It's Been a Good Month for My Cellar.

[cgrd]

I live in Canada, and while it's mostly a fantastic place, tobacco prices are easily 2/3rd higher than US prices. Happily, my parents took a short vacation into the US and I just returned from a week in San Diego. This has allowed me to splurge and add some quality tobacco to my cellar!

I also received a Longchamp pipe as a gift. A friend's father passed away and he had several pipes. She sold all but the one she gave me. I had met him a few times and he was a funny & vibrant man. I'm happy to have one of his pipes in my rotation.

It was a well kept pipe, and required just a basic clean and hand polish. I removed the stinger; it actually went into the bowl itself and there was no way a pipe cleaner would pass. I stored the stinger so as to not lose it, so it can be easily returned for packing/long term storage in the future.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

I love that longchamp, it's in immaculate condition! I actually smoke them often, I got a 7-day set from a friend a while ago, and they all smoke terrific. Nice tobacco score too!

 

[graywizard]

what is the tobacco on the top right - in the Balkan sobranie-like can please?

 

[jah76]

Three Oaks Syrian I'm pretty sure.
Got some mighty fine blends there cgrd!

 

[graywizard]

wow - thanks does anyone know what it tastes and smells like? anything to refer it to?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Nice haul. Is that pipe bowl leather? Or just an illusion?

 

[ghost]

That should be leather, Elvis had one too...

 

[ebag]

San Diego, eh? What B&M did you go to? Since I live here.
Other than that that is a nice haul. Good time to store up.

 

[cajunguy]

Nice haul! Enjoy. And I love the pipe, by the way. I've fixed up a few of those and always promised myself one one of these days.

 

[cgrd]

Thanks guys!
graywizard - 3 Oaks Syrian; here's the tin description "Rare Syrian Latakia, with its renowned mellow smokiness, is balanced with natural sweet Oriental tobaccos and aged Virginia leaf to create a satisfying blend reminiscent of classic Syrian Latakia blends of old." I love it, sweet, tangy, smokey with hints of leather. In my opinion, you can't go wrong!
peckinpahhombre - It is indeed wrapped in leather. It's briar under the leather though.
ebag - I went to Racine & Laramie in Old Town (just off the Green Line). It's a fantastic little shop with a pipe museum in it. They had a very large selection of tins and decent selection of bulks. The clerks kept to themselves until I made it clear I wanted to buy something, but that's sometimes a good thing. I also think you can smoke in the shop which I understand is a rarity.
I also checked out Captain Hunts Tobacconist. It's the home of the San Diego Pipe Club (Wednesday nights). Very limited selection of tins, a large selection of bulk and a nice selection of pipes. It was super busy when I was there though, and the shop is the size of a walk in closet I didn't hang out too long.

 

[ebag]

Racine & Laramie is my local B&M that I go to more often than not. Also, yes, you can smoke in the shop. They have a little backroom where they light up and enjoy some conversation.
Though, I didn't know that Captain Hunts was SD's pipe club home. Now I definitely have to go out to it whenever I'm not working too hard. So, now that I've learned something new that's always a plus.
Hope you enjoyed your stay out in my neck of the woods.

 

[graywizard]

CGRD - thanks! Sounds like one i should check out! Many thanks and Enjoy!!!!