Tobacco Types

Rain

Quick question. I'm reading in here, trying to get my learn on. It seems that you don't want to only have one pipe, because the tobacco will "ghost", or impart a flavor on the pipe after a while. So, with that...what are the different types? The only two I seem to be able to find are regular and aromatic (sp?). How do you tell the difference? Is this like the difference between Habano and Maduro, or infused and regular? Right now, it seems easier to say "This pipe is only for CAO blends".

AugustWest

I'm by no means an expert, but I've been putting the cigars to rest and smoking pipe in the winters for the last couple years. You want to have different pipes if you smoke different kind of aromatics for sure. For example, the toppings on fruit-flavored tobacco will ghost the same way the toppings on a honey, caramel, or chocolate flavored tobacco will taste. Some toppings can get goopy and make a hell of a mess in your bowl too. In the non-aromatic world (where I smoke - just preference, nothing wrong with aro's), I have different pipes for my latakia blends (aka English), my straight Virginia's, and my VaPer's. If you're a lakeland guy, you'll definitely want a different pipe for these because they ghost like latakia but with a soapy/floral taste. Examples of what I smoke: Latakia/English blends: Seattle Pipe Club Mississippi River, McClelland Frogmorton, Northwoods (made by my local B&M - JM Boswell's). Taste is smoky, room note is "campfire" so say the guys at my club. I don't smoke straight latakia because it's far too strong for my taste. Straight Virginia: Cornell & Diehl Opening Night, Sam Gawith Full Virginia Flake. Taste is smooth, rich tobacco. Room note is mild. Can bite your tongue if you don't sip it slow. VaPer: Escudo, Esoterica Dunbar, McConnell's Scottish Cake. Taste like Virginia but peppery from the perique tobacco. Room note also mild. Best advice I can give you about starting out, get about 3-4 Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipes, pick out 3-4 different kinds of tobacco's, and let 'er rip. Better yet, call up CCOM and ask for help building a sampler. Cobs are very forgiving, don't have to build up a cake to enjoy a cool, smooth smoke, and are inexpensive (not cheap! they are good quality just inexpensive).

AugustWest

PS if this is inappropriate to post, I apologize and mean no disrespect, but I bought all my pipe tobacco from a website called PipesandCigars.com and they are now part of the Cigars International family. You can learn A LOT from their website. Also a great site is tobaccoreviews.com. It's just a review site but it's packed with good information. Again, if this is inappropriate to post, I apologize and mean no disrespect. In the spirit of helping out with knowledge acquisition (getting your learn on) I wanted to share it.

Rain

I don't come to the Pipe section enough to know about your rules ;)Thank you for the info!

pilgrimtex

Amos Umwhat

pilgrimtex

Amos Umwhat

J.S.

J.S.

Amos Umwhat

pilgrimtex

Have not heard of the salt and alcohol treatment. When my pipes need it I scrape them down almost to the wood and wash out my stems. This method has brought my pipes back to good smokers every time. I went back to pipes a few yrs ago starting with 1Q but graduated off of it rather quickly. I smoke a lot of tobacco (as much as 5lbs/month). I find smoking bulk tobaccos to be a real joy. It also saves me a bundle. Whats great about bulk tob is making your own custom blends. Thats basically all I'm smoking at this time. It can also be fun sharing our blends and working on some together. Thats the main reason I started this thread.

Rain

Walt, don't steal my thread.I started this thread.;)

Amos Umwhat

pilgrimtex:

When my pipes need it I scrape them down almost to the wood and wash out my stems. This method has brought my pipes back to good smokers every time.

This has been what I've always done, as well, and with good success. I had been reluctant to put the pipe in question through this again, though, it's been a few times before.

Amos Umwhat

J.S.

If you have smoked several blends and you find a bitter/sour or harsh taste you can try what is called the salt and alcohol treatment. This is what needs to be done. First ream any extra cake but no need to take it all the way down to wood (usually). Second, make sure you can set the bowl in a way that it is straight up and will not fall. Next, take a pipe cleaner and fold it in half and place it the air way of the shank into the bottom of the bowl. I also take several more and fill the shank to help prevent any leaks and help aid the process of moving all that junk out of the shank too. Then I fill the bowl with Kosher Salt, any salt as long as it is not the iodized table salt will work. Once it is filled I take an eye dropper that you can pick up at any pharmacy and drop in high proof liquor. I use Everclear. Make sure not to get any on the pipe, if you do wipe it off right away. Make sure to get the salt fully saturated but not sloppy, if that makes sense. Leave it overnight and it will pull all the nastiness out leaving everything clean and sweet. Sometimes this has to be repeated but this should work.

J.S.

pilgrimtex

Amos Umwhat

pilgrimtex

Rain

It's ok Walt.I even changed the subject! Now it's not a question, but a place to talk about types. Score!

pilgrimtex