I started getting into cigars in April! I went to a cigar shop, said “i dont know anything” and he gave me 2 light, to medium, and 2 bold/dark cigars. I liked the bold ones! Theyre “my father the judge” by the garcia brothers. I dont know a lot about cigars--i should probably do research into what ive got but really the appeal is the ritual and recreation. I havent found a smoking spot at my new apartment yet so o havent smoked an innaugural cigar, but my BIL is big into cigars and weve smoked together once, im looking forward to getting to know him better.
I enjoy the ritual around these--but I HATE fetishizing it as can easily be done if not careful. Make cigars or smoking a part of your life, but dont use them to substitute personality. Im not opposed to pipes but id like to figure out cigars more first! I have started taping the cigar wraps in my journal so i can preserve them and write a little something about the occasion.
Smoking, like whiskey, is one of those recreations that can be enjoyed in moderation and help make life enjoyable. I think it was ben franklin who said that “beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy”.
Glad to hear youre a tobacco enjoyer--i am determined to break out my cigars this week so youve given me some resolve!
I have noted the empty-stomach issue, I try to smoke after a meal now. If it stops raining i'll have a cigar tonight and just sit out in the parking lot! The best smoking spot has been taken by my neighbors and it's usually not tobacco 😂
I’d add this to what Whalther said: an instant cure to cigar queasiness is sugar. Even a small amount--a sip of regular Coke, a handful of M&Ms--works immediately.
For a brief period when I was like 19-20 years old I picked up pipe smoking as a self-conscious affectation, and would drive around listening to very abrasive punk music or surf rock puffing out the window of the Jeep Cherokee. Definitely more enjoyable than cigars or cigarettes.
Also, you neglected to mention snuff, which I think activates the angry primordial lizard brain remnants of the soul.
Yeah, I left it out on purpose since I haven't used it. I can only imagine the creator of snuff going: "You know what would be good? Snorting tobacco dust." I like instant gratification as much as the next guy but snorting stuff is where I draw the line.
At that time (my memory grows hazy as I approach 40) it was probably Dead Kennedys, The Exploited, NOFX, the Dead Milkmen, Beach Boys, Dick Dale, and Man or Astro-Man?.
I'm only familiar with snuff because of a friend of mine in college from Tennessee who invented the tobacco trifecta, a test of nicotinous fortitude where the subject had to dip, smoke a camel double wide, and do snuff at the same time 😂
It would and did... after all, it was the inciting event for the invention of the Bucket of Shame, which anyone trying the tobacco trifecta had to wear for dorm cleanliness purposes
This is actually something my friends and I realized in college! We weren't into 'smoking', but we realized that sitting with a pipe as friends led to deeper conversation. What a great essay. I'm sharing it with exactly those friends and inviting them to another smoke.
I just re-started the Lord of the Rings and read the section "Concerning Pipe Weed" in the introduction as I was putting the girls down. This feels fitting!
Oh hey babe, thank you for your understanding of my smoking habits. You're the best.
I don't know if my emotions change based on what I smoke but I do think that my disposition toward each one of these is different. Cigarettes are all reward, no effort. Cigars take some effort, and depending on the flavor profile of the cigar, the reward could be there or not. With pipes there's more of a ritual to it, open the tin of tobacco, pack the pipe, light it, tamp it, light it again if it goes out. It could get more involved. However, I'd say that if you rush cigars or pipes you'll pay for it. The advantage with the pipe is that you could put more or less tobacco in the bowl and decide how long you want to smoke for. Or leave it sitting until the next day and re light it. So, flexibility comes in the picture. I also think you may find pipe tobacco smoke less unpleasant than the other two. I feel like I rambled, I hope this makes sense.
Yeah, cigarettes are gross to me now. I enjoy corncob pipes, mine has excellent draw and I like that I can put it down on a flat surface and it stays there.
I'll take your word on the traditional wet shaving. I don't remember the last time I shaved my face. But yes, there is a link between contemplation and pipes for sure.
I'd be interested to try the Haunted Bookshop and Speakeasy ones just because of the names. Right now I have G. L. Pease Quiet Nights, Presbyterian Mixture, and Hearth & Home Smoky Mountain. Would you be interested in down a tobacco swap? Assuming you're in the US.
As for pipe tobacco I'd say start with an aromatic blend. Check out The Pipe Cottage YT channel, Mr. Harrelson has video reviews of several pipe tobacco.
I started getting into cigars in April! I went to a cigar shop, said “i dont know anything” and he gave me 2 light, to medium, and 2 bold/dark cigars. I liked the bold ones! Theyre “my father the judge” by the garcia brothers. I dont know a lot about cigars--i should probably do research into what ive got but really the appeal is the ritual and recreation. I havent found a smoking spot at my new apartment yet so o havent smoked an innaugural cigar, but my BIL is big into cigars and weve smoked together once, im looking forward to getting to know him better.
