I was talking with the owner of my local b&m yesterday...

[[OT] Loki]

And I started talking about pipes and my inability to keep mine going. He's not much of a smoker of the pipe as he admitted but we also talked about using different pipes for different blends. He said that there was no reason to do this. I've been under the impression that this was necessary....can anyone shed some light on this?

[rutkus]

i'm by no means an expert but the only separation i keep are pipes for aromatics, and non aromatics...thats it.

[tedski]

It's not a crime to smoke different blends in the same pipe. However, some people do this because they prefer to taste the true flavor of the tobacco.

For instance, if you smoke heavy English blends in a pipe and then want to try some straight Virginia ... you are going to taste some residual smokiness from the Latakia for awhile.

IMO,you don't need a different pipe for every blend. I think it's enough to have one pipe for each general class of tobacco blends:

- Straight Virginias, Virginia / Perque blends, non-flavored Burleys
- English and Balkans
- Flavored blends

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by tedski

It's not a crime to smoke different blends in the same pipe. However, some people do this because they prefer to taste the true flavor of the tobacco.

For instance, if you smoke heavy English blends in a pipe and then want to try some straight Virginia ... you are going to taste some residual smokiness from the Latakia for awhile.

IMO,you don't need a different pipe for every blend. I think it's enough to have one pipe for each general class of tobacco blends:

- Straight Virginias, Virginia / Perque blends, non-flavored Burleys
- English and Balkans
- Flavored blends

For the most part

It is a very good idea to dedicate your pipes to specific categories of tobaccos, as pointed out above. It is not necessary to dedicate a specific pipe to a specific blend, however, there is nothing wrong with doing so, if you can afford to. Personally, I use corn cobs exclusively, when I smoke the aromatics that I enjoy. I use my meerschaums when I smoke straight Virginia and Burley blends and I use dedicated briars when I smoke Va/Perique, Scottish, English and Balkan blends.

I do have two briar pipes that I have dedicated to my two all time favorite blends. One is dedicated to Japan's Momoyama and one is dedicated to Dunhill's Royal Yacht (Murray's). I have been considering my need to dedicate another briar to Germain & Son's Royal Jersey Perique, another of my all time favorites. This break down works very well for me. But everyone should take the time, via trial and error, to find out what works best for them and their budget.

Over time, dedicating a briar pipe to a single specific blend, will provide you with the richest flavor profile, of that specific tobacco. It becomes most enjoyable!!!

Johnny

[[OT] Loki]

what I had planed to do was set one aside for english, one for va and one for aromatic....but since most seem to prefer cobs for aromoatics I may do that. Which leaves me with one open pipe for something to smoke in there

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by [OT] Loki

what I had planed to do was set one aside for english, one for va and one for aromatic....but since most seem to prefer cobs for aromoatics I may do that. Which leaves me with one open pipe for something to smoke in there

You'll be please, if you decide to use corn cobs for your aromatics!

So you'll have an extra pipe to dedicate. If you like a flavor profile with a bit of complexity, in the sweet/peppery & spicy range, you may want to try dedicating that pipe to various Va/Perique blends. If you looking for a flavor profile that more nutty and slightly woody, with a healthy dose of nicotine, you would probably do well by dedicating that pipe to Burley blends!

Just my

Johnny