One of my favorite pleasures of pipe smoking is the day after. Early in my pipe smoking life, and for probably the first several years after, the day following a pipe was marked by a thoroughly charred, gritty mouth. This was because I had not yet learned to appreciate my pipe. Taking large, greedy puffs, I attacked my pipe smoking much like a lioness may attack some fleetfooted prey. The result? The smoke died and took my tongue with it. Some years of wisdom changed the experience. Now pipe smoking is left with few, if any undesirable mouth feelings (especially when dealing with well known pipes and tobaccos that have become old friends). The enjoyment of the tobacco at its own pace, in gentle sips, has given me great reward for some years. The mystery of the chemistry I cannot explain. But one of my favorite experiences is the slight hint of aftertaste as much as 24 hours after. Even after several brushings and mouthwashings (two to be exact) and two good meals I can still detect a hint of everything I smoked the night before. I love these surprises!
Last night I enjoyed three bowls of tobacco with a dear friend. Today I was reminded of the pleasant and meaningful conversation we shared by tasting in turn the richness of the first bowl of Dunhill 965, the frank beautiful simplicity of a bowl of Velvet and the full sweetness of Black Gold Plus. With the memory of those sweet tobaccos coming in turn the memory of the gentle and genuine conversation drifts to and fro like gentle puffs of smoke on the evening breeze. What a blessed thing to enjoy a pipe and the company of another dear like-minded brother in Christ. What a great blessing this!
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