I enjoy the ritual around these--but I HATE fetishizing it as can easily be done if not careful. Make cigars or smoking a part of your life, but dont use them to substitute personality. Im not opposed to pipes but id like to figure out cigars more first! I have started taping the cigar wraps in my journal so i can preserve them and write a little something about the occasion.
Smoking, like whiskey, is one of those recreations that can be enjoyed in moderation and help make life enjoyable. I think it was ben franklin who said that “beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy”.
Glad to hear youre a tobacco enjoyer--i am determined to break out my cigars this week so youve given me some resolve!
Do it.
Oh PS i have only smoked one cigar without feeling queasy. Is that because im rushing it? Or am i just a neophyte?
You may be rushing it. Do you smoke cigars on an empty stomach? I usually have a cigar after a meal and that helps with the queasiness.
I have noted the empty-stomach issue, I try to smoke after a meal now. If it stops raining i'll have a cigar tonight and just sit out in the parking lot! The best smoking spot has been taken by my neighbors and it's usually not tobacco 😂
I’d add this to what Whalther said: an instant cure to cigar queasiness is sugar. Even a small amount--a sip of regular Coke, a handful of M&Ms--works immediately.
I left the drinks behind 14 years ago, but the fellowship remains. 💪🏻
Cigars rule for all the reasons you laid out. I’m enjoying a Padron 3000 Maduro as I write this. Cheers!
I'm getting together with some friends on Wednesday night for drinks and cigars. Cheers!
Also love PwA channel AND a massive cigar-smoking Catholic myself. Great piece.
For a brief period when I was like 19-20 years old I picked up pipe smoking as a self-conscious affectation, and would drive around listening to very abrasive punk music or surf rock puffing out the window of the Jeep Cherokee. Definitely more enjoyable than cigars or cigarettes.
Also, you neglected to mention snuff, which I think activates the angry primordial lizard brain remnants of the soul.
What punk/surf rock bands were you listening to?
Yeah, I left it out on purpose since I haven't used it. I can only imagine the creator of snuff going: "You know what would be good? Snorting tobacco dust." I like instant gratification as much as the next guy but snorting stuff is where I draw the line.
At that time (my memory grows hazy as I approach 40) it was probably Dead Kennedys, The Exploited, NOFX, the Dead Milkmen, Beach Boys, Dick Dale, and Man or Astro-Man?.
I'm only familiar with snuff because of a friend of mine in college from Tennessee who invented the tobacco trifecta, a test of nicotinous fortitude where the subject had to dip, smoke a camel double wide, and do snuff at the same time 😂
wowzer, that would for sure turn someone's face green.
It would and did... after all, it was the inciting event for the invention of the Bucket of Shame, which anyone trying the tobacco trifecta had to wear for dorm cleanliness purposes
This is actually something my friends and I realized in college! We weren't into 'smoking', but we realized that sitting with a pipe as friends led to deeper conversation. What a great essay. I'm sharing it with exactly those friends and inviting them to another smoke.
Thank you reading and sharing!
I just re-started the Lord of the Rings and read the section "Concerning Pipe Weed" in the introduction as I was putting the girls down. This feels fitting!
I haven't read it, I'm intrigued now.
1. No
2. Nothing because I don't smoke
3. Maybe?? I do feel like you nailed it when you married the pipe and good conversation.
4. This made me LOL
5. Do you feel an emotional difference when you smoke a pipe or cigar vs cigarettes?
Oh hey babe, thank you for your understanding of my smoking habits. You're the best.
I don't know if my emotions change based on what I smoke but I do think that my disposition toward each one of these is different. Cigarettes are all reward, no effort. Cigars take some effort, and depending on the flavor profile of the cigar, the reward could be there or not. With pipes there's more of a ritual to it, open the tin of tobacco, pack the pipe, light it, tamp it, light it again if it goes out. It could get more involved. However, I'd say that if you rush cigars or pipes you'll pay for it. The advantage with the pipe is that you could put more or less tobacco in the bowl and decide how long you want to smoke for. Or leave it sitting until the next day and re light it. So, flexibility comes in the picture. I also think you may find pipe tobacco smoke less unpleasant than the other two. I feel like I rambled, I hope this makes sense.
*me to your rambling* 😍😍😍
Yeah, cigarettes are gross to me now. I enjoy corncob pipes, mine has excellent draw and I like that I can put it down on a flat surface and it stays there.
I'll take your word on the traditional wet shaving. I don't remember the last time I shaved my face. But yes, there is a link between contemplation and pipes for sure.
I'd be interested to try the Haunted Bookshop and Speakeasy ones just because of the names. Right now I have G. L. Pease Quiet Nights, Presbyterian Mixture, and Hearth & Home Smoky Mountain. Would you be interested in down a tobacco swap? Assuming you're in the US.
I sent you an email.
I don't know if it's less foolish, maybe?
As for pipe tobacco I'd say start with an aromatic blend. Check out The Pipe Cottage YT channel, Mr. Harrelson has video reviews of several pipe tobacco.