the bowl ful...twist and stuff and then put in more...got tongue bite, uneven burn in the bowl and lots of unburned tobacco and wasted a lot. I have since, for the last couple of years been loading the bowl lighter, getting a nice burn of the whole bowl less tongue bite and more use out of a 2 oz tin....but then I started smoking flakes and plugs and slipped back into the bad habbit of over stuffing....I'm working it out....:thumbup1:

[RichGem]

OK, I just decided on Robusto, Key Largo, & Purple Cow. Yeah, I'm a little impatient. :blush:

The goods arrived in today's mail. I'll fire one of them up tomorrow. I'm thinking of starting this round with the "Purple Cow" as it's just an oddball name. We'll see tomorrow.

[RichGem]

Working through the Purple Cow in a MM Diplomat now... boy, that just doesn't sound right. :eek: :lol:

So far, the room note might not be super, but I'm enjoying it. Closer to a cigar "taste." But, a bit more of "bite" in the mouth.
Tho, I still really like "Autumn Evening" as well.

[RichGem]

Key Largo's up tonight and so far, nice. I can smell hints of cocoa and leather as mentioned on the label, maybe a hint of spicey. The room note isn't bad and it seems to compliment the cinnamon incense I just started up.

[RichGem]

10 minutes in... this is a surprisingly complex and interesting smoke. Maybe not cigar-like per se (close tho) and definitely interesting.

[RichGem]

Pease Robusto up tonight.

[RichGem]

Pease Robusto up tonight.


Just finished the smoke and I'm not in love, although I could probably get used to it if I had to. The smoke/room note was fairly cigar-like which was nice. The mouth taste was passable, but I occasionally got very sharp and unpleasant leather-like notes.

Maybe this one needs to be sampled again in a few days before deciding.