As I approach my first year on this site...

[dmkerr]

...I want to say thanks to everybody that has made this last year so pleasurable. There are so many wonderful and knowledgable folks here that I don't have the time to name them all. I've received numerous tobacco samples from members, some of which have grown into regular rotation blends. I've saved myself a lot of time and effort (and waste!) by learning new ways to do things. I've "met" and become friends with a number of new smokers. I've even gotten in on the ground floor of the wares of a new and soon-to-be important pipemaker. To say it's been time well spent would be an understatement. I hope I've been able to supply 10% of the help I've received here.

Thanks, guys! It's been a great year! Pipe smoking is coming of age again, and it's wonderful to be able to chat with so many brothers. We'll talk some more over the next year!

[Mad Hatter]

Its been really great having you here Dan and its been a pleasure becoming frends. Hard to believe its been only a year.

[Requiem]

Dan, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable, friendly and generous of the many great BOTL's who wander here. In fact you were among the first to welcome me in and it's has trully been a pleasure to learn from your posts and to share your enthusiasm on pipe smoking.

[indigosmoke]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Dan, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable, friendly and generous of the many great BOTL's who wander here. In fact you were among the first to welcome me in and it's has trully been a pleasure to learn from your posts and to share your enthusiasm on pipe smoking.

What he said.

[dmkerr]

Thanks, guys. Your comments and friendship mean very much to me.

But sheesh, Indigo, didn't you find even ONE of the samples I sent you to your liking? I had to laugh (don't feel bad - I'm not upset at all) when I saw your post in the pipe trade/sale forum. I laughed and said to myself, "Well, I guess I helped show him what NOT to buy!". I guess that's something. But I'll try to do better next time. And hey, YOU asked for the Dark Star! I had very little good to say about it but you insisted. LOL!

[indigosmoke]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

But sheesh, Indigo, didn't you find even ONE of the samples I sent you to your liking? I had to laugh (don't feel bad - I'm not upset at all) when I saw your post in the pipe trade/sale forum. I laughed and said to myself, "Well, I guess I helped show him what NOT to buy!". I guess that's something. But I'll try to do better next time. And hey, YOU asked for the Dark Star! I had very little good to say about it but you insisted. LOL!

LOL, actually Dan I enjoyed the Red Rapparee and McB Navy Flake so much I ordered a supply for myself, so I figured I'd pass along what was left of my samples to some other lucky botl. I also enjoyed the Scottish Cake but not enough to add it to my rotation. As for the Dark Star I just couldn't get it to burn consistantly, but I did enjoy the flavor, so I'm glad I had a chance to try. So the only one of your samples that didn't work for me was the French Vanilla, but then again I've yet to find a true aromatic I really enjoy. But hey, three out of five hits ain't bad! Thanks again for the leaf!

[fiddlegrin]

Congratulations Sir!

.

[commonsenseman]

Congrats Dan! I've found your posts to be very helpful & informative, I look forward to another year!

BTW I got the Dark Star & I dunno what you guys are talking about, I've really been enjoying it!

[indigosmoke]

Originally Posted by commonsenseman

BTW I got the Dark Star & I dunno what you guys are talking about, I've really been enjoying it!

I had a devil of a time keeping it lit, but I'm new to flakes so it might have been a technique problem. Tasty little weed though.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by indigosmoke

I had a devil of a time keeping it lit, but I'm new to flakes so it might have been a technique problem. Tasty little weed though.

That was my take on Dark Star. No matter how much I dried it out, it was just too much of a bear to keep stoked. On the occasions that it burned properly, it tasted great. When I thought about chopping it up to make it burn, I remembered its cousin tobacco, Rattrays Black Virginia. It's a chop cut, and it doesn't burn worth a crap, either. I added perique to it and it's fine now. First it was Black Virginia = Black VA. When I added perique to it, I named it Black VaPer. Clever, huh? LOL

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by indigosmoke

LOL, actually Dan I enjoyed the Red Rapparee and McB Navy Flake so much I ordered a supply for myself, so I figured I'd pass along what was left of my samples to some other lucky botl. I also enjoyed the Scottish Cake but not enough to add it to my rotation. As for the Dark Star I just couldn't get it to burn consistantly, but I did enjoy the flavor, so I'm glad I had a chance to try. So the only one of your samples that didn't work for me was the French Vanilla, but then again I've yet to find a true aromatic I really enjoy. But hey, three out of five hits ain't bad! Thanks again for the leaf!

Yeah, the French Vanilla isn't highly regarded. I like it on occasion. My fave "true" aromatic is McClellands Oriental Cavendish (Bulk #2050). It's not wet and goopy even though it contains a lot of black cavendish. The taste is mostly black cav with a dash of oriental but the room note is just the opposite. A nice aromatic that won't gum up your pipe.