Kilts & Pipe Smoking

**GlassMan** · 9th January 06, 12:24 PM

Wow, I just noticed that this thread has been read over 1000 times! I find that rather impressive.

Now, you want to drop a moose or a moosehead, try smoking a bowl of pure Perique!

For those of you who don't know, Perique is a special type of tobacco used in blending to add flavor. It is grown in only a small triangle of land in Louisiana in a bayou. The nutrients in the swampy land impart a strength to the tobacco not found elsewhere in the US despite being the same species. After it is harvested the Perique is compacted into barrels and buried in the swamp where it is allowed to fermet in its own juices.

Perique is some seriously powerful stuff. Usually blenders use only a pinch of it to add flavor to several pounds of other tobaccos! Added in extremely small quantities it adds an almost plumlike flavor and a strength to the aroma. Alone it gives off a horrible stench, I guess it's trying to mimic the odor of the swamp life decomposing, and it makes your mouth feel like it's full of swamp crude.

The turn of the century occultist Alistair Crowley used to smoke pure Perique soaked in rum in his pipes, and that has actually been suggested by scientists as the source of his hallucinations! The fermenting process can give pure Perique, in sufficient quantities, the ability to induce hallucinations and more.

**Avonlea22** · 16th January 06, 01:56 PM

Today I stopped in the local Cigar shop, just to see if they sold Pipes and Tobacco. Turns out they do, and turns out I walked out with a corn cob pipe and 1oz of tobacco, all for less than $6.00

I get home and do some quick research on how to fill the pipe and light it, etc.

So, I light the pipe, and enjoy it for about 5 minutes. Wasn't real keen on the flavor or the scent of the smoke.

So here is what I've found so far...the smoke left a really nasty aftertaste in my mouth, which still hasn't gone away, even after brushing my teeth. The taste and scent was not what I expected. Maybe it's just the blend I bought...I don't know. But, if all tobacco's leave this nast aftertaste in my mouth, I doubt I'll stick with it. The blend I bought was called Carolina Deluxe...a local blend I assume.

Here is one question I have: How long should the pipe stay lit once lit? Mine lasted at the most ten minutes. I had to re-light twice...presumably because I didn't light it long enough the first time(s).

**GlassMan** · 16th January 06, 07:30 PM

Oh yeah, sounds like you bought an inexpensive aromatic. Aromatics have flavorings added to them. Supposedly this makes them more pleasant but I've found that a bad flavoring is just awful and tasts awful for hours afterwards. It can even foul a good briar bowl forever.

Because so many Americans have palates that tend to the sweet a tobacconist will often offer a highly flavored aromatic for your first bowl. That's as bad as getting a cheap drugstore blend.

Most tobaccos don't taste like that or leave that kind of flavor in your mouth.

What kinds of things taste good to you. Maybe I can recommend a nationally available brand.

**Avonlea22** · 16th January 06, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

What kinds of things taste good to you. Maybe I can recommend a nationally available brand.

I'm not sure I can really answer that. Let's see...I like spicy stuff (ie: ginger) and fruity, such as apple.

**Nick** · 16th January 06, 08:37 PM

If you like spice, I reccomend MacBaren Virginia roll cake. It's slightly more expensive (around $15 a tin last time I bought it), but is definitly worth it. It was a surprise after the slightly sweet MB Scottish Blend, but is still an excellent tobacco.

**Muddy** · 16th January 06, 08:47 PM

I agree with Nick, the MacBarren tobaccos are for the most part all very
nice. Any straight Virginia will not leave a disgusting taste in the mouth.
Keep in mind Brian, you are also tasting the corn cob somewhat. It is not
a taste I detest but I wouldn't smoke one every day either.
Packing the pipe properly for a good burn is something you will get the
hang of with practice. A 10 minute smoke in a corncob isn't bad. They
have small bowls generally. Relighting is no big deal either.

**GlassMan** · 16th January 06, 10:29 PM

I think you might also like Cornel & Diehl's Briar Fox. It comes in a small tin and is just amazing. It does need to be rubbed out (pulled apart) because it comes as a pressed cake of tobacco. It's all natural tobaccos that has parts spice & parts fruit in the flavor. It also has a very pleasing room note.

Briar Fox An exceptionally smooth crumble cake of Virginias, the personal blend of Peter Heeschen, the well-known Danish pipe maker

You can find a lot of other interesting tobaccos at http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/tinned_blends.htm

This is another one of my favorites but I think it would be a bit strong for you.

Strathspey: A classic Scottish blend, heavy with Latakia and deep orientals, subtly sweet with black and light pressed cavendish and touched wi' a wee dram o' Scotch.

And for a beginner it's hard to go wrong with any of the very affordable blends from House of Windsor. Lots of tobacconists carry their blends.

http://www.houseofwindsortobacco.com/

This one is probably a great one for you and tends to be loved even those around you while smoking.

BARKING DOG Cube cut Burley, Bright and Latakia blend. English style with Latakia aroma.

**Muddy** · 17th January 06, 01:46 AM

Oooooh! Strathspey is quite good. I concur!
(I'm a Latakia fanatic)!

**Avonlea22** · 17th January 06, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.

Are any of these usually available at tobacco shops, because I'd hate to spend the money on not only the tin, but the shipping, and not like it. I'm trying to be frugal about this.

**GlassMan** · 17th January 06, 10:59 AM

Most if not all are available right at your local tobacconist. Ask if they carry Cornel & Diehl or House of Windsor tobbacos. If they do, but don't have the blend there, they can always get it for you easily.