My Pilgrimage to Iwan Ries

[khiddy]

While in town yesterday afternoon for an event at Chicago’s University Club, I happily discovered that Iwan Ries is just around the corner, so I dropped my bride off at the club and trotted on over. I had no intention of buying anything more than a tin or two and having a look around, but Douglas is a delightful salesman and I came home with a beautiful new Briarworks bent with some absolutely alluring birdseye in the briar, with flame grain on the end. It was too handsome to pass up.


Oh, and I got some tins as well, but that’s for another thread.

 

[Roach1]

Nice.

 

[kcghost]

Nice is way to go in the sales game!!

 

[dottlejockey]

Great looking grain on that!

 

[renfield]

Sweet. Definitely one of the pipe smoking places to see.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

It's a great to visit IR. Great staff and incredible selection of pipes, tobacco and Cigars. I've been in a lot of shops, IR is the best.

 

[romaso]

I had no intention of buying anything more than a tin or two and having a look around

Ha! That might work for your wife, but we know better!

 

[Pipke]

Love that pipe!

 

[khiddy]

Love that pipe!

I broke it in with some GH Kendal Kentucky and it smoked like a champion. Feels so nice in my hand, smoked relatively cool, and looks a treat. I regret nothing.

 

[Pipke]

I broke it in with some GH Kendal Kentucky and it smoked like a champion. Feels so nice in my hand, smoked relatively cool, and looks a treat. I regret nothing.

What model is that pipe?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Nice pipe!! Congrats!

 

[khiddy]

What model is that pipe?

It's a Briarworks Classic Bent Apple with a tapered stem. On their website, it appears they use offer only saddle stems now, but I'll say that I greatly prefer the shape/feel/sightline of the tapered stem.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Its a great place. Enjoy the new pipe.
I was in Chicago a few weeks ago with the family. The wife and I stopped in at Iwan Ries, but unfortunately we were pressed for time, so I only spent a little more than an hour in there. The wife picked out a 60's era estate Iwan Ries leather wrapped billiard for me. Douglas and Harry were great and super friendly, and I could have spent all day there talking with them, and exploring the shop. Even my wife thought it was a cool place, and was conversing with them. While I was talking with Douglas, Harry took my wife on a tour of the shop and lounge and she took a bunch of pics for me. Such a cool place.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I ordered an estate off their website and when it came I realized it was a "sitter" - couldn't tell that from the description when I ordered other than I guess if you know your Dunhill numbers (I don't!) you would figure that out. I still loved it in hand and would have been happy to keep it, but . . . it didn't "sit", lol. Called the shop, was asked to send it back and just got the replacement I exchanged it for (and ordered a little extra tobacco just because). Great customer service. I also learned from the first phone conversation it is apparently "I-vohn" - I honestly had no idea how it was pronounced and I suppose no reason to know, but . . . now I do! Next time we make it to the Chicago area will be stopping in.