Do Meerschaum-line briar pipes offer any particular advantage over regular briar pipes?
Because it does not contain any saps or resins like briar, Meerschaum does not typically impart a flavor to the smoke or alter the taste of the tobacco. By lining a briar pipe with this silicate mineral, one is supposedly able to more directly experience the true taste of the tobacco. However, many smokers actually prefer the subtleties and nuances of flavor contributed by their briar pipes. Additionally, as it is smoked, briar absorbs oils from the tobacco over time, which can actually increase the amount of flavor during a smoke. (This is why may smokers prefer to dedicate specific pipes to specific tobacco blends.)
Meerschuam pipes are definitely wonderful smoking instruments, and I have several in my own collection. But I prefer to keep the two materials separate and enjoy the qualities of each material on its own.
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