The enjoyment of cigars is often a social event. We gather with others to share similar interests. By our very nature, we are social creatures, so it stands to reason that we are drawn to gather with others who share our passions. As a good friend of mine puts it, “your vibe attracts your tribe”. Or as another generation might say, “birds of a feather flock together”. I may or may not have use the latter a time or two…
You have probably noticed in the recent past that pipe smoking is on the rebound. Some consider it a result of escalating cigar prices, others may call it a trend, and still others associate it with a resurgence toward nostalgia. I suspect it’s some combination of all of the above. Whatever the reason is, it is for real. And if you haven’t ever tried it, there’s truly no time like the present. There is a growing tidal wave of available handmade pipes and the artisans who craft them, rare tobaccos, amazing custom blends and even handmade accessories — insert self-serving and shameless plug here :) …
Like cigars, pipe tobaccos mature with age. Like cigars, pipe tobacco blends continue to marry over time — and like cigars, they need to be stored with care to retain the flavors and moisture that defines their essential flavors and aromas. Many pipe smokers store their tobaccos in Mason jars. They are practical, inexpensive and seal well for long term storage. And since there are as many blends as there are cigars…well, that’s a lot of jars. So the question becomes, how many different blends should I try? The likely answer: more. Then some more after that. Heck you might even buy components in bulk and blend your own. Even lifelong pipe smokers try new blends all the time. But they also have favorites and go-to’s that they always want to have with them. Enter Benchmark... :)
I worked at a Cigar, Pipe and Coffee shop around 40 years ago, and have enjoyed all of the above since that time, although mostly in the realm of coffee and cigars. Like the rest of the cigar-smoking world, I recognized the recent resurgence in pipe smoking, so my 2-3 times a year enjoyment of it has been transformed to a routine indulgence. I went to a pipe show. And as one of the first people I met there said, “Go to a pipe show - it’ll change your life.” He was right. (That someone was none other than Nate King, aka: “The King of Pipes”.) I now enjoy pipe smoking at least as much, if not more than cigars. It’s a whole new frontier, as the title of this post speaks. The myriad of flavors, aromas, blends and styles has something for everyone. We’ll take a closer look at pipe tobacco storage through the next few posts. Stay tuned!
—Danny Jackson