For me it was Esoterica Kingsbridge. Wow, got hooked on that one years ago and now...
But have been thinking that perhaps we ought to thank our asian friends who pay outrageous prices for various tobaccos (and pipes): are they helping to keep production alive? Is that flourishing market...
Might you be able to discuss how you wrangled a visit to the factory? I've always wanted to go but wasn't sure how to go about asking/reserving/bribing.
Anyone been there lately, the past year or so? Just wondering if it is worth the effort to get there. That is, is looks like a lovely village in beautiful mountains but, more importantly, pipes stuff?
I once saw John David's recipe book from his shop, something the original owners has started and kept. Is that the sort of thing you are thinking about? A compelling idea but surely the issue with any older tobacco blending guides is that most of those tobaccos used are gone/changed. Sad.
I thought that Tabac à la Civette was poncey and over-rated. Hands down the place to go is Pipe du Nord. It was taken over a few years ago by Marie and she is engaged with pipes and the pipe community. Shop is very nice and has a good vibe. There is a smoking area upstairs but I think you...
This has been popping up on fb, but not for pipe reasons. Thought it might be of interest here. "148th birthday to Charles Stewart Mott, brilliant industrialist and generous philanthropist."
I'm wondering about tiny "artisan" tobacco growing. Bit like those crazy hippies down the road that started making and bottling their own wine but it isn't quite legal but no one cares b/c they are not trying to sell it anywhere but their farm. So, groups of meandering pipe smokers hear about...
I'm curious about one aspect of the show. What is the Swap and Smoke and how is that different than the Exhibition Halls? What happens at the Swap and Smoke?