Two pipes today, somewhat of a rarity for me. Mid-day I had some Sam Gawith Medium Virginia Flake in an H.I.S. Rusticated pipe while cutting grass, and still working on a bowl of H&H La. Red in a Neerup part smooth/part rusticated pipe that I've posted pics of before. I was going to make a pic of my H.I.S. Pipe on my lawn tractor, but it started raining about halfway through cutting. Went ahead and finished the yard in the rain, and surprisingly, my pipe stayed fairly well lit. I was drenched and the rain was still coming down, so I held off on the grass cutting pipe pic.
yes it is. They were running a special that had the Stanwell pipe, a Julius Mac Bellator 2pipe pouch, Rockwell tool, and the four round tins of tobacco for US$100. The pipe and bag alone sell for 100. They had great specials, that order was only $167! I only order like once every six months, and I am putting down three of the Orlik for cellaring. I also found (locally) a 100gram tin of Mac Baren Symphony that was stamped NOV2011. It's always a bonus to find aged tobacco. As you can see, I really like Stokkebye and Orlik!
Earlier I enjoyed a flake of Solani 656 rubbed out into a rustic Lorenzetti straight billiard. Later tonight I may get another round. Happy Fourth Gentlemen! Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
I've got 1/2 pound of Stokkebye Bullseye jarred up and aging. Not sure if aging will do much for the bulk flakes or not. I've got plenty of H&H Louisana Red and AJ's VaPer to keep me busy while my Bullseye, Orlik Golden Sliced and Capstan get a little age on them. Got a variety of other tins aging as well.
Blue Capstan will be amazing aged! Age can't hurt flake, no idea if it really helps bulk though. At this moment my open stock: Stokkebye Navy Flake (2 oz out for smoking this week and next) Solani 656 (only 2 flakes left) Orlik Golden Mixture GLP Jack Knife Plug Stokkebye Lux Twist Flake (4 flakes left) Peterson Irish Flake (2 flakes left) I have been blending the Irish and the 656 on occasion. Next tin I open will be Orlik Golden Sliced, my super fave.
I feel your pain on the insomnia. I've never been a good sleeper, but my insomnia has gotten progressively worse as I get older. That creates a real problem for me, as I need to work a minimum of 3 more years, 5 years tops unless the bottom falls out of my retirement funds. Doc will give me something to help with it, but I hate having to take it. How's the nicotene on those Solani slices? I've had Burley before and I do like the nutty flavor, but not if it's heavy on the N.
I don't get too much Vitamin N out of it. Smoke slow, sip it like VA and you're good. Wessex Burley Slices are slightly milder. The 656 is becoming a fave.
H&H AJ's VaPer in my Stefano pipe, while cooking ribs earlier today. Temperature was rather mild for Alabama this time of year. Settled in with my pipe, checking ribs and adding a little charcoal here and there, when a little rain started up. Rolled the Weber kettle grill under covered portion of the deck, settled back in with the pipe, and everything was good! The ribs were great; they weren't black like it looks in the pic, just the rub browning very well. My old iPad2 struggles a little with pics.
I also posted this in the BBQ thread with some more details on cooking, but briefly I dry brined overnight, applied an outstanding home made rub (not my original recipe), and cooked on a Weber kettle grill for about 4 1/2 hours. The rub recipe came from here: http://amazingribs.com/recipes/rubs_pastes_marinades_and_brines/meatheads_memphis_dust.html
Sleep is apparently overrated. Grab some VA and listen to the crickets. Napping on Sunday afternoon is not overrated. I just finished cleaning up after the fun and eating were over for the night. 1x GLP JackKnife Plug:3x Stokkebye Bulk Navy Danish Crown 951 This is a smaller pipe, 4th oldest in my stash, and loosely dedicated to blends contained Dark Fired KY. I have posted it earlier on this thread. It is an exceptionally cool smoking pipe, dry also. It also has what I consider perfect draw.
Just fired up a bowl of Hearth and Home El Nino in my MM country gentleman. It is Virginia with dark fired Kentucky and Perique. Smelled like spiced raisins on popping the tin. First few puffs and the Kentucky is definitely forward. Digging this backy so far!
I have a bunch of Birds Eye aging right now. To me, it seems to bring more of the Virginia forward, making it just a little sweeter overall and sending the Cavendish even further into the background. After about a year, it becomes one of my go to smokes, and at the price point it can't be beat! Enjoy, man!
I take it you're talking about Former's Birds Eye, I've got one tin of that, put back for about 3 months or so. This is my first Birds Eye, having tried only Private Flake in the Former's line. Based on your comments, I'm looking forward to it, and will wait another 9 months. And you're right, it's less expensive than other tins.
Are you sure it's not Bullseye Flake? I'm not familiar with a Stokkebye Birdseye. Is it a coin cut medallion, versus a true flake?
