Nice pipe!
First Briar Pipe!
- Thread starter VirtualAsylum
- Start date
That is a good looking pipe! As far as blends, your smoking for you, so experiment as your willing and don't count anything out until you try it. I smoke Captain Black and Carter Hall for when I just want a smoke, but keep the other blends for those "want a really nice smoke" times. I recommend keeping a record of the blends you try. I keep an Excel spreadsheet that allows me to quantify traits that I prefer and use that when thinking of the next tobacco to try. I have found I am a fan of Virginia's, English, and Orientals to a lesser degree. Aromatics give a nice room note, but by and large are lacking in flavor, so I have to be very picky with them.
- Thread starter
- #23
Thanks for all the advice guys...much appreciated! Couple updates:
First- I smoked a second bowl of frog today out of my cob and I'm beginning to fall in love with it. I think I didn't have enough to compare it to- and I've found all tobacco isn't living up to full potential in my briar right now--(still breaking it in). I can see myself picking up a large tin of frog and smoking it as my "special occasion/mood" smoke.
Second-I hit up my local rite aid and cleaned out their OTC section
I already had CBW, so I picked up some gold, some prince albert, and some carter hall. I smoked a tiny sample of each in my bowl and found them all to be pleasant. One stood out tremendously, however: the carter hall. What an awesome smoke for the price! This stuff has that nutty flavor I dig with just a hint of sweetness. I find the scent of the tobacco in and out of the pouch to be intoxicating. The mouthfeel and aftertaste are smooth and this does not bite me AT ALL, whereas the captain occasionally will. For $5 (I'm in tax-happy NY), I feel this really cannot be beat.
I think I'll be happier than a pig in *@&^ just sticking with this carter hall and the frog- I like simplicity, and unless I get really really bored with this (which isn't likely as I plan to be an occasional smoker) I'm not inclined to look much farther. The CH and the frog treat me right---Why mess with success?
One question though--is it just me, or does this CH seem to have a bit more of a nicotine rush associated? (I don't inhale)
First- I smoked a second bowl of frog today out of my cob and I'm beginning to fall in love with it. I think I didn't have enough to compare it to- and I've found all tobacco isn't living up to full potential in my briar right now--(still breaking it in). I can see myself picking up a large tin of frog and smoking it as my "special occasion/mood" smoke.
Second-I hit up my local rite aid and cleaned out their OTC section
I already had CBW, so I picked up some gold, some prince albert, and some carter hall. I smoked a tiny sample of each in my bowl and found them all to be pleasant. One stood out tremendously, however: the carter hall. What an awesome smoke for the price! This stuff has that nutty flavor I dig with just a hint of sweetness. I find the scent of the tobacco in and out of the pouch to be intoxicating. The mouthfeel and aftertaste are smooth and this does not bite me AT ALL, whereas the captain occasionally will. For $5 (I'm in tax-happy NY), I feel this really cannot be beat.
I think I'll be happier than a pig in *@&^ just sticking with this carter hall and the frog- I like simplicity, and unless I get really really bored with this (which isn't likely as I plan to be an occasional smoker) I'm not inclined to look much farther. The CH and the frog treat me right---Why mess with success?
One question though--is it just me, or does this CH seem to have a bit more of a nicotine rush associated? (I don't inhale)
- Thread starter
- #24
Couldn't resist; just lit up half a bowl of CH.
CH is a moderate nicotine level. More than most aromatics, but nowhere near what a rope is.
I'm glad you enjoyed Ch, it's my everyday smoke. I suggest picking up a couple more blends so you can figgure out what your favorite style is (aromatics, English, Virginia, perique or burley) and then dedicate your briar to that or many of these will have a tendency to ghost a pipe (taint all other tobaccos with a bit of that flavor).
Another CH convert... lol. It is a wonderful OTC and my favorite of the drug store varieties for sure. Now that you've smoked it in a briar, do yourself a favor and smoke it in a Missouri Meerschaum cob ;-) It'll cost you $7, and you'll kick yourself for having been too classy to try it before.
I hate to hijack, but do you rub out rope like you do flake?
I personally do. Like flakes, there are as many ways to prepare it as there are to skin a cat. I cut mine with a razor into very thin coins, give them a quick but firm rub and pack them moderately loosely in the pipe. I also find it helps wo put some very well rubbed out tobacco on top as 'kindling' to help light the rope. Sometimes they can be a challenge to light, however once it is going well they tend to remain lit.
Thanks Jackie. Hopefully I will be making another tobacco order at the end of the month (my bonus got delayed) and I will throw some SG rope in there.
I do like CH also. I like the not-too-smooth nutty flavor. And yeah I believe anything with burly is gonna have a little more nic than CBW or other cavendish based blends.
Anise is certainly a love or hate kinda flavor usually. I love black licorice candy & also Jäger straight (& room temp..not frozen) so Half & Half is pretty smooth to me.
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I proudly smoke Captain Black when I can't get to my regular smokeshop to get their house blends. If you like it, go for it!
The Captain is one of my regulars. I don't care what anyone says, in my opinion it is a damn fine tobacco.
- Thread starter
- #34
I smoked a half-bowl of the captain when I got home from work. This time around, I think I liked it a little better than the CH. I think I need to keep my trap shut about favorite tobacco until my pipe is fully caked. I'm definitely noticing a difference as each bowl goes by- the tobaccos are responding differently as it breaks in a bit more.
For now, all I know is that FM, CB, PA, and CH are all pretty welcome in my pipe. Which one settles in as king of my pipe has yet to be determined!
No, the "unsung hero" rules. Horse!
Seriously get an order in to Boswell's ASAP.
Northwoods if you like English blends
Piper's Pleasure, Bear Blend, Boswell's Best are good Aro's to try ;~)
- Thread starter
- #38
Quick note for those of you who may be interested- I just put this pipe and stand up on the BST in my den cleanout thread.
This smokes nice, just found out that I'm a filtered pipe kind of guy. Thing is basically new!
This smokes nice, just found out that I'm a filtered pipe kind of guy. Thing is basically new!
That sure is a nice looking pipe you've got there. Not very familiar with the brand but I like the shape. As for aromatic tobaccos, there are a ton of good ones out there, and a lot of what I smoke is aromatics and I've been engaged in the hobby for quite a while. Permit me to suggest the 7 Seas tobaccos by MacBaren as they are an excellent, mild, and tasty smoke. Carter Hall is another great choice. McClelland makes some great premium aromatics, like Tastemaster for a nice rich flavor or Pal O' Mine for something a little different, it's an aromatic flavored with peach. Quite tasty.
Well if you like Carter Hall (*as one should lol), and are interested in aro's, why not give Middleton's Cherry Blend a shot? It is a mellow cherry blend compared to say, Lane's Very Cherry. Many folks that like CH like Middleton's Cherry. I don't generally like aro's one bit - but often stick CH and MCB in a cob.
