SNEAK PREVIEW

Lou, Hank and guys at JR's Whippany NJ

Howdy all,  just a quick post to let you folks know what's happened and will be happening with the NY Pipe Club.  On Saturday we went  to The Whyndam Newark Airport International Hotel for the annual NY Pipe show.  We met a nice gent from PA who sells some of the most beautiful meerschaum pipes I have ever seen.  Since he's not that far away we invited him to join us at our upcoming meeting to be held tomorrow @ Circa Tabac.  He will be showing and have for sale some of his fine pipes.

Also, as an added bonus, a freelance reporter and pipe smoker from the NY Daily News is coming to our meeting with a photographer to take pictures and write a feature article on the club and the hobby in general. He is doing this since there's been a upswing in the usage of the new E Cigarettes as well as the fact that states are legalizing marijuana for medical use.  He is also going to talk to Lou, in depth, about our four pipe club blends.  Should be a fun article.

If you see this post in time please join us for a truly spectacular evening tomorrow, Tuesday March 11th, 2014.

I will have a full review of the Newark pipe show plus the happenings at our March meeting.  Happy smokes to all. As always smoke 'em if you got 'em.

INTERNATIONAL PIPE SMOKING DAY

The front entrance to Nat Sherman's Tobacco & Pipe Shop on E 42nd Street.

Howdy folks and a Happy belated New Year.  How time's flown since I last posted anything new.  Well this month, February, has a few things worth talking about.  We've gone thru 2 monthly pipe club meetings plus celebrated International Pipe Smoking Day.

We had our January and February meetings at Circa Tabac in Tribecca.  As always the atmosphere was inviting and the people friendly as ever.

This past Thursday February 20th,  was the official International Pipe Smoking Day.  To celebrate I went to see the Erik Stokkebye pipe event where he was on hand selling his 4th generation tobaccos, the revived Comoy pipe line as well as a few freehand Danish Pipes.  A great time was had and I was able to sample two Virginia blends plus an English blend from his 4th Generation tobacco collection.  Each blend  carries a year instead of a name which Eric explained was to celebrate the birth year of the gentlemen in the Stokkebye clan.

The New York Pipe Club, as always, celebrated International Pipe Smoking Day on Saturday February 22nd.  This year we were invited to celebrate the day at Nat Sherman's Cigar / Pipe Shop located on E 42nd Street.  Newly hired pipe and tobacco aficionado  Chris McGrath invited the pipe club to celebrate the day at his exclusive smoking lounge.  He even blended a special English Blend, named 702 Dragoon, for the occasion. He has also agreed to, if requested, blend tobaccos based on NY Pipe Club member requests.  As at past International Pipe Smoking Days the host, this year Nat Sherman, offered discounts on pipes, tobacco and related products which a few of the members took advantage of.  We were at Nat Sherman's from 3pm - 7pm and a good time was had by all in attendance.  Afterwards a few of us went over to Merchant's Cigar Lounge where we smoked a few more bowls and had some food and drinks. Pictures were taken by your's truly as well as by Club President Lou Carbone.  My pictures can be seen here, IPSD,  and Lou's can be seen on the club's Facebook page.

Well folks, as always will be keeping my ear to the pipe ash to see if anything develops.  See you at the New York Pipe Show, our next event taking place at the Wyndham Newark International Hotel on March 8th, 2014.  Those interested can join us afterwards at JR Tobacco Shop and Lounge in Whippany NJ where we'll smoke our pipes and enjoy some great food and drink.  Our next Pipe Club meeting is scheduled for March 11th, 2014 @ Circa Tabac in Tribecca starting @ 6:00pm - onward.

Till next time happy smoking to all.  I will make my way homeward by enjoying a bowl of the 702 Dragoon from Nat Sherman Tobacco and Cigar Shop.

HOW TIME FLIES WHILE ENJOYING THE BRIAR

Brother Allan enjoying one of many bowls at the October Pipe Club meeting

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted any updates.  Hard to believe we've gone thru Spring,Summer and now we're into the Fall Season.  As I sit here and get this started I reflect on all the events that have taken place since the last post.  We had our annual Pipe Club picnic, at Hank Saatchi's house for the second year. (thanks to Brother Hank for volunteering to host it again).  We've had meetings in June, July, August, September and earlier this month (October).  This blogger also celebrated a milestone birthday event, the big 50, this past September.

But I digress,we also, a first for the club, had an impromptu gathering at a place called Art:Side NYC back on September 6th, 2013.  The weather was picture perfect for this event where we were on, as far west as you can go without leaving NYC, the west side by the NY Waterway Ferry building.  This is a nice venue run by a husband and wife team.  They serve food and cocktails, and most importantly they allow smoking in an outdoor venue (a first for NYC).  We had a pretty decent turn out to enjoy the sunny evening and most of all being able to partake of the briar.

