Questions You Thought Were Too Dumb to Ask (Pipes Edition)

[Tobias Lutz]

Straight or bent, other than appearance is there a difference in how they smoke? benefit from one or the other?

As has been noted, passing a cleaner through a bent pipe can sometimes be a challenge. I also find that condensation in the stem tend to pool quicker (i.e. gurgling) in a bent. For those two reasons, I prefer straight and 1/4 bent shapes. YMMV

[Nature]

I know that the tobacco needs to be maintained somewhat moist for storage to maintain the flavors. I see many here recommend drying the tobacco before smoking. Can it be too dry? If so, what are the consequences?

[mooster]

I know that the tobacco needs to be maintained somewhat moist for storage to maintain the flavors. I see many here recommend drying the tobacco before smoking. Can it be too dry? If so, what are the consequences?

The only consequence I know of is it crumbles to dust. Any less dry than that, and it's fine, at least with virginias. In fact, it's the bowls you load and forget in the pipe that are usually the best with virginias.

[Nature]

In fact, it's the bowls you load and forget in the pipe that are usually the best with virginias.

Ha ha, that is exactly what happened! Except it was an English. Loaded a bowl and didn't get around to it when I was planning on it. I came across it sitting in the console of my car about 5 days later.



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[Horseshoe]

Are aero's able to age? I am a slow smoker and I have what I feel is a lot of baccy. Mostly aero's. If they don't age, is their a typical shelf life in jars for optimal quality?

[Tobias Lutz]

Are aero's able to age? I am a slow smoker and I have what I feel is a lot of baccy. Mostly aero's. If they don't age, is their a typical shelf life in jars for optimal quality?

Lots of theories on this one. I tend to believe the following: 1. The toppings on aros will retard their fermentation (i.e. slow down the natural sweetening of the base leaf). 2. The toppings themselves will dissipate some over time.

I have a lot of aros cellar myself because while I believe the two points above, I am also firmly in the camp that thinks the tobacco will remain pleasantly smokeable no matter how long it has sat. IOW, it won't be what it was, but it son't "spoil" either.

[Branzig]

Are aero's able to age? I am a slow smoker and I have what I feel is a lot of baccy. Mostly aero's. If they don't age, is their a typical shelf life in jars for optimal quality?

I think the biggest thing you will notice with aros that have been jarred up a long time is the lack of topping.

Over time the toppings will dissipate and the once bold flavors will be muted. Sometimes this is a good thing to people, as in the essence found in many Lakeland tobaccos. Other times it is an annoyance, especially if the casing is a flavor that you love upfront and want strong.

As far as true aging, I think it depends on the blend. Anything that is soaked in PG won't age worth a darn. YMMV

[mooster]

I have a lot of aros cellar myself because while I believe the two points above, I am also firmly in the camp that thinks the tobacco will remain pleasantly smokeable no matter how long it has sat. IOW, it won't be what it was, but it son't "spoil" either.

I agree with this to a point: IF the tobacco used in the aro was good, it will remain good. Big word.

[Tobias Lutz]

I agree with this to a point: IF the tobacco used in the aro was good, it will remain good. Big word.

Are you proposing my 10lbs of Mixture no.79 will be less than stellar in a score and 5 years from now?

[defetis]

Are you proposing my 10lbs of Mixture no.79 will be less than stellar in a score and 5 years from now?

Hey did you ever post an after pic of that rope you home made?