Just had a near-perfect smoke!

[Rob_In_MO]

Some of you may remember that my Secret Santa sent me a Peterson Shannon 03 Fishtail. I use this pipe semi-regularly and it's taken a while to build a cake and give it a good break-in.

Just this afternoon I had a most excellent bowl out of it. Me being me, it was an aromatic blend (also from my Secret Santa) - but this one was exceptional! I packed the bowl and lit it. The tobacco rose and then I tamped and re-lit. It smoked perfectly all the way to the bottom, bowl stayed cool, no re-lights (I know I know), and the experience was as smooth as silk.

I still haven't completely grasped what was different this time, but everything went VERY WELL! The draw was perfect, and sipping the smoke gave me a most incredible flavor from this blend (more-so than normal). I've smoked this blend many times in different pipes, but this one just worked with that Peterson. I've noticed that it is getting better the more I use it, but this smoke put the icing on the cake.

Brothers - I believe it is finally broke in and good to go. I will smoke this pipe again in a couple of days (proper resting time) to verify, but I can forsee this one being my best smoker. As much as I love my Sav's, I don't say this lightly.

I've read similar posts from other Brothers here about a 'Perfect Smoke', and I have finally had one with the Peterson Shannon. I've had similar experiences in the past with my Savinelli Gandalf and an Eagle Claw Meerschaum years ago, but smokes like this don't come around very often.

Sometimes life is GOOD!

 

[s.ireland]

Cheers! Sometimes life is very good! I love when I have smokes like that... Perfect burn, effortless, flavorful... It's what keeps us all coming back pipe after pipe. I'm having a great smoke right now but you have me seriously looking forward to the next time the stars align for me and my pipe

 

[Zeno Marx]

What did you eat and drink, or not eat or drink, before it? Eat or drink during it? What was the hour or so before it like? I don't ever see anyone talk about the pre-smoke, and for me, it is key. It's more important than outdoor humidity and temperature. I dare say it is more important than the pipe I choose. I feel the same about how a whiskey can taste or not taste. Certain foods and flavors ruin smokes and spirits for me. I still eat those foods because I like them, but I avoid smoking or drinking after them.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Well - had a Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger w/ Curly Fries at lunch (with a Pepsi). No connection there, I hope. :shock:

The only thing I sipped on while smoking was Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with Coke at a 1:2 mix ratio. I had the day off today and that was my first 'drink' of the day, so no drunken illusions (like the late night girl at the bar).

Activities? I was watching the movie 'Gladiator', not sure what to think about how the smoke went so well watching a movie like that (and sipping Cap'n Morgan / Coke)..... Really strange and not one thing really stood out today, must be the stars and planets alignment.


Good questions though Zeno, i'll have to ponder this more over a bowl of EMP.... Either way, i'm not going to complain. Smokes that are this good don't come around that often for me.

Hopefully this is an omen of good things to come. :cheers:

 

[Ol'Dawg]

Congratulations! I love it when that happens to me or anyone else for that matter. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Jim

 

[Kyle Weiss]

You were hopped up on fast food, testosterone from movies and alcohol, and your perfect smoke had nothing to do with it...I totally believe that. What adolescent delusions.

8)

 

[Natch]

I've heard that the "perfect bowl" happens just before you fall over dead, rather a pretense to it? :lol: Hope your life insurance is paid up?

Those of us that have lots of miserable, biting, hot bowls get to live forever to "enjoy" our fried tongue!

Seriously, it does happen from time to time, and I tend to believe that it takes the perfect alignment of pipe, tobacco, and state of mind to achieve it.

Natch

 

[monbla256]

Yor post was titled "Just had a near-perfect smoke" so I was wondering, have you had a "perfect" smoke yet?

 

[Harlock999]

It's a nice feeling!
For me, sticking with a few blend/pipe combos for a while and getting to really know how they perform together has raised my percentage of really satisfying smokes.

 

[MisterE]

Seriously, it does happen from time to time, and I tend to believe that it takes the perfect alignment of pipe, tobacco, and state of mind to achieve it.

Natch

Totally agreed. The latter being the most crucial IMHO. 8)

 

[dshpipes]

Seriously, it does happen from time to time, and I tend to believe that it takes the perfect alignment of pipe, tobacco, and state of mind to achieve it.

Natch

Totally agreed. The latter being the most crucial IMHO. 8)

I'll third this. It's a beautiful thing when the stars align.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Yor post was titled "Just had a near-perfect smoke" so I was wondering, have you had a "perfect" smoke yet?

Monbla - I thought about that too. I'm not sure if there is such a thing as an absolute 'Perfect Smoke', but this is about as close as i've ever came to it.


Kyle - trust me, Crap Food from Jack In The Box did nothing to help the experience. Especially later... :no:

 

[Blackhorse]

So...did I miss it...or has no one asked WHAT BLEND WAS IT? This might somehow enter into the picture.

 

[monbla256]

So...did I miss it...or has no one asked WHAT BLEND WAS IT? This might somehow enter into the picture.

Since he says he smokes mostly Aromatics, it's probably one of those ubiquitas "Cherry" Blends (or it could be one of those "unavailable" English "soap scented" 'bacs which he finally got after a 3 year wait )

 

[Rob_In_MO]

So...did I miss it...or has no one asked WHAT BLEND WAS IT? This might somehow enter into the picture.

Since he says he smokes mostly Aromatics, it's probably one of those ubiquitas "Cherry" Blends (or it could be one of those "unavailable" English "soap scented" 'bacs which he finally got after a 3 year wait )

:lol!:


Good one, Monbla! Cherry Blends.... ale:

Actually I did forget to include that tidbit.

The blend was none other than=













Here it comes!













Peterson Irish Whiskey! Not even a fancy blend or a heavily cased Aro, but apparently it doesn't matter when the stars and planets align.

 

[monbla256]

At least it was a "real" tobacco aromatic Tried some of that years ago and it was not "my style" at the time but it was a good all tobacco blend
/mixture for sure !! Whew ! I was worried

 

[jefe1037]

Yor post was titled "Just had a near-perfect smoke" so I was wondering, have you had a "perfect" smoke yet?

Perfection cannot be attained by mere mortals. I strive for excellence, and often achieve it.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

but it was a good all tobacco blend / mixture for sure !! Whew ! I was worried

Heh, you guys though I was gonna say 'Captain Black' or something like that, didn't you?

See Brothers, not all of the Aro's I smoke are heavily cased or laden with chemicals...




MMMmmmm Chemicals. :tongue:

 

[monbla256]

As DOW Chemicals used to say "Better living thru Chemistry "

 

[Blackhorse]

OH! I thought you meant an AROMATIC...not an aromatic. Irish Whiskey is real tobacco. I just got a tin of Irish Oak a bit ago and think it's pretty OK. Many of the Pete tins are that 'semi-aromatic' thing going on...not a huge flavoring, just an enhancement. Very fetching.
]
Have you tried any of their new "Nutty Cut" blend? I'm curious about that one.