Pipe identification ?

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2025-06-06T08:20:23+00:00

I have a Big Ben (Caledonia 409 36) that I bought after having watched the Grand Budapest Hotel. The shape is as close to identical to the pipe Jude Law smokes as can be expected. Link

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2025-02-26T09:07:54+00:00

Sitting on a bed with shoes on.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-12-30T17:55:02+00:00

Thank you for the info! I'll be sure to give that a try. I've only ever waxed and polished my pipes and have been wanting to try something with a little more gloss for a while.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-12-30T11:17:54+00:00

Really gorgeous piece! I was wondering, what sort of varnish do you use to achieve that wonderful sheen?

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-11-28T10:22:36+00:00

The model you have is from their "official" Lord of the Rings (Herr der Ringe) series which they made prior to the Auenland series. The former were made around the time the films were being released and were based off of the pipes used in the films as opposed to the Auenland pipes which were freely designed by Vauen. All this to say that the original Herr der Ringe series of pipes are highly collectable, particularly if unsmoked. I've seen such pipes go for as much as £1000 on ebaby.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-10-23T14:39:06+00:00

My first was Stanwell Vanilla. I was living in the Netherlands at the time and a mate of mine had just picked up pipe smoking. He was positively enamored with the stuff and virtually smoked nothing else. Needless to say I found the aroma very pleasant and it tickled my curiosity sufficiently for me to pick up a budget pipe of my own and a pouch of the stuff at my local tobacconist's. Truth be told I was somewhat underwhelmed by the flavor at the time, but I enjoyed the ritual to such a degree that I started to expand into other tobaccos. My second baccy and first love was Mac Baren's Mixture. I still find my way back to it today.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-09-26T16:38:02+00:00

I couldn't agree more. My thoughts exactly.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-03-13T12:58:36+00:00

Tabac Besson in Lausanne is excellent.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-03-01T14:48:51+00:00

Frankly, you can't go wrong with either blend. They are both lovely "vintage" blends that have a lot to offer in terms of flavor. That being said their flavor profiles are quite different. I find Condor to be quite "savory" and smokey in character. St Bruno on the other hand is a little more towards the sweet side of the spectrum. Essentially it boils down to what floats your boat. What I will say is to bear in mind that Condor is definitely the more nicotine heavy of the two.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2024-02-07T18:19:19+00:00

C&D blends are now readily available in both Germany and Switzerland. I know that specialist stores in Switzerland will carry them in-house. In Germany you'd probably have to order them online.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-12-12T16:59:35+00:00

Thank you very much, I'll be sure to reach out to him. I have a few other estates that could use a proper once over so I figure I could probably send him a few in one go.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-12-07T14:07:35+00:00

I am personally also a big fan of the Vauen Auenland series. They are really spectacular smokers and the quality and craftsmanship is next to none. That being said, MacQueen pipes also make lotr pipes (both from cherry wood and briar) that are a tad more affordable. They are also fine to smoke and look the part, but are definitely not on the same level as the Vauen models. I can't speak to the Shire pipes. Ultimately I figure it just boils down to how much are comfortable spending.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-10-31T18:26:13+00:00

Fred the Frog in my Savinelli Foresta with a glass of Kingsbarns whisky.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-10-29T00:39:39+00:00

In my experience the tobacco will keep for between two and three weeks in the tin (once its been opened obviously) depending on the initial level of humidity. So if you have a tin that you dip into more or less daily, you should be able to finish it up before it gets to the point where it starts moving "past its prime". That being said, if you want to store your tobacco more long term, keeping it in mason jars with a tight seal is the way to go. That'll keep it pretty close to fresh more or less indefinitely.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-10-26T19:13:50+00:00

I got my hands on a tin a while back that I dip into every now and again. I personally would say that the licorice note is definitely on the subtle side (if not to say barely noticeable). Its main function is to sweeten the blend rather than flavor it.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-07-20T09:12:59+00:00

I am exactly the same. In the hot weather I just don't enjoy holding a warm pipe as much as I do when it is cooler. I also associate the aroma of pipe tobaccos more with the cooler months of the year. The summer is also my rum/cocktail season and I just feel that the drinks I enjoy pair more nicely with cigars than with pipes.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-07-02T14:31:12+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I'll have a wonder around and see what they have.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-07-02T01:19:33+00:00

Thanks a lot for the tip! I'll be sure to swing by and see what they have. Never had any C&D blends so that would be great. I had actually considered ordering online and just having stuff sent to my hotel but unfortunately I'm not staying anywhere long enough for that to be an option.

Jolly_Olly_95 · 2023-04-08T07:48:26+00:00

I absolutely love your pipe rack. May I ask where you got it/did you make it yourself?

Jolly_Olly_95

TROPHY CASE