So I decided to treat myself this year with a special pipe: http://www.usedpipes.com/dupibrgr1ch.html :) Oh.. and pipesandcigars Trout Stream tobacco is great. Smells like molasses and tastes great! :cheesy:

Giving appreciation to you all
 

Hehe.. I never thought I'd enjoying smoking it but I remember growing up with my grandfather smoking it (I even seem to like his brand, Captain Black Royale). Oddly enough, K loves it too.


Andrew: dude! Thank you so much! That flake will go good in the new featherweight Peterson Calabash (thing is tiny!) but does smoke well! :) And I love the pouch as well! I think some Trout Stream will be in that since it's now my favourite.

I just got today some new Cain NUBS that I'm gonna try.

And been trying different tobaccos for my pipe although I've been really fond of EggNog for pipesandcigars.com as well as the tobacco my grandfather used to smoke, Sail Navy Blue (it's cheap but brings back memories). I've also been trying a few other new ones along with a new pipe or two (made by a Canadian manufacturer, Bingham). I'm still partial the Churchwarden and Canadian styles but also like the Bulldog style of pipe.

Hrmm.. Jack, when you're back let me know if you want some of the Dunhill Early Morning or Nightcap. I managed to get a couple of tins of this. I did try to find some Chinese made pipes when I was in Beijing but couldn't find a store (if I wanted Chinese cigarettes that was no problem but cigars and/or pipes were hard to find).

Ah.. you might like Drew Estates' other coffee/chocolate ones: Tabak Especial.

And yes, on the matches. Although a good butane lighter also works well (these are different than the disposal lighters which leave a fuel after taste)

Pipe Tobacco
 

I enjoy aromatic blends most of all. English blends are a definite no. And the non-aromatic blends are just ok.

Anyone else?

Linus- thanks for the head up on this thread (Did a search, but nothing came up.).

My fave cigar to date is the Diesel Shorty Unlimited. Also like Ghurka (Dragon and Evil). Also, the Man O War Ruination is tasty. I will usually smoke a Maduro and especially Oscuro. Definitely want to have some food in your belly with those Oscuro.

A good wheat ale or IPA makes a nice cigar companion...

Will check out your blog!

Pipes
 

I inherited over 100 pipes from my Grandfather so I've been sampling different tobacco with different pipes... I'm not much into the fruity flavors- lean towards leathery, woody varieties.

Great thread!

Where I smoke.
 

I fish a lot (A LOT) and will usually take at least two cigars with me. I have a waterproof box that I take in my kayak and will just float around enjoying a nice Maduro...

Appreciate everyone's suggestions so far. I've only smoked a few real cigars and I really like them. My favorite method of smoking is pipe smoking. It's the most relaxing and meditative for me.
@ Starbuck
You have to light a pipe quite a few times to get through a bowl whereas with cigars i've only had to do one good light at the beginning. You can set a pipe down for a longer time i feel without affecting the flavor too much. With both cigars and pipes you shouldn't smoke them too fast because the flavor will be off and you can get ill from too much nicotine. If you smoke a pipe too hot you could get tongue bite. For a pipe, it is good to have a pipe tool ( a small metal thing with three parts, mostly used to tamp down on the ash) and pipe cleaners. These are the differences i can think of.

If anyone is ever in the Pittsburgh area I suggest continental smoke shop for pipe needs. The owner is the best salesman i've ever met but i'm easily persuaded when it comes to spending money on tobacco products. He's very informative and friendly.

Welcome MBD and noneoftheabove! Hope to see you more here and if you come to the reunion we will be having a HERF. :)

I haven't updated the blog in a while but I probably should. That said, glad you found this thread. I've tried all the ones you've mentioned above and I think I find the Ghurkas to be amongst my favourite.

This week I'm treating myself to some Winston Churchill's Makkeresh and Diamond Crown Maximus (#7) as part of my "recovery" from surgery :cheesy: . For both of these you need a meal and lots of time given the length.

Good to know about Pittsburgh. I'm always looking for new local shops to support when I travel (I haven't been to Pittsburgh yet but who knows!). When I do enjoy a bowl, I've found that I like Egg Nog flavour (I've forgotten who did the mix). My biggest challenge is not to buy more pipes. I've gotten a few and really need to get a nice display for them.

Addition to the pipes and cigars, I recently tried snus which is interesting. Not something I'd do all the time given that the nicotine hit is unreal! But can be handy.

Today
 

I'm planning to fire up a La Gloria Cubana Series N... It came highly resommended. Also, gonna pop open a Dale's Pale Ale. Mmmmmmmm.

I've got a 601 Oscuro I'm seasoning for another week. Can't wait!

601 Green label, right? Those you need a few meals for.

Interestingly enough, when I smoke I favor water or whiskey (no alcohol this week because of surgery)