Good Morning! New pipe smoker in Metro Detroit. I started with a Peterson 304 briar and aromatics (Sutliff Vanilla Custard and CAO Eileen's Dream) about two months ago, and found this website to be a great resource for beginners. After a pretty tough start smoking with the briar (tongue bite, the dreaded gurgles), I've gotten better with it. I ordered two Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentlemen (finished) and two MM CGs Neked from Aristocob. I've had quite a bit more luck with Neked CGs - they just seem to be more forgiving for a beginner. I've also had better luck with English tobaccos - Peterson's Elizabethan blend from a Neked CG has been great for me.
I would like to give Aristocob a salute - I ordered two Neked CGs by priority mail. They were a bit slow with shipping, but I had no complaints. In the age of Amazon, I prefer to support small business owners directly whenever I can. Without being asked, they refunded my $4 for priority shipping and sent a coupon for 10% of my next order, with a nice note in the package. I was so pleased to see it - it's almost quaint these days for a company "do right by the customer," and I'll definitely be ordering from Aristocob in the future!
Edit: fixed typo
I would like to give Aristocob a salute - I ordered two Neked CGs by priority mail. They were a bit slow with shipping, but I had no complaints. In the age of Amazon, I prefer to support small business owners directly whenever I can. Without being asked, they refunded my $4 for priority shipping and sent a coupon for 10% of my next order, with a nice note in the package. I was so pleased to see it - it's almost quaint these days for a company "do right by the customer," and I'll definitely be ordering from Aristocob in the future!
Edit: fixed typo
