In the mid-1900’s, pipe smoking was a very big deal. Millions of people (particularly men) across the country smoked a pipe as part of their daily routine, and the pipe carried with it an air of intelligence and distinction, such that many young men took up the habit upon entering college to signify their entrance into the elite world of the educated. It’s estimated that there were approximately ten times as many pipe smokers then than now. It was just around this time, in 1940 to be exact, that Smoker’s Haven opened its doors. It was perfect timing–the shop was a smashing success.

Fast forward almost 75 years, and Premal Chheda continues the legacy created in those days by the original shop keepers. Premal’s father purchased the shop from the second owner of Smoker’s Haven, who had allowed the business to expire, and the iconic shop nearly disappeared. With the shop now belonging to his family, Premal began at a very young age. With these early beginnings, his experience serving customers and working with pipes and tobacco is extensive, to say the least. In fact, he’s a wonderfully talented pipe maker as well.

Aside from being a sizable and well stocked tobacco shop, Smoker’s Haven sells their own special pipe tobacco blends produced by none other than J.F. Germain & Son, who many pipe smokers will know as the purveyors of the famed Esoterica blends, including Stonehaven and Penzance. What particularly shrewd pipers are well aware of, though, is that one can avoid all the mad dashes and missed opportunities associated with trying to get one’s hands on Esoterica by heading over to Smoker’s Haven for an equally magnificent tobacco sans “unobtainium”. Blends like Cognac and Exotique Mixture have earned highest marks from critics of pipe tobacco, and their followings are not insignificant.

For this reason, we are truly excited to announce that Premal has offered us the opportunity to carry Smoker’s Haven blends in our own shop. To be the first external authorized retailer of these world-class tobacco blends is an honor and a privilege that we gratefully accepted! Head over to the Pipe Tobacco section to fall in love with a Smoker’s Haven blend, and join the ranks of savvy smokers who have been enjoying some of the world’s best!

Shop Smoker’s Haven

Commonwealth, in its simplicity, is fairly typical of the tobaccos that come out of the old Kendal Brown House. It seems to be the Sam Gawith philosophy that fancy isn’t always fine, and simple is sometimes best—or maybe 200+ years of tobacco production experience makes you less likely to sway with the winds of trend. Either way, there’s no denying that the House of Gawith can produce a mean smoking mixture, and Commonwealth is no exception.

In trying to shed some light on this oft overlooked tobacco style, we’ve decided to select McClelland’s Drama Reserve as The Pipe Guys’ Pick of January. We took upon ourselves the grave responsibility of opening a tin and sampling it for the purposes of this little review, and we are most glad that we did.

Drama Reserve delivered a wonderful and unique smoking experience unlike most of what we’ve tried before. It presented us with a conundrum from the first light, which is that what stands out above all else with this blend is it’s subtlety. There is no dominating flavor that mutes the undertones, or pungent smell that masks the otherwise delicate aromas. The blend is well balanced, with the sweetness of Virginia offering it’s support to the gentle sourness of the Orientals. Mild spice and fragrant olive oil were discernible, followed by a pleasantly dry finish with lingering flavors of toasted wood and the tannin-like mouthfeel of a freshly cracked walnut. The blend did not change it’s character even three quarters of the way in, but the flavors deepened significantly, becoming stronger, and the wine-like finish lengthened. The rich smoke and moderate nicotine content left us extremely satisfied, but not exhausted. This tobacco comes highly recommended from The Pipe Guys!

As with most renditions of McClelland’s Christmas Cheer, we recommend you set some aside for years to come. As years pass, the intensity of the blend will mellow, and the natural oils present in the tobacco will change their aroma. What once offered a piquant, tangy, and refreshing smoke will be more mature, smoothly spicy, and deeper in character. If impatience gets the better of you, it happens to be perfectly enjoyable even in it’s youth, especially for those who appreciate the natural qualities of the beloved Virginia tobacco.

From now till the 31st you can pick up a tin of this consistently stellar Virginia blend for just $13.90 and enjoy it well into the New Year!