The picnic at Hank's house in East Brunswick NJ was even more successful than the last one.  We had the picnic this year on July 13th, 2013.  Weather cooperated and a grand time was had by this blogger and the rest of the Pipe club.  Hank was a gracious host providing us with great fare.  We had burgers, hot dogs and other great fare including mouth watering steaks.  It was a great turn out and members who haven't been at this event were able to attend including Brother Dominic.  This was the fourth Pipe Club picnic for this blogger and am already looking forward to next year's picnic.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings.  We've had meetings from June thru October 2013 held at Circa Tabac in Soho (one of the few venues where eating, drinking and smoking is still allowed).  The October meeting had a great turn out of people and as always a great time was had by all in attendance. Here's a few pictures for those unable to attend the October meeting.

Mustn't forget another annual event that took place on the Friday before the Pipe Club picnic.  Steve Monjoure had his Rinaldo, Brebbia and Ardor trunk show at Barclay Rex Tobacco shop on W 42nd Street here in NYC.  We tried to convince Steve to stay in town an extra day and attend the Pipe club picnic.  He declined stating that it was not in the cards but promised to add it to the schedule for 2014.  Would love to have Steve attend the NYPC annual summer BBQ (fingers crossed and a reminder will go out to Steve from this blogger so he adds it to his NYC schedule).

Updates, our Pipe Club blends are selling well.  Pipes and Cigars was sold to Cigar International.  That is a win for the NYC folks as we no longer have to pay the draconian tax on the purchase of our tobacco blends.  Brother Z is on the road to recovery, albeit slow.  He is constantly in the thoughts and prayers of the Pipe Club and we hope to have him back with us enjoying a bowl or two.

Well I will sign off now and return to the real world outside of this blog to see if I can make a few bucks.  Until the next meeting or event (which ever comes first).  Keeping my ear to the briar as always.

~Patrick

Latest Happenings in the Pipe and Cigar World

The Pipe Club celebrating International Pipe Smoking Day at De La Concha Tobacconist.

Howdy folks,  It's hard to believe that Fall came and went and so did Winter and we're finally enjoying, albeit a tad late, Spring weather.  For those who follow this blog you've noticed that I've been absent the past few months.  Well I decided to rectify that and bring you up to speed with all the happenings in the pipe and cigar world.

The NY Pipe Club introduced, to much success, the four signature club blends at the Chicago show earlier in  May of 2012.  They were well received and we've had positive reviews from the pipe smoking community on them.  A pat on the back goes to Bill Roberts and Dan Silverstone for their work on the verbiage and tin art that adorns our blends.

Meetings and more meetings.  Since the last post we've had meetings in November, December, January, February, March, April and this past Tuesday May 14th, 2013. A wonderful time was had by all and plenty of pictures were taken.  Also on December 8th, 2012 (solemn day for this blogger, was my late mom's birthday and also the date that singer John Lennon was killed)  we attended the Kaywoodie Pipe event in Peekskill NY at the Kaywoodie Pipe factory.  This was the first time I had the pleasure of attending this event and took part in the sanctioned slow smoking contest.  I surprised myself by finishing in the top 20.  Not bad for someone's first time.  It was a fun event and I am already looking forward to attending this event   this year.  Lots of food and drink to be had and there were a few vendors, Steve Monjure being one of them.  For those not familiar with the slow smoking contest here's how it works.  Every participant is given a pipe, all the same shape, 3ozs pipe tobacco (this year was the John Cotton throw down Winner) 2 matches and a wooden dowel to be used as the tamper.  We're then given 5 minutes to pack our pipes then the fun begins.  Everyone then, using one of the matches, lights their pipe and the smoking commences.  There are monitors and judges floating thru the room to ensure that all a playing by the rules. Once your pipe has gone out you raise your hand and the judges record your name and the time that you went out.  The winner this year went well over an hour.  He got to move on to the national slow smoking contest held at the Chicago show. As always a fun time was had by all.

As soon as Kaywoodie was still fresh in everyone's mind we had our last meeting of 2012, and our second meeting at Circa Tabac, on Tuesday December 11th, 2012.  We're slowly settling into our new home and hopefully we're here to stay.

2013 finally arrived and we had our first meeting of the new year at Circa Tabac  We learnt that one of our members Z was dealing with some severe health issues.  We raised many a bowl in his honor.  Wishing him a speedy recovery. Also at this meeting we had a number of new members including a few women who've taken to the hobby (great to see that their are women pipe smokers).

