What's in your glass and what's in your pipe?

[Deil the Yin]

For some reason, pipe tobacco and Scotch whisky don't go together well. I tend to prefer a wine, port, beer or water better. I have Mac Baren Plumcake and Scottish Blend as well, like them both- SB a little better. For me the whisky drinking is best alone or with some nice dark chocolate.

Oooh! Good call on the Port! Mmmmm...

[Nick]

In my pipe is currently a black cherry cavendish. It's the first 'aromatic' I've ever smoked, and I'd say it's heavier on the cavendish than the cherry. A very pleasant smoke. My favorite tobaccos are cavendishes, my usual is Mac Baren 'Scottish Blend'.

In my glass is Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

Cheers,
Nick
:ootd:

[timseh]

I've been tobacco free for nearly 4 weeks now, but my glass currently contains roughly 2 oz of Glenlivet 12 year old single malt...

Make that 1 and a half.

[Wolfhawk]

I've been tobacco free for nearly 4 weeks now, but my glass currently contains roughly 2 oz of Glenlivet 12 year old single malt...

Make that 1 and a half.

I, too, have not smoked in over 20 yrs. And I am about to head down staris to the bar area and pour myself up some nice 'sumthin' that I can lay my hands one as soon as I post this......

[Deil the Yin]

Just wanted to give a tip of the bonnet to Sionnach for starting this enjoyable thread. I've taken the initiative to learn more about the tobacco's that folk in the thread have mentioned and learned a thing or twa as well as found a really interesting artisan blender.

Ta for that!

PS: I forgot to mention the blends I've been smoking. It's been pretty slim pickin's of late, but I did pick up a house blend called Savannah in Savannah on my honey moon. I think it's a blend of Cavendish and Virginia's and probably some Burley in there, too. It's a medium strong slightly sweet smoke like I like, but I'm interested in trying an English blend as well as a Turkish and/or Latakia blend... For a long while all I've had on hand is a Burley Blend that supposedly had the bite taken out? I remain dubious...

[Deil the Yin]

About a year ago, we had a very interesting thread on pipe smoking- it even seemed to generate the movement of some pipes across the US and maybe around the world.

Well, I'm just an occasional pipe smoker. If the evening is cool, and the dogs need to run off some energy, I'll sit out back and watch them chase lawn moths in the dimming light, and occasionally I'll toss a ball at them. And in between all that sometimes I'll get to thinking, sometimes I don't think at all.

But one think I keep thinking is - When others are smoking their pipes, what is their drink of choice. And I realize this may be dependent on the tobacco that is being smoked. For instance, one of my favorites is Frog Morton and that seems to go very well with red wine- like Pinot Noir.

I am sure there are some better combinations (and then we can talk foods!)

Not to be too snarky... but it's interesting that you (and many probably do) associate a good bowl with a good dram/pint since smoking typically diminishes the flavour/quality of the drink to the smoker (and food as well for that matter, which is why one shouldn't smoke before eating)- not that that should keep anyone from enjoying the two together...

I always get the craving for a good bowl after a really good meal, and assuming it's not blazing hot outside with 90% humidity. And I never shy away from a good pint of Guinness while enjoying my pipe (Mmmm... Guinessss), which would probably be my preference. I have a hard time with the whisky unless it's cold outside, but I will vouch for a Deanston 12yr and MacAllan (cask strength).

One thing I've never got the hang of was the tobacco varieties and their blends?! I usually just kinda go with what smells good in the shoppe (I haven't been to a REAL tobacconist in ages). I've read that certain tobacco blends are better suited to particular occasions, ie early in the day, late in the day, after food etc? Is this just the elitism of the industry, or does anyone have any first hand experience with this?

I would be interested to hear how folks came to smoking a pipe? I got into it after reading The Hobbit for about the third time (I'm a slow reader) while in college, and then found a really cool tobacconist in Buckhead (Atlanta) manned by some super crotchety old curmudgeons (it was great!). They had rocking chairs in the back of the store so you could try on your new tobacco or cigar and watch cheesey war/cop/cowboy flicks on TNT!

I also read a really cool article on William Faulkner and his smoking habit (he was an avid pipe smoker), which has been a big influence. Any else familiar with Faulkner and his pipe?

[10buckstew]

I have a churchwarden 'Bedpan-Bent' from a pipe-seller in London. I thought the $40 was extravagant, until I saw how much others sold them for!! sheesh!! A hundred and thirty at many stores. I prefer one tobacco called 'Scottish blend; But, over the counter Cap'n Black is okay.

Fer liqour I must admit, my preference for Glenfiddich 15 yr but, times being what they are, I buy Jamesons by the liter at trader Joes for $21. And 'back-it' with Boddingtons Ale, which has an odd flavor that goes down exceptionally smooth...

[Sionnach]

Nick, Very nice looking pipes. I have never fancied a calabash but your description is giving me pause to think about it. I have two churchwardens- a Savanelli Rustic and a Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson #5, I like them both though the HCA seems to smoke better, I usually smoke Frog Morton in the Savenelli and Scottish Blend in the HCA. I'll have to try some cognac with them as a departure from my usual wine or port.

[YoungMan]

In my glass: George Dickel Whisky (Tennessee whiskeys are my first choice)
In my bowl: I took up smoking with Irish guys while I was living in Germany, and after about a month of smoking the rough, unfiltered stuff they loved I quit to save my lungs. I never knew running could hurt that much. Rarely, I will smoke hooka with some friends of mine who are really into it. The social aspect is its saving grace.

[raibeart_dubh]

I don't smoke a pipe, though I have often thought about it. They smell so dang good. What would you seasoned vets recommend to a first time pipe smoker as far as tobacco goes?

As far as my glass, well nothing goes better with a cigar than a nice single malt or a good blend in a pinch.