Stonehaven....hard to smoke?

[CigarStone]

Like most things, when I do something I usually go all in. I bought a couple of bags of Stonehaven 11 or 12 years ago and then gave up pipe smoking for a long time. I have recently gotten back into it and I have tried Stonehaven numerous times with very little luck on the packing/burn. I was on a pipe forum for a while and the gents there concluded that Stonehaven was just plain persnickity! It smells so amazing and when you get a good puff it is comparable to none.

Has anyone figured out how to prep, pack, and smoke it?

 

[Scap]

Is it wet?

 

[CigarStone]

No, it has been perfectly maintained but I understand that it is common for it to separate into little toothpicks upon rubbing. And I have communicated with a number of Esoterica whores who say it is just temperamental. I just wondered if anyone here has either had the same problem or if they have figured it out.

 

[alwayslit]

Personally, I'd let it dry out some more and see if that works. I don't remember having an issue with this tobacco. Now If you're talking about SG FVF that is a pita to keep lit no matter how long you have it out to dry.

 

[CigarStone]

I bought 2 8 oz bags of it in 2008 and opened one right then but still have most of it. I wasn't aware that my unopened bag was worth a lot of money and so I opened it a while back to jar it, ..........oh well.

 

[CigarStone]

Personally, I'd let it dry out some more and see if that works. I don't remember having an issue with this tobacco. Now If you're talking about SG FVF that is a pita to keep lit no matter how long you have it out to dry.

I went as far as to buy 60% and 72% Boveda packs and put some in each and still couldn't get it right. It's probably just me.

 

[Scap]

I went as far as to buy 60% and 72% Boveda packs and put some in each and still couldn't get it right. It's probably just me.

That's too moist.
Set a bowl's worth out for a few hours or even overnight to see how it smokes

 

[alwayslit]

That's too moist.
Set a bowl's worth out for a few hours or even overnight to see how it smokes

.......this. I'd even throw some in the microwave for instant gratification.

 

[CigarStone]

That's too moist.
Set a bowl's worth out for a few hours or even overnight to see how it smokes

Have you had good luck with this? I have done this but still have little tobacco toothpicks which don't rub out very good and I don't want to mess with it. Out of the 16 ounces I bought I have smoked maybe 5 bowls. One was phenomenal and the rest were a struggle.

I will trade the rest for cigars.

 

[Scap]

Have you had good luck with this? I have done this but still have little tobacco toothpicks which don't rub out very good and I don't want to mess with it. Out of the 16 ounces I bought I have smoked maybe 5 bowls. One was phenomenal and the rest were a struggle.

I will trade the rest for cigars.

Can't say that I've ever had that blend, but some of my more difficult to burn experiences were remedied by setting out what I wanted to smoke until it got crispy.

 

[CigarStone]

Can't say that I've ever had that blend, but some of my more difficult to burn experiences were remedied by setting out what I wanted to smoke until it got crispy.

I do that with virtually anything I smoke. Some guys on the pipe smoking forum I frequent say they've figured it out and the tobacco toothpicks are normal. I know when it is right, it is heaven! When you open the jar, it literally smells good enough to eat! But it's too valuable for me to play with.