Tobacconists in South Africa

Charles would like to know if there are any good tobacconists, particularly ones who do their own blending, in South Africa. If anyone can help him out, please do so.
It seems that we have hit upon a good additional use for the blog. Keep sending in your questions and I’ll keep posting them up for [...]

Transitioning to Uncased Blends

It seems our “Help Wanted” section is becoming quite popular. Roswell writes in to ask about moving from aromatics to non-cased blends. What advice do you have for him?
Been smoking aromatic blends for approx 3 years, with increasing frequency (one or two times per day for 4-5 days per week over the past 6-8 months). [...]

Dunhill Light Flake

Hmm, it seems to be a day for missing old blends. Nigel writes:
I find to my dismay that this tobacco (formerly known as DUNHILL LIGHT FLAKE) has been discontinued. Can you recommend/suggest a similar tobacco that I can try?
What can you recommend to him?

Hickory No More

Art writes in to ask:
JR Cigar told me that Hickory pipe tobacco is no longer proouced. Do you know whether this is accurate? I enjoy smoking it and would like to purchase it though other channels if it is still available.
Anyone know where a stash of Hickory might be for Art?

Smoking the Dregs of the Tin

Jake writes in to ask:
Can anyone answer specifically why the fine tobacco at the bottom of a container does not taste as good as the original, normal size stuff?
The finer stuff left over after a few ounces of my favorite shag tastes grassy and just not very good. I am sure most smokers know what [...]

Avoiding Burning Out A Blowfish

Jonathan writes in to ask:
I was hoping for some advice. I have a very high grade pipe from a very well known carver. It is a blowfish shape and one of the walls was cut very very thin. The carver has offered to replace the pipe at no additional cost to me but I am [...]

Pipe & Tobacco Trades, Swaps and Auctions

I have been a bit out of the loop for a while and I was wondering, what are the venues people use these days to trade or sell estate pipes and aged tins? Is it mostly through dealers and eBay, or is there somewhere I don’t know about?
How do you swap, buy and sell your [...]

Duty Free Smoking?

Philip writes:
Do non-Uk pipesmokers realise that some blends of tobacco bought at UK duty free shops are not the original blend that would be bought in UK tobacconists? Examples are St. Bruno and Gold Block.
This assertion is news to me. Perhaps Philip, or someone else, would care to fill us in a bit further. Specifically, [...]

Looking for Country Doctor

Bob writes in to say:
I noticed a lot of blogs on HOW  “Country Doctor.”  It’s one of my favorites but I cannot locate a shop that sells it.
Can you give me any clues as to where I can buy a can?
Well folks, point him in the right direction if you can.

More on Blenders & Manufacturers

Judging from the emails I have received and the comments here, it seems that quite a  few people actually use the Manufacturer/Blender information. That means we need to come up with a way to preserve it and/or use it going forward.
I would like to propose a potential solution and see what everyone thinks about it. [...]

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