From: ????????????????????????????
Subject: Pipal Infallibility

Our Benevolent Sponsor offers:

>I'm playing around with a reviewing system for tobacco, and
>would like to share it with you and get your comments and suggestions
>
>		STEVE'S PATENTED TOBACCO REVIEW SYSTEM
>		--------------------------------------
>Ratings:
>	**** Outstanding; I'll make this a regular for sure.
>	***  Very good; a nice "rotation" smoke.
>	**   OK, once in a while.
>	*    Not very good.

You're obviously a die-hard pipe smoker;  I'd have included :
             Even makes bad fertilizer
        ^- zero stars


>Other things to note:
>---------------------
>
>[ I've been writing a paragraph or two about the tobacco, and trying
>to note these things. Sometimes, I succeed! ]
>
>- Burning characteristics: time, number of relights, ash produced.

I guess I'm not very good a pipe smoking; at least, not very efficient.
I smoke mostly dark cavendishes, which are relatively tough to keep going
in the first place; and I suspect my tamping technique leaves much to be
desired.  In any case, I tend to have to light frequently.  Of course,
a light Virginia will require fewer lights, even for me.  

In any case, I might suggest that a more useful measure is 
"Ease of Burning", (easy, moderate, difficult, use napalm), which would,
of course, be relative to the individual smoker.




Now, on another matter:

> A bit harsh on the upper palate when blown through the nose. 
>Moderate nicotine buzz afterward.

How many pipe smokers actually inhale the stuff ?  My dad taught me
that pipe smoke isn't to be inhaled, but rather drawn into the mouth and 
puffed out.  Likewise, cigars.

Seems as though most pipe smokers I know agree, but I've met a few
(mostly ex-cigarette smokers) who inhale to the lungs.  I can recall trying
it a few times when I was young and foolish; my old cavendish produced
quite a rush this way,  and got me wondering what exactly went into
flavoring the tobacco, and what it turned into when burned... I stopped
inhaling right away 8-)

Not trying to condemn anyone, of course; whatever floats your boat.


Finally, speaking of cigars; thanks to whoever it was that mentioned
Partagas cigars a few issues back.   I was killing time at a local smoke
shop, and, in between trying a couple bowls of new tobacco blends, noticed
their humidor.   Idly looking, I espied a box of Partagas cigars, and
a chime went off in my head.  I bought one and smoked it on the spot, while
getting something of an education in the ways of the cigar from the 
shopowner.

I must say, I enjoyed the smoke  !  A subtly different sensation from the
pipe, neither better nor worse; just different.  Having previously smoked
cigars on a college budget (i.e., A&C's or Dutch Masters 8-(  ) I had
written them off as an uncouth, and rather Freudian, habit; needless to
say, I've seen the light, and now enjoy the occasional Partagas or
Plieades.  Thanks for tip !