Anniversary Kake

Could Anniversary Kake be the perfect VA/per? The only thing I like more than AK is MORE AK!
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Happy International Pipe Smoking Day!

Today is International Pipe Smoking Day and I want to wish all my fellow pipe smokers out there a good one!  For more about IPSD, check out the official brochure!

Tobacco Review: "Plum Pudding"

I recently purchased a tin of Seattle Pipe Club's top-selling blend "Plum Pudding" which is a Balkan-style crumble cake made up of Latakia, Orientals, Virginias, Perique and a "secret ingredient". The initial tin aroma is smokey Latakia and a heavy musty scent. The black cakes are tightly pressed and do not break apart as easily as Penzance (which can crumble into a fine powder with the slightest touch). The slices rub out well to long strands of leaf that pack well into the pipe. Because of the heaviness of this blend I prefer a smaller bowl.

Lighting is easy and one is welcomed with a slightly sweet and spicy smoke. The Latakia does not overwhelm the other components and the Orientals keep a steady beat of spice going throughout the bowl. The flavors trade off from the sweetness of the Virginias to the smokiness of the Latakia. This is very well-balanced. There is a hint of a topping but I am unsure if this is simply my own impression.

The tobacco smokes hot even when smoking at a very slow relaxed pace. It does not bite but the taste is almost steam-like at times. After speaking with several other smokers who smoke this blend it appears to be a common characteristic. This may or may not be a problem depending on the individual smoker. For some it is an easy trade-off for a good blend and for others it is a dealbreaker.

The ash left behind is dry and grey. I have noticed that there is usually some moist dottle at the end of each bowl and the smell from inside the pipe is quite unpleasant. One needs to do a lot of cleaning with pipe cleaners after a bowl of this blend.

I like this blend and would recommend this as an alternative to Penzance. It is not nearly as complex as the old Dunhill classics or the GLP English blends but it is a good change of pace on the lighter side. I do feel that for the money there are much better blends in this genre.

Return from Hiatus

Hello all! It's been a few months that life has been so busy that I have had to put all of my blogs on the backburner. It is my hope that I can get back to regular posting now.

Since my last post I have only purchased two new pipes, both are Mario Grandis, and can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmuraco/3945044137/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmuraco/3945820458/

I have tried a couple of new tobaccos that I will review on here in the near future. During most of the Summer months I was smoking cigars so I spent a lot of time away from pipes. Since returning to the pipe I have noticed that I no longer seem to enjoy them as much as I had before. Perhaps this is just part of the transition process and my old enthusiasm with return.

I hope you have all been well and enjoying some fine smokes!

New Acquisition: Mario Grandi Volcano

Mario Grandi Volcano
Originally uploaded by Jimmy Muraco

I was coerced into buying this pipe!!! (Ok, it did not take much to convince me) I had been looking at this pipe for a few days and was charmed by the shape, grain and overall beautiful design.

New Acquisition: Mario Grandi Chubby Freehand

Mario Grandi Chubby Freehand
Originally uploaded by Jimmy Muraco

Yeah....I know....it was a hard choice between the teal one and this one so I ended up getting them both. I can't help it though as the prices are just too good to resist!

New Acquisition: Mario Grandi Teal Freehand

Mario Grandi Teal Freehand
Originally uploaded by Jimmy Muraco

When I first saw this pipe I thought it was the most beautiful pipe I have ever seen. I had to have it so I just purchased it. This is my second Mario Grandi pipe so for those of you considering getting one for yourself I can vouch that they are very good smoking pipes.

Speed Smoking Contests???

New Acqusition for 5/05/09: L'Anatra Nosewarmer

L'Anatra Nosewarmer
Originally uploaded by Jimmy Muraco

This is a L'Anatra nosewarmer grade One Egg. Silver band and the famous goose sitting upon the handcut stem. I truly love nosewarmers...and L'Anatras!

My Review of Milan Tobacconists' "Rovada"

Like most of the Milan blends, Rovada is silky smooth. The moisture content in the bag is drier than most tinned blends so it is good to go right away. It lights easily and requires few relights throughout the bowl.

It is described as a "Medium English with no trace of sweetness" yet I found Rovada to be quite sweet in flavor. The initial light is Latakia then the sweetness of the blend starts to grow. Rovada has a nice smokiness from the Latakia and some complexity from the five Virginias they employ to create this blend.

Midway through the bowl I have noticed that Rovada can emit a strong perfumed flavor as if one was smoking tobacco sprayed with Chanel No. 5. This has only happened in a few pipes so the exact cause remains a mystery to me.

Rovada burns rather fast and the bowl always seems to end too soon. It never gets wet or bitter and the room note is pleasant enough for even most non-smokers to enjoy. I smoke this blend regularly and have recommended it to many.