In Celebration of Briar - 2009 Calendar now available

29th September, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News

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 all the details.)

This is the third year I’ve produced the calendar, based on the photographs in my ongoing portfolio by the same name. The first two were done in B&W, and though I’m still shooting in that mode, I’ve also added colour to the mix, and I’ve decided to showcase that work in the 2009 edition. I’m really excited about these photos, and am thrilled to share them. Seeing them together, I’m convinced that the long hours spent in this endeavour has been worthwhile; I estimate that I’ve got about 60 hours invested in these thirteen photographs, and their preparation for the calendar. Pfew!

Once again, Lulu Press will be producing the calendars “on-demand.” I realize it’s not cheap, but it’s the only way I can do this, and I’d rather do it this way, than not at all; there’s simply no way I can afford to print calendars of this quality using conventional offset methods. Actually, considering the quality of the paper and printing, I think these are a bargain. And, 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…

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Key Largo - Shipping

11th July, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News

I’m a bit behind the 8-ball this time. Key Largo is shipping, having already reached some of the retailers by the time anyone sees this, and I don’t even have any production tins to photograph for the formal announcement. Sure, I could use some of the prototype, or the production samples, but I’ve smoked most all of it, and the only thing remaining is some not-very-photogenic crumbs. I should have been less enthusiastic, or, I guess, less greedy. I should have shot the pictures before I smoked it all up. Maybe I can put up a picture of the beautiful, fine grey ash this leaves behind, but, somehow, I don’t think that’s quite the right image.

So, rather than stall the release until I’d gotten some tins, taken the photos, written the announcement, and all that nonsense, I figured it was better just to get it out. Besides, I’ve been getting all kinds of email from people accusing me of making this one up. “There’s really no such thing, is there? No Key Largo. You write all this stuff, but it never materializes.” I’ve promised it was coming, but they wouldn’t believe me.

Obviously, I can report that this has become a favourite for me. The other night, in fact, I was grilling some steaks and burgers for a summer evening’s supper with some friends. I was enjoying a bowl of Key Largo so much, I nearly over-cooked the steaks. This is a great blend year round, but it seems somehow especially suited for summer; we’ve had some days of record heat, and Key Largo has made them almost bearable. Almost.

As soon as I’ve got my tins, I’ll get a picture up, if I don’t smoke it all, first. In the meanwhile, I just noticed it’s already made it to the #2 position on Smokingpipes.com’s Top Ten list. Where the heck are my tins?

And, by the way, for those asking about coffee mugs, they’re up and ready to go at Café Press. It makes a great pair with the Maltese Falcon mug. (And, don’t ask why they’re in different “Storefronts.” It’s ridiculous…)

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Key Largo - Final Approach

27th June, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News, New Blends

We’re out of the holding pattern. I got the proofs of the label art a few days ago, and have tried to keep quiet, but I just couldn’t resist anymore, and had to share. Once again, design genius Daniel Bertolotto has worked his magic to produce this beautiful, atmospheric label for the new blend. Things are currently on track for release the week of 7 July, so, unless something goes terribly awry, it’ll only be a couple weeks before the new blend makes it to your favourite retailers. So, for all who have been asking, “When is it coming out? What’s taking so long?” at least the first question is now answered.

The description reads, “Deep, earthy and creamy. A distinguished broken flake of red Virginia tobaccos, small leaf orientals, and a measure of Cyprus Latakia, spiced with velvety cigar wrapper leaf. Key Largo develops throughout the bowl, offering a satisfying and sturdy smoking experience, with beautifully balanced, richly textured layers of cocoa, dark roasted coffee, leather, and a lively, lingering finish.” That pretty much sums it up.

I’m always excited about new blends, and this one is no exception, but, it’s also special to me because of its uniqueness. There’s a lot going on here. It’s both straight forward and complex. For me, it’s best enjoyed in smaller pipes; the flavors are intense, and a larger bowl could result in sensory overload. Of course, there are some rugged individualists out there for whom there’s no such thing as too much goodness, so if you love big bowls of big blends, go for it! But, be warned - this one is a little stronger than some of my blends, so wait until after dinner for that magnum full of Key Largo. I suggest a fine Cognac for accompaniment, and perhaps a classic Bogart film.

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Pipes for Charity

23rd June, 2008: Posted by glpease in Pipe & Tobacco News

My friend Luca, who operates the NeatPipes.com website, is doing something to help the people of China after the devastating earthquake of 12th May. He’s put a pair of very beautiful Castello canadians, one Sea Rock, and one Occhio de Pernice, up on Ebay, with all proceeds from the auction going to the Croce Rossa Italiana (Italian Red Cross), who are providing much needed aid to China.

This set was made by Castello to commemorate the fifth anniversary of NeatPipes. (Really, he’s just about to celebrate the sixth, so these sets are just a little late coming from the factory, but better late than never!) There were only five sets made, so this is a rare opportunity to get something truly special, and help others at the same time. My hat is off to Luca for doing this, and for all who have bid on the set, further demonstration of the pipester’s spirit of brotherhood and charity.

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Photographs Available

6th June, 2008: Posted by glpease in Other Products

As readers of Pipes & Tobacco Magazine have already figured out, the photographs illustrating Erwin Van Hove’s article on Will Purdy in the Summer issue were taken by moi. It was quite a treat to open the post box, and see one of my own images gracing the cover of the mag. Even my five year old was so proud of his daddy - for about two minutes. I’ll take it.

