My favorite out of that group is SG St James flake. But the Peterson University flake may burn the best/easiest to rub out. Since you have one pipe I would save the Ennerdale for last. This will ghost your new Brier
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Thanks @basement_shaman
Okay, first smoke done. Gotta say, not sure about this. It was a bit, I’m not really sure how to describe it. Like smoking the very last bit of a cheap cigar! Hot and the flavour wasn’t great. Now I can put this down to a few things, it’s my first time and I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. Packed the bowl too loose/too tight, tobacco was too moist. I smoked it to hard and it burnt too hot. Or it might be that the tobacco wasn’t for me. I went for the GQ Balkan mix. Will try the Peterson University Flake tomorrow and see how I get on. One thing I will say is the whole process was very nice. Taking time to chill and relax after work for 30 mins was great.
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Did you try a flake first and did you rub it out or fold & stuff? I’m pretty new to pipes as well but I think flakes need a bit more attention as far as drying time, etc. If you did try a flake first, maybe give the Bagpiper’s Dream a try next as it is a ribbon cut. Look up the Frank method for loading your pipe on youtube and smoke it nice and slow. If you first tried Ennerdale you’ll probably taste it in your next bowl. If you find yourself liking it more I suggest going to corncobpipe dot cob and ordering the 10 Pipe Grab Bag of Smokable Seconds. That way you have some good pipes to practice with for little money.
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Thanks for the info. I tried the Balkan one first which is ribbon cut. Links are above in a post.
@crullers is right about the Frank method for a ribbon cut, it should work great and keep the pack close to right on the first time. You will have to work with it like the videos show but then you should have a good bowl. Balkan’s can bite, so it might be a number of things that happened. Try it again, keep it low and slow. No more than 2 puffs with several seconds between each set. If the briar starts to feel warm in you hand put the pipe down and let it cool sip some coffee and then relight. Unlike a cigar, you can relight a pipe as often as you need to. I am not sure how large your bowl is but if it is of any size 30 min. seems a little quick for what its worth.
I was told the first four or five smokes won’t show the art at it’s best as the sugars from the tobacco have to build up in the bowl - another reason for the ‘cake’, so you should find it improves as it goes. Mine was pretty nice right from the start.
The best advice I got starting out was ; Pack it looser than you think you need to, dry it more than you think you need to and smoke it slower than you think you need to. Kinda tough advice to follow, but it works. The pipe is all about slow and steady wins the race.
Some pretty good advice and tips going on so thank you. The first bowl was only a half so was pretty quick in pipe smoking terms. Today I tried the Peterson flake. I rubbed it out (snigger) and let is air for a while (30/45min) loaded up a full bowl following the advised method and it was ok. Not great but but a lot better than before. Smoke was cooler and the flavour of the tobacco was better. I think I prefer Virginias over the Balkan. Still not completely sold on it. 2 down, 3 to go and I think I’ll try the aromatic next which is the bagpipers dream. Thanks.
I’m smoking my pipe right now. This must be about the sixth smoke I’ve had with it since I bought it about the middle of last year (and still the same cherry and vanilla tobacco stored in the fridge!), and the taste has definitely got sweeter. This pipeful’s lovely.
So tonight is aromatic night. I took a bowls worth of the bagpipers dream out to air last night and will give that a go tonight. Will report back.
The reason I recommend cobs to new smokers, apart from the fact that they are great smokers, is that you really create challenges by trying to learn good technique and break in a new pipe at the same time. Also, you’ve got no idea yet what you are looking for. Once you know that, you automatically modify technique to get where you want to go. You can tell it tastes nasty because it’s burning too hot, so you slow down, for example.
How’s your pipe smoking coming along now, Pablo?
Hi @HR_pufnsnuff thanks for checking in. I was really starting to get the hang of it and was mostly enjoying the GH lakeland tobacco. I have since sold the kit to fund a humidor purchase. Cigars i love. I will return to pipe smoking soon but with a straight pipe of slightly better quality and i think a plug as the flakes were best for me and i enjoy the prep side as well. If anyone has a cheap poker or bulldog going in the uk id be interested. Thanks. Paul.
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Finally back in the land of pipes (and snuff) for that matter. After all this time I now have quite a little collection of pipes and tobacco going!
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@Pablo Welcome back to the land of pipes and snuff.
Good to hear that your collections of both have grown. Did you get to check out some plugs?
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@Pablo welcome back . I feel naked without my pipes >:)
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Hello chaps. The snuff never went away but I am firmly back in the land of the pipes. @chris I have and I really like them. I’ve tried http://www.gqtobaccos.com/tobacco-reviews/mick-mcquaid-plug/ http://www.gqtobaccos.com/pipe-tobaccos/samuel-gawith-kendal-best-brown-plug/ http://www.gqtobaccos.com/pipe-tobaccos/samuel-gawith-cannon-plug/ http://www.gqtobaccos.com/pipe-tobaccos/peterson/peterson-3ps-perfect-plug/ Whilst not a plug, this as well. http://www.gqtobaccos.com/gawith-hoggarth-brown-twist-sweet-rum/ Out of the plugs I’ve got to say the Mick McQuaid is the right up there. I’ve also been sampling a lot of flakes and the Orlik golden sliced is amazing. Anyone who hasn’t tried some of Glynns (GQ Tobaccos) own blends is really missing out!!! His Askwith Kake, English blend, soft scotch and rum and honey are all amazing!!
@basement_shaman thanks for the welcome back.
I am a bit envious of the plugs available on that side of the pond. I tried 2,3 &4 .
SG KBP always a consistent great smoke . I love to get my mitts on SG FV as well as SG St James Plug I enjoy the flake versions but plugs always are packed with extra flavor. Now if they only sold Sam’s flake in bulk I’d take out a loan.