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Molina - Tramonto Smooth (C1454) (9mm)
Beautiful Pipe - Need to Improve Quality Checks
First the good: I will say that this really is a beautiful pipe for the money. I love the grain, the finish and the overall shape/feel. With a little bit of effort mine smokes great. Now the not-so-good. When I received my pipe, the tenon stuck in the mortise when I pulled the stem out. Due to Smoking Pipes great customer service, I returned that pipe and they shipped another one right out. When the replacement pipe came, it wouldn't accept a 9mm filter due to the mortise being drilled too shallow. Not wanting to return another pipe, I carefully hand-removed enough material to set the filter. After that, it smokes like a champ. I have since purchase a Barasso Natural Sandblast from another vendor with no issues at all. I don't place any blame on Smoking Pipes, but on the Molina quality checks. Perhaps this line was built in a different part of the facility - heck maybe the two pipes I received were built on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon haha! I believe Molina can do quality work and hopefully honest feedback will help with this. I am likely to purchase another pipe of this brand.

Cornell & Diehl - XXV Reserve: Dawn 2oz
Love this blend!
I’m about 8 months back on the pipe after a 25 yr break (and then only codger blends). Lately, I’ve been on a VA journey so I bought 2 cans of Dawn, fearing Dusk might be a little strong for my palate (budget dictated some restraint as well haha). Nice mild tin note that reminds me of walking into my Grandpa’s barn. I’m really enjoying the mild grassy flavors and creaminess of this blend. There’s a little more than meets the eye as I smoke it down as it seems to get sweeter about mid- bowl. I thought it was going to be a little too moist when I packed it, but it burned perfectly all the way down with nary a relight. Med Nic hit so I take it slow. I really like Newminster 400 and Orlik Golden Sliced but I believe this is better (prolly the aged VA). Stay lit brothers!

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Aleister Crowley: The Beast That Inspired The Beast
  • ► I can get behind this. It is a well thought-out, measured response instead of a knee-jerk hysterical reaction that can be easily ignored. Whether it was poor judgement, blind ignorance or willful antagonism on SP’s part, if enough people would follow this $$ example, perhaps a second thought would take place next time. I will follow suit. Happy Piping to you all. Looking forward to celebrating the reason for my hope in a couple of weeks!
  • ► Sorry, put this on the wrong comment 🙄I can get behind this. It is a well thought-out, measured response instead of a knee-jerk hysterical reaction that can be easily ignored. Whether it was poor judgement, blind ignorance or willful antagonism on SP’s part, if enough people would follow this $$ example, perhaps a second thought would take place next time. I will follow suit. Happy Piping to you all. Looking forward to celebrating the reason for my hope in a couple of weeks!
Codger Country: Half and Half
  • ► I actually like Half and Half. Having only smoked cigarettes on a few occasions, I don't get that vibe (especially the burning paper). I throw it in a corn cob pipe and head out to do my outside chores. Because its not a complex blend, I don't have to dedicate much thought to it while I work. It's easy to light and requires few relights (unless I get busy and forget to puff haha). I save my more complex blends for the times I can just sit, think and enjoy. In the end though, either you like it or you don't. That's one reason we have so many different blends. So smoke what you like and like what you smoke! Thanks for this series. I'm enjoying it.
Codger Country: Sir Walter Raleigh
  • ► I first smoked SWR from a pouch and enjoyed it, so I bought a tin late last year. I really tried to smoke it but the vinegar smell was just too much. I jarred it and put it in the very back of my cabinet, hoping it’ll calm down by the time I finally get back to it again. If not, I’ll just throw it away, which is NOT something I normally do. I won’t be buying any more though.
Pipes and Cannibalism: The Donner Party
  • ► Very good article! Interesting to note that one of the main things they relied on for comfort is the very thing that’s deemed to be so detrimental to us today. Keep on smoking brothers and sisters!