Just re-visited a tobacco of my youth

[DavidD]

Although I started with Walnut Flake, I have deviated from time to time over 53 years of pipe smoking. One tobacco I got hooked on in the late 60s/early70s was Mick McQuaid. Anyway, I was in my local tobacconists today and there it was - so I indulged in a 2oz tin (sorry, I don't do metric). Had three fills already and I'm on a trip down memory lane ! Anyone else ever re-visit old friends ?

[DavidD]

C'mon you fellow pipe smokers - don't leave me sitting on my own with this one !

[donkeydrop]

I have only been pipe smoking on a regular basis for about 5 years so not been at it long enough to go down memory lane, I have tried lots but my most favourite ones are gawthins commonwealth and Kendal dark Birdseye, they are both a part of my own blend but I cant tell anyone the other ingredients!! (all legal!) lets just say it has 4 other tobaccos and an old fashioned sweet!

[DavidD]

I have only been pipe smoking on a regular basis for about 5 years so not been at it long enough to go down memory lane, I have tried lots but my most favourite ones are gawthins commonwealth and Kendal dark Birdseye, they are both a part of my own blend but I cant tell anyone the other ingredients!! (all legal!) lets just say it has 4 other tobaccos and an old fashioned sweet!

When a man discovers a blend that he totally enjoys and likes, he has entered the garden of Eden. Not my words but Compton MacKenzie - author of Sublime Tobacco. For anyone who hasn't read it, do so before you die !

[donkeydrop]

ill give that one a read, I read Churchill's cigar a while back that was excellent in fact I put it in the to trade thread with 2 san lotano cigars ages ago but nobody has shown any interest.

[Pipe Dude]

I regularly smoke Condor (Long Cut). I remember my maths teacher smoking it in the classroom in the 1970s.

[donkeydrop]

when I first started with my pipe I smoked gold block it had the smell that I remember when I was a kid going to the working men's club with my dad every Sunday lunch time

[DavidD]

when I first started with my pipe I smoked gold block it had the smell that I remember when I was a kid going to the working men's club with my dad every Sunday lunch time

The problem with Gold Block is that it had a high proportion of Virginia tobacco in its blend and, as a result, burned the tongue very quickly. I know many potential pipe smokers who were deterred by this burning sensation. My grandfather instilled in me to smoke a dark tobacco as it would give taste but not to smoke too much too early as you could end up quite green ! That's why I stuck with Walnut Flake. However, down the road I have smoked Condor Long Cut, Redbreast, Cobnut, Bondman - all dark tobaccos - and even pigtails of twist. Now twist really does turn you green !

[donkeydrop]

when I first tried dark birdseye I loved it but it was a bit too much on its own, too dark and strong, that's when I started adding something to lighten it up then a bit of something else and so on until I had my own blend , I smoked some real rubbish and some others that I loved but were not right in my mix but sometimes its good to smoke something else for a change , im glad I did all my testing and mixing with a pen and paper to hand so I can recreate it!

[Eddie]

I need to try a twist, see what the eccitement is all about.

[DavidD]

I need to try a twist, see what the eccitement is all about.

Be sure you have some Andrews liver salts to hand as pigtail twist is lethal. First of all, you must spend about ten minutes teasing the pigtail into fine strands (the palms of your hands will look as though they had been dipped in creosote) and then fill the pipe. Don't use a favourite pipe as the smell and taste of twist lingers forever and spoils subsequent fills. Anyone unused to twist will go green and feel sick so smoke it in short sessions. There is, of course, an alternative - you can cut off about half an inch and chew it ! Don't swallow unless you yearn for an early death and spit it out when your stomach tells you you're ready. Sounds more like torture, doesn't it ?

[Eddie]

One for the cob then?

[donkeydrop]

a cigar cutter is perfect for cutting twist

[DavidD]

a cigar cutter is perfect for cutting twist

Well said - I tend to use an old pruning knife I have, using a turning movement. In all honesty, however, I haven't had the energy for twist in 6 or 7 years - too many memories of over-indulgence and calling for Ralph and Hughey !

[Pipe Dude]

A pair of cigar scissors is even better. And some full sugar Coke (or something like that) for nicotine poisoning - you'll be right as rain in 5 mins.