What is the first tobacco I should smoke in my first Dunhill?

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by maboman

I would smoke your favorite tobacco, even if captain black is your fav, then smoke it. Good luck with that pipe!

Enjoyment is the key.

Maboman

Same here. If you are going to use it, use it to enjoy your favorite. Try not to mess around with too many different tobaccos in it.

[DubintheDam]

my vote would go to any neutral non-ghosting quality blend....

[SmokinJohnny]

I would try each blend in a cob or two first. Once I found a favorite or favorites in the same category such VAPers, I would dedicate the pipe to those (or that).

I've got a thick wall rusticated straight stem dedicated to creamy balkans because I have a tendancy to puff those hard and it disapates heat well. The straight stem makes it easy to dry the stem with a pipe cleaner if I get gurgle.

[AcworthAl]

You mean like Sherlock Holmes?

[AcworthAl]

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

There is an interesting story that accompanies this Dunhill. I have two sisters and one brother. All are younger than I am. I will be 66 next week and I have never asked my siblings for a gift of any type. This year was different. I emailed them each various links to Iwan Ries, Dunhill, Savinelli Autograph, Ser Jacopo, etc. I sent a little note saying that I always wanted a Dunhill, but they are very expensive, and I would understand not wanting to spend that kind of money on a pipe, as I would not. Judee, my youngest sister who is married and lives in Washington called yesterday. She was having trouble with the links I sent and needed help. I walked her through the steps and took her to the Iwan Ries web site and showed her how to navigate through the different pipes. We both went to the Dunhill link. The third pipe on the right was priced at $1050.00. It was silver capped, and I said “Well Judee that is the one I want.” I cannot tell you what she said. However, she did buy the Poker. I am curious how the two other siblings will do. BTW, all of them have the money to handle this transaction.

I believe that like a lot of other pipe smokers I am awestruck by the name Dunhill and how well they are supposed smoke. I believe part of this fascination is because most of us would not spend $400 and up on a pipe, I know I would not. Well, it will be interesting to see if the pipe lives up to its name. Maybe I will fill it with Cherry Blend (just kidding).

Again, I really appreciate all of the great feedback.

[David M]

Thats a good story Al.
I like the idea of doing whatever we can to get into the medium high - high range of pipes. There are so many intelligent approaches. This is one of them. I can actually see myself asking my friends to do the same.
Each year, they always ask me what I want. Often times I say this or that and usually all of them just chip in $20 per person and they get me said object. I have an inkling I will ask for something pipe related this time around.

By the way. As you likely already know. I mistakenly called this pipe a Poker where it is in fact a Cherrywood. On account of the bend in the shank. Pokers are straight.

Once again, beauty pipe. Cant wait to see the picture of it.

I can feel your giddy excitement all the way over here in California.
Its contagious!

[AcworthAl]

Originally Posted by David M

Thats a good story Al.
I like the idea of doing whatever we can to get into the medium high - high range of pipes. There are so many intelligent approaches. This is one of them. I can actually see myself asking my friends to do the same.
Each year, they always ask me what I want. Often times I say this or that and usually all of them just chip in $20 per person and they get me said object. I have an inkling I will ask for something pipe related this time around.

By the way. As you likely already know. I mistakenly called this pipe a Poker where it is in fact a Cherrywood. On account of the bend in the shank. Pokers are straight.

Once again, beauty pipe. Cant wait to see the picture of it.

I can feel your giddy excitement all the way over here in California.
Its contagious!

I am originally from California LA and the Valley. I did not know the difference between a Poker and Cherywood, although I believe the site labled it as a Poker. Darn I had a French Rob (spelling) Cherrywood that I bought 25 years ago. I lost it somewhere in the house.

As soon as the Dunhill arrives I will post a picture. What the heck send your friends the hyperlink to what you want and let them decide.

Thank you for the kind words

[AcworthAl]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

I can't imagine how that could be unless the emotional high of smoking a Dunhill overcame the actual taste. All pipes need a degree of cake to smoke well, to reduce the heat if nothing else. Physics. That's not to say new pipes smoke poorly - it's just not their optimal time.

