Return to Cobs (an informal diary)

[NeverBend]

@Coolbreeze started a thread on this forum, Who Else Prefers a Cob? and I realized that I couldn’t give a meaningful response, it simply had been too long since I’d smoked a cob and my technique improved after I’d last smoked them.

So I decided to give cobs another go and I’ll add some comments in this thread about my experience with them.

Today I received a shipment from P&C that included a MM Diplomat (of course it was straight ).



The Diplomat was bigger and better made than the cobs that I’ve tried before with a more secure draw. The walls are thick (nice), bowl decent size and the mechanics were good enough. I loaded it with McClelland Tawny Flake that I’ve been smoking lately.

The flavor was muted with a consistent but mild taste of corn and while there was sufficient smoke it was hot from the start. Burned faster than I’m used to but I did get the heat under control until the end. Burned to the bottom with little dottle remaining. Good initial char throughout the bowl.

McClelland Tawny Flake was a poor choice. The flavor isn’t bad but it’s elusive and getting a rhythm is a bit difficult and when I did the cob got hot. The cob did masked the tobaccos acid but some of it’s flavor as well. I smoked outside but I always do.

Going forward I intend to buy a second cob. I’ll stay away from McClelland flakes (high sugar) and try it with Gawith Hoggarth flakes or latakia mixtures.

From a comfort standpoint the stem isn’t one that I can clench easily and I can see why guys buy Forever Stems but I’m not fond of molded stems on briars either.

It’s far too early to make any comparison and I’ll give the cobs at least 10 smokes each first.