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Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Black Dot
An Actual Review
When this arrived, I got out my jar of Luxury Bullseye Flake to do a visual comparison. Black Dot and LBF do look nearly identical. A smoking comparison wouldn't be fair as my LBF has almost four years of age on it. For Black Dot, I rubbed one coin out fully, leaving another intact, and microwaved them for a brief nine seconds in a 1200 watt microwave, which worked perfectly to bring the moisture content down to a smokeable level. I folded and stuffed the intact coin and packed the rest of the loose tobacco on top. The draw only had a slight amount of resistance. The bowl size was around a Dunhill Group 4 to 5. The tobacco took the flame well for the charring light and continued to burn consistently. At first, there were some rough edges, with some pepper on the tongue and in the retrohale. After a few minutes, the smoke mellowed out and some richer flavor and sweetness appeared. About fifteen minutes in, some of those familiar VaPer flavors began to show up. The rough edges vanished and with gentle smoking, there was no tongue bite. I could tell, however, if I pushed it, it would bite back. About a third into the bowl, the nicotine started to hit. I'm a nic lightweight and smoke for flavor, not a buzz. Next time, I'll just smoke one coin in a smaller bowl. This was still manageable. Thanks to a large meal, I kept going without turning various shades of green. Once I made it through the rubbed out tobacco and got to the folded coin, I had to relight a couple of times. The flavor and smoothness remained consistent. While pleasant, I was hoping for a little more complexity. I did stop with about a quarter of the bowl left as the nicotine was finally starting to get to me and I could tell that the blend had shown me all it had to offer flavor wise. I do not remember that happening with LBF, so perhaps there is at least a little something different about the Black Dot blend, at least in strength. Summary: This is a good, well blended, satisfying smoke that will provide a reasonable dose of Vitamin N to those who enjoy it. It's easy to smoke and offers a pleasant flavor with a good balance between the Virginia and Perique tobaccos. The Cavendish center pops up with some additional sweetness now and then. I'm sure age in a jar will do it some good but I have to say I'm impressed with how smooth and well rounded it was right out of the smokingpipes ziploc. Now, on to the controversy regarding the cost. In my opinion, is this tobacco deserving of the premium price? No. While it is enjoyable, I'm sure many of you will have other VaPer blends that you prefer, as do I. I will jar up the remainder of the small amount I ordered to smoke at a later time. I don't see myself ordering more, even if the price were more reasonable. There are far too many great, and better, VapPers available to justify continuing to spend this much on Black Dot.

Savinelli - Saint Nicholas 2025 Bing's Favorite Rusticated (6mm)
Excellent, with a minor issue.
The pipe arrived in a nice gift box. A sleeve is included (nothing fancy) along with one 6mm balsa filter and one 6mm adapter. The ad copy for these pipes lists them as 1.28oz. Mine is 1.5oz. The pipe is drilled well with the draft hole centered at the bottom of the bowl. Without a filter installed, it will pass a pipe cleaner easily. However, a standard length pipe cleaner will not reach all the way from button to bowl. The only mild complaint is that the button is a bit sloppy. There is buffing compound wedged into it and the shaping is poor. I will fix this with some micro sanding pads. It could be left as is without discomfort. The issue is only cosmetic. I'd say that it's worth a purchase if you like the design. Now it's time to start breaking this in for the holidays.

Gifts - Morta Pipe Kit Acrylic Stem-Straight
A Fun Project
The stem alignment could have been better on the one I received. The drilling was good. I'm about 90% finished and have really enjoyed the process so far. One thing I learned is that the dust will stain/darken your clothes permanently. Be sure not to wear anything you care about. Thankfully, I discovered this while wearing an old t-shirt. I'm not sure I'd buy another one of these but I'm glad I tried it. It has been a lot of fun.

Missouri Meerschaum - Cornell & Diehl Carolina Gent
Might Be My Favorite Cob
This one is really fun to smoke. The acrylic bit is very comfortable. I've been able to clench it without leaving teeth marks. It's fairly light so I can clench it for long periods without wearing out my jaw. I've noticed that MM quality control seems to be slipping of late. Be sure to look yours over very well before smoking in case you need to exchange it.

Stands & Pouches - Claudio Albieri Smokingpipes Leather Cleaners Holder Black
Quality
I've had mine in and out of the car for over two years. It still looks new. The smokingpipes logo serves to remind me where all of my disposable income winds up.