That said, some pipes smoke better sooner (develop a cake faster) than others. I've not seen or heard of Dunhills behaving this way but as you said, ya never know! I do have a Boswell that smoked pretty well right away but it still improved as it caked.

Sometimes I believe pipe smokers (like me) become enamored by a name, like Dunhill. I always wanted one. However, it is still a pipe. It is beautiful, the fit and finish is superb. I was mistakenly under the impression that the first smoke would be the best smoke of my adult life. It was not. It smoked very well the first time I smoked it. I smoked AJ’s VAPERS. I loaded it one third full, it smoked clean no gurgling. It smoked well to the end. I have smoked it about three times. Each time it smokes a bit better. It is not however the best smoking pipe I own, that is a Peterson River Collection Pipe (I think it is the Boyne). I suspect that when broken in the Dunhill will be a very good smoker. It is not yet.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by AcworthAl

Sometimes I believe pipe smokers (like me) become enamored by a name, like Dunhill. I always wanted one. However, it is still a pipe. It is beautiful, the fit and finish is superb. I was mistakenly under the impression that the first smoke would be the best smoke of my adult life. It was not. It smoked very well the first time I smoked it. I smoked AJ’s VAPERS. I loaded it one third full, it smoked clean no gurgling. It smoked well to the end. I have smoked it about three times. Each time it smokes a bit better. It is not however the best smoking pipe I own, that is a Peterson River Collection Pipe (I think it is the Boyne). I suspect that when broken in the Dunhill will be a very good smoker. It is not yet.

I doubt that even Dunhill would advise that their pipes smoke perfectly prior to break-in. But what you have is a "perfect" pipe. There should be no off-center drilling, no surface flaws, no geometrical anomalies, no problems of any kind. Dunhill puts their pipes through so many checks and balances before the name gets stamped on the pipe. Hell, I can't even find the flaw on my Parker pipe, which is a Dunhill second (a pipe made in the Dunhill factory that was deemed not good enough to sport the white dot). All of those inspections and quest for perfection comes with the good old Dunhill price tag. You have a perfect pipe. On the off-chance any Dunhill develops a burn out, they replace it with nary a word. Enjoy your pipe - it will come around!

[Mister Moo]

Madhatter nailed it - a Dunhill blend, of course.

PM me your addy and I'll cover with something real nice. Happy birthday.

[David M]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

my Parker pipe, which is a Dunhill second (a pipe made in the Dunhill factory that was deemed not good enough to sport the white dot).

Parker -or- Hardcastle?
Which brand is the official Dunhill 2nd's??

[AcworthAl]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

I doubt that even Dunhill would advise that their pipes smoke perfectly prior to break-in. But what you have is a "perfect" pipe. There should be no off-center drilling, no surface flaws, no geometrical anomalies, no problems of any kind. Dunhill puts their pipes through so many checks and balances before the name gets stamped on the pipe. Hell, I can't even find the flaw on my Parker pipe, which is a Dunhill second (a pipe made in the Dunhill factory that was deemed not good enough to sport the white dot). All of those inspections and quest for perfection comes with the good old Dunhill price tag. You have a perfect pipe. On the off-chance any Dunhill develops a burn out, they replace it with nary a word. Enjoy your pipe - it will come around!

You nailed it on the head. When one inspects this pipe it is easy to see that all of the parts fit perfectly. The finish is wonderful. And, the pipe has a certain balance that is difficult to explain. It just feels good to smoke. Thanks for the advise, I appreciate it.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by David M

Parker -or- Hardcastle?
Which brand is the official Dunhill 2nd's??

Yes.

Both are Dunhill seconds. Both are great pipes. Remember the Where's Waldo books? Buy a Parker or Hardcastle and play "Where's The Flaw?" Sometimes you see 'em, often times you don't. Just goes to show that I should never try to become a pipe inspector. Those Dunhill guys are pros!

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by AcworthAl

It just feels good to smoke.

It really doesn't get any more descriptive than that!