Like @BamaT mentioned, good customer relationships with the local guys can really pay off. There is one store in Denver that I make a point of visiting every couple of weeks. The owner is 71, and he has so much to teach abou all this, I could spend all day smoking with him.
I totally agree. I assume you rubbed out the Flake? Folded and stuffed it will be very slightly spicier, but also very nice.
The King of VaPer is Escudo Navy DeLuxe. It's the one all others are measured against, for better or worse. Just something to remember as you explore VaPer. It's got more perique than GS, and is definitely both sweet and spicy on the inhale.
Yep, and you were spot on with the amount . About 3/4 of a flake gave me a perfectly filled and packed bowl. And I definitely like the Danish Flake over the Kendal; it rubbed out so much nicer and easier and enhanced the scent afterwards. I can't wait to see what an aged tin will be like!
I'll have to look into it. Hahaha! The GF may regret her support of my hobby; the more I'm on here with you gents, the more tobaccos I add to the list of ones I must hunt down and sample. I'm even on P&C hunting as we speak. lol :bang:
Remember...we've been at this for years longer than you likely have. We didn't try all those tobaccos and accumulate massive pipe collections overnight. Add to your rack and cellar slowly and deliberately, and you'll have a great collection effortlessly. If you wouldn't pay full price for something in tobacco world, you don't need it, even if it's on sale. This principle will save you a lot of money on P&C.
Escudo is a special occasion smoke for me. My normal VaPer is GS or Stokkebye Bulk Navy. If I were you, I'd wait to try it, after you have gotten used to how VaPer behaves in the pipe. Escudo will bite you if you push it.
I couldn't resist this Weber Golden Walnut on eBay, it ended up being about $22 with shipping. The pictures weren't great, but it looked litely used. It came today and I was happy with it. I removed the stinger and gave the inside a good cleaning with Everclear. It's now sitting with some salt and everclear in the bowl
My "Mid day" pipe today. A vintage Dr. Grabow Royal Duke straight with some Villiger 1888 Early Day, both courtesy of @Bama Samurai . Another great pipe that smokes like a dream. Becoming quite a fan of Grabows. While I liked the tobacco; it did burn very nicely, even and cool; I couldn't taste it. Early in the morning I got distracted in a heated discussion with a local Police Chief (long story, lol), and tried to swig a big gulp of very hot coffee. Needless to say, I burned my tongue; thus, no ability to taste really. That being said, this pipe and tobacco both seem to be grade A winners in my book! The lighter is a Vertigo Puffer that arrived today from P&C as a replacement for the broken Jetline Lacardo that came in my sampler.
That's right. We've been at this a long time. Not just to accumulate pipes and tobacco, but to develop and refine tastes in both. I started with aromatics, just like most other new pipe smokers. I then began to gravitate to latakia and oriental blends, and eventually wound up with a marked preference for Virginias and VaPers, with an occasional Scottish type blend. So take the time to develop your own tastes, realizing they could change. Bama Samurai has given some sage advice here.
Sorry about the burned tongue. I would recommend taking a day or 2 break from pipe smoking and give it time to heal. As you observed, it will affect your taste. Good to see P&C took care of the broken lighter that came in your package.
Of all the blends I've tried, there are still many, many more I have not. And unfortunately, Escudo is in the have not tried category. I've had a tin aging for several years, and I just keep coming up with other things to try and the Escudo keeps getting pushed back. But maybe that's not a bad thing, to let it age some more. Chris, how would you compare the level of Perique in Lousiana Red to Escudo?
No, I didn't ream the bowl. There weren't any tooth marks on the stem either. It looks like it was smoked very little. Not a bit of charring on the rim either.
Does anybody have an opinion on Mr. Brog pipes? I noticed kcHighLife who started this thread had several. They seem to be very nice looking, distinctive pipes, with briar about $50 and pear wood pipes about $30, but there seem to be a lot more pear wood currently available. I don't have any idea how pear wood compares with briar, but it must be much more readily available and cheaper in Poland.
I wasn't familiar with Mr. Brog pipes until @KcHighLife began this thread. I am intrigued by the pear wood, as well as olive wood pipes, although the latter can get pricey.
