Beyond the Burl

This week, we throw the usual format out the window and sit down with Canadian pipe maker Michael Parks for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey into pipe making, the lessons he's learned along the way, and the craft that continues to inspire him. Along the way, Michael even pitches a delightfully wild ChatGPT story idea, leading us down some unexpected paths. After Michael heads out, Seb and Josh close the show by lighting up a bowl of Peanut Butter & Chocolate, a beloved brick-and-mortar house blend from Wilke's, and share their thoughts on this unique dessert-inspired smoke. A relaxed, entertaining episode filled with good stories, good company, and good tobacco.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we settle in for a laid-back evening of pipe talk, stories, and plenty of laughs. We kick things off by diving into some personal opinion questions that take the conversation in all kinds of unexpected directions, followed by another round of trivia to test our knowledge and keep the banter rolling. Along the way, we share a fun story that spirals into the kind of back-and-forth chaos only good friends and good pipes can create. Then we shift into a deeper discussion exploring the history of tobacco cultivation in Canada, from the rise of Ontario tobacco country to the cultural and economic impact Canadian-grown leaf has had over the years. To close out the night, we pack our pipes with The Country Squire’s Old Fashioned and give our full impressions on this bourbon-inspired blend while winding down with a final smoke.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we dive into one of the most debated topics in pipe tobacco culture: mold vs. sugar crystals — how to tell the difference, why it matters, and the panic that erupts when someone opens an old tin and sees something suspicious staring back at them. We’re also back with another pipe trivia question to test your tobacco knowledge before things take a sharp turn into absolute madness with a wildly entertaining story that somehow spirals completely out of control. From there, we settle into a deeper discussion on the psychology of the cellar; why pipe smokers endlessly stockpile blends they may never finish, the comfort of a well-built cellar, and the strange emotional pull of “saving tins for someday.” We wrap everything up with a smoke and review of Cornell & Diehl’s Elegant Emu, sharing our thoughts on the blend, its character, and whether it earns a place in the rotation.

A new episode of Beyond the Burl is here, and this one takes us from the legendary halls of the Chicago Pipe Show to the smoky comfort of a rich evening blend. We kick things off with a brief look into the history and mystique of the iconic Calabash pipe before diving into the chaotic and possibly true story of why Josh never actually made it to Chicago. Joined by returning guest Johnny from Palmyra Products, we hear firsthand about the sights, stories, and standout moments from this year’s Chicago Pipe Show, including a special on-location interview with industry personality Jay Furman recorded while still in the city itself. To close out the episode, we settle in with a bowl of Robert McConnell Scottish Cake and give our full impressions on this classic blend.

In this episode, we dig into the fascinating world of blends that have evolved over time while keeping the same name, unpacking what’s been lost, gained, and quietly altered along the way. The conversation takes a turn with a chat story that breaks the usual mold—still entertaining, but with a different kind of twist that keeps things fresh. We also explore the legacy and modern identity of Brigham Pipes, tracing its roots in Canadian pipe culture and how it continues to hold relevance today. To round things out, we fire up a bowl of Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong Flake, offering our thoughts on its character, strength, and overall smoking experience.