first pipes

[kitobi]

hi all


well I have managed to convince myself and more importantly the missus that if I smoked a pipe it would be cheaper than cigars and hey presto it worked

so far have gotten 2 really nice pipes to experiment with and start enjoying the 100's of different types of tobaccos that are out there

1st pipe, new unseasoned and really loving the shape

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and this lovley arrived today took a chance on ebay and got it for a steal


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really nice aged briar, ben well cared for, tried it tonight and the difference is really amazing.


I have a sweetish tooth so guessing im going to be mainly experimenting with aromatics for now, gotten a few from the local shop in smaller amounts to sample but none so far I really enjoyed.
been reading a lot and interested in the molto dolce from sutliff.. will have to see what the shop has in stock tomorrow

[ValeTudoGuy]

Enjoy, but bear in mind that enjoyment of a pipe comes at the cost of a willingness to learn.... Much more so than cigars, which I find are much more forgiving of their smoker.

[Scott]

I would really like to try more tobaccos, fancy something with chocolate and caramel next.

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[kitobi]

lol vale I am certainly reading and learning more than I ever though I needed to, and the more I read the more I realise how little I know..

Mr lovegood, yup my thoughts exactly, I went hunting today for some choc tobacco and came up a full blank, one tobacconist in the whole city and they don't stock it.
so had a idea and I have brewed up my own concoctions, read online how to make the casings that they would use for flavour, so far I have made a choc orange, mint choc, coffee and coconut and a choc and strawberry, all using erinmore as a base tobacco, and misting the flavours on top and allowing to absorb before drying.

they are sat in sealed plastic tubs now absorbing the flavours as we speak. nice experiment and I have enough made syrups of each for maybe another 15 more batches if any proves to be really good.

[TonyN]

What about bobs chocolate flake.

[PeeJay]

What about bobs chocolate flake.

I think Cadburys is probably better and then Twirl is the best

[TonyN]

I think Cadburys is probably better and then Twirl is the best

Think the flake would taste better in a pipe than twirl or cadburys.

[kitobi]

lol no flake available here bob or otherwise, where I can get to they have only heard of 2 bobs and one of those is dead...
It can wait til im near Exeter in the next few weeks next there's a much better established tobacconist there that I can go and speak to, and since Cadburys was bought out and changed it recipes I won't go near them either but that's a different story..

we are travelling down to the deepest darkest depths of Cornwall tomorrow.. now I know your not supposed to make eye contact or drink the water but I may have an amble around looking for a good smoke shop.

[cj121]

The casing experiment sounds interesting. Don't forget to let us know how you get on there.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Careful with the cased tobacco, they May well burn very hot!

[kitobi]

well I quickly dried out ( paper towel) a small half bowl as a sampler to gauge the flavour, and selected the choc orange.


first impressions were of sweetness unidentifiable flavour but very mellow, no tongue bite and stayed alight well. the Erinmore was now slightly bitter sweet but no over riding flavour.
the tobacco had only 1 light dusting of syrup so added a good soaking this time, ill let it sit for 24 hrs and retry.

the basic formula is off the net, and it is 1 cup of water, 1 TBS glycerine as it stops the tobacco from drying hard or brittle and mellows everything out, 1 TBS Molasses, 1 TBS honey, simmer in a pan to dissolve the sugars.

After that you add the flavour to the carriers ie cocoa powder and mint food flavour etc etc, let the imagination run wild, I also like to add a few drops of vanilla not as a flavour but to help with blending the flavours

I chose Erinmore as
1 its easily available and cheap
2 its fairly flavour neutral and uncased
3 its mild on vit N
4 keeping to 1 brand is a good control so if the flavour changes its the casing working

when cooled transfer to a mister/ squirty bottle and apply/dry/ test and reapply as needed.

smoked quite a bit of shisha in Africa over the years, and im not expecting the same level of sweetness or flavour but even if something comes through it will be awesome.


ill let you guys know how it looks and tastes in the following days

[Pandyboy]

Mcbarren Cube is very caramel like. Bob's chocolate flake is lovely and worth getting. Samuel Gawith also make a chocolate flake but bobs is better or so I hear. I'd also recommend dunhill flake and Mcbarren vanilla flake. Be warned that aromatics can ghost in your pipe that is they can leave their tate behind so other tobaccos taste of them.

[PeeJay]

'KIn hell, did I just see a panda? images-2.jpeg I was beginning to fear they were extinct in these parts

[Pandyboy]

I'm still about.

[kitobi]

Hi Pandaboy, thankyou for the recommendations.
so far have only tried the macbarren vanilla loose cut flake, didn't dislike it but it didn't bowl me over either..

will certainly look out for or order online the chocolate flake tho

cheers guys

andy