Andrew Wike

2018's come and gone, but the Mystery Review continues. For the first episode of 2019, Kaz took to the Inquisitor's Chair to revisit one of the first tobaccos he ever smoked. Join Shane, Truett, and Andy as they smoke through a bowl of Kaz's mystery blend. ... Read More

A company built "by friends for friends," Caldwell Cigars is not your typical cigar brand. Drawing inspiration from hip hop imagery and aesthetics, the company and its founder Robert Caldwell seek to circumvent the typical hype and pomp commonly seen amongst makers of fine vitolas. ... Read More

Tune in as Shane and Kaz take a closer look at Caldwell's limited edition Mad Mofo, a special maduro production run of the popular Long Live The King line. In addition to a full review of the stick, the guys also take the time to compare it to some of their favorite pipe tobacco blends and offer some recommendations for pairings. ... Read More

Happy New Year, everyone! It's time for the final Mystery Review of 2018. This month, I had the honor of sitting in the Inquisitor's chair, pitting one blend of my choosing against the hyper-sensitive palates of Shane, Kaz, and Chip. Did I stump the guys with my choice? Or did their powers of foresight reveal it right away? Find out. ... Read More

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