IMPORTANT!

Regarding HR 4439

23 January, 2010

Do what you can to help stop HR 4439, the so-called Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010, which will raise the Federal Excise Tax on pipe tobacco 775%, from $2.8311 to $24.78. This bill, introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D, TN) and Lloyd Doggett (D, TX), member of the House Ways and Means Committee, threatens the livelihood of everyone in the pipe and tobacco world, from tobacco blenders and manufacturers, to retailers, to the brick and mortar stores we love.

As a service to the entire pipe smoking community, Pipes Magazine has set up this page that allows you to automatically email your Senators and Congressmen. It takes only a minute or so of your time, and a letter will be sent. You can use their draft, or create your own. The system does everything for you - it couldn't be easier. There is also an option to pay a small fee ($3) to have your letter printed and hand-delivered to your representatives. I highly recommend this, as it's too easy for email to be sent into oblivion through the simple press of a button.

Important

Regarding Copyrights

I have seen photographs from this site appearing all over the place without attribution or acknowledgement of my copyright. Of course, I am flattered that people like my photographs, but all content of this site is copyrighted, and the very least that can be done is to credit the images when they're used. If asked, I will generally grant usage rights, but please, do the right and legal thing, and ask me first. I've had to get all medieval on a couple of people for using my images to promote their products without my express permission. Not cool. If I allow one use without permission, I have to allow them all, so, I'm going to start policing this more. If you've used one of my images, or text from this site without citation, expect an email.

Chelsea Morning Mugs

28th November, 2009

When Maltese Falcon was released, I was given the wild idea to have mugs made, sporting the wonderful artwork from the label, and engaged the fine folks at Café Press to do what they do so well, and produce them on demand. The mugs were beautiful, so when Key Largo was released, more mugs! Now that Chelsea Morning is getting some press, gaining some fans, and I've had a couple of requests for, you guessed it, mugs! Of course, who else but Café Press to produce them, again? I just finished up the artwork for the 8oz tins, so it seemed sensible to make the mug art ready too.

Mine arrived a few days ago, and I think they turned out great. I took a quick photo, shown here, and am now off to have a nice cup of tea. Order one, or a seven day set, and enjoy your morning cup, along with your morning bowl, in Chelsea Morning Style!

Order from Café Press

In Celebration of Briar - 2010

6th November, 2009

Since not everyone who visits these pages reads the News page frequently, I thought it a good idea to announce that the latest edition of the “In Celebration of Briar” calendar is now available through Lulu Press. (Click on the photo for a preview of the photos and ordering details.)

This is the fourth year I’ve produced the calendar, based on the photographs in my ongoing portfolio by the same title. The first two were done in B&W, and though I’m still working in that mode, I’ve added quite a bit of colour to the mix, so I decided to showcase that work in the 2009 and 2010 editions. I’m really pleased with these photos, and am thrilled to share them. Seeing them together, I’m convinced that the long hours spent in this project have been worthwhile; I estimate about 60 hours invested in these thirteen photographs, and their preparation for the calendar. Pfew!

Once again, Lulu Press will be producing the calendars, using digital Print-on-Demand technology. It's the ideal way to do something like this, as conventional printing is impractical for small edition runs. That said, if 500 copies sell, I might consider it for next year! Even if you don’t need a calendar, the photographs look fantastic framed on the wall!

So, what are you waiting for? Order yours now, and avoid the holiday rush.

Woke Up, it was a Chelsea Morning…

21st October, 2009

Chelsea Morning, the first of the new Old London Series, is made from a variety of sweet red and bright virginias, fragrant orientals, a small measure of rich Cyprus Latakia, and a pinch of L.A. Poche’s brilliant Acadian perique. The leaf strips are blended in layers and briefly pressed to integrate the flavours and allow just a bit of fermentation. Then, the blocks are sliced and tumbled into a form that is closer to a ribbon-cut than a broken-flake. The result is an easy to pack tobacco that's easy to smoke, and a great blend with which to start the day with the morning cup. The flavours are lively and engaging, with a subtle fruitiness and gentle smokiness that wakes up the palate. For those expecting a Latakia powerhouse, this ain’t that. The Cyprus leaf provides depth and character; it’s certainly present, but it’s not the dominant voice. In that respect, Chelsea Morning is similar to Piccadilly, the ‘English Breakfast Mixture’ from the Classic Collection. But, it’s also very different; the orientals present here add additional dimensions to the smoke. It really is a delightful blend.

Of course, it would be silly to say that it’s only enjoyable in the mornings, but to my tastes, that’s when it shines its brightest. I’m very excited about this new blend, and the entire series, which I'll be finishing up over the coming months, and releasing as they're ready to go.

And, just because I know someone will ask, no, it is not a ‘clone’ of that other famous tobacco with ‘Morning’ in its name. But, if you liked that one, you should certainly give Chelsea Morning a try. It's already getting some great reviews!

Union Square Unleashed

8th May, 2009

On the News page of 31st March, just a couple weeks ago, I announced that even in my absence, a new blend, Union Square, would likely be unveiled at last weekend's Chicago gala. It was, and quite a few tins found their way into eager hands wanting to give it a try. All that was left was for me to sit back and wait for any early reports, just to see if others think it's as good as I do. Really! I like this one a lot. I smoked up the prototype in record time, and had to wait until early retailer orders were filled before I could replensih my own stocks. (That may come as a surprise those who have been paying attention over the past ten years. Why? Read on…) Anyway, at least a few others are telling me they like it, too; I've received some pretty enthusiastic email already.

This blend is quite different from anything I've developed. For one thing, it's my first 100% straight virgina; no orientals, no Latakia, no perique, no cavendish. (I remember saying I'd probably never do such a thing, that straight virginias were boring. So much for that.) Additionally, unlike a great many, perhaps most modern pressed VAs, this one has no added sugars, sauces, casings, or flavourings of any kind. (I also seem to recall my saying that pretty much all straight tobacco blends need some level of “enhancement” if they're going to taste and smoke their best. So much for that, too.) In Union Square, bright, sweet virginias, are combined with deep, rich reds, pressed into a firm cake for several days, and then sliced and packaged. The result is a blend that is full flavoured, without being overly strong. It delivers layers of pure tobacco character, and burns wonderfully, leaving both pipe and palate clean and virginia fresh.

Union Square is another great summer blend, for sure, but it will also be welcomed in the cooler months by virginia purists, and by those seeking a softer alternative to a steady diet of heavier Latakia mixtures. I expect it to age wonderfully, of course, developing greater complexity and richer mid-tones over the years to come. Smoke it now, and lay several tins down for sampling in five, ten, twenty years. This is one that I fully expect will outlive me, and I plan on a very long life.

You don't take my word for it. Bear Graves had this to say about Union Square

"Celebrate good times, come on!" Only one tobacco blender in the world could get me to quote Kool & the Gang, and Greg Pease is back with a blockbuster new release: Union Square. Greg starts this sure-fire hit by eschewing the added sugars and flavorings that are used in so many virginia flakes on the market today, electing instead to let the sweet bright leaf and mellow, earthy reds to do all of the talking in this delightful sliced cake. I am puffing on a bowl right now and I can testify that this is one extraordinary bowl of tobacco-y goodness. Full on the palate and displaying a fine nuance and layering, this leaf leaves a clean finish as well as a surprisingly pleasant room note in its wake. G.L. Pease's blends have become legend for their ability to age in a manner that might make a Grand Cru Bordeaux blush, and I think it's safe to say that we can add Union Square to that list.