Missouri Meerschaum - Dagner Poker
A Solid Smoker
While it's normal for the rim of a cob to chip a bit, mine was pretty haggard from day one and got worse with limited handling. The acrylic stem is much nicer than a regular plastic mouthpiece. However, the massive price increase just for the stem is kinda pushing it. I like it but it's not the first cob I typically reach for.

Stands & Pouches - Leather Stand Up Tobacco Pouch Black
Fantastic Little Pouch
It works great. The small zippered pocket on the back is perfect for a slim lighter like an Old Boy and pipe nail. You could definitely pay more for pouches of lesser quality. I've had mine in use for over a year and the rubber lining and leather are still in great shape.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Penner
Fun & Functional
This is a nice tamper to have when wearing a suit. It looks right at home in your breast pocket or interior pocket. Since the tamper is contained within the body of the 'pen,' you don't have to worry about getting ash in your pocket or on your clothes. It's also a nice conversation piece. Be aware that the foot is too large to get toward the bottom of smaller bowls.

Tampers & Tools - Tsuge Tamper - E-Star Long
No Frills, Useful Tamper
What you see is what you get. Mine arrived with a slightly angled foot. I liked that so much I bent the foot on my other cheap tampers to gain more control over manipulating ash and ember. It's a must have for a deeply stacked bowl.

Filters & Adaptors - 8deco 9mm to 3mm Adapter (2 Pack)
Great Fit for Rattray & Barling
They fit snugly without getting stuck. I have them in both Rattray and current production Barling pipes. No complaints.

Stands & Pouches - Peterson Classic 2 Pipe Tobacco Pouch
Quality at a Reasonable Price
I've had this case for a couple of years now. I've given it proper care for both the leather and rubber pouch lining and it is holding up great. It isn't crush-proof but it does protect my pipes when placed in a carry-on suitcase or backpack that doesn't leave my side. It still looks like new. There's room for accessories like a lighter and folding pipe stand. I can also fit an additional folding tobacco pouch in the pocket behind the main flap. You can carry two pipes and two blends. Perfect.

Tampers & Tools - Neerup Table Brush
Cool Little Accessory at a Good Price
If you need a little boost to get you over the free shipping limit, this is a great choice. I find myself using it quite a bit. It has held up very well over more than a year of use. It hasn't dropped any bristles. I've had no regrets with this purchase. How often do you see a simple item with a sky high price just because it is a branded tobacco accessory? It's nice to see that this well-made, handy accessory remains at an appropriate price.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Mahogany Flake 50g
I Should Have Ordered More
***Update: It's possible that what I'm experiencing as the anise flavor mentioned in my review is actually more akin to a slightly spicy, natural vanilla bean flavor as opposed to the more standard vanilla you might experience with something like Lane's 1Q. Although, there is definitely something about this blend that reminds me of the classic Mixture 79, Stokkebye Sambuca, etc. albeit presented in a higher quality version here. Regardless, I did get my chance to order more and took full advantage.*** The tin description states, "A medium strength broken flake with British character and a touch of vanilla." The tin I received contains full, unbroken flakes. If 'fold & stuff' is your preferred packing method, you're good to go. The flavor I detect is a rich anise that dominates throughout the bowl, becoming incredibly sweet in the second half. I don't find the vanilla at all. I have been searching for a tobacco like this for a long time. Other anise based blends have either been too light on flavor or burn too hot. This one hits the sweet spot, literally. As with many Gawith blends, this will require some drying time. I rub the flake out thoroughly and let it try for about 15 minutes or so. I've been smoking it in a medium size bowl, using not quite a full flake. There is a noticeable nic hit by the end but nothing overwhelming (I'm a nicotine lightweight). Hopefully, it won't be too long before this one shows up again. For me, it's an instant favorite.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Irish X Aromatic Twist
Smoothest Twist I've Tried
I bought some a little under a year ago and jarred it. I finally smoked some and have to say that out of all of the twists I have tried (Whiskey, Rum, Cherry, Brown Bogie, Brown X, Black X, Aniseed) this has to be the smoothest one so far. If you enjoy the Lakeland essence, you'll be pleased to find it really comes through, as opposed to searching for the flavors in some other twists. While these Brown twists have the reputation of being very powerful, I found this one easily manageable in a smaller bowl (think Dunhill group 2 or 3). I have enjoyed all of the twists I have tried so far but this one really stood out to me. Keep in mind it did have around a year of age on it so that may have helped smooth out the rough edges.

