I’m back.
After a hiatus of few years I’m back into pipe smoking. It appears that the same cycle takes place. I stop smoking my pipes for the most part due to a scalded tongue. With age comes wisdom and it’s clear that the culprits are smoking too often and becoming interested in the more aficionado type blends that have the bane of my tongue as a main ingredient, demon Virginia Tobacco. Over the years I ditched the stinky ugly vulcanite bits and went to only acrylic. Then I realized that a 9mm filter doesn’t remove flavor but protects the tongue and now I eschew blends that feature Virginia’s. My profile is otherwise relatively accurate with these corrections.
Long time on and off pipe smoker since age 15 (now 64). I enjoy both pipes and cigars in moderation not habitually which I believe diminishes the experience. Sometimes I'm more of a cigar smoker, sometimes I prefer pipes. I do find cigars much easier on the tongue. However the ritual of smoking a pipe is unequaled.

When I first, like so many others before me and after me, began pipe smoking I innocently puffed away on pleasant smelling but sometimes mouth scalding aromatic blends. Fortunately some years past I discovered English and Balkan blends which is what I primarily smoke these days. I've tried VaPer blends and the like which I find revolting in both smell and taste and too high in what some on this site refer to as vitamin N. The English blends i prefer generally don't include any Perique. I am currently enjoying smoking old fashioned "Codger" Burley blends like the recreated knockoff of Edgeworth Ready Rub and so-called "American-English blends" that include Burley and Cavendish tobaccos. I am liking the Edgar G.Robinson's blend very much these days, enough that the tin is disappearing. I also enjoy a few mild and simple aromatic blends from time to time including the infamous Black Cavendish, an ingredient that I often include in my own home-made mixtures.

I always try to enjoy both pipes and cigars with an appropriately matched beverage, Scotch whisky, fine tea, coffee or liquer. I usually enjoy a fine pipe tobacco along with tea served properly in a fine china cup and a collector worthy teapot.