What Pipes or Pipe Tobacco did you smoke today? (2024-2025)

[DaleB]

Some more of my English blend in the Ropp. Today I pressed a plug of tobacco that I mostly grew myself. Then I boiled down 5 gallons of sap from our maple trees and made maple syrup. While that was boiling, I boiled water to bend a piece of spruce for trim on an old gossip bench I’m restoring.

Yesterday my wife pointed out a big slab of pork belly at Costco, and asked if I was going to make our own bacon too. I told her if I were going to make bacon, we’d have a pig.

 

[DaleB]

That worked out well, so I decided to try a little chunk of what I pressed today. And when I say “chunk”, I mean that. What came out of the press was very solid and shows no sign of expanding. I mixed up 7 g of my VA, 3 g of Perique, and a little chunk of light fire cured. All shredded. I spritzed it with a light mist of bourbon to get it in case (the VA was quite dry) and stuck it in the press. 3 hours or so in the press, including an hour in an oven at about 170ish. I can slice this stuff off of the puck almost paper thin. It’s quite good; I’ll probably make more.

 

[Ted]

That worked out well, so I decided to try a little chunk of what I pressed today. And when I say “chunk”, I mean that. What came out of the press was very solid and shows no sign of expanding. I mixed up 7 g of my VA, 3 g of Perique, and a little chunk of light fire cured. All shredded. I spritzed it with a light mist of bourbon to get it in case (the VA was quite dry) and stuck it in the press. 3 hours or so in the press, including an hour in an oven at about 170ish. I can slice this stuff off of the puck almost paper thin. It’s quite good; I’ll probably make more.
View attachment 54659

That really looks great!

 

[TigerTom]

MacBaren HH Vintage Syrian in a Wessex Prince I got from Tinder Box years ago. I got a small stash of this I break out every so often.

 

[DaleB]

More of what I have christened Dark Lady blend. First day it’s really nice to sit out on the front porch and soak up some very welcome sunshine!

 

[jaredwyoung]

That worked out well, so I decided to try a little chunk of what I pressed today. And when I say “chunk”, I mean that. What came out of the press was very solid and shows no sign of expanding. I mixed up 7 g of my VA, 3 g of Perique, and a little chunk of light fire cured. All shredded. I spritzed it with a light mist of bourbon to get it in case (the VA was quite dry) and stuck it in the press. 3 hours or so in the press, including an hour in an oven at about 170ish. I can slice this stuff off of the puck almost paper thin. It’s quite good; I’ll probably make more.
View attachment 54659

That looks awesome! Curious what you're using for a press?

 

[DaleB]

Noodle press from Amazon. I like the fact that you can get a serious amount of pressure, and it works well for small amounts -- I pressed just 10 grams of tobacco for that one. I don't know what the max is that would fit, but probably a couple hundred grams.

 

[jaredwyoung]

Some ESF Walais from 2023 out of my Moonshine Grapeshot.

 

[jaredwyoung]

Noodle press from Amazon. I like the fact that you can get a serious amount of pressure, and it works well for small amounts -- I pressed just 10 grams of tobacco for that one. I don't know what the max is that would fit, but probably a couple hundred grams.

Thank you! Ive seen people press

Noodle press from Amazon. I like the fact that you can get a serious amount of pressure, and it works well for small amounts -- I pressed just 10 grams of tobacco for that one. I don't know what the max is that would fit, but probably a couple hundred grams.

Thanks! the heat must really be the key. I've seen ribbon pucks come out noodle presses, none that look that dense!

 

[DaleB]

Thank you! Ive seen people press

Thanks! the heat must really be the key. I've seen ribbon pucks come out noodle presses, none that look that dense!

Me too - mine! The first puck I pressed was shredded also, and came out pressed but not like this. I don't know for sure if it was the heat, or the moisture level, or both.

 

[ProZachJ]

Some ESF Walais from 2023 out of my Moonshine Grapeshot.View attachment 54677

This is the shape I've been wanting to find. Thanks for posting...

 

[jaredwyoung]

This is the shape I've been wanting to find. Thanks for posting...

Absolutely! They also have a larger version called the cannonball. I like smoking this little one, best when theres a gentle breeze just to keep smoke out of the eyes!

 

[DaleB]

A little straight Izmir, jut to get a feel for its characteristics. Quite nice.

 

[loui loui]

I managed to shred some whole leaf with a knife and a blender, it smokes OK and it smells nice but the cut is a bit unusual I guess.
Got to stay with this blend for some time now cause I was gifted it and need to save some cash so I better like it, nothing a hardened smoker like me can't inhale though. It tastes a bit raw and harsh.
Suggestions how to make it smoother to inhale are welcome.

 

[loui loui]

This is how the blend of leafs looks like in my beautiful danish pipe, I think the pipe style is called haitian and bulldog but don't know. Anyway I like it very much, maybe too much?

 

[ProZachJ]

Suggestions how to make it smoother to inhale are welcome.

1. Put it in a jar and forget it for 6 months
2. Press it.

 

[DaleB]

What he said. In my admittedly very limited experience, pressing may help quite a bit. I've pressed and English blend, some Virginis/Perique, and some straight VA leaves and it's greatly improved all of them. I also have seen dramatic improvement in the smoothness and taste after letting it sit for a year or more.

 

[loui loui]

1. Put it in a jar and forget it for 6 months
2. Press it.

I will try that, seems like a nice experiment. Thanks.
I guess I will have to smoke it as is for now then, I need to save some cash on cigs and pipe tobacco.

 

[Andude]

Here goes, if I don't come back call help.
View attachment 49498

One must ask what comprises a blend called Smaug. If you reply, I'll know you found the chink in his armor.

 

[deluxestogie]

No need to kill him.

Bob