An Aromatic Weekend
As a new smoker of pipes (as opposed to a pipesmoker), is it not interesting how quickly things change? As a stupid newbie I (as we all were at one stage) I started off smoking OTC aromatics. Things changed quickly and my preferences now lie with Balkans, English and Latakia-heavy blends. However, last weekend was a very hot and dry few days down my way and my usual blends were just too much for me. I scratched through my cellar ( a single drawer in the kitchen cupboard ) and pulled out all half packages and tins of my old aromatics. What a surprise! Lovely cool fragrant smokes that complemented the dry heat perfectly! Had Petersons Sherlock Holmes, Wesley's Fruit Flake, Sturk's PB40 (smells like Lavender OMG) all weekend long finishing off with some Amphora Full Aroma and Condor. I could see me doing this more often when the weather conditions call for it.
I might just end up like our Capt Bob with a set of pipes dedicated to aromatics. (Not likely though - my desert island smoke would always be a balkan)
As an aside on how quickly things change, (and Muddler will be so proud of me - LOL) I find that I smoke my cobs less and less now that my briars are properly broken in. Will always keep a couple around, but it is time to acquire a few more briars - if only I could win the damn Lotto!
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How was your holiday? Good, I trust. Actually, I've taken to having the odd bowl of aro after dinner. It's usually Petersons or SG Choc Flake. I'm sure it's the heat since I've gone off all the heavy Lat blends I enjoy so much during winter.
I smoke more and more English as I only have the odd ciggie now and then, but still 60-70% aro's. English works best for me on "my time" unless its light like FMOTT. VaPers are in the English boat. Aromatics seem to require less of my attention and focus, I just enjoy.
I don't know... if it's cool out, a good aro' can be as nice as a good English, depending upon what I'm doing. Hot, (I do live in So-Cal), it still depends on what I'm doing...
I definitely have my favorite aromatics, but the fact for me is it depends more on what I'm doing than the temp.
I'd like to hope this helps, but I know my place. Back to fighting the Lab for the green ball.
Talk soon,
Bob
I take no honor in being wrong, I am what I am...Bob/Popeye circa1959
What's a green ball?
Tennis Ball I presume?
Later On
Dustin
Ozark Mountains, Arkansas
One of the many things I have in common with my dog, along with being in the doghouse, eating whatever's put in front of me, is the love of a tennis ball.
I take no honor in being wrong, I am what I am...Bob/Popeye circa1959
Since we've been extra busy that past two weeks I've been smoking mostly cobs in my truck heading hither&yon. And mostly a locally crafted Vanilla/Chocolate light aro and its been just right.
Say a prayer for Lefty too...
It's got to be a lot like reading books. Normally, I like good smart fiction. At times, I need nothing more than a bodice-ripping romance novel. I've also been known to drink flavored wines or a nice malt beverage. (This is GA after all, where moonshine is sold in "package stores.")
And if nothing else, you have a creative kindling solution come a freak snow storm this winter.
www.BallewFamily.etsy.com
I've stayed to English non-aromatics. I used to smoke the aromatic blends in a couple of my meers. Being that the winter holiday is coming, it might seem suitable to pull one or two out and give them some quality time.
I only have a few aromatics left and they do tend to be overpowering at times.
"Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about."
~South Park
"I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs." ~Albert Einstein, 1950
"The pipe marks the point at which the orangutan ends and man begins." ~Ben Jonson
to smoke a small bowl of a brazilian otc that I was given a few months ago... And I can't, it's awful. It should be cherry flavored but it's not, not anymore. I think I'll toss it, glass jar included. The mint flavored is smokable, but not this one.
just another pipe hacker
Lisbon, Portugal
LATÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
From time to time. One requirement is that it must not goop up my pipes, like some OTC aromatics will do. I'm especially fond of the aromatics from Boswell's Pipes and Tobaccos, as well as Lane's 1Q. My wife once remarked that 1Q "smelled good enough to eat".
Forty years ago, when I began pipe smoking and was single, Amphora Red Full Aromatic was my "Saturday night, go to town smoke". The ladies liked the aroma and it was often a great conversation starter.
Smokey