Iwan Ries Exclusives, Compacts Gone!

[mso489]

In the last month or so, Iwan Ries has removed its compact house pipes, under the

Iwan Ries Exclusives stamp, from its web site. Since they sell many more pipes than they

can illustrate either online or in their paper catalog, they may still have them, but it is

notable that they chose to pull them from their online retail site. These were Group 3,

quite small briar pipes, and long featured an apple, a bent billiard, and one or two others.

They sold for about $36 last time they were shown. I own the bent billiard, and it is a bent

pipe that passes a pipe cleaner effortlessly. In an April interview on pipesmagazine, Chuck

Levi, the reigning elder at the 157 year old tobacconist shop, paused notably when asked

about house pipes. But the ones IR carries are Bentons, which are good, worthy smoking pipes.

So here's to Iwan Ries compacts. May they continue, or return, as the great pocket pipes they

are. Meantime, Iwan Ries Exclusives still carries a good array of Group 4 pipes perfect for

increasing your rotation or having as take-along pipes.

 

[blueeyedogre]

It's odd that just when compact "chubby" pipes are gaining in popularity they would choice to discontinue them.

 

[ithelouniverse]

I was there last week. They are still in store, and are a helluva value for 36 bucks...

 

[mso489]

Maybe Iwan Ries felt they were underselling some of the rest of the line so took these off the web.

Retailing is a complicated art. I'm glad to hear they are still available at the shop. If I have to have

another, I'll give them a call. They are great little small bowled pipes.

 

[kcvet67]

I've been a customer of Iwan Ries for 48 years (They were a Godsend when I was in Viet Nam). I have seen a wide range of house pipes in that time, but all have been exceptional values. It has always been my impression that they switch makers when necessary to maintain the ability to provide their customers with quality pipes at exceptional prices. The overall styles may change, but the value remains. Their prices are higher than many of the online sellers, but their history of over a century and a half of dedication to their customers is unmatched.
If the Exclusives line dies off, I am sure that it will be replaced by something that will equal or exceed it.