New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

Old Farts:

Is there a way to increase the flavor of pipe tobaccos? I want to get into pipe smoking, because I love the tradition, the ritual of preparing and keeping up a pipe, and particularly the feel of the actual smoking of it, but I've noticed that I can't really taste it. I went to the B&M yesterday because it's Pipe Week and they had a bunch of tobaccos for sample, and I must have gone through dozens, both tinned and house blends. It tastes like water, with a hint of general flavor on the nose exhale. From pure Virginia aromatic to the heftiest perique and latakia blends (Irish Flake was supposed to be pretty...robust...and it definitely was, but still didn't taste).

I found just three which I liked (all house blends, believe it or not - "Proper English," "Night Cap" and "Champagne"), but they still aren't all that flavorful. They just happened to taste more at all than the rest. I got the Night Cap and I enjoy the flavor a lot, but I wish there was just more of it. Do I need to quit cigars for a bit before the flavors of the gentler pipe tobaccos "pop?" Thanks guys.

You tried dozens in one day? No wonder you cannot taste anything, your taste buds are fried.

Seriously. How can you expect to taste anything if your they are so over-taxed.

When I smoke more than 5 bowls in a day, I don't taste much.

I have found that the best flavors for me appear when I haven't had a smoke in a couple days and I sit back and relax - not try and taste things - just sitting back and contemplating life.

Give your palate a chance to recoup and then try again.