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Mystery Cigar Review: September 2023

September 28, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another enigmatic episode of our continuing series: The Mystery Cigar Review. Today, Shane, Alan, and I are smoking a mystery submission from Jon Huber of Crowned Heads cigars. Jon went from being a fitness instructor and personal trainer in Los Angeles to discovering his passion for cigars ... Read More

Smoke Rings: Caldwell Cigars

September 27, 2023 by Shane Ireland

Welcome back to another edition of Smoke Rings. On today's episode, I'm chatting with Robert Caldwell of Caldwell Cigar Company. Tune in as we discuss new Caldwell releases, working with Chico Rivas to extend the Blind Man's Bluff series with Super Toro, Chico White, and Chico Gold cigars, as well as a discussion ... Read More

Calabash Engineering: What is it ?

September 22, 2023 by John McElheny

5 Comments

In the pipe world, "Calabash" refers to both a shape and a specific type of engineering, though the two evolved at the same time with the genesis of the gourd Calabash in Southern Africa. The unique combination of shaping and engineering gets its name from a kind of gourd, the calabash gourd, which has been cultivated all over ... Read More

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

September 21, 2023 by Davin Hylton

1 Comment

While we tend to emphasize the maintenance and preservation of our favorite pipes, we spend less time discussing how to safeguard our tobacco, especially when traveling or on the go. After all, without tobacco, pipes are nothing more than ornate briar sculptures – charming, handsome, but, inevitably, purely aesthetic. When we talk about traveling with tobacco, we're often discussing ... Read More

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Carolina Red Flake w/ Perique

September 20, 2023 by Shane Ireland

1 Comment

Welcome to another episode of Tasting Notes. I've been fortunate lately to have a hot streak of really interesting things to try, and today is no exception. I was particularly excited for the 2023 release of Cornell and Diehl's Small Batch: Carolina Red Flake with Perique. ... Read More

Calabash Engineering: What is it ?

September 22, 2023 by John McElheny

5 Comments

In the pipe world, "Calabash" refers to both a shape and a specific type of engineering, though the two evolved at the same time with the genesis of the gourd Calabash in Southern Africa. The unique combination of shaping and engineering gets its name from a kind of gourd, the calabash gourd, which has been cultivated all over ... Read More

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

September 21, 2023 by Davin Hylton

1 Comment

While we tend to emphasize the maintenance and preservation of our favorite pipes, we spend less time discussing how to safeguard our tobacco, especially when traveling or on the go. After all, without tobacco, pipes are nothing more than ornate briar sculptures – charming, handsome, but, inevitably, purely aesthetic. When we talk about traveling with tobacco, we're often discussing ... Read More

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

September 15, 2023 by Zachary Podl

11 Comments

One of the most fascinating elements of writing is its simplicity. A pencil, paper, and a little creativity is all one needs to get started. However, some might prefer a few additional accommodations, such as background music or a comfortable chair. For John Steinbeck, a pipe packed with tobacco was a welcome ... Read More

40 Years of Kurt Balleby Pipes

September 7, 2023 by Truett Smith

1 Comment

This year marks Kurt Balleby's 40th pipe-making anniversary, and it's a milestone worth celebrating. I haven't even been breathing for four decades, and that's perhaps the easiest, most passive action available; it's hard to imagine intentionally dedicating sweat and effort to one specific pursuit for such a span of time. ... Read More

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

September 1, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

20 Comments

The Second World War has countless stories of heroes who displayed impressive heroism to defeat the forces of fascism, many of whom were known pipe smokers. Few, however, have a story as unique as that of the Soviet sniper Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov, who terrified the Nazis as few others could, earning the respect of ... Read More

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Carolina Red Flake w/ Perique

September 20, 2023 by Shane Ireland

1 Comment

Welcome to another episode of Tasting Notes. I've been fortunate lately to have a hot streak of really interesting things to try, and today is no exception. I was particularly excited for the 2023 release of Cornell and Diehl's Small Batch: Carolina Red Flake with Perique. ... Read More

Pipe Force: Episode V - Interview with Per Jensen and Jeremy McKenna

September 13, 2023 by Shane Ireland

Pipe Force: Episode V from Sutliff extends the series imagined by Per Georg Jensen which celebrates the vast potential for exploration still existing while creating memorable tobacco blends. Hot-pressed and ready-rubbed into a crumble cake format, Rustica is stoved along with Virginia and Oriental Katerini; these combined ... Read More

Top Summertime Smokes

September 8, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

12 Comments

I've been reflecting on my smoking habits over the last several months and, for reasons I don't fully understand, summertime is Virginia season for me, with few exceptions. Something about the inescapable sun and heat, and in South Carolina, the humidity steers me toward Bright Virginias, with the occasional Burley blend ... Read More

Tasting Notes: Missouri Meerschaum Drawdown

September 6, 2023 by Shane Ireland

Welcome to another episode of Tasting Notes. I'm Shane Ireland, and today I'm continuing my journey through the new line of MM&Co Elite blends made by Cornell & Diehl for Missouri Meerschaum. ... Read More

