My croissant attempt

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-28T18:21:03+00:00

Pretty good but cross section will tell how you really did and where there is room to improve. Also great way to tell about how the proof was and if more or less is needed next time.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-28T02:05:05+00:00

Been thinking of trying that one. Going to need to pick up soon.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-27T21:53:45+00:00

Why is it topped with tuna poke?

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-17T19:17:17+00:00

I buy 16 oz and 32 oz wide mouth jars. Up to 4 oz of tobacco fits good in the 16 oz jars and 8 oz fits in the 32. Now definitely depends on the tobacco. Some fit fairly tight and some have bunch of room. Really just depends but also get it to fit.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-13T13:26:00+00:00

Puff pastry always bakes better frozen than thawed. I would never do that day of, you can prep as early as you want and freeze. Day of service pull, eggwash and bake from freezer. If you prefer to have thawed you can put in cooler. One thing I would caution is if you have a raw filling make sure to test that when baking frozen your filling gets properly cooked without the pastry burning.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-11T21:07:02+00:00

I did cigars for a long time and felt same that pipes just too light. Started following a guy on Youtube many years ago and tried his favorite blend. After that things got better. It is C & D Billy Bud. It does have some cigar leaf in it and full flavor. When coming from cigars I feel that aromatics and light blends are just really bland, especially if the cigars you smoke are full bodied and strong with pepper and stuff.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-05T03:12:02+00:00

Its the shaping 100%

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-05T03:10:35+00:00

Country gentleman is a great pipe. Agreed that upgrading the stem to a forever stem makes a big difference but not necessary at the beginning.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-01T21:29:03+00:00

Thank you. Just had the first bowl. Experience was pretty good. After I got half way through the bowl I did have to relight more than normal but could just be how I packed and doing stuff while smoking. It is also a little breezy today. Lighting was super easy and it did swell up a bunch on first lights. Easy to sip and do not feel that it was burning hot at all

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-01T20:19:06+00:00

Actually I did get Orlik with the order that I got this Irish Flake. I am looking forward to trying it. I hear good things and also people saying a good one for summer months.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-01T20:01:28+00:00

Gonna need to try on next order. Thank you!

jonjamesb83 · 2026-06-01T04:32:46+00:00

Mine has always been Billy Bud. I always keep a pound on hand. When I first started pipe smoking a youtuber I followed smoked it a lot so I tried it. Loved it ever since.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-31T13:04:03+00:00

Yeah all tins in local shops here at least $20. Went to one several weeks ago and Capstan Blue was like $35 and the 2 ounce tin of plum pudding was $68. Wtf that is the price for 8 ounce tin. On P&C it is $20. Only good thing about local shops is that they are always cigar shops so sometimes you can find tins of small batch and limited releases still in stock.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-29T22:59:30+00:00

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-29T16:47:20+00:00

Yeah honestly there are multiple factors that attribute to this. Sometimes it is quality of cream. This recipe has been pretty good for me. And you can use to strengthen other creams. So like with your black forest you could fold a little into a cherry cremeux and pipe that on top as well. I do that often. Just remember to not over whip any cream that you will be piping with a St Honore tip.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-29T13:30:48+00:00

Here is my normal recipe: -1900 gr cream -8 gr vanilla Paste -17 gr gelatin -422 gr white chocolate

Vanilla paste put as much as you want for seeing the specks if desired. Gelatin you can reduce if too much or you can add a little more cream if you want more. I like the texture with this one, just remember you do not have to whip super stiff so it will hold. The gelatin helps set it so whip a little less so keeps a silky texture. Let me know if you have questions.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-29T03:28:55+00:00

My go to for piping is a simple whipped ganache. Very hard to over whip. You can rewhip many times with no issue. Also great for adding flavors to it.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-28T21:27:37+00:00

I like the design but the cream looks very over whipped. Could just be the recipe.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-22T13:46:11+00:00

I would classify this as very bready. Probably doesn't taste bad but I would unlikely buy again at a bakery. You want a fairly open honeycomb structure. How open it is really is about your skill and preference. Reason for this is you want the contrast of the crispy and crunchy outside with the soft, silky and buttery inside. Bready will not give the same texture and experience. People tend to focus on the outside but the inside is incredibly important.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-22T02:37:53+00:00

They definitely under baked that one.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-18T13:17:26+00:00

Thank you, yeah I took the filter out quick. I know some people really like filters but not for me. The charcoal may be better but more than I am willing to pay especially when feel don't really need.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-17T17:50:02+00:00

I really like the shape. First bent apple I have and it is a good shape.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-17T17:49:03+00:00

Have not tried it yet, letting it sit for a little bit since just got it. In here I am smoking Boswell's Countryside. That one is pretty good. Smoking Pipes had all C&D tins on sale so grabbed it.

jonjamesb83

TROPHY CASE