Comments are something I would like to see a LOT more of here on Smoking Pipe Tobacco. What can I say, I'm selfish - I love talking about pipe smoking.
So, here's the deal: I've changed the rules so you no longer need to be registered or logged in to post comments. I still recommend you do register if you haven't already post comments while logged in. That way, you can set up your avatar and stuff like that, but just to throw your two cents in (and we want your two cents!) I've made it more convenient to just start typing and hit post.
How about starting right now? Tell us below what you've been smoking lately and how you like it. Then find a post on some of your favorite blends and comment on those two.
Back in the day, I'm sure most people didn't have to go far to buy pipes and pipe tobacco. More and more, for most of us, if we want to take advantage of any kind of selection we need to go online.
I am often asked to suggest online retailers. I've dealt with quite a few and had a lot of good experiences. There are plenty of reliable business people out there keeping our hobby alive.
Rather that go down a list and possibly forget someone, I think it better to offer a few guidelines I employ when buying online. If you have never purchased from a particular business before, here is what I suggest:
1. Before you order, establish contact. Make sure they answer their phone or email. If they aren't available to help you make a purchase, chances are they won't be there to resolve any problems that may arise in a timely manner.
2. If you're active on any pipe smoking discussion forums like Tamp and Puff, watch for good things being said. You can ask for suggestions, but know that on most forums, saying anything negative (no matter how true) is frowned upon so people will refrain from sharing bad experiences. On the other hand, one person's gripe may be just that - an isolated situation.
3. When buying pipes, examine the pictures and description carefully. Online auctions should also list the measurements of a pipe - its length, chamber diameter, height, and outside bowl diameter. Without these measurements pictures alone can be deceiving.
4. Always ask questions. I like to ask sellers if a pipe will pass a pipe cleaner effortlessly and if the drilling is centered and at the bottom of the tobacco chamber.
5. Know ahead of time what their shipping options are. If a shipping option isn't listed on their web site, call them and ask - they may be willing to be flexible.
6. Usually you receive a confirmation message of some sort when a purchase is made and the items are shipped. If not, its a good idea to call them the next day and ask if everything is good to go. Some merchants will hold your order if something is out, cancel it if they have a hard time with your credit card, etc. Any number of problems can come up. To avoid waiting for the shipment that never comes communicate.
Have any other tips? Please post them in the comments below and discuss.
I've already subscribed to the email updates before April 9, 2009 - do I need to subscribe again to get all this cool stuff you are talking about?
Yes you do. - the old "email subscription" and the new SPT Email Updates are two different services. The old one is basically just like an RSS feed that you read in your email inbox rather than an RSS reader. Subscribing to the new SPT Email Updates will get you the bonus content, including a copy of "When Pipe Smokers Ask" immediately after you subscribe.
Should I stop my subscription to the RSS Feed or the old email subscription?
I recommend you do not. Keep using them. Those services allow you to read the site's content your way as soon as new content is posted. My email updates will only hit your email inbox once a week or so. Using both means you won't have to wait for the updates with the bonus content to read the regular content.
Is this some kind of scam? Am I going to get a bunch of spam if I sign up?
Absolutely not. In fact, the reason I've went to the financial expense of implementing this new service is because I hate spam and unsolicited email. There are times I'd like to broadcast information to my readers, but I refuse to send an unsolicited email to someone who is not expecting it.
I have already registered with the blog software so I could post comments and I provided my email then. Why make me register again?
I have hundreds of email addresses from the registrations I could harvest and shoot emails at, but I don't think that would be ethical or fair. Perfectly legal and all, but not nice. Providing an email address when you register allows the content management software to provide the user information about the functions of the site - the technical stuff. I want my readers to have instant and complete control over what emails from me they receive without interfering with the registration allowing their participation on the blog.
How often will you email me?
Usually about once a week, maybe more if I'm adding an unusual amount of content or have something very timely and important to add. There may also be dry spells where you'll get nothing for a while.
What do I want the emails to stop? Is it going to be difficult to unsubscribe?
You can easily unsubscribe at any time. There will be a link in each email allowing you to do so.
I like my pipe tobacco a little on the dry side, but there are those times the balance tips and a little dry becomes too dry. In this video I demonstrate what works well for me when bringing a little life back to tobacco in its way to becoming dust.
Over at A Passion for Pipes Neill came up with a really cool way to examine your own pipe smoking. I took his test and had a lot of fun with this today.
He breaks everything down into four general categories. (Yeah, yeah, I know - none of them will perfectly fit you - we're all so unique.) I was surprised at how well the "Smoker" category fits me.
Go have a look and see where you fit in. I'm the type who is very serious about the hobby, but my focus is more on the smoking (I'd further stipulate the tobacco itself) than on the pipes.
