Choices...

I've finally found (at least for now) two tobaccos that I seem to "go to" almost daily.  Well, sort of.  I've been working through some Peterson Irish Flake (not a mild smoke in the least) and have recently discovered the joys of Erinmore Flake (thanks to Dr. F.F. O'Reilly and Patrick Taylor).  I reach for the Erinmore two or three to one on the Irish Flake.  I've only been supplementing with a couple of the Peretti offerings I have (Oxford Flake and D-7485).  I've continued to work on some of my pipes (especially my Petersons) and by opening the draught holes and a little stem work I've never had such enjoyable smokes.  I've also found that sanding the bowl interior down to bare wood makes a tremendous difference.  But back to choices...I've found that I really enjoy these two tobaccos...and by smoking them with such frequency you get to know them...both have flavor galore, IF can muster enough kick to knock you flat, EF could easily become an "all-day, everyday" thing for me, both will bite and burn if you puff too hard or fast.  I've been making some choices trying to pare down some things and tobaccos has been one of those.  There is some comfort and contentment in simplicity.

Trying to catch up...

I've done another couple of refurbs since my last post and have photo sets for them...but alas still no links here...I plan to remedy that soon.

On the kitchen front...I've been tinkering with a sourdough starter for about the billionth time...most of my attempts have been utter failures and the few that worked were mostly tasteless and not really memorable (truly best forgotten to be honest).  I finally have a very active starter (doubles in eight hours or less, can be stirred down and doubles again in a matter of hours) and ran a test loaf today.  Not bad...didn't get the rise I wanted, but I just cut into it (sue me about cutting into warm bread) and I have a decent crumb structure and the flavor is pretty good...wheaty with a distinct, but not overwhelming tang.  I'll give the starter another week or so to develop the yeast/bacteria balance and then run another loaf.  The next loaf will also be of a lower hydration (this one was at 68% (really soft dough)...the next will be in the 60-65% range...seems to handle better with this flour blend).

Been away...been busy

Haven't posted in a while.  Been working on a couple of refurbs and have been about eyeball deep working around the house and in the kitchen.  Have been thoroughly enjoying my daily pipe though...put one of the refurbs into the rotation the other day...what a great smoker.  I'm not at 100% on the job...the finish needs some more work and the stem has a couple of problem spots, but it's a near straight grained beauty and for $11 I couldn't pass it up.  I've got pictures taken and organized, I just need to post them here...that's a task for another day.  I've also got the supplies now to do a repair - banding a cracked shank.  Will be working on that for the next day or so and will post pictures of that as well. 

Breaking in a "new" old pipe

I posted pictures of the Dr. Grabow Commodore I recently refurbed...was finally able to venture outside for a smoke today (been a marsh fire burning a few miles away that has kept the neighborhood filled).  First smoke was H&H Beverwyck...also got to break in my new tamper (made from a pipe I had been given some time back).  I think I did a decent job on the pipe...I'd opened the draw up and it was noticeable from the outset.  I experienced no ghosting or bitterness and was surprised how neutral the new mud floor was in the bottom of the bowl (I expected some flavor something but got nada).  My smoking has a variable rhythm and even at a quick pace the bowl barely got warm.  It was nice to be outside again...being cooped up has been a bit much the last couple of days.  Good to see the sun and breathe air that didn't smell like burning leaves. 

I've also picked up a couple of other to be refurbed items and will post the work on those as they arrive and progress.

First pipe restoration

Got this pipe the other day (Dr. Grabow Commodore) and it was in sore need of some work:

I didn't fully photo document the work...but this was when I reamed the bowl all the way down:

After reaming, I noted that the bottom of the bowl was well below the draft hole so I had to apply "pipe mud" and allow it to dry.  After much sweat and elbow grease these are the "after" photos:

I'm looking forward to testing out my cleaning and restoration as soon as conditions permit.  We've got a marsh fire burning not too far away and as the A/C runs the house smells like what I'm sure the curing of Latakia smells like and being outdoors is a hundred fold worse.

Open call to pipe makers

I post this knowing that a) no one is really likely to ever read it and b) even if they read it the chances of having this call filled is very unlikely.

I post this more for US Domestic pipe makers as sending tobacco abroad can be a dodgy area.  My request: two pipes, one classic straight saddle-bit billiard, one classic straight saddle-bit bulldog, of a Group 3 size (smaller is better than larger), with cumberland stems.  The finish is to be smooth and fills are to be avoided (having played with briar I understand that sometimes big pits occur and there isn't a way to sand it out or carry on without a fill), but grain pattern here isn't my concern (I like grain and am always astounded by (nearly) flawless straight and flame grained pipes, as well as those that exhibit birdseye patterns that go throughout the pipe, but they are the exception, not the rule).  The non-negotiable: the engineering...I've been playing around with some pipes I own and through personal experience I tend to agree with Rick Newcombe's internal design (as far as draft hole, mortise, etc.).  The pipes have to meet those guidelines.  Finish color is a negotiable - needs to look good with the Cumberland stem. 

What I offer:  One sealed 8 oz. tin of GL Pease Bohemian Scandal and two sealed 50g tins of Murray's era Dunhill MM956 that are at least 5-6 years old delivered to you.  Current estimated value of the tins is close to $200. 

Any takers?  You can contact me at r e n o l e s a t y a h o o d o t c o m if you are a maker who is interested in this offer.

Changes

I've long been an Anglophile...the English are an interesting people and their food and culture interest me greatly.  I visited London a few years ago (having long been a dream vacation) and was overwhelmed by their hospitality and courtesy.  At the time I was mostly a cigar guy and knowing some of the merchants came in handy.  But anyway...I digress.  Back to the point, or at least somewhere closer in the general vicinity. 

Change #1:  I've been a coffee drinker (or guzzler) for as long as I can remember.  Of late, I've been cutting back on coffee and drinking black tea (mostly English production).  I haven't encountered caffeine withdrawals and have been enjoying it equally as well as coffee.  I'm not giving up coffee, but the tea is winning out. 

Change #2:  I've been tinkering around with some of my pipes, opening draft holes, thorough cleaning, etc.  I've also been doing some restores (bought an older Grabow off eBay and had one given to me last Christmas) and learning a great deal.  I had a current production Kaywoodie Standard Billiard I had smoked once or twice and wasn't impressed (or disappointed).  About a week or so ago I cut the stinger (drinkless attachment) off just below the threads, filed it flat, and then lightly filed the interior of the remaining stub.  Fired it up today with Peretti's Royal Blend...cool, dry, flavor rich smoke...some pipes do respond better to certain tobaccos and this one was one of those...a fairly classic saddle bit billiard...with a rich English tobacco...near pipe nirvana. 

Which brings us to Change #3:  Royal Blend.  I've had this cellared for almost a year now and the change has been incredible.  At first it was a good tobacco, but the components had yet to "settle" together.  Today the Virginias were sweet, the Latakia smoky, and the Orientals were spicy and fragrant.  I've been away from Latakia/Orientals for the summer due to heat, buteven in the humid today it was a very good smoke.  Hopefully my employment condition changes soon and I can get more of Royal Blend to cellar.