Meetings continued at Circa Tabac in February. We also celebrated International Pipe Smoking Day at De La Concha Cigar Shop in NYC on Saturday February 23rd, 2013 and we then went to Merchant's where we once again hosted Peder Jeppesen who brought more of his wonderful pipes to show and also sell to those who were interested.  I also stopped by Midtown Cigar on the official day of International Pipe Smoking Day to raise a bowl ion the official day and was entered their raffle to win a pipe and 6ozs of pipe tobacco.  Needless to say I was the winner of a nice Savinelli  pipe, a tobacco pouch and 6ozs of their bulk tobaccos.  March and April (missed that one as I was in Jamaica celebrating my grandmother's 101st birthday).  I was able to attend the May meeting which happened this past Tuesday May 14th, 2013.  A fun time was had and we announced the date for our annual summer picnic.  This year, as it was last year, it'll be at Hank Saatchi's place in NJ on Saturday July 13th, 2013. Also tried the new La Flor Dominicana cigar with the Claro wrapper (for those not familiar with this cigar the wrapper that goes on this cigar is green in color).  I will post a review of this cigar at a later date.

A lot to digest, but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words you can check out all the pictures from the past meetings and events on the New York Pipe Club website.

This blogger is stepping back into the real world with the sounds of Patsy Cline singing Crazy and looking forward to that first bowl of the day. Not sure if it'll be a Virginia blend or an English blend. I should close by saying I'll keep an ear to the pipe and cigar ash to see if anything new springs up.  Keep on smoking those pipes.

Blog Interrupted

Howdy folks, I was planning on updating the blog this week-end.  However in the wake of the horrific incident that occurred in Connecticut on Friday, I will instead take this time to mourn the loss of such innocent souls.

New York Pipe Club Monthly Meeting

Club Members enjoying a smoke

How time flies, here were are getting ready for another pipe club meeting when the last one was just around the corner.  As you see from the picture we had a change of venue.  Our usual haunt Florio's was closed, real reason unknown (we think issues with them not being able to renew their liquor license), so we decided to try another smoking friendly location.

It was decided that we would try out a place called Circa Tabac in Tribeca   This blogger had been there some years back and had always kept it on the list as a place where one could eat, drink and enjoy a smoke (cigar, cigarette or pipe).  This place, for you cigarette smokers, boasts the largest variety of cigarettes available (over 150 I believe). 

People arrived between 5:30 - 6:30pm and availed themselves of Circa Tabac's light bite menu and various cocktails that were offered.  The waitress was nice enough to keep everyone's check separate so that no one could complain about what they ordered.  Prices were reasonable for the cocktails food being served.

We had a good turn out for this meeting, what with the day being the 11th anniversary of the World Trade Center bombings.  About 20-30 people were in attendance and we raised a bowl in memory of those folks who lost their lives that fateful morning. People were also, as done at all meetings, showing off new pipes purchased and talking about events that they were at (the Chicago show and others).

A nice time was had by all and those in attendance feel that this venue could be a place where we'd want to host our meetings, in the event that Florio's doesn't reopen.  

Well gotta run to get ready to face the real world, not the virtual one, and before I close here's the link where you can see the pictures from September's meeting.

New York Pipe Club Summer Picnic 2012

50+ Year Old Tin of Escudo

Wow, hard to believe that summer's behind us.  Well it's been a while since I've posted so I thought it's about time I update the blog with the latest happenings.

As you see from the picture above we got to enjoy smoking a bowl from a 50+ year old tin of Escudo (compliments of Romeo Wood).  We enjoyed this at the annual New York Pipe Club Picnic held, this year, at Hank Saatchi's house in East Brunswick New Jersey on Saturday September 8th, 2012.

The usual suspects were in attendance, Lou, Hank, Mike, Allan, Dan, Bill and Les. Of course your truly was in attendance.  Hank was very generous in providing the backyard, the food and even the alcoholic beverages for us to enjoy.  Also in attendance were a few of Hank's cigar buddies and they brought along some hand rolled cigars which were shared by all in attendance.

For those who attending the picnic got to be part of a rare treat.  Bill (aka Romeo Wood) obtained a 50+ year old tin of Escudo which he'd been saving for a special occasion.  What better place to unveil and enjoy this rarity than to do so at the annual New York Pipe Club picnic.  We had the honor of watching Bill crack open the tin and then all of us got to enjoy the aroma before we fully opened the tin.  Afterwards we then completely opened the tin and then took photographs to preserve the contents, for those not in attendance to see.  We then proceeded to load our pipes with this wonderful tobacco and savor the complex flavors of this well aged tobacco.

As is customary with the picnic one doesn't think that it a few hours and done.  We were smoking, eating burgers, steaks, hot dogs and drinking beer till just about the witching hour then finally we were all smoked out and decided to call it a night until next years picnic.

This blogger has to give much props to Todd Platek for the years that he was able to provide his backyard to host the Pipe Club picnic and we have to thank Hank Saatchi for stepping up this year to host it when Todd couldn't accommodate us this year.

As always you can see the pictures here for your enjoyment.  'Till next time happy pipe smoking.