Jazz & Pipes.

Autumn Leaves by Cannon Adderley, is a rhythmic Jazz song that demands a billiard. Filled with a tobacco that  is heavy and smokey but light on nicotine and a nice glass of Scotch on the rocks.

Now you may be asking why? Well, here's why:

1. The  rhythm of the piece, with its cornets and tenor saxophone. Brings out a unique and perfect blend of the two instruments accompanied by bass and piano. Which demands a earthy tobacco to smoke, which leads me to point #2.
2. While you could smoke an aromatic but really. Aromatics are more for a spring afternoon after an April shower. In other words, you smoke aromatics when you enjoying the presence of nature and the natural beauty around you. Or that you don't have any other type of tobacco with you and don't want something that overpowers you. When you are listening to jazz you want the tobacco to mirror the music. Down to earth and smooth, but not to smooth, with periodic sharp notes in it, that calms you down in a calming wave but won't entirely wash you away in the nicotine.  
3. As to the scotch on the rocks. Well Scotch in my opinion is such a relaxing thing to drink that it was made for Jazz. As Jazz, not that smooth Jazz crap, is such relaxing music when its good. Everything from the rhythm and melody, to the instruments and the arrangements of the players.    

Finally before I leave you today. I want you to go to pandora.com I know it sounds like I'm marketing for them, trust me I'm not. Type in Cool Jazz, light up a bowl, pour a glass of you favorite whiskey, or any other liquor as long its not rum or ouzo and just listen.

With that I'll puff you later.

The Summer's Menu

This Year has been abjectly slow due to my lack of inspiration not a lack of desire. I wanted to write about how my Tobacco plants. But I doubt any of you actually care about my attempts of growing tobacco. So I am here telling I will be canceling that series due to it being just plain stupid.

However I'll be moving to Memphis, TN for a job. With that Job, will come a paycheck and with that paycheck is something for me write about. Hopefully the wonders of a Churchwarden.

But most of all that I am exciting is the fact with temporary financial independence that this summer will bring me one step closer to two things that I wanted to do. One is traveling and seeing the world and bringing you stories that will inspire to travel and to smoke. If the world hasn't taken the fun out of smoking.

Another thing on the menu is the renewed hope that I can find one celebrity, just one, who smokes and will sit down and do a interview on this blog, which will be interesting to say the least. But don't hold your breath.

The Final thing I wanted to bring up is my thanks to my extremely loyal if not human audience.


With that I'll puff you later.

The abject failure of E-tobacco products

A while back a commenter once asked me this question. Why don't you write about E-tobacco?

Well for several reasons. Most of which I'll won't talk about. But chief among them is this. They are artificial and have none of the romanticism of smoking.

You see when you smell the cake of a pipe you smell the flavor of tobacco and that in turn can steer up memories of when you are smoking that are both good and relaxing. Now no one is arguing about dangers of tobacco, or the taste of tobacco. Honest to God you only bear the tobaccos' taste out of experiencing new tobacco and new strengths of how rough it can be.

But again that is part of the romanticism of pipe smoking. Now I haven't tried a E pipe, primarily because I didn't know that they existed and have only heard and seen E cigs. And trust me they come in one flavor and that is water. What an Electronic Cigarette is basically a vaporizer for liquid nicotine mixed in with water in order to dilute the nicotine. Because nicotine is a neurotoxicant that can be fatal in its pure form. They dilute and vaporize to lessen the toxicity so that you won't die. Give it a blue light to indicate its working and give you more than a mouth full so you can exhale the vapor that your lungs didn't absorbed.

Compared to Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Nicotine, Sugar (depending on the curing process), Water Vapor, and Ammonia. When you smoke a more traditional pipe and that's just the natural stuff. Imagine what the Big Tobacco puts in their shit. Now you might say "Oh so E-cigs are defiantly much safer."

Not necessary you see, when a tobacco leaf is cured and fermented, it is a process to dilute most of the nicotine and the ammonia. It also allows for the sugars to add natural flavors, so you can get a wide variety of flavors from a single batch of tobacco depending on the curing method. Also depending on the bread of Tobacco as well.

For example both Fire and Air cured tobacco are usually low in sugars but have high amounts of nicotine that often used in pipe and cigar tobacco. Where as both Flue and Sun cured tobacco are both high sugar content and are usually used in cigarette. With Flue cured has a tendency to be in the medium high ratio for nicotine. Where as Sun Cured tobacco is usually in the low ratio for nicotine.

