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• January 7, 2025 Pipe Force Episode III & Cringle Flake Holiday Edition 2024 Reviews

  There is a transitory nature to this enjoyment of pipes and tobacco, making it an easy metaphor for the nature of time and our place within its flow, and, hopefully, enhancing our appreciation to lend focus to moments which we allow our perceptions to linger within. It is ephemeral, like all things we hold dear; so, too, the holiday season aims to serve as reminder to enjoy and cling to those moments—with family, loved ones, and spirit of good cheer. As another holiday season winds down and confronts us with the promise of renewal in the year ahead, let’s keep that in mind as we examine some of the sunset offerings from the Sutliff Tobacco Company. Pipe Force Episode III Stoved and Red Virginia give a naturally sweet, tangy, woody foundation. The hearty Rustica leaf has been hot-pressed and stoved for the first time. The process slightly tempers the bold tobacco and imparts a floral note, but still, the robust character is not lost, bringing body to the smoke. A portion of Dark-fired Kentucky then offers a mesquite spice to the mixture.  The last of the Pipe Force Project releases, Episode III keeps with the Star Wars aspect in much the same way as Revenge of the Sith did. Lieutenant General Marshall is the portrait of the Cthulian officer gracing the tin and the lucky challenge coin within, intoning a portent of the unknown and, possibly, the unfathomable—in this case, the first time stoved Rustica leaf has been included in a commercial blend. Inside the tin are a few stout, thick flakes that release a bouquet of campfire coals, almost a Scottish blend experience even absent Latakia or Orientals. Crumbling for preparation is easy, with the nearly quarter-inch flakes parting easily and at a good moisture for packing straight from the tin, or with a minimum of air drying to preference. On the light there is not as much of a bass note as the aroma would suggest, nor are there an abundance of high and bright notes either; it plants itself firmly in the middle of the range. A decidedly woody dimension continues from the aroma through the light and all the way to the heel; it is definitely the defining character of the blend’s flavour palette. Between the dark-fired and the stoved Rustica leaf, little room for expression remains. Perhaps this is something that some time in the tin will alter, allowing the red Virginia to pronounce some sweetness and depth eventually. On the technical side it burns strikingly well, requiring only a single light to find the heel—outdoors in a light breeze, mind you—and leaves the aftertaste of a flat IPA with hints of barbecue on the tongue, mercifully absent of bite. Overall the blend feels a bit flattened out and perhaps a bit too fresh to exhibit depth, with too much compression in the mix to feel the highs and lows, though at moments one can taste the umami that floats as a potential in the background. Not to say that it was a disappointment by any means—the smoke is agreeably as stout as the flakes, on the hearty and dry side, and with a good amount of nicotine delivered in the process. Cringle Flake Holiday Edition 2024 Aged Red Virginias from 2010 are pressed and sliced to showcase the dark side of the flue cured leaf. The mature Virginias offer bread, dark fruit and spice in this special smoking mixture.  This year’s holiday special edition, the last from the marque, is built around a legacy bundle of leaf from the storied McClelland holdings. Cringle Flake 2024 is nearly a companion smoke to Pipe Force III in the woody flavour spectrum, owing to the particular complexion of the flue-cured red Virginia leaf. The tin art is seasonably festive, either in the Cringle Flake version or the alternate Krampusnacht packaging exclusive to TobaccoPipes.com, though both are the exact same blend; my personal preference is for the wilder Krampusnacht image, as it calls to mind the art of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, but it makes no difference to the flavor—or does it…? (No, it doesn’t.-ed.) As noted, the flakes are a blend of two vintages of red Virginia, a 2000 US crop and a 2010 Canadian from an earlier acquisition of McClelland stock. Nosing the tin there is detectably a hint of that old vinegary aroma, so fond memories of Christmases past are certainly contained therein. Overall it has its own read, though; to me, it’s a woody, oiled mahogany aroma, not unlike the smell of a new acoustic guitar (yes, I spent an inordinate amount of time smelling my Christmas gifts). There is a bit of tang, high and sour, though it lacks clear sweetness up front, both in the aroma and smoke—the notes of dark fruit and spice are slight at best. It seems apparent that the intention is that this is a Virginia blend destined for at least a little bit of tin-ageing. The woody tilt continues through the top to middle of the bowl, leaning into that aspect of the leaf and its curing. Though it took a few bowls to dial in, there was a richness to be found with some deepening of the bass notes—think brown bread and extra-sharp cheddar—and highlights of a clover honey character on the palate and retrohale. The blend benefits greatly from a sharp black coffee or strong tea, particularly for repeated servings, as well as some delayed gratification technique—I found that taking an initial light and burning until it needed tending, then allowing it some room to breathe, suitably amplified the flavour profile. Despite some astringency in the overtones, after finding the proper pace it proved a very repeatable and enjoyable smoke. The holidays are a celebration not of what we acquire, but of what we can share. Stashing away a tin or three of these stocking stuffers will make for savoury moments to enjoy, hopefully with good company. In closing, with a repeat of last […]