A couple of folks have asked if they could get copies of the pictures. Why not? I’ve uploaded them, along with a few others, to my ImageKind gallery. They can be had in several sizes, and can even be put on greeting cards. Matting and framing are also available. The folks at ImageKind do an excellent job. Here’s your chance to decorate your office, and show those around you that pipes are beautiful things. Neill Archer Roan wrote something about the photographs, having some really nice things to say. Thanks, Neill!

I’ll be adding to the gallery, and periodically rotating images out for new ones. If one or more of them grab you, now you can put them on your wall!

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Setting Sail for Key Largo

6th June, 2008: Posted by glpease in New Blends

Okay. The labels art is being put together by the brilliant guys at DOXA, and I’m getting excited. I’ll see the final art soon, and whenever I think about it, I find myself pirouetting about like a giddy school girl in a tutu. Wait. That’s someone else. Never mind.

I’ve hinted about this blend, but thought it might be good to say a few things about it. It’s a wonderful combination of red virginias, spiced with cigar leaf, a little Izmir oriental, and a bit of Cyprus Latakia. The mixture is pressed and aged in cakes, then sliced and gently broken up. The smoke has been described as “creamy,” and, for once, I don’t disagree with this application of an adjective that is far overused in the cigar world. (I’ve had a few “creamy” cigars, and have loved them, but they’ve been much fewer and farther between than the reviewers would have led me to believe - if I believed reviewers.) The cigar note is prominent, but not overwhelming. This isn’t like smoking a stogie in a pipe. The smoothness surrounds a richness and complexity that takes the smoker on a wonderful journey. It’s a little stout - not suited for big pipes, unless you’ve got the constitution for it, and like any blend with cigar leaf, it’s better smoked in one sitting.

If the amount of the prototype remaining in my jar is any indication (I’ve been smoking quite a bit of it), it’s going to be a popular blend. Whether it will compare with the Falcon’s rapid rise to fame is subject to speculation, but I am thrilled about this one, and hope it’ll at least grab at the Falcon’s tail feathers.

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O’ Mice an’ Men

17th May, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News

Okay, the best laid schemes “gang aft a-gley.”  Just when I announced that the 8oz tins of Maltese Falcon were being readied to launch, a temporary condition occurred that prevented lift-off; we ran out of Cyprus Latakia! Scandalous! (Sorry…)

It’s not nearly as dramatic as it might sound. There’s actually a warehouse (fireproof, I’m told) full of the stuff, but the guy who keeps the key on a string round his neck had gone fishing. In Florida. He’s back, and the stuff has been shipped, and is scheduled to arrive early next week, so the hull will be bailed and the ship righting soon. In the meanwhile, might I interest you in a tin of Montgomery?

Just to make it crystal clear, and to quell the rumours that I’ve seen circulating- Maltese Falcon has NOT gone the way of the Dodo (or Bohemian Scandal). The shortage is very temporary. Honest.

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Maltese Falcon Magnums…

9th May, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News

For all who have been waiting patiently, and for those, as well, whose patience has been tested, I’m thrilled to announce that the 8oz labels have been printed, and the larger tins of Maltese Falcon will finally begin winging their way to retailers. There are already orders in the house, and they’ll be filled as quickly as possible, so watch your favourite retailers’s sites and shelves for its arrival.

The rise in popularity the Falcon has experienced is unprecedented. It’s been in the #1 position of smokingpipes.com’s Top Ten list since the first days of its release, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the response. My deepest thanks to all who have embraced this new blend with such enthusiastic arms. Of course, the 2oz tins will now have to compete with the 8oz ones. Can I hope for a One-Two punch? Yes. I can hope.

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New Blend in the Queue

15th April, 2008: Posted by glpease in General News, New Blends

I know. It’s been ages since a news item appeared. I’ve received reams of email asking, “What’s new? What’s coming? Are you dead?”

I’m happy to report that I am not dead, though I did have some version of influenza that rendered me a walking, coughing zombie for a week or so. I seem to have recovered fully, or at least am in a very profound state of delusion that allows me to believe that I have. But, since more people were interested in any new tobacco coming down the wire than in my health, or lack of it, I’ll fuel the fires of gossip with a little tidbit. Read more…»

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The Falcon Mugs for the Camera

29th February, 2008: Posted by glpease in Product News

It’s not really news, anymore, but, The Maltese Falcon coffee mug is here! It was just time to get it off the front page, and put it here, where it probably should have been in the first place, but I was just too excited about it not to give it some “Above the Fold” exposure.

I love the artwork that Daniel Bertalotto did for the Maltese Falcon label. It’s strong, vibrant, vital. It reflects the blend beautifully, and the deco style ties it solidly to the classic film from which this blend got its name.

I first mentioned the blend, and the genesis of the theme, in a News item way back in November of last year. It’s been quite a flight since then. There were many label ideas, some rough sketches, and even a prototype that I cobbled together that was actually pretty cool, but nothing in comparison with the final art Daniel did. It’s so striking, it seems a shame not to use it in other ways, right?

The layout for the 8oz tins, which will be coming sometime in March, was nearly perfect for wrapping around a coffee mug, something I’ve wanted to make available for quite a while, given that so many pipe smokers are also coffee-heads. After a little resizing and a little editing, I went to Café Press and created one. Mine arrived within a week of my order, and they’re really nice. The mug has a good 11oz capacity, and the arwork is beautifully displayed.

What a perfect way to, in an act of collective subversion, silently thumb our noses at the antis, proudly displaying our Maltese Falcon mugs on our desks. Okay. Maybe it’s not exactly a movement in the making, but it really is a cool mug. If you’ve missed the links embedded subliminally in the paragraphs above, not to worry. You can get yours by clicking here.

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