Now depending on your own personal taste the flavors can be exquisite. With Sweetness of a high sugary tobacco with a good nicotine that doesn't make you head swim in a nicotine haze.

You can't get that with an E-Cig or an E-Pipe. All you get with those are nicotine hazes, and that my good reader is why I don't write about them. I'm a pipe connoisseur who is here to guide those who are trying to enjoy their deadly habit with new experiences.

With that I'll puff you later.

Tobacco Supermarket.

Recently I was in Bloomington in the hopes of getting a job. Unfortunately they weren't hiring, but that is beside the point.

The point being the Briar and The Burly, is no your usual tobacconist store. Where the place is usually smell of tobacco, cigars, and with classy decor. But that is not the case, the case being when you walk into the Briar and the Burley. You are greeted by a section of suitcases and briefcases. Then once you pass two thirds of the shop you are presented with an amazing selection of meerschaum pipes ranging from the blan and sinful un-carved to the most exquisitely carved pieces of art.

Then when you pass the meerschaum pipes to your left. You'll again be greeted by a case of cigars, and  the more traditional briar pipes and a few metal/plastic pipes, in which I am not a fan. At the end you'll see a 1980s ferrari. Then afterwards an adequately sized smoking lounge, then you'll be back in the section of the suitcase but the case area will be greeted with old fashioned shaving supplies, such as strops, straight razors, brushes, shaving mugs, and safety razors.

While the pipe collection is okay, the cigar and the tobacco selection is good. I wouldn't call this a great tobacconist due to the fact that two thirds of entire store sells suitcases and briefcases. But it's still a store worth visiting.

With that I'll puff you later.

The 3rd Tobacco Endeavor: part 4 a quick update

Well goodbye you unholy summer and hello fall. With that I need to start really thinking about buying LEDs, for the fast approaching weather were about to recieve is cooler than the Ice Queen herself, but I digress. I also want apologize if I haven't been updating as religiously as I should be. But let me catch up first of.

I still have eight plants (trumpet sounds). But I expect to lose two to three plants. The reason is two of them is have been smothered to death. and the other one is too damaged, I think to fully recover. But by some miracle, which I am hopeful for all eight will survive to harvest time. But even if one does survives I'll take it as a success.


Well until next time I'll puff you later.

the 3rd Tobacco Endeavor: part 3

Well a lot of time has passed since my last update. For instance I'm down from nine to eight, but I am still good. But and that is a big BUT, I am worried if I don't transplant soon and if not later today. Then my crop will be stunted and I won't be able to get a good harvest. Also my leaves are being eaten by some unknown pest, which now has claimed two leaves. Now I am all for survival of the fittest but come on!

As I don't want to be down by seven plants so latter today I am going to buy a couple of LED light bulbs so that I'll have 24 hour light coverage, while at the same time saving money on energy and the help with the environment. Also eight individual clay pots, with that I can devote more time to finding out who is responsible for eating my tobacco leaves.


So with that, this is the Pipesmoking Piper and I'll puff you later.

The 3rd Tobacco endeavor, part 2.

Well since my last update I have informed anyone who is reading this blog. That I have attempted a third try to grow my own baccy.

Since then I found out that I am growing nine plants and to prevent them from killing each other by competing for their roots. I transplanted them to their own individual pots so they grow into the tall plants that they're supposed to be.

Now I am not out the woods yet. The plants may just die and I'd be screwed all together. However the time to worry about that shouldn't over take me right now. Right now I need to worry as how the hell I am going to cure and ferment the harvest. Because time will fly.


So with that I'll puff you later.

A Third Tobacco endeavor

As I'm still mourning from my failures of my first attempt of growing some tobacco I decided to grow again and hear is the funny thing, from my second attempt. None of my seeds sprouted. None, I felt that the Tobacco Seed Company (TSC) had given me some shitty, defective, ungrowable seeds.

So growing impatient, with the lack of sprouting I decided to grow again, only this time the seeds did sprout and I now have a pot full of tiny tobacco sprouts. As I try not repeat the my mistake with my first and second batch of seeds. I hope that my harvest will be bountiful. (I know that sounds incredibly stupid) But I am now worrying that the tobacco sprouts will now kill each other off. If I don't do something, but that is for another blog post.