• January 7, 2025 Happy New Year Pipe Pal

  Make no mistake, this was a fairly good year. So many pipes and so little time. Which forced Pundit to deal with an unruly herd of pipes. The past, always a good forecast of the future, has always been go big or go home for the Pundit. This year was time to do a little cowboy corralling, lassoing, and cutting the herd so new additions could be considered in this new year. There were so many good year-end tobacco blends from which to choose, the Pundit was in a maze of confusion and indecision. Uhm, no, that’s not too unusual. But, my goodness, there were some hard choices from fresh Christmas blends to updates of old favorites. There are not too many Virginia, English, and smooth aromatic blends that Pundit doesn’t enjoy. Yes, it’s been a very good year for pipe smokers. And from what I have seen carousing some of the online pipe shops, we are in for another outstanding year. Per cutting back the herd. I’m a sucker for Christmas tobacco blends. Let a new Christmas delight show up, and the Pundit is on it, like a kiddie ripping open a wrapped present beneath the tree. Ok, I get it, Christmas is over and let’s move on. I’ve got something of a seasonal story to tell you. Date evades me, but I was riding down an old country road on a bright spring day some years back when I spotted an older gentleman sitting on a tombstone. He was sitting and resting atop a tall headstone in a country church cemetery and staring off into the cemetery. The old memorial stones were baked in a faded gray look, with many names and dates faded into shadows. Naturally, I stopped to see if he might need help or something. He was puffing his pipe and just looking off. I said hello and asked him if all was okay. “Yes,” he said. “I’m just having a chat with Naomi.” Naomi, he told me, died a few years back right before Christmas, just after Thanksgiving and he was telling her how his Christmas was. He took another puff on his pipe. I asked him how long the two had been married. “All our lives,” he told me. Translated, the name Naomi means “gentle,” or “pleasantness,” according to a Google search. He puffed a bit more. I reached for a handkerchief to manage a tear, and then pulled out my pipe. We chatted a bit more before I left him to his thoughts of Naomi and his pipe. The New Year is not only a good moment for pipes, but as with Naomi, the year is also a time to reflect. To find the gentleness in life, especially while relaxing with your new pipe. I’ve thought about the gentleman and Naomi many times over the years since I interviewed him. And not to become too mushy but after that chance meeting, I thought of my pipes in a different light. They not only bring pleasure, especially with new purchases and new tobacco blends, but also pipes give me time to reflect on the past, present, and future, much like Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s classic, A Christmas Carol. If you recall that story—and, ahem, if not it’s time to read it for its many lessons when the ghosts of past, present, and future visit Scrooge. As for the New Year, the present, I’ll add more pipes to the herd, after the culling is over, the past. It will also be a New Year, the future,  of major tobacco additions to the cellar, especially from that master blender Jeremy Reeves of Cornell & Diehl. I’m always amazed at how Jeremy gets to the essence of a blend. His talent is that of a gourmet chef. Just sayin,’ Jeremy is in that league of top blenders, in Pundit’s view. Now, it’s time for some Pipe Smokers of the Past: Carl Sandburg was born Jan. 6, 1878, in Galesburg, Illinois; and died July 22, 1967, in Flat Rock, N.C. Sandburg was a poet, journalist, and a Pulitzer Prize winner for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. In addition, he won two more Pulitzers for his poetry. And if you have ever wondered where the “Good Morning, America,” phrase originated, you might consider his 1928  book, Good Morning, America, which some sources say is the origin of the expression. As for pipes, it is reported that he was rarely seen without his pipe, stuffed with plug tobacco. Now, that takes a strong constitution to smoke plug tobacco all day. Maybe that’s why he won three Pulitzers. He “plugged” away at it. Ok. On to another Pipe Smoker of the Past. John Ronald Reuel ( J.R.R.) Tolkien, an old favorite, was born Jan. 3, 1892; and died Sept. 2, 1973. Yes, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, that J.R.R. Courage is found in unlikely places― J.R.R. Tolkien And if you need an outstanding read on the famous author and pipe smoker, see Chuck Stanion’s superb piece in his Aug. 27, 2021, Pipe Line column on Tolkien at SmokingPipes.com. A Parting Thought: My New Pipe, My New Year Pal

• December 31, 2024 Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 642

  Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 642. Our featured guest tonight is Jon David Cole. JD is the Owner/Tobacconist at The Country Squire in Jackson, MS, and the accompanying online store. We’ll have JD and Brian talking about Jon David’s personal pipe collection, sales trends for pipes and tobacco at the shop, and the challenges presented by the pending closure of Sutliff Tobacco. They have been the supplier of many component tobaccos for several of The Country Squire’s house blends. If you haven’t heard the news from earlier this year – Scandinavian Tobacco Group bought Mac Baren, which owned Sutliff. Internal documents were leaked from STG showing that they will be shutting down Sutliff completely, and eliminating most of the products. This will be an extended conversation, so we will skip the usual Pipe Parts opening segment.

