Beyond the Burl

In this episode, we explore the idea of a pipe tobacco cellar as a time capsule, discussing the romantic notion of leaving carefully aged blends behind for future generations to discover and enjoy. Along the way, we drop in another fun pipe trivia factoid, followed by a whimsical chat story about the curious twists of a leprechaun’s luck and how fortune sometimes finds the pipe smoker in unexpected ways. Our deep dive centers on flavour itself—how we perceive it, how aroma, memory, and palate shape the smoking experience, and why two smokers can taste the same blend so differently. We close out the episode the proper way: packing a bowl, lighting up, and sharing our impressions of Old Joe Krantz Red Label from Cornell & Diehl, putting its bold character to the test as the conversation drifts along with the smoke.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we kick things off by unpacking the often-misunderstood world of Scottish blends-what the term actually means in pipe tobacco, and where the definition comes from. From there we drop in another fun pipe trivia factoid before taking our usual detour into the whimsical with a new chat story, where the conversation takes an unexpected trip down the rabbit hole. In our deep dive segment, we explore the fascinating history and characteristics of meerschaum pipes, while also reflecting on the March Challenge, comparing our expectations going in with the realities we experienced along the way. We wrap things up the best way we know how-by lighting up and giving our impressions of Old Joe Krantz Blue Label from Cornell & Diehl, sharing tasting notes and final thoughts as the smoke winds down.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we kick things off with a challenging blind ranking where each of us attempts to place ten pipe tobaccos in order without knowing what’s coming next—leading to some surprising placements and a few regrets along the way. We continue our weekly trivia segment with another intriguing fact from the world of pipes and tobacco, then drift into a story whose path branches into seemingly infinite possibilities. From there, the conversation turns toward innovations in the pipe world, exploring how tradition and creativity continue to shape the hobby. We close out the episode the best way we know how—packing a bowl, lighting up, and sharing our thoughts on Old Joe Krantz White Label from Cornell & Diehl.

In this episode, we put ourselves through a surprisingly brutal round of tobacco-themed Would You Rather—the kind of choices that make you question your cellar, your technique, and maybe even your loyalty to certain blends. We also introduced a brand-new short segment, adding a fresh layer to the rhythm of the show. Our ongoing chat story wandered down a familiar, relaxing path—but took a new turn that made it feel reflective in a different way. Along the way, we wrestled with the idea of “Perfect Technique” and whether such a thing truly exists in pipe smoking, or if the pursuit itself is the point. We closed the evening the right way—by packing, lighting, and thoughtfully reviewing Stonehenge by G. L. Pease, letting the blend carry us out on a contemplative note.

This week’s episode was a full-bodied ride from practical to philosophical and back again. We kicked things off with a Bulk Smash, breaking down the world of bulk tobacco—its undeniable value, wider availability in some cases, the charm of buying by weight, and the reality that some blends exist only in bulk. From there, we shared a wild, lighthearted story that took a sharp and unexpected turn, reminding us that the pipe world is never short on surprises. The conversation then deepened into a thoughtful exploration of pipe artisan “pedigree”—the idea that pipe makers often have a lineage not unlike a family tree, shaped by mentors, workshops, and generational influence, while also considering the unique path of those who learn the craft independently. We closed the evening the right way: pipes lit, smoke rolling, and a reflective review of Louisiana Flake by Gawith & Hoggarth, savoring its character and letting the discussion settle into that familiar, contemplative rhythm.