I will puff you later.

Irish Oak: Not for the Novice Pipe Smoker.

Recently I'd purchased a new tin of Peterson's Irish Oak tobacco. Let me tell you that if you are a newbie or a novice at pipe smoking then do not buy this. This tobacco will kick your brain in the groin and drown it in nicotine.

I'm assuming that the tobacco was fire cured and sun cured. In order to get a strong kick out of the tobacco. Because there was no way that any of the aromatics that I smoke had such a kick. Now the moisture in the tobacco was perfect as it suppose to be. That being said, the cut was typical of what you get with pipe tobacco, unless you buy flake tobacco. Too thin in some areas too thick, but always the right amount of thick to thin ratio.

Which brings me back to my original point, DON'T BUY IT IF YOU ARE NEW! Because withdrawal will be a bitch to suffer through and if you don't go through that unless you have an affinity for headaches.

Finally as I leave you with my catchphrase, I felt that the tobacco was good, despite it not being an aromatic like Moontrance or Devil's Holiday. I felt it was a good tobacco with a strong smell that didn't feel it was overpowering. But the amount of nicotine that was available in that tobacco was a bit too much for my taste.

So if you are used to sweet tasting of air curing and the lightness of Aromatics don't buy it. But if you want to diversify your tobacco experience, don't say no immediately. Just be cautious of the nicotine, cause you will feel like you just inhaled the smoke instead keeping it in your mouth.

Which will make you nauseous, if you stop too sudden.  

So with that I'll puff you later.

Ending of the Tobacco endeavor.

Today is sad day for me. Because my tobacco sprout has died of root rot. At first I thought it would make a full recovery and such but it did not. So with this I raise a metaphorical glass of scotch and raise it to the heavens as if this plant had a soul, which I doubt.


So with that I'll puff you later.

Tobacco Endeavor: Last Tobacco plant

Well this is going to be quick.

A couple of weeks have passed and I started out with five but now I'm down to one tobacco sprout. Hopefully it will survive to adulthood. I am having fingers crossed that it will survive this unforgiving heat wave.

Any way I hope that this sprout makes it. I also hope that I'll have a good harvest, and I'll learn my mistakes while growing tobacco. But until I start growing some more or restart the whole process I will still have faith that this little sprout will make me proud.


With that I'll puff you later.

Tobacco endeavor: A Quick puff

My germinated seedlings are now full flung sprouts, they grow up so fast.  Anyways with all of that crap out of the way. I am now going thin out the heard by picking the ones I don't want. But before I can do that. I need a pair of tweezers, so that I can surgically remove the sprouts that are weak or on the edge of the pot.


So after I find a pair of tweezers and remove the weak leaving only the strong…I will update you guys with more news on how my tobacco plant is doing. Well puff you later.

Tobacco Endeavor: Part Three

This post will be short but the reason I have decided to write a post is to tell you this.

My tobacco seeds have germinated and started to sprout. Now before you start jumping up in down with excitement. I have still ways to go before I can call these sprouts tobacco. A word to the wise, never cover up your tobacco seeds after you sprinkle them onto the soil. It will take forever for them to germinate. Bathe them in light and make sure that they have enough water so that the plants won't be begging for water.

So…with that I'll puff you later.

Tobacco Endeavor: Part two

So after four months of purchasing tobacco seeds and three months thinking that said purchase was a scam. I found out that my packet of Tobacco seeds, Cuban Corilla, had actually arrived. Now I am excited and to start on this endeavor and will do my most to update you on the progress.


I won't however being putting a deadline nor be updating you guys every day but every weak as to keep it easy for me. But I won't be doing this week as I will be at the beach. Now before you congratulate me on going to the sandy place where it meets the sea. Its a nightmare in which I won't be waking up for a long week.

So with the tortuous week ahead. Don't epect me to update you on how smoking at the beach can be enhanced with a good drink in hand, which is always peach juice with rum. Or any citrus fruit with rum, drink.


So with that I'll puff you later.

Pressing the Pause button for now.

Hello to any of my readers,

I am sorry to say that I discontinuing this blog. But fear not! I am not ending this blog its just that with the lack of funds, no job, and still living with my parents (the shame). I just realized that I need fix up my life, because this is defiantly not where I expected my life to be right now.