Lane Limited - Black Raspberry
Raspberry Flavor Bomb
If I'm going to smoke an aromatic, this is typically what I'll reach for. I have two pipes dedicated to it. It's easy to smoke, burns cool, and is absolutely packed with raspberry flavor. The flaor is consistent until you reach the bottom of the bowl. The room note is desirable when smoking around others. If you like raspberry and enjoy smoking aros, grab an ounce or two and see what you think.

Missouri Meerschaum - The Freebird
Unfinished Stem
Thank you to smokingpipes for replacing the original Freebird I received. The second one is much better, with better drilling and a more secure shank. The first one I got must have been made at 4:49 pm on a Friday. ;-) Update: I lowered my review to 1 star because after only 3 bowls of tobacco, I went to remove the stem and the entire shank pulled out of the bowl due to an insufficient amount of glue. Whoever made this Freebird screwed up just about everything they could. ----- I own a few MM Cobs with acrylic stems. They are all drilled well and polished to a nice shine. The Freebird I received has a poorly drilled stem and shank. The stem is also somewhat lumpy and dull/unfinished. I was able to correct all of the mistakes and unfinished areas with some small files and micro sanding pads. I only kept the pipe because I really like the look of it. However, if MM is going to continue making cobs in the $50 range, they really need to put a little more effort into consistency in production. Yes, it's 'just a cob' but this price range is approaching the cost of some genuine block meerschaum pipes and NOS vintage briars. It's also worth noting that this pipe is not a sitter. With that out of the way, I'll say I really do like the blue color. The (finished) stem is very comfortable to clench and the draw is open after cleaning it up with a small file. It should be a good smoker.

HU - English Breakfast 100g
Almost There
While I do like the flavor, I can't quite get this blend to work for me. Unlike other reviewers have stated, this one bites my tongue pretty hard no matter how slowly and gently I smoke, even using the breathe method. I was hoping for a good blend to start the day as the title implies, but after trying this in multiple pipes with varying degrees of moisture (from straight out of the tin to bone dry) I won't be ordering more.

Gladora - Pesse Canoe Oriental Flake 50g
One Dimensional But Interesting
I've been crumbling this and smoking it in a small bowl. After considerable drying time, it smokes well. I definitely get a pleasant floral note from this cool smoking tobacco. It doesn't change much throughout the session, but a larger bowl may affect that. I like it and will definitely finish the tin. On another note, these Gladora tins are not suitable for long term storage, but do very well at preserving the moisture content if you're just smoking through the contents at a leisurely, consistent pace. If you're on the fence regarding this blend, I'd say it's worth a try.

Cornell & Diehl - Sansepolcro 2oz
Inconsistent?
I ordered this based on so many positive reviews, especially those describing notes of clove. The tin aroma was that of a typical Virginia blend. After a considerable amount of drying time for the very moist tobacco, the first bowl yielded a somewhat generic flavor profile; bready Virginia with not much else. Absolutely no Kentucky or clove notes showed up for the entire bowl. After letting the tin rest for a few days, I went back to it, finding similar, disappointing results. The only difference was a shade of the Kentucky coming through. I noticed that the two tins I received have different, although close, production dates. After the current release, I've seen reviews at the opposite ends of the love/hate spectrum. I'm wondering if this is a result of inconsistent production from C&D. For reference, the tin I sampled was #2695 from 4/22/25. My unopened tin is #9744 from 4/26/25. If I had to describe Sansepolcro with one word, it would be 'bland.'

Samuel Gawith - Black Cherry Cavendish 8oz
Cool Smoking Cherry
Keeping it simple, I'll say that this is a pleasant, cool, easy smoking cherry blend with a nice room note and flavor that lasts through the entire bowl. Texturally, while comprised heavily of black cavendish, it's not sticky like BCA or Blood Red Moon and will dry a little if left out briefly prior to smoking. If cherry blends typically smoke hot for you and you find Blood Red Moon to be too heavy on cherry flavoring, I think you'll find a happy medium here.

Stands & Pouches - Leather Pipe Stand
Works Well for a Calabash
A sturdy, cushioned rest for your pipe without fear of scratches. As others have stated, it works well for a variety of pipes. I currently keep a vintage calabash in mine and it holds it very steadily. The reason I gave it a 4.5 as opposed to 5 is that I do feel it is a bit overpriced. If you can catch one on an accessory sale, grab it!

