Adam J. Smith
Tin Notes: A special blend of sugary bright Virginia and aged, mellow red Virginia, seasoned with a good amount of rare Yenidje and a touch of Syrian Latakia. Ready to smoke, but designed to age beautifully.

When I hear the word "Orient", I am immediately swept back to my days in Hong Kong. Although I was but a young boy (or, perhaps because of it), I have very vivid memories of the city. The sights and sounds; somehow familiar, yet so different to the ways of Western society in which I was raised. Navigating ones way through the sea of concrete, literally awash with masses of people jostling and shoving for position with an almost manic energy. The glow of neon and the clack of the omni-present Mah-jong parlour, the cacophony of voices and the throngs of vehicles.

By E. Roberts
It speaks highly of the blender’s art to offer two incarnations of essentially the same blend, with each displaying a distinctive character of its own. When JackKnife Plug was released in January 2011, it quite literally took the pipe world by storm—supplies were immediately sold out, not to be replenished for several weeks owing to a production delay exacerbated by severe winter weather. Released nearly a year after the plug, in November 2011, JackKnife Ready Rubbed offers the exact same leaf in the exact same amounts as its predecessor, though in a tumbled ribbon form that is a perhaps more approachable presentation. In Greg’s own words:

The blend is identical, with one small exception. The plug is constructed with a core of brights, and the darker tobaccos surrounding it. This allows the brights, theoretically, to express themselves with more purity in the blend. They’re not under as great an influence from the fire-cured and red tobaccos. Doing this with the [Ready Rubbed] wouldn’t work well, because of the way the tobacco clumps, so the blocks are not stratified in this way. The same tobaccos in the same measures are just layered and pressed for the same length of time, then the blocks are sliced and tumbled. It’s the same technique used for the Old London mixtures.

By Adam J. Smith
Tin Notes: This remarkable blend formulated by Fred Hanna provides a multi-layered, rich taste experience. The highest quality Syrian Latakia combines with small amounts of Cyprian to form the base for an exquisite array of rare and precious Orientals - sweet Drama, exotic Yendje, and more. Red irginias compliment the blend, adding sweetness, richness, strength and creaminess. Smoke this mixture and listen for the echoes of savored memories.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Wilderness as, amongst other descriptions, a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human activity together with its naturally developed life community.

It was with this in mind that I struck out this morning to smoke my customary final-bowl before sitting down to review a blend. Seeking the solace that the name connotes, I headed for a local trail system with my favourite briar in tow. Surely, the tobacco gods were smiling upon me this morning, for as I approached the trail-head, a weak morning sun began to break through the ominous clouds which the West Coast is known for.

By Adam J. Smith
I would like to start this column off by thanking both Mr. Kevin Godbee and PipesMagazine.com, and Mr. Gregory Pease for allowing me this once in a life-time opportunity. I have to say that I was quite pleased when Kevin contacted me to inform me of the re-release of this blend (and to inform me that I was to secure and smoke some for this column), but when Greg chimed in offering to not only send me a sample of the real McCoy from his cellar; but also throw his Meridian into the mix, I was ecstatic. Not only would I get a chance to smoke a re-creation of a hallowed blend, but I would also get a chance to smoke the real-thing; created before I was! And, as if the deal needed any sweetening, a chance to add Meridian into the experience!

By Adam J. Smith
Tin notes: Rich Virginias Pressed Tobacco Spiced with Oriental leaf Latakia, and Perique. The source of Mississippi River! The way Joe tells it, it all came to him in a dream. Joe blended for 25 years before coming up with this, his first blend. Everything else was…unsmokable, says Joe. So one night, Joe wakes up from a sound sleep, grabs a pencil by the bedside and scribbles a recipe from his dream. He even dreams tobacco! Morning comes and he uses the notes to create a Virginia blend like no other. Mississippi River is born. The rest is history in a tin. Ask Joe if you don’t believe me. Members beg for this blend. It’s a little embarrassing. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

By Adam J. Smith
Tin notes: This blend is a tribute to a great tobacco of the past, made for a 2011 contest. It was judged to be the closest overall to the dark, Balkan type mixture it was designed to emulate. We hope you enjoy the memory. Russ Ouellette, Blender.

If you say the words "Balkan Sobranie 759" in a room full of pipe-smokers, a hush will descend. The old-timers in the room will relate tales of this hallowed blends that are oft beyond belief. Wondrous tales indeed; relating how it was the cure for everything from the common-cold to reviving the comatose. Tales of how it could turn an ignoramus into a genius of the highest level. Indeed; this blend is almost as fabled as the vaunted "Arcadia Mixture" of "Our Lady Nicotine" fame. And I’ve never smoked it.

By Shaun & Cyndi Dollins, Photos by Paul Arms
A mixture put together by G.L. Pease.

As the description states on the tin - On September 11, 2001 America and the entire world changed forever. While horrified at the devastation that occurred, the world watched with awe and wonder the heroism of the men and women who were the First Responders to the World Trade Center site. C&D recognizes and salutes their bravery and selfless dedication to others with the re-release of Tribute, the original G.L. Pease mixture created September 2001 as a fund-raiser for the families of 9/11 victims.

First Responders is a blend of red, bright and stoved red Virginias with a dash of Perique and toasted Cavendish.

By Adam Smith
Tin Notes: English/Balkan Pressed Tobacco Rich blend of Latakia, Orientals, Virginias, Perique, and a little something extra. Say Hello to Plum Pudding! Ahh, what an exquisite tobacco! This Seattle Pipe Club Blend was created by our own blending guru, Joe Lankford. Plum Pudding is simply a legend in our Club. Many members say it is their perfect tobacco. Delicious, smoky, spicy and positively addictive. Problem was, Joe nearly wore himself out blending so many special requests. So our friends at PipesandCigars.com are blending the precious mixture to Joe’s exacting specifications. Now our Club treasure is available to the world - in limited quantities. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Available in 2oz tins and bulk by the ounce.

By Adam J. Smith
Tin Notes: Rare Syrian Latakia, with its renowned mellow smokiness, is balanced with naturally sweet Oriental tobaccos and aged Virginia leaf to create a satisfying blend reminiscent of classic Syrian Latakia blends of old. Formulated by Tad Gage to reflect the character of original Three Oaks Pipe Tobacco, it tantalizes with intriguing differences.

Before I start this review, you should know that I went through hell to obtain, and finally, smoke this blend. After calling around to half-a-dozen tobacconists, I finally found one with it in stock. The wife, on hearing that I am headed downtown, decides that her and our son should join in, and make a day of it. Packing up a picnic lunch, we traipse off to the city center.

By Kevin Godbee
The Seattle Pipe Club’s Seattle Evening blend is not only a wonderful pipe tobacco which is in a class all it’s own, but it is also a great way of conjuring up a little bit of Seattle back home.  If you haven’t been to Seattle, I highly recommend it. It is a magnificent city with a beautiful modern skyline of glass skyscrapers, a friendly charm, and plenty of fun coffeehouses, good restaurants, and engaging clubs. The snowy peak of Mount Rainier in the distance, the world famous Pike Place Market where they throw salmon like fast balls, and of course the iconic Space Needle, amongst many other things all give Seattle a unique ambiance and charm. I had a wonderful visit there this past January for the Seattle Pipe Club’s 10th Anniversary. Now, smoking Seattle Evening here in hot, humid, sun-blistering Florida has me fondly recollecting cool, misty downtown Seattle. I am smoking this great tobacco and letting it take me back there.