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Last year, in this space, at this time, I wrote about the passing of an institution I admired, with the acquisition, and closing, of Mac Baren by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. It was a lamentation and a commitment to steward Laudisi in such a way that it would continue to nurture the hobby and collector community. A year later, I find myself again reflecting on that hobby and community and Smokingpipes' (and Laudisi's more broadly) place in that community.
While that acquisition left me saddened, 2025 has proven to be a wonderful year for the pipe-smoking community. The enthusiasm the community demonstrated for Cornell & Diehl, now the only remaining pipe-tobacco manufacturer in the United States, has been extraordinary. The Chicago Pipe Show in May was a remarkable success and clearly has re-found its footing after a few years of wrestling with venues post-pandemic. My friend Per Jensen, famous for his years at Mac Baren, partnered with Cornell & Diehl to create a new line of pipe tobaccos that have been very well received. And Peterson, also part of Laudisi since 2018, celebrated its 160th Anniversary, with a resurrection of extraordinary old shapes, the Pat B and Pat OB. At the same time, Gawith Hoggarth & Co. completed their move of a few miles into a new factory early in 2025, demonstrating a continued commitment to the future of that family firm.
2025 also marked the 25th Anniversary of Smokingpipes (and, by extension, of Laudisi), making it a particularly appropriate moment for me to reflect back on the past quarter-century, for both the company and the community.
While pipe-tobacco consumption has declined significantly during that 25-year period, the community, if anything, has grown. Consistently, every year, the hobbyist community around pipes and pipe tobacco appears to be growing while global output of pipe tobacco shrinks year over year.
How is this possible?
Habitual pipe smoking — the pipe smoking that was very common until the 1960s — has faded with each passing generation, but pipe smoking as a passion, pipe smoking as a hobby, pipe smoking as a cultural act, has become more vibrant as its mainstream corollary has declined.
From the beginning, Smokingpipes sought to connect with the hobby, to nurture and be nurtured by it. I'd like to pretend this was some prescient business move, but it wasn't: I had very little understanding then of the broader trends in pipe smoking. I was a slightly odd 20-year-old who thought pipes were really fascinating and that maybe people would buy them on the internet. But it was the hobby aspects of the pipe world that fascinated me and the part of the pipe-smoking world that responded to what I was trying to do and welcomed me in.
Smokingpipes has always catered to a specific sort of pipe smoker: the hobbyist, the collector, the connoisseur. And it catered to that segment of the pipe-smoking population for a simple reason. I'm one of them, as are the many pipe smokers that work at Smokingpipes and across Laudisi's other businesses.
So, why has the hobby thrived? I think for the same reasons that I fell in love with pipes and pipe tobacco all those years ago. Pipes are fascinating objects: crafted largely by hand from a dense wood with complex and beautiful grain structure, a rarity in our age of cheap, soulless, mass-produced consumer goods. Moreover, as designed objects, the best of artisanal pipes are literally art, born of the same aesthetic era that gave us the industrial design of Arne Jacobsen and the architecture of Mies van der Rohe. And pipe tobacco can have all of the gustatory complexity of fine food or drink, and — like wine — ages well to boot. From the antiquarian minutiae of solving puzzles in the nomenclature of early-20th-century English pipes to admiring the work of Sixten Ivarsson or his generations of students to tasting and cellaring tobacco, our shared hobby is rich and dense and intricate in a way that few are.
Some of the projects that we undertook for Smokingpipes' 25th Anniversary are indicative of that community as well. To take my favorite example of community at work in pipes this year, I worked with my good friend Antoine Grenard, Managing Director of Chapuis Comoy, to make French pipes with Irish silver, offering Ropp pipes with silver bands made and fitted at our Peterson factory in Dublin by Jason Hinch and Simon Ellard. This only works because the industry and the hobby is such a tight-knit community these days.
And the community, as evidenced by the continued vibrancy of pipe clubs and shows, online fora, social media communities, and the wide readership of this blog, is welcoming, warm, and full of passion.
Ultimately, it's possible because while the habitual pipe smoker is a thing of the past –– the sort of guy who would buy a pound of the same bulk tobacco each week –– the connoisseur continues to be engaged.
This is, I think, a good thing, and representative of a community dedicated to the history and art of pipe smoking, delighting in the aesthetic pleasures –– visual, tactile, gustatory, olfactory –– it offers. This is a community that we're proud to be a part of. This is a community that we're proud to serve.
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Comments
Well said, Sykes! All the best in 2026 to you, Smokingpipes.com and everyone in this wonderful pipe community!
