I really enjoyed the Chicago show. It lived up to all expectations. Since I like to actually smoke all my artisan pipes, I picked up several estates from Redeemed Pipes, including my first J Alan and two Tom Eltangs. I also picked up a new Adam Davidson billiard, which I’m smoking right now on my patio. I was excited to get the last of Andrew Sheehan’s (Carmette pipes) shown below, a beautiful tanblast. He’s a maker to watch.
I got to sit and talk to Erik Stokkebye and Per Jenson and met Brian Levine, whose podcast I really enjoy.
The trip was complete with a visit to Iwan Ries. I got a few of their signature tobacco jars shipped home. Their smoking lounge is beyond description.
I also enjoyed my first Chicago dog. That’s me in the shoulder sling with Erik Stokkebye. Even rotator cuff surgery wasn’t going to prevent this trip to pipe heaven.