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It's show and tell time again around the office, and we'd like to take a few minutes to show you some of our favorite pipes and accessories. Check 'em out!
Earlier this year, before I became a Smokingpipes.com employee, I purchased this Briefcase with detachable tobacco pouch and have said many times since then that it was the best investment that I have made as far as pipe accesories go. I had lusted after the Claudio Albieri Briefcases since the line was introduced. This bag has seen some heavy use and in addition to hauling pipes, tobacco, personal items and both my Macbook Air and Ipad (there is a padded tablet pocket on the back and a smaller laptop will fit in the main compartment) everyday to and from the office, it has traveled across the country with me twice as well as accompanying me to this year's Chicago Pipe Show. I love that the pipe socks are detachable so that I can have more room for tobacco or even extra articles of clothing. If I am heading to a pipe club meeting or taking a weekend trip where I need more pipes in the rotation, I can snap the socks back in place and carry a more-than-necessary amount of briars. The tobacco pouch that attaches to the front of the bag is the highest quality and most thoughtfully designed pouch that I have seen and if I need only one pipe, my lighter and tamper, and a day's worth of tobacco, it all fits perfectly and in a handsome package. My Claudio Albieri Pipe Cleaner Holder even fits perfectly between the buttons on the pouch strap! I keep a few of the magnetic stands at home, but I always carry a single with me since I can just use a tin of tobacco as a base when I am on the go.
This pipe is really a wonderful example of the kind of shaping that Vladimir Grechukhin has come to be associated with. Soft and soothing, round and robust, cuddly and compact. This is my second Grechukhin. It will not be my last!
This Castello Sea Rock Zulu came into my possession in rather a strange way. Last year around Christmas time, Adam Davidson walked into my office holding an Italian estate that we had recently purchased. "We can't sell this," he declared with his usual enthusiasm. I turned on my desk lamp, removed the stem, and began examining the pipe. "I don't see why not," I protested. Finally Adam cut to the chase. There was a hairline surface crack just inside the mortise that one of the guys in restoration had discovered while cleaning the pipe. Adam was right, selling this pipe to a customer was out of the question. So in a gesture of Yuletide generosity, Adam gave the pipe to me. I didn't much care for it. Surface crack aside, it just wasn't my cup of tea. But it was Christmastime, and I hated to see the pipe wind up in the dreaded Pipe Science box. I accepted the pipe and loaded up a bowl of Luxury Navy Flake. Much to my surprise, the pipe smoked like a dream. I can say with only a tiny bit of hesitation that this Castello is my favorite pipe. Since that December, there's seldom been a work day that I haven't smoked it. When I leave it at work on weekends for a much-needed rest, I find myself missing it. It is lightweight, perfectly suited for clenching, and seems to bring out the sweetness in Virginia Flakes like no other pipe I own. I'll never intentionally part with this pipe. Whenever I smoke it, I'll always remember Adam's high standards and keen eye, not to mention the pleasure of finding joy and friendship in an unexpected package. A word of advice for you readers: don't look a gift pipe in the mortise.
A while back I was searching for good English pipe (by English, I mean a pipe perfectly suited for more complex Latakia blends), when I happened upon this Lion-grade Lasse hidden away on the site under Danish estates. I should note that I was smoking all my English blends out of a Peterson System, and frankly that just didn't sit right with me. But this Lasse, however, was a different story. I was immediately drawn to the crisp sandblast and solid two-knuckle bamboo extension. The chamber was absolutely perfect for my intentions: deep enough for a longer smoke, yet wide enough to coax out all those more subtle flavors. All in all, it's now one of my preferred smokers and my English pipe of choice.
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Comments
I'm not surprised by Josh's experience. I love all of my castellos.
John: That Zulu is my only Castello, but I've been looking to add another to my collection. I'm just waiting for the right one to come along.
Love my Claudio bag he made for me. Denim blue with burgundy trim. Nothing but compliments on it.
@Jon Horton I bet, Claudio makes an excellent accessory. We're stoked you're happy with it, Jon.
I am a huge fan of Peterson pipes. I currently have 14 in my modest collection and they have never failed to deliver a good smoke,no matter if it's an English blend, a Burley blend, or am aromatic.