I'm way up there in the red. In Neill's words:
"[I] like and admire a handsome pipe, but if it doesn’t deliver a good smoke then it is a door-stop, not a pipe. [My] passion is the tobaccos [I] love and [my] pipes are necessary for the smoking experience. When [I] think about buying a pipe, it is primarily because [my] rotation requires it, not because [I] want another bright and shiny object on [my] rack. [I] can’t understand buying a pipe and not smoking it. When somebody proudly shows you a new pipe, your first question is “How does it smoke?” ... [I] choose [my] pipes based on how comfortable they are in the hand and in the mouth. [I] like a nice rusticated or blast pipe and are not all that thrilled about paying high prices for smooth pipes."
Samarra - opulent and elegant! Several varieties of Virginia tobaccos form the structure of this blend. Smoky Cyprian Latakia, fine Turkish leaf, and just a bit of Perique are added for richness. The smoke is silky and round. A subtle, yet complex sweetness from the Virginias and just a little zest is present throughout the smoke, while layers of complexity tantalize the senses from first blush to the last puff.
Blender's comments:
Samarra, along with Cairo, Mephisto and Renaissance, was one of the first blends to be offered under the G. L. Pease brand. In a sense, it is a refinement of Sublime Porte, a blend I produced years ago for Drucquer & Sons while working there, so it reflects a much longer history than the other blends in the line.
Despite a significant percentage of Cyprus Latakia, Samarra is not a Latakia powerhouse. It is rich and complex, relying as much upon the delicate sweetness and structure of matured red Virginias, and the exotic, fragrant nature of fine oriental leaf as it does on the smoky opulence of the Cyprian “King of Flavor.” The blend is finished with a hint of zesty lemon Virginia, adding a hint of brightness to the smoke, and a touch of perique, providing its own unique spice.
I simply love this blend. When I first tried it, I was somewhat bored by it. It seemed a little ho hum at the time. No recall on what other blends I had been experimenting with at the time, but a few bowls into the first tin I was hooked. Samarra was in my pipe throughout the day. Now I have to fight the urge to hoard the stuff.
Everything is there that makes a great English blend. There's the quality of the leaf which I rely on from Greg Pease blends. With this blend there is a deft balance between teh components. Latakia is leading the way but not making a big deal about being in charge. Virginias embrace the entire experience with a touch of natural sweetness and tang while the Turkish and Perique keep things interesting. None of these flavors are lost amongst the others.
The really cool thing about this blend is it works as one of those contemplative quiet smokes that you want to dedicate full attention to not to miss a nuance, a slight turn in flavor, or an unexpected note. At the same time, the balance, medium fullness, and perfect behavior qualify this for all-day smoking.
This is the English blend. I will be recommending this to all who ask me to suggest an English blend.
Cellaring Pipe Tobacco - Why and how to age or store tobacco
Cellaring pipe tobacco for the purposes of storage, aging, and insurance against blends going out of production, inflation in prices, and legislative restrictions on tobacco purchases is an important part of the hobby for me.
In this video I briefly discuss this aspect of enjoying pipe tobacco and provide a few tips on how to go about it.
There is a great community of pipe smokers on YouTube. For a few months now, I have had a lot of fun with videos there - both making them and watching other peoples. Like you'll see on this one, these aren't big production projects - just a nice, informal way to share the hobby.
Also - a link to the Virtual Smoking Lounge where I bought the pipe. This was my first order and I'm happy to say everything was top notch from beginning to end.
I learned about his great reputation on YouTube. A lot of the pipe smokers there do business with him.
When I contacted Dave about some pipes, he helpfully responded immediately - that day.
He's on the Mainland United States somewhere (Michigan I think) and I'm in Hawaii. I pulled the trigger received the shipping email Thursday night. Monday afternoon the pipe was filled with some Artisan's Blend in my happy kisser.
The pipe was in perfect condition - he did a hell of a nice job carefully packing it and threw in a nice little gift.
I am a very happy customer and plan to do business with him again.
If you've ever wondered, as I have, what it was like being a pipe smoker back the day, Bestmake might be the time machine to take you back.
Tin description:
One of the oldest Wilke recipes. Virginia and Burleys are mixed with a non-aromatic Black Cavendish tobacco and topped with a generous amount of superior Latakia creating a traditional medium strength English blend. A rich mellow blend in the true British tradition
When I smoke a blend like this, I don't think of it as being British, I think of it as being a retro or American blend. Maybe its the burlies, maybe I'm all wrong. In any case, this is a grand tobacco blend.
There is something special about what burley and just the right amount of Latakia do together. Here they make a round, smooth, slightly rich presentation. The Virginia and Cavendish fill the blend out, adding sweetness, just a smidgin of tang, and some body. All in all its a well balanced medium blend I could smoke all day.
