There are a lot of ways a pipe smoker can alter the native characteristics of tobacco blends. Some of the more common methods include aging it, storing it in a more humid environment, using different amounts of pressure when packing tobacco pipes and taking deeper or more shallow tugs on the pipe. But there’s another way to change the experience of a particular tobacco that doesn’t get much press but is equally as effective as those mentioned above. And that’s what we’re here to discuss today: the so-called delayed gratification technique (DGT).

It’s the Same, Only Different

By talking with various people who come in to pick up tobacco pipe accessories and other things at the smoke shop we’ve discovered that a large percentage of pipe smokers have never heard of the delayed gratification technique. That’s what prompted us to put together this brief DGT guide. So let’s get on with it.

In short, the DGT means packing a bowl, applying a charring light and instead of going ahead and smoking it, setting it aside for a period of time. It takes discipline and patience to be sure, but the result is a mellower smoke like you'll get with traditional aging. But while the overall effect may be similar, the flavor particulars are unique to the DGT process.

Anyone who has set a partially finished bowl aside only to come back to it later has, to some extent, experienced the effects of the delayed gratification technique. But not everyone. For instance, if you work your way through 3/4 of the bowl before setting it aside any flavor enhancements when you pick it back up again will be nonexistent.

Does DGT Work for Every Type of Pipe Tobacco?

Pipe tobacco is not unlike wine in a certain respect. Both tend to improve if left to age. The two also share another similarity: not all wine benefits from being left to aerate and not all tobacco benefits from the delayed gratification technique. White wine, for instance, will show little to no improvement if you wait after decanting it. Likewise, aromatics and English blends of pipe tobacco don't really display any marked improvement when left to age a bit.

The tobaccos that respond best to the DGT are usually Virginias and Virginia/Periques. As we mentioned aromatics are not typically enhanced by the delayed gratification technique but there are those who swear that some English blends do respond in a positive way. Though that is not the majority opinion. And for the record, Latakia will sometimes manifest improvements using the DGT but it seems rather hit or miss.

Practicing the Delayed Gratification Technique

The DGT itself is delightfully simple which is one of its most attractive aspects. About the only “rules” are to make sure you’re using the right kind of tobacco, and make sure that tobacco is not too moist. Just fill your pipe and then give it a solid charring light, taking a few moderate puffs in the process then put it down and forget about it for a while. How long is “a while”? It could be anywhere from a couple of hours to a day or even two. That’s it. No hocus pocus, no special aging canisters, no ancient and honorable chants. Just choose the right tobacco, apply the charring burn and set it aside.

What you should find when the process is complete is that your tobacco is more mellow than before and is exhibiting a more full-bodied flavor with the edges softly worn away. With a Virginia/Perique the Perique should come to the fore to a greater degree than if you had smoked the pipe in a normal way.

Does the DGT Work With Any Type of Pipe?

It is generally believed that English blends and Latakia, along with some Orientals are the best tobaccos to smoke in a meerschaum pipe. And because those are tobaccos that experience suggests do not respond terribly well to the delayed gratification technique logic would dictate that meerschaum pipes are not particularly well suited to the DGT.

So for our money, the best type of tobacco pipes to use with the DGT are briar pipes. It doesn’t particularly matter what style of briar pipe, although pipes that are already broken in are preferable to something right off the shelf.

Other Benefits of the DGT

A mellower, more flavorful smoke is not the only benefit of the delayed gratification technique. When you leave the tobacco in the pipe after charring it, it tends to stay put in the bowl instead of spilling out like uncharred tobacco will. Still, if you plan to go anywhere with your lightly charred bowl of tobacco you’ll probably want to affix a chamber cap. You can get that and other tobacco pipe accessories at the Paykoc Pipe smoke shop.

Conclusion

The delayed gratification technique enables you to get more from your pipe tobacco without having to engage in any complex shenanigans. Just pack the bowl, give it a good char and set it aside for anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.

Paykoc Pipes has one of the widest selections of tobacco pipes you’ll find anywhere so you can practice your DGT to your heart's content. If you happen to own a smoke shop and are looking for a source for wholesale tobacco pipes we can help you with that too. So get in touch.