• December 24, 2024 Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 641

  Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 641. Our featured interview tonight is with Jeremy Reeves. Jeremy is the Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl and is featured in our recurring series, “Ask the Tobacco Blender”. However, tonight he will be the interviewee as we learn about how he became a pipe smoker and collector, when he got his first pipe and how he progressed from there. At the top of the show, Brian will have a review of the rare German tobacco blend, Tumblin’ Dice.

• December 23, 2024 Forgotten Treasures

  I remember the first time I heard someone else say it. “How many pipes do I need? Just one more.” It’s glib, sure, a bit of a joke, but it also rings a bell of truth, at least to me. I certainly have “enough” pipes, but pipes are seductive little things. Just when we think we’re all set, we have enough, another will come along that tempts us beyond any sense of reason. I suppose it’s the same way with any sort of collecting. There’s always another white whale we’re in pursuit of. When we finally track that one down, though, another will almost inevitably breach the surface, taking its place as the new object of our desire, enticing us to change course and set sail once again. But, there’s a potential problem with having a lot of pipes. Maybe. The more pipes we may have, the harder it can be to keep them in rotation. It makes sense. We tend to gravitate towards our current faves, the ones that most appeal to us for whatever reason, and sometimes, maybe they stay in rotation longer than they really should. The side-effect of this, of course, is that another favored pipe might end up too-long forgotten. That’s exactly what happened recently. Exhibit A: The Castello pictured is one that has been long overlooked. It’s a Trademark shape #55. It’s a really nice example of the shape. The red pearlized stem is beautifully done. The wood isn’t really anything special to look at, but it’s evenly covered, without any bald spots. When I look at it, I wonder why it wasn’t done in the more typical dark ruby-red finish that adorns most Trademarks. I’ve seen a great deal of variation amongst the grade over the years, including one really nice bent-bulldog that left the factory with a brown sandblasted finish. (For those who don’t know, Trademark has long been the lowest Castello smooth grade, usually finished in a dark red.) Was this a stamping/grading error, or is there just more leeway in the grade than we’ve come to expect? I might never know. This example is from the early 1970s, maybe even the late 1960s, identified by the upper case Ks in the grade designation. (On Sea Rock and Old Antiquari pipes, the Ks reflect the size, while with the smooth finishes, Trademark, Castello and Collection, the Ks represent the relative grade.) It has been living in a different rack than the one housing the majority of my #55s. I don’t recall why I put it there, but as many of us can relate to, rack space is often at a premium. I stumbled upon it while looking for something completely different. “Oh, you? Why are you there? I remember you smoke pretty well.” Yeah, I sometimes talk to my pipes – one of many quirks, I suppose. I won’t begin to worry until they start talking back. I grabbed it from the rack, dusted it off, and decided to give it a fill with a bowl of a slightly aged VA/perique blend, Telegraph Hill, from 2018. What a delightful smoke! At five years, the tobacco is expressing a lot of the complexities of aged Virginias and the perique adds a delightful fruitiness. When young, the composition is a bit brighter, maybe a little spicier, but time has polished any edges, and amplified the sweeter notes. Like the pipe, I’d forgotten about this blend for quite a while, but one evening in March, after chatting with my good friend Nate, who is quite a fan of it, I decided it might be time to revisit it. I got a couple of fresh ones, and excavated a couple older tins from the library. I normally reach for Fillmore when I want a VA/perique thing because of its boldness and depth, but in revisiting this one, I’m finding something soothing and comfortable about it that I’ve really been enjoying, both young and aged. Sticking with the theme of the forgotten, and as a perhaps interesting tidbit to the photographically inclined, I shot the pictures for this month’s column with my old Nikkor-O 35mm/2.0 mounted on my trusty Nikon Df. The last time I used this lens, it was adapted to one of my Fujifilm bodies, and I didn’t care much for the results, so I put it away and pretty much forgot about it. But, I’ve recently been exploring some of my old kit, deciding what to keep, what to pass along, and this one once again came to my attention, kind of like that old Castello. On the Df, there’s something about its vintage rendering that I find truly appealing. Another forgotten treasure, and just like with that old pipe, it seems that, at least today, everything old is new again. If your collection is on the large side, are there pipes or tobaccos that you’ve all but forgotten, only to come back to them one day to find yourself wondering why? Maybe it’s just another fun dimension to this endlessly fascinating journey.

• December 17, 2024 Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 640

  Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 640. Our featured interview on tonight’s show is with Ben Rapaport. Ben has been known internationally as an avid pipe smoker, antique pipe collector, and book author. His first book on pipes was published in 1972, and his latest book – his 10th – is out now in very limited quantities. The distribution has already sold out, but you can still get a copy of “The Wide World of Wood Tobacco Pipes. Two Centuries of Craftsmanship and Creativity” by contacting him directly at ben70gray@gmail.com. At the top of the show we’ll be turning the tables on our recurring Ask the Pipemaker segment. This time, Jeff Gracik will ask the questions, which Brian will answer as a pipe collector, and you can give your answers too.