As a pipe and pipe tobacco retailer you might imagine that we respond to our fair share of customer inquiries that sound something like "which blend is better, X, or Y?" Or, "if I like [this] tobacco, what might you recommend in the way of [that]?" Or, "my favorite mixture isn’t made anymore, what might you suggest in its place?" We receive a lot of queries similar to these (and many more), and we’re happy to oblige in the best way we can with our humble opinions and gentle advice.

And as daylight fades a little earlier each night, and as the temperature begins to change around the country from warmish to coldish (coldish being about as far as we ever get down here in South Carolina), I can't help but notice that we're seeing from our customers a lot more interest in (and we're responding to many more questions about) those sweet, seasonal-style aromatics that seem to pair so well with the upcoming holidays. It's happening around the office too, as John is determined to polish off his tin of Peterson Christmas Blend 2012 as quickly as possible, and Brandon has become positively dedicated to smoking Mac Baren's Vanilla Cream Flake each and every morning. The offices of Smokingpipes.com smells like heavenly confection, just as it should this time of year.

I'm not a big aromatic smoker myself these days, yet now even I am tempted to break out an old favorite or two when skies are gray and the days are offering a hint of chill. Something about a warm pipe and a sweet tobacco is just perfect.

And as far as pipes go, today's update brings a great selection that are indeed just waiting to be warmed up by the gentle smoldering of a good blend. This Monday we have on offer fresh works by the Italian artisan Gabriele, English classics and collector pieces from Dunhill, affordable hand-shaped Danish briars from Johs, and batches of trusty smokers from Tsuge, Peterson, Savinelli, Luciano, and Stanwell - as well of course plenty of estate pipes, too. Joining all of those you'll also find new lighters from IM Corona, pipe tampers by Brigham, and cigars from both Rocky Patel and Romeo y Julietta.

Ted Swearingen: Vice President, General Manager