Agreed! Thank you all for doing what you do, keeping this hobby and tradition going.
nothing else
I am sad that the closing of McBaren killed off the blends from Russ Oulette. I had really wanted to try Black House and White Knight. But, such is life. I do very much appreciate your commitment to pipe smoking and smokers. May you have a blessed New Year.
Laudisi/C&D should hire/collaborate with Russ, much like they've done with Per Jensen. It seems like it would be a win for everyone.
I wish they would. I've been very disappointed (to say the least) by the loss of some of the Hearth and Home blends, too.
I miss Whiteknight :/
I agree. I hope that Russ can make a deal with C&D to bring out some new blends. My income doesn’t allow me to collect high-dollar pipes, so my participation has to involve trying various tobaccos. Plus, I have fond memories of Balkan Sobranie and Sobranie 759 in the 1970’s. Sure would enjoy a close match. But, that possibility depends on the contractual arrangements between Russ and McBaren and the merger agreement between McBaren and STG.
Thanks for doing what you do!
FYI: Jan. 1 edition of the NY Times article “10 Predictions for 2026” . . . “Pipes will have a Moment”
And what a fulfilling hobby it is! Thank you, Sykes, and your whole team, for taking the risks, doing the work and satisfying our multi-sensory crave. We are here, we are many and we are grateful!
I returned to pipe smoking after a multi-decade hiatus. Before, I smoked one blend almost exclusively, but today, with some maturity and wisdom behind me, I have found pipe smoking more enjoyable and rewarding than I did before. Smokingpipes.com has been one of my favorite go-to online retailers. Keep up the good work. I look forward to being a customer of this site in 2026 and beyond.
I agree. I have done the same thing.
Same here. I I bought my first pipe Peterson 317 system in the mid to late '90s and smoked until a little after 2000. Gave it up or more aptly put my pipe went into a box and stayed in my closet until this year when I found it by accident when searching for items to put in a yard sale. Boy, I'm glad I did find it. However, it also saddened me when I went to try and find a local tobacco store with anything other than Vapes or blunts and to my dismay the only thing available was Captain black. That's when I turned to smoking pipes and several other artisan blenders and I feel like I've missed out on some of the great blends over the last 25 years. I'm hopeful that this community and industry will continue and thrive over the years to come, but it's up to us to keep it going and to pass along our passion to a younger generation.
I started smoking a pipe in 2023. Never smoked before, except at my first job where I breathed in the mess produced in a Ford Foundry.
One evening I was sitting in my backyard looking up at the moon as it was rising and I was watering my watermelon patch and thinking about where I wanted to plant roses and mint, as grown in my Grandmother's garden and a forsythia bush which grew in the courtyard at my old job site. I got really lonesome for my Grand Parents and found my self thinking 'bout what I missed most about them. The first was iced tea with mint leaves from the garden and the second was a pipe with Velvet loaded. I could remember sitting on a glider while my Grandmother worked on tatting little lace somethings and the smoke from my Grandfather's pipe billowing a sweet smell that had hid in my memory until I thought hard about it.
I am a small batch smoker because I want to try everything, my Grandfather bought three pound tins because it was the only thing he could find on a regular basis in Cleveland (about $4 in 1965, I used to have one of his old cans and still remember the price). [Yes I can tat, no I let my wife do it now. And if you want my take on the scene described above check my review of Eileen's Dream and substitute Rose and John for the two dreamers.]
Sykes,
I began my pipe journey when I returned from Vietnam in 1968, to relax and forget! I've enjoyed the service that SP provides, keep up the good work.
Best wishes & Happy New Year,
Karl
I would say I'm a habitual pipe smoker. At 42 years old, I have built quite the supply of my favorites as well as limited blends... Maybe because I'm scared that as time goes on, there will be less a variety as well as problems obtaining tobacco due to ever changing laws. But I hope 2026 will see a positive change in the pipe landscape. Sure this past year had it's ups and downs, but I'm optimistic that this year will have more ups.
I’m so glad I found this community. As I don’t know any other pipe smokers, I felt alone in my pipe journey. This community really helps me to learn and explore all pipe smoking has to offer, and not feel like an odd throwback to a different age.
I know how you feel. There isn't a decent tobacco store within 2 to 3 hours of me. Much less anyone in my local community that I know that smokes pipes. I'd love to start a club, but I'm not sure who in the hell would come other than me. It's not going to stop me though. And I think it will be a little acts like that from people like us that help this community not only survive but thrive in the long run. Demand creates supply and I intend to do my part to make sure that we can all enjoy this in the years to come and to try and pass along some of my knowledge to the younger generation. Better they smoke a pipe than Vapes, cigarettes, or anything else.
