Attention New Pipers: Even The "Vets" Struggle Sometimes!

[Madbricky]

I really like this thread! Some of the reviews I read are utter buffalo chips! I know a few guys who have either supertaster ability (genetic) and more important guys like @Jimlnks or @Tobias Lutz who have smoked a plethora of tobaccos and can be trusted for real flavor reports from everyday type of pipes.
Now as to technique and mechanics of smoking I have been drying stuff good and three step stuffing for many years. The exception is cutting slices and coins to bowl depth and "fold & stuff" just so for a good draft. Even so, I have to dump bowls and fix problems.
As long as I can remember the only tobacco I get that smokes out of the container is Daughters & Ryan. The pipe I'm smoking now is stuffed with Rimboche SJ and it is just slightly moister than I like no thanks to my humidor. I pack it a little looser and puff slow expecting relights. The little bit of extra moisture gives the Perique a lot more spice for me.
You nailed it on the pipe packing though, I would say the prize goes to the guy who dumps the pipe and loads it right or dries the tobacco or both. That could be the vet or the new guy with presence of mind to fix the mechanics of the problem.