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Small Batch Steamworks

August 22, 2023 by Shane Ireland

2 Comments

Hey everybody, I'm Shane Ireland. Welcome to another episode of Tasting Notes. Today, I have the pleasure to smoke and talk about the newest addition to the Small Batch series by Cornell and Diehl — Small Batch: Steamworks. Steamworks is an incredibly complex blend, both in flavor and in process and in the components ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: September 2023

September 28, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another enigmatic episode of our continuing series: The Mystery Cigar Review. Today, Shane, Alan, and I are smoking a mystery submission from Jon Huber of Crowned Heads cigars. Jon went from being a fitness instructor and personal trainer in Los Angeles to discovering his passion for cigars ... Read More

Smoke Rings: Caldwell Cigars

September 27, 2023 by Shane Ireland

Welcome back to another edition of Smoke Rings. On today's episode, I'm chatting with Robert Caldwell of Caldwell Cigar Company. Tune in as we discuss new Caldwell releases, working with Chico Rivas to extend the Blind Man's Bluff series with Super Toro, Chico White, and Chico Gold cigars, as well as a discussion ... Read More

Best Humidors for at Home and On the Go

September 14, 2023 by John McElheny

For enthusiasts of cigars, the humidor is an accessory which is utterly essential, serving as the cornerstone of cigar storage by ensuring that they stay fresh until smoked. This "freshness" is more a measure of appropriately maintained humidity rather than the cigar's newness from the factory, and that humidity maintenance is the key function ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: August 2023

August 30, 2023 by Truett Smith

Welcome to another exhilarating episode in our continuing series of Mystery Cigar Reviews. Today Shane, Tyler, and I are smoking a mystery submission from Ian Reith, founder of Dapper Cigar Company. Ian had no intention of starting a cigar company when he developed his first cigar, the Cubo Claro. His goal was to make ... Read More

Blackbird Cigars: GLITCH Robusto Review

August 17, 2023 by John McElheny

1 Comment

Blackbird's Glitch cigar is an interesting release to say the least, finding its origins in an error when one of the new employees at the Blackbird Dominicana factory incorrectly labeled two varietals of tobacco. The mistake went unnoticed for some time, until it led to a mixup in the assembling of a new blend. The resulting cigars ... Read More

How To Clean A Tobacco Pipe After A Smoking Session

September 29, 2023 by Truett Smith

11 Comments

Hey everyone, Truett Smith here with Smokingpipes, and today we're going to be talking about the end of a pipe bowl. Specifically, how do you know when the pipe is done and when you've smoked through the majority of the tobacco that's in your pipe chamber? ... Read More

How to Pack and Light Ribbon Cut Tobacco: The Gravity Method

May 18, 2023 by Truett Smith

4 Comments

Ribbon-cut tobacco is among the most ubiquitous tobacco cuts on the market, and it's also one of the easiest to prepare. Aside from optional drying time, it requires no preparation beforehand, meaning ribbon-cut tobacco may be loaded directly from the tin, pouch, or whatever container houses the tobacco. Today I'll be ... Read More

Delayed Gratification Technique

February 10, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

14 Comments

We pipe smokers have abundant options for modifying the smoking characteristics of our tobaccos. We can transform a single tobacco blend by altering its humidity, aging it, rubbing it out to different consistencies, or by loading the pipe with different compressions or modifying our smoking cadence. ... Read More

Top Resources For Pipe Smokers

January 18, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

37 Comments

Pipe smoking, though quite traditional in some ways, is still an ever-changing hobby. From new tobaccos, to ultra-rare stampings or shapes, to the latest up-and-coming carvers, there's quite a lot to keep track of. How do we juggle it all? ... Read More

A Comprehensive Guide to Aging and Cellaring Pipe Tobaccos

November 18, 2022 by Chuck Stanion

17 Comments

The first time I smoked Beacon, I hated it. Beacon is a McClelland tobacco that became a favorite many years ago and accounted for the bulk of my smoking budget, but it didn't start that way. I was transitioning at the time from English blends to Virginias because my wife disliked the scent of Latakia. I wanted to smoke indoors ... Read More

How To Clean A Tobacco Pipe After A Smoking Session

Mystery Cigar Review: September 2023

Smoke Rings: Caldwell Cigars

Calabash Engineering: What is it ?

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Carolina Red Flake w/ Perique

Calabash Engineering: What is it ?

The Types, Uses, and Essential Nature of the Humble Tobacco Pouch

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

40 Years of Kurt Balleby Pipes

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Carolina Red Flake w/ Perique

Pipe Force: Episode V - Interview with Per Jensen and Jeremy McKenna

Top Summertime Smokes

Tasting Notes: Missouri Meerschaum Drawdown

Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl's Small Batch Steamworks

Mystery Cigar Review: September 2023

Smoke Rings: Caldwell Cigars

Best Humidors for at Home and On the Go

Mystery Cigar Review: August 2023

Blackbird Cigars: GLITCH Robusto Review

How To Clean A Tobacco Pipe After A Smoking Session

How to Pack and Light Ribbon Cut Tobacco: The Gravity Method

Delayed Gratification Technique

Top Resources For Pipe Smokers

A Comprehensive Guide to Aging and Cellaring Pipe Tobaccos

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