Pez is the first pipe tobacco I ever smoked that really set me back on my heels and gave me pause to think, "Whee doggy. This stuff is way past cigars." Starting with my first tin I was totally taken by the thick, dark cake that fairly oozed a sweet smell of creosote, sugar and smoke. Pez is pungent stuff and, as far as my informal survey goes, it's love it or hate it weed.
A Pez tin can be a bit pricer than most 50g packages so I thought it was time to move on to a less costly put-up. The tins have been so good, though, I didn't want to trade quality for price. This thread was a place to chat up Pez, feel out the bulk quality and maybe hear some dicussion from other longtime Pezzers.
After six or seven bowls of the bulk, here's my take. The bulk cake didn't look like the tin cake to me. It looked a shade or two lighter in color - more to brown/tan than black/brown. It also felt a tad less moist and seemed more prone to crumble. The aroma from the package seems as pungent as that from the tin.
In the smoking I find the bulk Pez easier to pack and burn. I've always been inclined to take Pez from a tin, let it dry a bit and then twist/pack a flake or so into the right bowl. This process has created a few expansion and lighting difficulties. The bulk doesn't fold, it breaks; it doesn't exactly rub into strips and clumps, either - it rubs instantly into small clumps about the size of peppercorns. It packs easily, does not expand too much and burns well.
The thick, rich blue-white smoke makes Pez the stuff for me. Bulk does just like the tin that way but it sure smokes easier. And that last 25% of the bowl where the flavor may go from smokey to syrupy-sweet... same with bulk.
I dare to compare: a tin is pretty and will probably appreciate ($$$) while it ages nicely. Tins carry well in the pocket and, allowing for a little dry-time, offers a very fine smoke suited to my taste. The 8-oz pack at half the price is equal to, or better, in all respects except retail presentation. A couple of tins will stay in the drawer but the 8 oz. Pez package is my new standard. End of story.
