Beyond the Burl

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we take a look back at our journey through pipe smoking so far, the experiences, discoveries, surprises, and questions that have shaped where we are today. We also put our knowledge to the test with another round of pipe tobacco trivia, before letting ChatGPT take the wheel for another story where romance goes spectacularly off course. Then we turn our attention toward the future of Beyond the Burl and talk about where we want to take the show, what we want to explore, and what we hope to bring to the pipe community going forward. And, of course, no episode would be complete without lighting up a bowl. This time we're smoking and reviewing Acadian Gold by Russ Ouellette. Grab your favourite pipe, settle in, and join us for this week's episode of Beyond the Burl.

This week on Beyond the Burl, we’re putting our tobacco knowledge to the test with a little game of Tobacco Taboo, followed by another trivia question, which may or may not throw you for a loop. Then things take a turn as ChatGPT tells the tale of Jester and Monk, two castle employees who decide that perhaps life behind the walls isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and embark on a rather unexpected career change. For our Deep Dive, we’re exploring the world of tobacco varietals. There are far more varieties of tobacco out there than most pipe smokers ever realize, and the more you look, the more you realize just how much we don’t know. We’ll dig into some of the obscure, forgotten, and fascinating varietals that make the world of tobacco so much bigger than the usual Virginia, Burley, and Latakia conversation. And finally, we pack our pipes, light up, and sit down with Horizons by G. L. Pease for a smoke and review.

This week on Beyond the Burl, we’re opening the tin on a few curious corners of pipe smoking history! We take a look at tobacco tins, where they came from, how they evolved, and why those little metal containers became such an iconic part of the pipe-smoking world. Then it’s time for another round of pipe tobacco trivia, with a question that Seb knows the answer to. We saddle up for a rootin’-tootin’ ChatGPT story featuring cowboys, pipes, and a surprise ending that even we didn’t see coming. Speaking of cowboys, we dig into the history behind the classic image of the cowboy with a pipe; was it actually a thing, or just another piece of Western mythology? And finally, we light up a blend so funky that somewhere along the way, the words “maybe we should smoke something else” enter the conversation. Grab your pipe, saddle up, and join us for another episode of Beyond the Burl!

This week on Beyond the Burl, we have a fun time while Josh gets absolutely destroyed by trivia, before throwing Seb for a loop by having a trivia question prepared for the audience. We also have another ChatGPT story, this time with a little bit of magical nonsense thrown into the mix, before getting into our deep-dive discussion: a series of questions that are seemingly impossible to answer. And, as always, we finish things off by packing a bowl, lighting up, and giving our thoughts on "Strathspey" by Cornell & Diehl. Come hang out, test your trivia knowledge, ponder some questions that may never have answers, and smoke along with us!

Seb is back after sitting out an episode, and we kick things off by talking about some of our preferred pipe factories and what makes them stand out. We then dive into another ChatGPT-generated story that turns out to be a little longer than expected. For the Deep Dive, we take a cursory look at the history of Tsuge Pipe Company and its place in the pipe-making world. Finally, we light up a bowl of Repose from Cornell & Diehl and wrap things up with a review.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, Seb is away, and Josh has to scramble to try to fill the void, calling once again upon the unfiltered talent of Jay and Bo of Pipe and Tamper.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we dive into what actually makes a tobacco blend interesting, whether it’s the blend itself, the way it smokes, or something a little harder to define. We’ve also got another fun bit of pipe tobacco trivia, a great listener-submitted story, and a conversation about our spending habits as pipe smokers and how they’ve changed over the years. Then, as always, we wrap things up in our favourite way, by lighting up and putting a blend in the pipe. This time, we’re smoking and reviewing Ostara by Ravenwood to see how it stacks up.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we share what our better halves really think about our pipe-smoking hobby, from first impressions to how their opinions have evolved over the years. We also dive into a fantastic listener-submitted story that reminds us that not everything is always as it seems. We then discuss our journeys into pipe making and tobacco blending. We discuss what sparked those passions, the lessons we've learned, and where we hope they'll take us next. To wrap things up, we pack our pipes and revisit Smokingpipes 25th Anniversary Dawn to see if our impressions have changed since the first time we smoked it.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we're back with a laid-back mix of laughs, conversation, and tobacco. We kick things off with a fun window shopping exercise, imagining what we'd add to our collections if we shopped smokingpipes with a set budget. Then it's time for another round of pipe trivia before diving into a listener-submitted story from the community. For our Deep Dive, we put each other in the hot seat with a series of interview-style questions, leading to honest answers and unexpected opinions. To wrap things up, we pack our pipes with Sutliff Red Virginia Crumble Cake, smoke it together, and share our thoughts on this classic Virginia blend, covering everything from the tin note to the final puff.

