First puffs

[Fumus]

Continuing to learn this business of pipe smoking, and have noticed that often the very first few puffs of a new bowl (what some call the charring light) taste exponentially better than the rest of the bowl. Not that the rest of bowl is bad or anything, just different than those first few puffs. I've been trying to pay attention to cadence, sipping not sucking, etc. cause I know the temperature at which it burns affects the taste of the tobacco, but so far am unable to recreate the same flavors as at the beginning. Any thoughts??

I'm using wooden matches to light it, making sure to wait a bit for sulfur from match head to dissipate before applying flame to leaf. Will give lighters a try once I can get either a pipe lighter or a pipe insert for Zippo.

Intend to give the "air pocket" method of packing a try, as I haven't really mastered any other method so far. Hoping maybe this will help cut down the amount of relights I have.

 

[Richard Burley]

If you're smoking aromatics, I would say you are correct.

 

[monbla256]

If you're smoking aromatics, I would say you are correct.

I would concur with Richard as what I taste w/initial match thru lighting/re-lighting is the same w. straight Va's and all my English/Balkans. As far as re-lights go, loose the stupid notion of just one light all through the bowl, re-lights are a NORMAL part of smoking except for competative pipe smoking contests !! THAT'S why there 250 wooden matches in a box !! USE 'EM :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Feazelle-n-it]

I agree. My English blends taste the same all the way through, but I like my aros more anyway. I have found that the taste is more consistant in my Meers than my briars. The packing doesn't do much to change the taste, but the size of the bowl does. My small bowls have pretty much the same taste all the way through no matter what I smoke, but the trade off is obviously less smoking time.

I have found that certain blends hold taste longer. Sutliff Maple Street holds taste the longest of all my aros. I'm sure there are some out there that are better, I just haven't tried them yet.

 

[lb]

In my opinion there are two main reasons. The first one being that the pipe and baccy are absolutly cold at that time. The second , that the tastebuds in your mouth are fresh , no taste fatigue yet.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

In my opinion there are two main reasons. The first one being that the pipe and baccy are absolutly cold at that time. The second , that the tastebuds in your mouth are fresh , no taste fatigue yet.

I bet there's a lot to the palette fatigue idea.

I have also found that if you scrape out some of the ash about half-way down, you'll get something closer to the original taste. I did a video about it in my Pipe Smoking Tips Playlist on my channel linked in my sig.

 

[Brewdude]

In my opinion there are two main reasons. The first one being that the pipe and baccy are absolutly cold at that time. The second , that the tastebuds in your mouth are fresh , no taste fatigue yet.

I bet there's a lot to the palette fatigue idea.

I have also found that if you scrape out some of the ash about half-way down, you'll get something closer to the original taste. I did a video about it in my Pipe Smoking Tips Playlist on my channel linked in my sig.

Agree with the palate fatigue viewpoint. And long-winded reply aside, that's yet another reason to sip your smoke.





Cheers,

RR

 

[Dutch]

This is one reason I really enjoy flake tobacco. It seems that the charring light is prolonged, making the initial superior flavor last longer.

One of the primary factors with taste and flavor, will be the condition of your sinus cavity. Since your individual condition can vary from day to day, the ability to taste and smell can vary as well

My doctor recommended that I use a saline wash to help keep my sinus cavities open by helping mucus drain off. In addition to the ability to smell and taste more effectively, I have also found that I get sick a lot less often. I believe that the salt in the saline wash helps to kill bacteria as well, just as it does in ham and bacon. It kills it so effectively, that ham and bacon can be preserved without refrigeration.

I have always struggled to taste the vast array of flavors I read about in cigar and tobacco reviews. They usually experience about 17 different notes or flavors, and I usually get around 2.

 

[monbla256]

This is one reason I really enjoy flake tobacco. It seems that the charring light is prolonged, making the initial superior flavor last longer.

I have always struggled to taste the vast array of flavors I read about in cigar and tobacco reviews. They usually experience about 17 different notes or flavors, and I usually get around 2.

I'd have to agree with you about both Dutch. I'm lucky if I get two flavors but after smoking over 40+ years what would one expect of their palate !! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Fumus]

Good thoughts gentlemen, thank you for sharing. So far arros are about all Ive sampled, so looking forward to trying some other styles as well and comparing. Haven't tried flake yet but sounds intriguing.
As for saline wash for sinus cavity, as a school bus driver I'm in constant contact with disease ridden little vermin...erm,....I mean angelic cherub like children, so anything that helps me avoid illness is definitely worth my time. Improving my smoking experience would be a nice bonus as well. Thanks for the tip.

 

[monbla256]

Good thoughts gentlemen, thank you for sharing.  So far arros are about all Ive sampled, so looking forward to trying some other styles as well and comparing.  Haven't tried flake yet but sounds intriguing.
As for saline wash for sinus cavity, as a school bus driver I'm in constant contact with disease ridden little vermin...erm,....I mean angelic cherub like children, so anything that helps me avoid illness is definitely worth my time. Improving my smoking experience would be a nice bonus as well. Thanks for the tip.

Interesting that you are a school bus driver as my first memory of someone other than my father smoking a pipe was the bus driver on my school bus when I was in elementery school ! It was in the early '50s and Senior Gonzales was our driver and he always had a curved briar Kaywoodie in his mouth while he drove and his pouch of half/half was in one of his shirt pockets. I remember that it was a Kaywoodie as later I remember the yellow trademark emblem on them. He drove and talked with that pipe stuck btwn his teeth the whole trip to and from school!! 'Course we ALL got lung cancer from this cough. cough. cough  :twisted: :twisted: