Recent Articles | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

Cornell & Diehl's The Old Ones: A Series of Lovecraftian Pipe Tobaccos

June 9, 2023 by Davin Hylton

6 Comments

Cornell and Diehl's The Old Ones collection pays tribute to an icon of American letters and the father of Cosmicism — Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Though not the first series in C&D's vast portfolio to pay tribute to the work of an esteemed American writer, The Old Ones is distinct in both its artwork and naming conventions, which draw directly from Lovecraft's stories of terror and dread. ... Read More

Tasting Notes: Drucquer & Sons’ The Merry Monk

June 8, 2023 by Shane Ireland

1 Comment

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of Tasting Notes. Today, I'll be reviewing the most recent release from Drucquer & Sons, The Merry Monk. I was particularly interested in this blend, because it satisfies two of my preferred criteria for an English mixture: Firstly, it's a flake-cut blend, and secondly, there's a little ... Read More

Proper Pipe Tobacco Humidification

June 2, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

47 Comments

The most wonderfully flavorful tobacco I've ever hated is Dark Star by McClelland, which is no longer manufactured. It was deliciously complex, with a fruity spice flavor and a sweet, complex, multi-flavored smoke. However, I was never able to keep it lit and it frustrated me. ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: June 2023

June 1, 2023 by Andrew Wike

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe-smoking desktop backgrounds for you to enjoy. As in previous months, the set includes some of our favorite shots and artwork, including eight unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. ... Read More

Mystery Tobacco Review: May 2023

May 31, 2023 by Alan Britt

5 Comments

Welcome back to the Mystery Tobacco Review! We're pleased to introduce Mr. Davis Hooker of our Customer Service Department, who has accepted the distinguished and powerful position of Inquisitor for this month's review. Davis is known for his practical and down-to-Earth approach to projects, so he may have chosen ... Read More

Briar Curing: From Sawmill To Smoke

May 26, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

23 Comments

We've all experienced the "break-in" period, loading bowl after bowl into a new pipe while it shows no gratitude whatsoever and delivers acrid, hot, astringent smoke to our bewildered palates. Its online photos had accurately depicted the wonderful shape and finish, but the flavors it's delivering do not match the pipe's ... Read More

Mystery Cigar Review: May 2023

May 25, 2023 by Shane Ireland

Welcome back, everyone, to the Mystery Cigar Review.For this month's episode, we were honored to host Mr. Nicholas Melillo, founder and owner of Foundation Cigar Company, as our special guest Inquisitor, selecting one mystery cigar for Alan, Truett, Tyler, and me to review in a blind taste test. Tune in as we smoke ... Read More

Smooth Sailing: Exploring Cornell & Diehl's Melville at Sea Series

May 24, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

Every generation has its literary titans who create works that speak deeply to their respective age in the language of the day. Within that milieu are voices whose words resonate through the ages, while the rest, though talented, are eventually relegated to obscurity outside academic circles. Even among the few who retain ... Read More

The Pipe Stem: The Most Important Component of Any Pipe

May 19, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

9 Comments

Around 30 years ago, the sharing of information between pipe makers changed. The thinking, in North America, at least, was that the craft had to be learned by performing it solo. Pimos's Guide to PipeCrafting at Home was the only resource for new pipe makers. It's a great book and thousands of people have ... Read More

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

May 18, 2023 by Truett Smith