If your thinking that this is the final posting then you are wrong. Well partially wrong, I am just hitting the pause button until I can figure out a way to financially support this blog, without relying on my family. I will continue to write so that pipe smokers don't have to worry about what to do, when in a crisis. Nor am I leaving out to dry.

If you are looking for advice then I would lead you to hear.

The Pipe Smoking Forum, (trumpet sounds).

This forum will be your guide for the time being. Until I get into a College that isn't a Community College, no offense. But until then I will continue to feel like a goddamn Hipster, who is living living with his parents because society is against it.

So with this final posting, for now, I am giving you the link: www.pipesmokersforum.com

So farewell, Live long and for the Love of G-d. Smoke a Pipe.

Puff you later!!!!!!

Not Going to Chicago this May

Since I wanted to try and actually go to the Chicagoland Pipe Show, I wanted to do it on my own. To actually travel by myself and show my parents, that I still live with unfortunately, that I can handle traveling to and from a different city and while at it visit a friend who lives in the Chicago, and some family.

But now I have two options. Not go, and miss  a good opportunity to review a pipe show and see what it is like through an independent lens.

Or take a member of my family, most likely my father and have him take me as if I am five years old and I am going to Comic Con.

So in short I would rather skip this yearly opportunity, rather than having my father or a member of my family holding my hand while I'm trying to do my obligation to you, the reader.

So with that I'll puff you later.

Don't buy from forums, but if you do hear are some things you should.

About a couple weeks ago, I bought a pipe on a forum, not going disclose any other information. Now this was a rare pipe a, Swiss pipe I think, and the price was around twenty bucks. Before I bought this pipe I thought "Its going to get here and I'm going smoke it until it cracks." Unfortunately it hasn't arrived, and I am twenty bucks poorer. Now I am not saying that the seller is a con-man or that the forum is a breeding ground of crooks.  In fact this post will be several steps that you should do before buying a pipe on a forum. So that you won't waste money on a product that probably won't come.

1. Look for the Seller's record, and ask around. So that you can get feedback from other forum members and the admins.
2. Demand pictures of said pipes, and ask about where they from, what pipe company made them, and what condition are they in. The seller should the answers these questions. 
3. Ask for the seller to use Paypal, if they are not. To ensure that you aren't giving away your credit card number to a processing company that has a shady reputation.
4. Immediately ask for the tracking number after said purchase, and do not let up.  So that you can verify for yourself and make everything less complicated, 
5. If you did everything from 1-4 and still haven't received the pipe then you need to make sure it has arrived and hasn't been picked up by someone else. If you did that and still no pipe make sure you didn't give the seller the wrong address or if you do have the tracking number then contact the shipping company and berate them until your pipe is delivered.

So with that I'll puff you later

A Quick Puff

Hello, this is going to be a quick update today, and I want to post several things on the blog today, if not a couple, OK good.

1. My bag of tobacco seeds hasn't come…But don’t fear as soon I get them I’ll set a date, to when I’ll be starting. 
2. Also I am planing to head up to the Chicagoland Pipe Show… Where I’ll be reviewing the atmosphere of convention and the various pipes, tobacco, and pipe accessories on the market. Don’t worry I am going to give fair reviews on everybody.

So with that I’ll Puff you later.

The Tobacco Endeavor is a Go.

Today I am pleased to announce this blogs' next experiment which is growing tobacco now, due to what I've read is that it takes a whole bloody year for tobacco to age. Now unlike How To Make Your own Pipe Rack I am not going to tell what and what not to. Due to the sheer exhaustion of schedule and stuff. However I will make weekly updates, with pictures, detailing my weekly experience.

But as I record my endeavor of growing I am going to build a small curing hut. Not to fire cure but to air cure it. So I need to build a little sukkah, hut in hebrew, before the tobacco harvest.


So with that I'll puff you later.

A new adventure with Tobacco.

Ever since my attempt of building a pipe rack was somewhat of a success. I've decided to embark on another weird ass attempt. But this time I am going on another endeavor of curing tobacco. Yes that's right readers I am going to tell you of me growing my own tobacco plant, curing the tobacco leaves, and smoking the results. So that tells me I will need several things I'll need:

1. An old refrigerator.
2. A microphone.
3. Some tobacco seeds. 
4. Some patience. 
5. access to some cash.

If your wondering as to why to the microphone. The reason being is I am going to launch a small podcast series and probably see what happens.

So with that I'll puff you later.