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Rich Dark Spring Dew
Mild, Cool & Flavorful
As a Gawith Hoggarth & Co fan, I purchased a couple of ounces of this the first day it was available. I gave it about 15-20 minutes of drying time so it was still a bit springy, not crunchy, when loading. The pipe was a Rattray Ahoy series. From the charring light through the entire bowl this blend smoked sweet, cool and dry. It stayed lit fairly easily as well. I don't like to describe flavors as that can be very personal and YMMV. This makes a great all day smoke with no nic hit to speak of (coming from an admitted nicotine lightweight). I'm sure I'll be ordering more as this is an instant favorite. Update: After reading up on this blend, it is apparently the blend Rich Dark Honeydew under a new name. Others have described it as being stronger in nicotine. Maybe I just got lucky, but I smoked a couple of bowls with no sense of a nic buzz. I also learned that steam is used in it's production, which made sense to me as I was thinking the closest blend I have smoked to this is C&D's Steamworks.

Missouri Meerschaum - Imperial Blue Hardwood Apple Bent
This is a 6mm filter pipe.
I've only had one smoke from this pipe so far. While it was a good smoke for sure, I'm really posting to add a correction to the description. This pipe and the straight stem version are both 6mm filter pipes. They arrive with a paper filter in place. Of course, they can be smoked without a filter as well. Update: I should mention it will not accept Savinelli 6mm charcoal filters, but will accept Savinelli and Mitchell Thomas balsa filters as well as Medico filters. It continues to provide very good smokes.

Samuel Gawith - Cannon Plug 8oz
Unique & Delightful
I took a chance on this one and it really paid off. Cannon Plug is definitely in my top 5 tobaccos. I was a little concerned when I opened the package and was hit with a strong aroma of floral perfume. However, with no additional age on the plug, I sliced a small portion into small cube cuts, dried it thoroughly, and was greeted with a mild, flavorful smoke that is indeed floral in nature. Having spent a little time with it, I've discovered thin slices, rubbed out thoroughly, seem to provide a more consistent burn as opposed to cube cuts. This tobacco might not be for everyone, so I'll say if you like Lakeland blends, you should give this a try. If not, you may not want to take a chance on purchasing such a large quantity. I sure am glad I did.

Tampers & Tools - Larry Blackett Tamper - Pewter Cannon and Carriage
Almost perfect!
I really like this tamper. It looks great on the table and the rest is designed well and convenient. My only very small criticism is that the prongs on the cannon should have been set just a tiny bit closer to the front so the cannon could rest straight in it's stand. While it will rest straight most of the time, one small nudge and it tips downward like you see in the product photo.

Tampers & Tools - Larry Blackett Tamper - Pewter Skull
Love it!
Has a nice weight to it. Looks better in hand then in the product photo. Stands straight without wobble. Tamper foot is small enough to manipulate tobacco toward the bottom of most bowls.

Replacement Stems - Lucite Churchwarden Stem (for Nording)
Not Even Close
While the stem is well made with a nice polished finish and good draw, as another reviewer stated, it doesn't fit. If I were to force the stem into the pipe, it would certainly crack the shank. However, this may be intentional, with the idea that the stem should be sanded down to fit whichever pipe you choose. I'll keep the stem and work it to fit. I do think that the item description should state that the stem will not be a direct fit and will require finishing on the part of the customer. Update: Upon fitting the stem to the pipe and using it, I discovered that the interior of the button has an unpleasant, unfinished feel and will also need to be completed with more filing and sanding. Disappointing.

Old German Clay - Bishop and Knight
Check the Design Before Smoking
The one I received has an uneven bowl. I didn't realize until I was already smoking it that the knight's head was cut off. Lol! The construction is a bit shoddy compared to other clays I have purchased. However, it smokes just fine.

Tabac de la Semois - Les Bouchons (Box of 10)
An Interesting Novelty
I should state first that I do enjoy Semois tobacco, but I found this smoking experience a bit unpleasant. The most accurate taste description I can offer is that of a cigar nub that has started to become a bit acrid. The first few puffs are nice, but that quickly fades. The construction of the bouchons is a bit inconsistent. The first one I smoked was crumbling as it sat in the box and drew so much air from the several cracks in the leaves, that getting any smoke volume required a very firm puffs, resulting in some tongue bite. Overall, disappointing for such an expensive box of tobacco I would otherwise enjoy in its other, more traditional forms. Yes, I did follow the recommended procedure for smoking.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Kokka Deluxe Silver
Excellent Tamper
Definitely my new favorite tamper. Perfect weight for gently tamping tobacco under the weight of the tamper. Wood shaft provides confident grip. Curved foot allows easy manipulation of the tobacco/ash. Slanted silver cap is also useful for manipulating the ash/ember and is useful for removing dottle without scraping the bowl. Stands stable and looks elegant without being gaudy. I hope to see more of this design with a variety of woods.