I want pipe smoking to thrive but I don’t want it to get too big or “have a moment” because that always leads to crusading politicians painting a target on us. I am optimistic for the future of pipe smoking, thanks for Laudisi and C&D. Great recap!
I'm an old fella whose enjoyment is now virtually limited to smoking my pipe, Smoking Pipes is very important to me. Dealing with the company is a pleasure and I consider it more than a business — I regard it as a friend in these last years of life.
I wish to thank SPC and all the folks who work there for their support and informative authority to which has been invaluable to me over the past 18 months since coming to SPC and with the start of further exploring my tobacco appreciation from cigars to now pipe tobacco and my growing collection of tobacco pipes which is a great source of pleasure and boastfulness. Folks I wish to recognize and thank are; Lukus for all his knowledgeable input with assisting me in the selection of a new pipe with my ever growing collection of tobacco pipes, Ashley, Todd, Anthony, Johana, Roxanne and Jacy. It’s always a delight talking with them as it’s one of my favorite telephone calls to make whether it’s for buying pipe tobacco or putting more money down on a layaway. Many times the call goes far beyond why I’m calling. I also wish to take a moment and say thank you to all the folks working in the shipping department who works behind the scenes getting orders out to the customers in a very timely manner👍🏻.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year 2026 🎼🥳🍾🥂.
Thank you again everyone,
John
I really enjoyed this article immensely. It is both thought-provoking, reflective, and well said. I have high hopes for the future of this industry and the community of Brothers and Sisters who take pleasure in this simple yet so satisfying pastime. I wish I could do more to help but I will do all I can and I want to give a big thank you to not only you but everyone there from the top to the bottom. It's always a pleasure speaking with anyone at smoking pipes. Happy New Year!
Thank you for a wonderful article. Thank you also for the wonderful people at SP. I’ve observed the disappearance of pipe shops across the many places I’ve lived. Houston had 2 in the early 60’s and now one remains. The Briar Shop in Rice Village is run by the grandchildren of the founder. There is a small cigar shop in the Clear Lake area that has some pipes and tobacco. The mass loss of local shops makes SP’s and Laudisi all the more important. Most of all the marvelous professionalism of the staff makes it a pleasure to do business with SP. keep it up!
Happy, Healthy New Years To All!
My GrandPa introduced me to pipe smoking a very long time ago! 1970
Luck there was a pharmacy where I lived that carried every tobacco made!
And yes I tried many of them!
Years later still brought and sold tobacco products from our business!
But the brand i smoked and enjoyed was Captain Black in white & black pack & Can! Lane Limited!!
I Have Met Russ Ollette in Newark, NJ at a pipe show Ina Hotel on Rt 1!
Great Show Russ had his flavor tobacco There! And Enjoyed His Products!
But Still stayed with Lane Limited Product
Now I Still Smoke
After All These Years
Lane Black Raspberry Always Smooth No Bite, Perfect Smoke!
Anytime Anyplace and always ask what kind of tobacco is that?
When you find that Perfect Tobacco it is hard to Replace!
In Delaware, Pipe Stores or Shops Are Missing!
Albany NY Bought For years With Bob's Help! With Pipes & Tobacco, liked so much would by 5 lbs at a time! Yes 5 lbs Bag!
And still Smoking That today in Nording Pipes! Great pipe Maker! Denmark!
Well Thanks Have A Great Pipe Smoking To All in 2026 & Many More Years!
Lane Limited Scandinavian Company, Keep up the Great Black Raspberry Blend!
Eddie K. DE
I’m very thankful for Smokingpipes/Laudisi. Discovered pipes around Y2K while trying to quit cigarettes. It worked! There was a decent smoke chop (95% cigars though) near me, but my journey flourished when I discovered SP. I’ve spent a lot with them, but the return on investment has been phenomenal!!
Great article, thank you. Found while searching for Malaga pipes as I purchased an estate Malaga from Pauls Pipe Shop in Flint. Beautiful piece of art. I remain optimistic that the pipe future is good. More people talking about pipes. My friends and acquaintances are intrigued by the pipes I've collected and in the various tobaccos and blends I have. Every one says "I want to try that" or "I need to get a pipe." I give away cob pipes as gifts. It's like fine vintage audio gear and turntables to me. It's the process of it all I enjoy. Keep up the great work SP!
Thanks for a great selection pipes..you guys are a wonderful asset to the community