This week on Beyond the Burl, we kick things off with a few rounds of Mind Meld, seeing if we can think alike (with varying degrees of success). Then it's time for another ChatGPT adventure, as we hear the legendary tale of Ramblin John. We also take a deep dive into the rich history of Gawith & Hoggarth, exploring one of the oldest and most influential names in pipe tobacco. Finally, we light up Captain Earle's Ten Russians and share our thoughts in a full blend review to close out the episode.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we discuss every pipe smoker's bucket list, enjoy a hilarious Seb & Johnny story, and welcome back Johnny from Palmyra Products and Mike from Timber & Smoke to recap our adventures at the Capitaland Pipe Show. We finish the episode by lighting up and reviewing Haddo's Delight by G. L. Pease. Grab a pipe and join us!

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we take a look back at where it all started, revisiting our pipe collections from Episode 2 and comparing how our tastes, habits, and collections have evolved since those early days. What changed? What stayed the same? We bring back our trivia question, dive into a listener-submitted story, and then sit down with returning guests Johnny from Palmyra Products and Mike from Timber & Smoke for a special pre-show conversation as we prepare for the Capitaland Pipe Show. We talk shop, expectations, the pipe community, and everything leading up to the event. To close things out, we pack a bowl, light up, and share our thoughts on G.L. Pease’s newest addition to the Zeitgeist lineup: Metropolis

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we kick things off with a round of the Tobaccolympics, crowning our winners across a variety of tobacco related categories. We follow it up with another round of pipe trivia, challenge ourselves with a spooky chat story, and then dive deep into a conversation about pipe smoking identity and the kind of smokers we become. To close things out, we sit back, light up, and share our thoughts on Ashton’s Artisan blend with a proper smoke and review. Another episode packed with laughs, debate, and everything that makes the pipe community unique.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, we dive deep into details that help make a pipe truly unique, starting with a discussion on pipe stem materials and the history, qualities, and quirks behind everything from classic vulcanite to alternative materials. We keep the tradition alive with another round of pipe trivia, then jump into a brand-new ChatGPT story where an unlikely group of heros rise to the occasion to save the world. After that, we get into the heart of the hobby: personal pipe preferences. Shape, finish, feel, and function. We explore why every smoker seems to have their own idea of the “perfect” pipe. Finally, we sit down, light up a bowl of G.L. Pease Abingdon, and share our thoughts on this English blend in a relaxed tasting and review.

This week on Beyond the Burl, we accidentally discover that Sebastien may have found his true calling: playing 20 Questions. What starts as a simple game quickly turns into a surprisingly competitive battle of deduction, and Seb is having the time of his life. Keeping tradition alive, we follow it up with a single pipe-related trivia question, putting our collective tobacco knowledge to the test. Then it's time for another ChatGPT story, featuring an unlikely hero who rises to the occasion to save the day amid the chaos of the Greater Toronto Area. Traffic, confusion, and questionable decision-making ensue. For our main discussion, we explore the fascinating world of pipes in art. From classical paintings and historical depictions to symbolism, storytelling, and famous works featuring the humble pipe, we examine how pipe smoking has appeared across centuries of artistic expression and what those images can tell us about the cultures that created them. To close out the episode, we pack our pipes with Hearth & Home Black House and give it the full Beyond the Burl treatment, discussing its flavor profile, room note, smoking characteristics, and whether this legendary Balkan-inspired blend lives up to its reputation. So grab your favorite pipe, settle into your chair, and join us as we journey 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.