What cigar (or pipe) did you smoke today?

[Kid Mac]

HudsonHawk,

Meerschaum pipes smoke cool and dry. From my experience they are not more work than a briar; as jamespowers suggests, they require less maintainence. With meerschaum pipes, unlike briar, you do not need to develop cake or break in the pipe. In fact, you don't want to form cake in a meer, so you want to thoroughly clean out the pipe bowl after smoking.

Now some smokers of Turkish meerschaums will be careful not to touch the bowl of the hot meerschaum pipe while smoking, fearing oils from the hand will affect how the pipe colors. I've never had that problem. Peterson and Barling meerschaum pipes are/were carved out of Manx meerschaum--African meerschaum carved on the Isle of Manx. Some smokers don't like African meerschaum as it is a bit heavier, but it is also tougher yet colors like Turkish meerschaum.

The only concern I'd have regarding smoking a meer is cold weather (i.e., winter cold). You don't want to go outside in cold weather with an already hot meerschaum pipe as the quick change in ambient temperature may cause the pipe to crack.

Oh, you may also find that some tobaccos taste better when smoked in a meerschaum. If you like pipes smoking, you should try out a meerschaum.

Smoking Dunhill Nightcap in a Barling meer.

Mac

 

[HudsonHawk]

HudsonHawk,

Meerschaum pipes smoke cool and dry. From my experience they are not more work than a briar; as jamespowers suggests, they require less maintainence. With meerschaum pipes, unlike briar, you do not need to develop cake or break in the pipe. In fact, you don't want to form cake in a meer, so you want to thoroughly clean out the pipe bowl after smoking.

Now some smokers of Turkish meerschaums will be careful not to touch the bowl of the hot meerschaum pipe while smoking, fearing oils from the hand will affect how the pipe colors. I've never had that problem. Peterson and Barling meerschaum pipes are/were carved out of Manx meerschaum--African meerschaum carved on the Isle of Manx. Some smokers don't like African meerschaum as it is a bit heavier, but it is also tougher yet colors like Turkish meerschaum.

The only concern I'd have regarding smoking a meer is cold weather (i.e., winter cold). You don't want to go outside in cold weather with an already hot meerschaum pipe as the quick change in ambient temperature may cause the pipe to crack.

Oh, you may also find that some tobaccos taste better when smoked in a meerschaum. If you like pipes smoking, you should try out a meerschaum.

Smoking Dunhill Nightcap in a Barling meer.

Mac

Thanks for the info. It's on my list!

 

[jamespowers]

But is it more delicate to handle. Most I've seen come in a special case, and I've heard guys say you shouldn't touch them barehanded. Don't know if that's true or not, but I gather they're rather fragile, no?

I have a two hundred year old one. They'll survive being touched and not being babied. The worst thing you can do by touching it is give it a tannish patina. I don't want mine to be sparkling white----it just isn't manly to me.
If you drop them on the ground they could break though as they are essentially pottery so just be careful. You really don't want to drop a lit pipe no matter what it is made of though. The same rules apply as a briar pipe----mostly do not burn out the pipe by smoking it until it gets too hot for your touch.

I like them and I smoke an old plain tannish one fairly often. You reminded me that I can get it out when I go home after dinner. Thanks!

 

[maduro 5]

I know that, I was just saying that it was not that long for the enjoyment.

are any Hemingway cigars have the same taste. I tried a Classic but they are not the same.

 

[jamespowers]

are any Hemingway cigars have the same taste. I tried a Classic but they are not the same.

Gee, I don't have much experience with that brand. I have no idea. If you like that style of cigar, try the new offerings from Christian Eiroa Camacho. They are fairly bold.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Illusione CG4, with a bottle of Pulenta chardonnay.

 

[Kid Mac]

McClelland Deep Hollow in a Peterson bulldog.

Mac

 

[SvH]

Orlik Golden Sliced in a corn cob.
Every time I grab my corn cob for a smoke, I'm pleasantly surprised by its smoking qualities.

