So, I took my friend who lives in Richmond to the pipe show. I was pretty excited. He had no idea what was going on. I think after seeing me oogle pipes and try new blends, he wanted in on the fun. So, we went to the Missouri Meerschaum table where he got a tutorial on Corn Cobb pipes from the Morgans. He selected one he liked and then we went off to find something to fill it with. He kept asking me what to try. We narrowed it down and he wanted to try an English Blend (my kind of guy). I think it was the smell from the Magnum Opus that Russ let me try that sold him. He asked me where to begin and I looked at him and asked him, "Why are you asking me?"
So we went to the Pipes and Cigars table. Russ talked with him, explained different blends to him, let him smell all these different types, and helped him pick a good one to begin with. Then Russ taught him how to pack a pipe and properly smoke one to enjoy the flavor and nuance. I have to admit, I was soaking it in and learning so much too! I kept thinking to myself, how often does someone get in to pipe smoking by meeting the maker of his pipe and then learn to smoke a pipe by the master blender who made his tobacco? How lucky is my friend? How lucky am I to witness that? How awesome is Russ for taking the time to do all that?
Russ, thank you so much for your kindness, your patience, and your wisdom. You made the show truly memorable for at least two of us and I can't thank you enough for being just an awesome guy!
So we went to the Pipes and Cigars table. Russ talked with him, explained different blends to him, let him smell all these different types, and helped him pick a good one to begin with. Then Russ taught him how to pack a pipe and properly smoke one to enjoy the flavor and nuance. I have to admit, I was soaking it in and learning so much too! I kept thinking to myself, how often does someone get in to pipe smoking by meeting the maker of his pipe and then learn to smoke a pipe by the master blender who made his tobacco? How lucky is my friend? How lucky am I to witness that? How awesome is Russ for taking the time to do all that?
Russ, thank you so much for your kindness, your patience, and your wisdom. You made the show truly memorable for at least two of us and I can't thank you enough for being just an awesome guy!
And that is why I will continue to buy Black House and likely try some other Hearth and Homes blends soon (weird that I like BH so much but haven't tried any others). That sounds like a pretty memorable experience. I'd have felt like a kid in a candy store, I'm sure 
