Recent Articles | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

An Introduction to Cellaring Pipe Tobacco

August 22, 2014 by Shane Ireland

37 Comments

Much has been said about the benefits of aging pipe tobacco. If you've ever had the opportunity to sample a well-aged Virginia blend, then chances are you are already a believer. The comparison of pipe tobacco to wine may be cliche, but it is certainly accurate. While the vibrancy of youth can be desirable, in most cases, age will only improve a fine tobacco blend. ... Read More

Eltang Turns to a New Stain

August 20, 2014 by Sykes Wilford

5 Comments

A few months ago, back in maybe June or July, Tom Eltang called to chat. We talk pretty regularly, so this wasn't particularly unusual. After a few minutes of chit-chat, the conversation took an interesting turn. Tom dropped something of a bomb. He was done with the Golden Contrast stain after decades of using it as his primary—often his only—pipe stain. He'd developed an allergy to one of the components. ... Read More

Mystery Tobacco August 2014

August 19, 2014 by Eric Squires

Today's review is something special. A mystery to everyone. I mean, I know the name of it, and where it came from, but the precise nature of the blend is a mystery even to me. To anyone, really. How can that be? Rest assured all will be revealed by the end. For now, the most important part: How does it smoke? ... Read More

With the arrival of McClelland's 2014 Christmas Cheer (and wanting to create some copy that moved a bit beyond simply what was on the label, with the addition of "It's limited-edition, and num-num-nummy"), I fearlessly plowed into the internet and, for all practical purposes, came up empty handed. Sure, the boards abounded with debates over the superiority of vintages, hoarding/consuming practices, and laments over failing to purchase sufficient amounts from a given year, but (gods forbid) an actual history, or even the casual mention of when the first Christmas Cheer was offered. ... Read More

11 Secrets of a Bruce Weaver Sandblast

August 14, 2014 by Andrew Wike

2 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, master blaster Bruce Weaver was here visiting the shop. We're all quite familiar with the quality of his ultra-fine sandblasts. He aggressively attacks the briar to reveal the briar's intricate growth rings for a finish unlike anything else out there. Affable as can be, he gladly agreed to share some of his secrets in this exclusive interview. So here they are: 11 secrets behind Bruce Weaver and his one of a kind sandblasts.