The Falcon has Landed

28 January, 2008

I first began writing about Maltese Falcon in early November, and now, I'm excited to the point of bursting to announce that it is finally winging its way to the tobacconists' shelves.

This one sports a brand new look, thanks to the creative direction of my dear friend Neill Archer Roan, and a brilliant realization of Neill's direction by designer and illustrator Daniel Bertalotto of DOXA. The label is gorgeous, but it's what's inside that counts, right?

Originally conceived as a replacement for the old Raven's Wing, Maltese Falcon quickly evolved into something bigger. It's a rich, bold blend, with excellent body, a beguiling sweetness, and solid structure, ideal for those who enjoy a sophisticated, yet comfortable and refined English-style mixture.

In Celebration of Briar - 2008

19th November, 2007

2008 Calendar

Click Photo for a Preview and More Information

The 2008 edition of the calendar, In Celebration of Briar is available through Lulu Press, and the end of the year is approaching fast. They're pretty quick with their fulfillment, but if you want ensure getting one before Christmas, it's not too soon the get the wheels rolling. During the slower seasons, it can take about a week for your order to arrive. As we approach Christmas, the fulfillment time will probably be closer to two weeks. If you're overseas, Lulu recommends orders be placed before 26th Novemeber to arrive by 24th December.

This is the second year I've produced the calendar, which is made possible by the magic of digital offset “Print on Demand” technology. They are printed, bound, and shipped individually. Lulu Press do a fantastic job, and their service has been top-notch. The calendar is large - 13“ wide x 19” high - and is printed in the U.S. on thick, high quality coated stock. The images are beautifully reproduced, exhibit a wide, rich tonal range, and truly are “suitable for framing.” (You heard it here first.) As an added benefit of this method of publishing, when the year is past, there won't be boxes full of hundreds of unsold calendars heading to the recylclers, making this approach more environmentally responsible. Yes, it's more expensive than the thin calendars you can buy in the bookseller's, but they are well worth the price.

I've exhibited samples of both years' calendars at a few shows to an enthusiastic response. The 2007 Edition is still available, priced slightly above cost, for those who are interested in its photos, or, after seeing the 2008 edition, want to begin collecting the set.

As a final note, stay tuned for new blend announcements. At this point, there's little hope (read none) of a Christmas release, but I hope to have at least one new blend out in January.

Embarcadero - The Fog City's Latest

2nd July, 2007

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Embarcadero is the most recent blend to be added to the Fog City Selection. Made from rich, ripe, red Virginia tobaccos and top grade Izmir leaf, the blend is pressed and aged in cakes before being sliced and gently broken. The prototype was unveiled at the Chicago Show, and met with an enthusiastic crowd. I'm thrilled with it, and from the email I've been getting, and the comments I've seen on some of the on-line groups, so are others. If you like oriental tobaccos, give it a try! Click on the photo for the more complete story.

Westminster - Recreating a Classic

5th January, 2007

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Westminster is a truly classic mixture in the English tradition; rich, elegant refined, and exqusitely balanced. New World red virginias, and a gentle kiss of bright leaf, are lavishly seasoned with rich oriental tobaccos and generous measures of noble Latakia from Cyprus. A satisfying blend, with layers of flavor to delight the smoker from first puff to dry ashes. The perfect every-day English. This one has been getting fantastic reviews in the tobaccoreviews.com webbase. Give them a read! Or, read the story about it's development, On the Road to Westminster in The Briar and Leaf Chronicles.