Andrew Wike

Celebrated as one of the finest blenders in the world, Jose Pepin Garcia rolled his first cigar when we was just 11 years old. Working in a factory alongside other torcedores, he learned the basics of cigar making the Cuban way, following age-old techniques and discovering through practice what makes a cigar truly great. ... Read More

In this episode of All Pipes Considered, Shane and Adam turn their attention to Canadian pipemaker Michael Parks and his unique reinterpretations of old English and French classics. Tune in as the guys discuss everything from his collector appeal to his world-class shaping and sandblasting techniques, and discover why so many have a Parks pipe on their wishlist. ... Read More

In this episode of Around The Burl, Shane recounts his first visit to Japan and the workshop of pipemaking legend Hiroyuki Tokutomi. Tune in to learn more about Toku's unique aesthetic and process, including an insider's look into his creative, deliberate shaping and use of alternative materials like Japanese boxwood and dyed birch. ... Read More

On this episode of Tasting Notes, Shane revisits an old Danish mixture he hasn't smoked in years: W.O. Larsen's Old Fashioned. Perfect for the holidays, Old Fashioned is a traditional blend of Virginias and Burleys with a full, natural tobacco flavor, topped with subtle notes of maple and chocolate. Learn more about this delicious blend with Shane's full review. ... Read More

Nat Sherman has remained an American staple in the luxury cigar market since the 1930s, when eponymous founder Nat Sherman acquired the rights to an old Havana brand, Epoca. Over the following 85+ years, the family-run business continued to expand their portfolio with excellent additions ... Read More

In this episode of All Pipes Considered, Kaz and Truett return to discuss Ken Dederichs, with a focus on the German-based Japanese carver's most recent work. Learn more about Ken's unique fusion of Japanese, Danish, and German styles today. ... Read More

Produced at the boutique Oveja Negra factory in Nicaragua, Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studios are the brainchildren of American visual artist and adventure traveler James Brown. From cultivation and blending to artwork and marketing, James controls the entire cigarmaking process for each of his brands, ensuring 100% quality from seed to ash. ... Read More

In this episode of All Pipes Considered, Shane and Daniel revisit Roman Kovalev's Doctor's Pipes brand, taking a closer look at the Russian carver's ever-evolving aesthetic through his most recent work. Join the guys as they discuss everything from Roman's overall organic approach to the craft to his innovative and downright astonishing bamboo work. ... Read More

Adam O'Neill returns from the Great Beyond (okay, well across the pond, anyway) to sit in the Inquisitor's Chair for this month's Mystery Review. Will he stump us all with his chosen blend of mystery? Or will we guess it right away? You'll have to watch to find out. ... Read More

Crowned Heads is a small, boutique cigar manufacturer based in Nashville, TN that has attracted enormous attention since 2010, when Jon Huber and several colleagues left CAO to launch their own adventure. Fueled by a rebellious spirit and a desire to make their own rules, they soon introduced a line of hand-crafted cigars ... Read More