The AHAH Moment

[fastnbulbous]

I remember having this experience with cigars, where you just know that you found something that you like. Up until now I have enjoyed all of the bowls that I have smoked. But tonight I had one that made me stop and realize, this was a great one for me.

I took a break (not a wanted break) because of a trip to the east coast for work and family stuff. I came back and my first bowl was a C&D Sweet English. It was great to have a bowl but it did not quite hit the spot.

Tonight while watering the garden I had a bowl of MM Country gentlemen. I realized then that I will become a huge VaPer fan. I did not want it to end and I almost packed another right after I was done, but I couldn't because of things to do. But I am looking forward to my next bowl of MMCG.

Funny aside: I notice that I love smoking English and Virginias and love the smell left in my pipe from aromatics.

[Cool Breeze]

I definitely remember my first AHAH moment.

Early on in my pipe smoking journey I had tried several aromatics and while I loved the smell, the taste hadn't done anything for me.
I had a bowl of Orlik Golden Sliced and the clouds parted and the angels sang and all was right with the world.

Since then I've enjoyed every VA and Vaper I've tried. I've graduated to stronger blends than the OGS at this point, but it turned me on to VA blends.

I agree with you about the smell of an aromatic, both in the pipe and when it's being smoked. I just can't stand the taste of most of them. There are a few I can smoke. I do like a bowl of H&H Burley Kake sometimes.

[Lostmason]

For me the first blend that mad me stop in my tracks was Sutliff's Highlander, I know many of you aren't burley fans but I guess I am.I really enjoy the nuttiness that comes thru on some of them.

[Tobias Lutz]

Dan Sweet Vanilla Honeydew was my first "smokegasm" experience.

p.s. I'm copyrighting that term, BTW.

[c.ortiz108]

Mine was Mcconnell's Oriental. I'd enjoyed various different blends before that, but none that made me think "now this is why I started smoking pipes!" This is a noob opinion and there may well be better Oriental-forward blends out there - and I look forward to finding out.

[bluenoser]

I'm still in the enjoyed everything (m79 aside) but haven't had the ahah moment yet. The Captain black white that Tobias sent me has probably been one of my favorites so far but I still have lots in my tobacco cooler I haven't tried yet so there's bound to be one there.

[fastnbulbous]

Went back to this again tonight to double check.
Doing the same thing it was last night.
For now it is on my "to buy" list.

Towards the end of the bowl it gets so good!

[Haebar]

Aha moment: Peterson St. Patrick Day 2015 tobacco hadn't done much for me until I realized I wasn't drying it enough. The cube cut held out pockets of moisture deep within. I rubbed it out a little and left it overnight and it smoked great! Don't think I've had a more satisfying smoke from an aromatic.

[bluenoser]

Had some H+H Burley Kake tonight, the first time I've smoked a bowl of something and put serious thought into refilling the bowl for a second go. Even the wife (who claims it's all pure evil and everything tobacco stinks) said it smelled really good. I see some stocking up of this in the future.

[Bruck]

First AHA moment: English blends
Second AHA moment: VA flake