Mitchell C.
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Old German Clay - Bishop and Knight
A Cost Effective Learning Curve
Since becoming familiar with pipe smoking and the many varieties of doing so, I became intrigued by the simple, rustic, and historical style of clays. I prefer churchwarden stems, so I was naturally drawn to this model, especially at the incredibly reasonable price. Beyond that, I appreciated the Bishop and Knight design in the bas relief of the bowl. When the pipe arrived, it was well protected, nestled in a cocoon of tightly wound bubble wrapping. Upon releasing it from its sheath, I was surprised to find how small and delicate the pipe was, a drastic difference from the cobs and briars I normally smoke. It felt cool to the touch and porous on the lips. It was at this point I first noticed the potential issues with this stem, so I looked up some simple solutions, prompting me to coat the tip in food grade beeswax until I received some food grade tubing to ease the clench and protect my teeth. After packing the first bowl, prelighting it, and sipping for the first time, I discovered that clays have the potential to have loose bits of fired clay that could still be resting in the stem or bowl after production. I caught a couple grains, but luckily was able to spit them out. The second thing I discovered was how hot clays burn before they get any type of seasoning. If you are new to clays, do not hold it by the bowl or even the stem down near the bowl. You may be able to do it for a short while, but clays really do become furnaces early on. The third thing I learned is that you have to pack these much less densely than you do with other pipes. None of these are issues though. They are all part of the experience and the learning curve of utilizing this style of pipe. After you get used to this setup, you get an incredibly clean burning bowl that doesn't alter the flavor of any of the blends you smoke. It smokes cleanly and encourages an even more relaxed and gentle pace than you would use with your cobs or briars. People tend to be fascinated by these pipes, and they always serve as an excellent conversation starter. Beyond that, these pipes, specifically the white ones, serve as an ever evolving vault of memories of past smokes. As the oils and juices burn and settle into the porous clay, it begins to permeate and alter the color and patterning of your pipe. Mine has altered from pristine, porcelain white, to toasty brown, to warm shades of amber. This is only after around twenty bowls, so I am excited to see how it continues changing, especially when it begins to reach the outer surface. Beyond this, when you reach a color and patterning you like, I have found that you can retain it by applying food grade beeswax to that surface to preserve it. Due to all these factors, I highly recommend picking up one of these pipes and any of their others that catch your fancy. It has become a regular smoker that you do have to pace yourself with to avoid heat bite with, but because clay doesn't retain ghosted flavors, it can also be smoked back-to-back with completely different blends with minimal issue.

Cult - Blood Red Moon 50g
Sweet Surprise
I don't smoke many aromatics, but I was curious to try a few out, and this one continued to pop up as I delved into them. Beyond the recommendations and reviews, the first thing that caught my attention was the packaging. I appreciate the brand and its visual design. The tin itself is pretty resilient and the vacuum sealing was stronger than I anticipated. After finding the best way to break the seal using one of my pipe tools, I was greeted by the distinct aroma of black cherry and dark chocolate. I was impressed that they managed to mimic the true essence of cordial cherries in this blend. The next thing I noticed was the wrapping, a white fabric reminiscent of a coffee filter, yet also something you would expect to find in a luxury box of chocolates. It adds a bit of charm and visual appeal to the blend nested within. After appreciating these details, I uncovered the blend, taking a pinch between my fingers, taking note of the marbling of white burley and dark cavendish leaves, rolling it around a bit to get a feel for what it had to offer. The results found that these leaves are very damp, which I suppose only makes sense considering it is a heavy aromatic in a thick casing. Despite this, my hand never felt sticky, grimy, or dirty. Instead, it left a perfumey essence that lasted until washing it off that smelled delicious. It took a while to dry properly, well beyond the 15-20 minute time I use with most blends. This could be attributed to my home though. I tend to keep the temperature at 60 degrees, so this most likely slowed it down significantly. For those who like it warmer, you will probably get drastically different results. After the blend had dried, I packed the bowl with it, and the prelight really gave me an idea of what I was in for. The addition of heat only strengthened the chocolate and cherry notes. Smoking the bowl, this blend maintained that effect through its entirety. The taste didn't do much for me, but the smell was mouthwatering and enticing. It filled my home with sweet, chocolatey smoke that made the whole room feel festive and welcoming. Everyone present was really taken aback by it and complimented the aroma. It really won the crowd over. Being an aromatic, I believe this is the true metric to grade it on. I no longer smoke it on its own, adding it to home blends to sit overnight or over a period of days or weeks. After letting the components marry, it acts as an incredible condiment to the overall bowl. This is especially true with darker and spicier blends, and I would recommend to anyone looking to freshen up their smoke for themselves or others. It makes the whole event a delight to bystanders and the smoker alike. I would caution that you shouldn't expect an incredible taste on its own, but as an aromatic, it stands tall.

Orlik - Golden Sliced 100g
Honey Sweet & Fresh
I just recently started smoking Orlick Golden Sliced, and it has been a pleasure. Upon first opening the tin, I was greeted with a distinct aroma of warm gingerbread, honey sweetness, and citrusy freshness. A slight bit of hay and damp grass was notable, adding to the overall melange in a pleasing, welcome way. The flakes were thin and fragile, bending easily at the slightest pressure. For those who prefer to roll out their tobacco, it does so very quickly and easily leaving your hands smelling earthy and sweet. This blend packs well, and after letting it air dry for a short time, I rarely had to relight or adjust the packing over many bowls. It smokes very cool, producing a light smoke that produces a subtle cooling effect and tingly sensation from the perique on the retrohale. As you burn down near the end, I was greeted by a true honey sweetness that truly caused me to appreciate this blend in a way I haven't for others. It is very simple yet incredibly effective at what it does. I have started purchasing this in large containers and adding it to home blends. After allowing it to marry with the other components in a given blend, it serves to bolster and complement them in subtle and delicious ways. I highly recommend this blend to anyone, even if the price is a bit steeper than others. If you enjoy smoking blends on their own or experimenting with your own, this is a fantastic addition to your cellar.

G. L. Pease - Windjammer 2oz
Delightful & Delicious
I recently started smoking pipes over the last few months, and I saw that this particular blend came highly reviewed and recommended. I have an affinity for maritime, so the history of this style and the branding appealed to me, so I decided to purchase a 2oz tin. When I first opened the tin, the stewed fruits really came through. It was remarkably reminiscent of baking spices and figs with a bit of boozy edge like a fruitcake. I was enticed and intrigued by this, and after looking into the proper way to approach my smoke, I loaded the bowl for the first time. My first bowl was smoked through a Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipe, and it a fantastic way to enter into the hobby. It was sweet, spicy, and coated the palate well. The smoke was thick, and it burnt well, lasting surprisingly longer than I would have imagined as an uninitiated novice. It was fun to analyze how the character of the bowl changed as it approached its end, and I really enjoyed the molasses notes and the resiliency of the spice. Since that time, this has been a regular purchase for me. I have bought multiple 2oz tins and have decided I will now move on to the larger containers in the future. Beyond how it smokes on its own, it blends remarkably well with other tobaccos. I have mixed it with other G. L. Pease blends, C&D, Orlick, filler blends, etc. I would highly recommend this blend to anyone wanting to try pipe tobacco and to anyone else who is more experienced. It has become a favorite of mine and my girlfriend who doesn't smoke, she just appreciates the warm, spicy aroma it fills the room with.

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