 

[maduro 5]

Gee, I don't have much experience with that brand. I have no idea. If you like that style of cigar, try the new offerings from Christian Eiroa Camacho. They are fairly bold.

Camacho has 5 different lines, I will stick to Cubans....

 

[jamespowers]

Camacho has 5 different lines, I will stick to Cubans....

In that case, anything Partagas is fine. You need a box of Lusitanias.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Camacho has 5 different lines, I will stick to Cubans....

I know no US citizens here smoke Cubans, because that would be illegal. And it's all about law and order...

 

[jamespowers]

HudsonHawk,

Meerschaum pipes smoke cool and dry. From my experience they are not more work than a briar; as jamespowers suggests, they require less maintainence. With meerschaum pipes, unlike briar, you do not need to develop cake or break in the pipe. In fact, you don't want to form cake in a meer, so you want to thoroughly clean out the pipe bowl after smoking.

Now some smokers of Turkish meerschaums will be careful not to touch the bowl of the hot meerschaum pipe while smoking, fearing oils from the hand will affect how the pipe colors. I've never had that problem. Peterson and Barling meerschaum pipes are/were carved out of Manx meerschaum--African meerschaum carved on the Isle of Manx. Some smokers don't like African meerschaum as it is a bit heavier, but it is also tougher yet colors like Turkish meerschaum.

The only concern I'd have regarding smoking a meer is cold weather (i.e., winter cold). You don't want to go outside in cold weather with an already hot meerschaum pipe as the quick change in ambient temperature may cause the pipe to crack.

Oh, you may also find that some tobaccos taste better when smoked in a meerschaum. If you like pipes smoking, you should try out a meerschaum.

Smoking Dunhill Nightcap in a Barling meer.

Mac

I didn't see this until now but you are exactly right.

 

[jamespowers]

I know no US citizens here smoke Cubans, because that would be illegal. And it's all about law and order...

Exactly.

 

[Kid Mac]

Sam Gawith Grousemoor in a Peterson meerschaum system.
Mac

 

[maduro 5]

I know no US citizens here smoke Cubans, because that would be illegal. And it's all about law and order...

I am north of you and we have no restrictions on Cuban cigars. Canada does not produce it's own cigars and because of Canadian system of taxation Dominican, Honduran and other variety do cost as much as Cubans. As the matter of fact the cigars in Canada cost more than in UK.I do travel to Europe on business every other month and in Europe non-Cuban cigars are more expensive than Cubans. Therefore I will stick to Cubans.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I am north of you and we have no restrictions on Cuban cigars. Canada does not produce it's own cigars and because of Canadian system of taxation Dominican, Honduran and other variety do cost as much as Cubans. As the matter of fact the cigars in Canada cost more than in UK.I do travel to Europe on business every other month and in Europe non-Cuban cigars are more expensive than Cubans. Therefore I will stick to Cubans.

I understand that. As I said, it's a US restriction. It's illegal for a US citizen to purchase a Cuban cigar, anywhere in the world. I was just making a tongue in cheek statement about the general view most Americans have of the situation.

 

[jamespowers]

I think I'll fire up my last Partagas Serie D No. 4.

 

[maduro 5]

I think I'll fire up my last Partagas Serie D No. 4.

LOL, I am out of D4 myself but I am off to Frankfurt on Monday and I know where to find a new supply.

 

[jamespowers]

LOL, I am out of D4 myself but I am off to Frankfurt on Monday and I know where to find a new supply.

I have to get another box myself.

 

[maduro 5]

I understand that. As I said, it's a US restriction. It's illegal for a US citizen to purchase a Cuban cigar, anywhere in the world. I was just making a tongue in cheek statement about the general view most Americans have of the situation.

actually I know that for a lot of Americans Cuban cigars are off limit but the sheer choice of alternative cigars available to an American cigar smokers is truly amazing. In terms of price/quality ratio US market is unparalleled.