Surprisingly, Smoking Tobacco From A Pipe May Have Health Benefits

While visiting Gloucester, MA James Pringle, of the Boston Globe, who met RK on one of his visits to the fishing port of Gloucester, Mass., found him friendly and unpretentious. He wrote:

...he affected no fine raiment or sought notice by distinctive attire. While here he wore a suit of brownish tweed which might have been picked out from a lot on a ready-made counter at the prevailing price for a suit of that quality in those days, $15... Inseparable was the pipe of French briar.."

Although Kipling was well know for smoking a pipe, he was often photographed with a cigar and is the author of well know quote: "A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke."

(The following is borrowed from BBC.co.uk Historic Figures )

Kipling was an English writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He is best known for his poems and stories set in India during the period of British imperial rule.

Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India, on 30 December 1865. His father was an artist and teacher. In 1870, Kipling was taken back to England to stay with a foster family in Southsea and then to go to boarding school in Devon. In 1882, he returned to India and worked as a journalist, writing poetry and fiction in his spare time. Books such as 'Plain Tales from the Hills' (1888) gained success in England, and in 1889 Kipling went to live in London.

Presbyterian Mixture contains Latakia tips (the highest leaves of the plant used to make Latakia) in a modest amount, along with premium-quality Virginias, and select small-leaf Orientals. It's a mellow yet complex blend that makes a perfect introduction to Latakia blends, and won't tire your taste buds. It's especially nice with a morning cup of coffee.

Nelson gave me this so I will write my thoughts on Presbyterian Mixture and give him something for the Gazette. Guess he didn’t much like it. In the tin, the smell was just tobacco with not one element  predominate. My first thought, upon lighting up was; Man, this is strong stuff! It caused quite a tingle on my tongue and mouth that stayed with me long after the bowl was finished. At that time, I was thinking I didn’t want to go any further with it, but the next day I figured that wasn’t fair and would continue with it the rest of the week.I discovered Presbyterian Mixture needs to be smoked very slowly; probably because of its thin and daintily-cut elements. It cooled down some and the flavor increased. By Friday, about half way through a wide chambered bowl, it settled into a soft smoke. The problem is, I cannot discern any flavors other than tobacco. Very little, if any, sweetness comes through from the Virginia, or smokiness from the  Latakia. Perhaps they are shadowed by the other Orientals in the mixture. Is that why it’s called a mixture rather than a blend?
All that being said, I don’t believe it is a tobacco I want in my stable; although knowing how tobacco flavor seems to change from time to time, for reasons I do not comprehend, I might continue trying it occasionally, but only in a large chambered pipe smoked very slowly Presbyterian Mixture has a fine reputation and many smokers like it. You might too. I think I am so used to the (standard) English blends that perhaps I can’t appreciate this one.   - Ernie Whitenack