A couple Monday mornings back, I had returned sleepily to our office ready to dive (or at least, slip) into my work week. But then, just after sitting down at my desk, I noticed to my great dismay that the bamboo shank on my Peter Heeschen Brandy was splitting, and horribly! Now, this was no fault of Peter’s - his work is of the highest level of craftsmanship. The pipe had been damaged in some fashion before I received it, and time and smoking worsened it to the point where it was in serious need of repair. Woe was me. Woe is me.

I needed a rebound-pipe; something to help soothe my aching heart. I took solace in the arms of a little Italian Pot - a Rinaldo - that I had kept noticing in the estate section every time I walked through our store. This pipe is everything I think a Pot should be: a proportionally large bowl canted slightly forward, just-so, and draped with flame grain, birdseye topping its ever-so-slightly rounded rim, and a thin shank and stem all of about 3 inches in length. Like my Heeschen and my old Dunhill Tan Shell before it, I often catch myself staring at the Rinaldo as it sits behind my keyboard.

Given the recent acquisition of this great little smoker, I was, of course, excited to see a bunch of new Rinaldo pipes appear on Pam’s desk. I generally light up whenever a new carver or brand comes in, but this felt like kismet. Doesn’t hurt, either, that I’m generally a fan of Italian pipes, especially those of heavy Given the recent acquisition of this great little smoker, I was, of course, excited to see a bunch of new Rinaldo pipes appear on Pam’s desk. I generally light up whenever a new carver or brand comes in, but this felt like kismet. Doesn’t hurt, either, that I’m generally a fan of Italian pipes, especially those of heavy Pesaro influence. If you harbor similar tastes, I strongly encourage you to check out the six fresh Rinaldo briars we have going up on the site today.Pesaro influence. If you harbor similar tastes, I strongly encourage you to check out the six fresh Rinaldo briars we have going up on the site today.

In addition to the aforementioned Rinaldos, today we also have a great selection of briars by Chacom, Johs, Brigham, Savinelli, and Peterson, along with estates from Italy and England. For you cigar lovers out there, we’ve also got new sticks from Joya de Nicaragua, Oliva, and CAO all available this evening. A bevy of new Lampe Berger lamps and fragrances have just arrived as well, so look for those in today’s update, too.

 John Sutherland: Marketing Mngr and Sr. Photographer