Public Profile

MICHAEL J. H.

About Me:

25 year Retired Navy Chief. Recently re-introduced to pipe smoking I'm wondering why I haven't started sooner!

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Reviews

Cornell & Diehl - Visions of Celephaïs 2oz
Very Unique
By far the most interesting tin note I have encountered, for some reason it reminds me of what a Halloween bag full of candy smells like. The flavor is unique too, a little spicy, smooth, floral. Oh, and ZERO tongue bite! Overall very satisfying. I'd definitely order it again.

McConnell - Code: Relax 100g
Sweet? Am I missing something?
I tried this tobacco on two separate occasions with two different pipes and the results were the same, tongue bite from hell, chemical taste, burnt flavor. I could not identify the flavors of the tin note, all I sensed was burn burn burn. I am a aromatic fan, but this stuff is just not for me.

Solani - X - Sweet Mystery 100g
Not what I was expecting
The tin note was promising, fruity, sweet, delicious. Packed half a bowl, applied flame, took a draw and boom! My mouth was on fire! Tongue bite? No sir, MOUTH BITE! This stuff instantly stung every surface of my mouth, from tongue to gums to roof to soft pallet. I was in dismay. So I kept on sipping away, praying the flavor would come, but noooooooo, the chemical taste did not avert. It's like the smells in the tin were a scent rather than a flavoring. I like aromatics, but this has to be the most miserable smoke I have ever had. Dry, acidic, stingy. Retail price is $42.50!?!?! I could buy a pouch of Captain Black and soak it in Drano to get the same effect. No offence to those who enjoy this tobacco, but it simply is not for me.

Lane Limited - Very Cherry
Tastes Like Cherries
Who'd-a thunk it? Good cherry flavor, burns good and smells great!

Lighters - John Aylesbury Dark Gunmetal Jet Lighter
It lights!
Very stylish lighter. It works great and includes a fuel level window so no second guessing if the butane entered the lighter or just sprayed all over your hand.

Stands & Pouches - Brigham 2 Pipe Bag with Tobacco Pouch Vintage
Perfect Fit
This pouch fits my oddly shaped Nording pipes very well. Plenty of room for larger sized pipes without forcing the zipper closed and no bulging. I like the separate tobacco pouch, more convenient for loading the pipe.

Cornell & Diehl - Awakened Elder 2oz
I digg it!
Love the Cthulhu theme! The flavor is spicy with hints of cedar, the Latakia isn't overbearing, and as a regular aromatic smoker I enjoyed this English blend.

Arturo Fuente - Double Chateau Fuente Natural
A Great Cigar
These were sold in my Ship's store and as someone who doesn't smoke many cigars, these were pretty good. It is the second cigar from this company I have tried and I am becoming a fan of Arturo Fuente!

Reiner - Professional 100g
Reminds me of Tea
A nice aromatic with citrusy notes and a hint of English Tea.

Lane Limited - RLP-6
Tastes like chicken
Ha! Got ya to read my review. Seriously though the addition of burley to this blend offers more strength and taste than 1-Q, but less sweetness. So if you're a fan of stronger aromatic tobaccos this you may like this better than 1-Q. Personally I like 1-Q better, but it is still a good blend.

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Brigham Bristle Pipe Cleaners (75 pack)
Gets the job done
These work great. Just be sure to blow your stem out after using, you'll inhale a lint ball if you don't.

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Churchwarden Pipe Cleaners (32 pack)
Length to spare!
These pipe cleaners clean my churchwarden without issue. Plenty long enough to reach all the way through with room to spare.

G. L. Pease - Gaslight 2oz
Too Powerful for Me
As a fan of the aromatic variety I was overpowered by this blend. Though I can appreciate the complexity, the Latakia is overpowering to me. As a rookie I need to refine my pallet and let this one sit a while.

G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights 2oz
Not for me
While I can appreciate the complexity of this tobacco, it's not my favorite. I am more of an aromatic smoker, so these English blends tend to be a bit strong for me in my personal opinion. Though the aroma is striking and enjoyable, the taste of the Latakia is a bit overpowering to me. I also suffer from a lack of a refined pallet for fine tobaccos, so forgive me in that regard please.

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Pipemaster Clean and Cure 2oz
Works Great
This solution works perfectly for removing stubborn tobacco film from the stem and it cleans the bowl very well.

A&C Petersen - Escudo Navy Deluxe 50g
A plesant smoke
As a rather new pipe smoker I was surprised at the difference between the smell and taste of this tobacco. The smell is sweet and pungent, but the taste is good and more earthy. The powerful nicotine level caught me off guard a bit and had to pace myself a little more until I got used to it. Over all a good tobacco.

Sutliff - Molto Dolce 1.5oz
Very Good
A delicious blend with vanilla and marshmallow notes having a very pleasant aroma. A nice treat at the end of the day. I did not have any issues with moisture build up smoking it fresh out of the tin like others have stated.

Arturo Fuente - Flor Fina 8-5-8 Natural
Perfect!
For someone who isn't a huge cigar smoker this is one I thoroughly enjoyed to the very end. The taste, though mild, was pleasant and did not turn bitter at the end. The aroma was not overpowering, and my mouth didn't taste like formaldehyde for the rest of the day like with some cigars. This one definitely makes it to my favorites list.

Tampers & Tools - Rattray's The Bone Tamper Chrome Satin
Its a Tamp
What can one say about a pipe tamper? It tamps. But in all seriousness it has classic modern styling with a nice weight to it. The built in scraper is a big plus too.

Lane Limited - 1-Q
My Everyday
I am a fan of aromatic tobaccos and this one brings me back to the old days. That wonderful sweet smell that even non-smokers enjoy. The light flavor and pleasant aromas make this my go-to for every day pipe smoking.

Stands & Pouches - Chacom Leather 2 Pipe Case with Pouch Retro Brown
Nice but Small
The leather is very nice, rubber lined pouch for the tobacco is a nice touch, but this bag is very small. Barely fits one of my Nording pipes. The pipe storage is narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. This tapered shape is not conducive to having unique shaped bowls and forget putting two pipes in there, unless they are small.