All good idea so far. My first thought was taken already, a good old pouch of Carter Hall in a cob with a Bic lighter. But sometimes it's not easy to find Carter Hall in the wild. Sometimes it's much easier to find a good cigar shop that sells pipe tobacco.
Either way, it would be good to go back to your tobacconist with $25 instead of $12. Pick up a cob and an ounce of something by Cornell and Diehl. Their blends tend to be pretty dry in bulk, no need for a drying time. And start smoking that cob. You can't hurt a cob. And if you manage to, they're easily replaceable.
Next, I would have a conversation with the guy behind the counter. In specialty retail, part of the upcharge is a knowledgeable staff. So talk to him. Either he knows about pipe smoking or knows who does. And nothing in the world, except experience, beats sitting down with someone face to face and him showing as you're going.
My first reaction after reading the OP was he's enjoying the flavor, he's enjoying the time spent smoking. Everything else is a detail. And I'll tell you a a general rule, your smokes get more and more pleasant and enjoyable.
Either way, it would be good to go back to your tobacconist with $25 instead of $12. Pick up a cob and an ounce of something by Cornell and Diehl. Their blends tend to be pretty dry in bulk, no need for a drying time. And start smoking that cob. You can't hurt a cob. And if you manage to, they're easily replaceable.
Next, I would have a conversation with the guy behind the counter. In specialty retail, part of the upcharge is a knowledgeable staff. So talk to him. Either he knows about pipe smoking or knows who does. And nothing in the world, except experience, beats sitting down with someone face to face and him showing as you're going.
My first reaction after reading the OP was he's enjoying the flavor, he's enjoying the time spent smoking. Everything else is a detail. And I'll tell you a a general rule, your smokes get more and more pleasant and enjoyable.
