The Experiment

I have always relied on blenders to create the blends I love to smoke. When I have strayed from my reliance upon their judgment, I haven’t found the results amenable at all. While I think it is understandable to want to experiment, I’ve kept my expectations low and still failed to meet them. Until this week, that is.

Like many pipe smokers, I am a fan of Esoterica Tobaccos and of Jersey Isles’ Germain who manufacture them. Last week, I purchased a tin of Margate from the Tobacco Shop in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The tin had considerable age; the tobacco I removed from it was oily, moist, and fragrant.

Margate– described as a “Full English Blend” – is comprised of Cyprian Latakia and Orientals. The Orientals in the blend are sweet and creamy. They beautifully balance the latakia which is far from overpowering.

I was surprised to learn that Margate had no Virginias in its composition. When I think about the English blends I enjoy most, they all contain a healthy measure of Virginias. Margate contains none. For me, Margate is a wonderful smoke. A rich smoke. An exotic smoke. Although I like it, it is not an everyday English – at least for me.

Click to read more ...

Visiting my brothers of the briar in Northwest Arkansas

Like most early Saturday mornings, I’m sitting in front of my computer composing a blog post. This morning, however, I’m in Northwest Arkansas - in Johnson, Arkansas, particularly, where I’m staying at a wonderful bed and breakfast inn called Inn at the Mill. Johnson is just north of Fayetteville, the home of the University of Arkansas, and not far from Springdale, Rogers, or Bentonville, the community where Walmart’s world headquarters is located.

My friend Jeff smoking his pipe at Fayetteville’s The Tobacco ShopAs might be surmised, I’m here on business. Yesterday, late afternoon, after I finished my business for the day, I set out for The Tobacco Shop to meet a fellow brother of the briar, Jeff, and to share a bowl of two of tobacco.

I’ve been to The Tobacco Shop a number of times before. I used to make it a somewhat regular haunt when I was here more regularly 5 or so years ago. It is a wonderful little pipe shop with a very fine array of pipes and tobaccos. Like most good pipe shops, there is a circle of chairs at the back where we pipe men can reconnoiter, smoke, and chew the fat.

Click to read more ...