In the past, through trial and error, I let the pipe choose which type of tobacco it preferred. It eventually sunk in that wider bowled pipes like Lat blends; narrower, deeper bowls welcome Virginias. This eyeball and forefinger approach worked so consistently for me that I stopped experimenting. PA is my break in blend, and then I dedicate pipe to tobacco by bowl size. This leaves some pipes "in the middle." Sometimes, these pipes will eventually announce a preference, but often as not, they prove to belong to the honorable order of "good smokers." So I've ended up with maybe a dozen pipes for English, an equal number for Vas, and the majority are whatever, whenever pipes. At one time, I set out to dedicate all my pipes, but the process quickly became annoying and didn't compensate with any special benefit. I now think having a large group of undedicated briars is a good thing. I've found visiting ghosts in my "whatever, whenever" group can be
pleasant, not unwelcome at all. Or maybe it's neither the pipes or tobacco, I've just aged into a "whatever, whenever" sort of person.
pleasant, not unwelcome at all. Or maybe it's neither the pipes or tobacco, I've just aged into a "whatever, whenever" sort of person.
