What a great article.
Not only the specialty blends, but a lot of the local comradery is gone with the disappearance of the local tobacconists. Unless you know someone that smokes a pipe, the mentorship is virtually non-existant for the new pipe enthusiast. Sure, you can always turn to the web for guidance, but the social interaction with the education and mentorship is gone or at best significantly reduced. The blends change over time due to technology and demand from the consumers. But the blow dealt to the social aspect of pipe smoking was devastating.
With all good things worth fighting for, they come back. I hope social acceptance will at least lighten up so we can smoke and socialize without persecution.
