In this episode, we settle in for a thoughtful and festive smoke as we imagine the ultimate cellar world—a fun exercise where we challenge ourselves to choose just one blend per category if that’s all we could ever cellar. From there, the holiday spirit rolls in with a pipe-smoker’s rendition of a classic Christmas poem, giving a familiar favourite a warm, briar-scented twist. We wrap things up with a full blend review of Plum Pudding, breaking down its flavour profile, smoking characteristics, and why it continues to hold such a revered place in many cellars.

In this festive Christmas episode, we gathered around the hearth to reflect on the past, present, and future of our pipe journeys, sharing how tradition, taste, and time have shaped our paths in the hobby-and where the road ahead might lead. We continued our ongoing story with a holiday twist, as our heroes leapt into action to save Christmas itself, blending seasonal cheer with a bit of adventurous flair. From there, we took a deep dive into the world of Christmas edition pipes and tobaccos, exploring how various pipe brands celebrate the season through special releases, designs, and limited blends that have become yearly traditions for many smokers. We wrapped things up with a cozy bowl and a thoughtful review of Low Country's Carolina Christmas, breaking down its festive character and how it stacks up as a seasonal staple worthy of the holidays.

In this episode, we take a look back at 2025-our most-smoked blends, the standout releases, and the moments that shaped our year in the hobby. Our noir saga pushes deeper into the shadows as our heroes infiltrate the infamous Cavendish Club and uncover the full rot behind their schemes. We also dive into ten truly odd tobacco laws from history, each stranger than the last. To cap it off, we sit down with Warped's Saint Espresso small batch for a joint review that left us buzzing in more ways than one.

In this episode, we kick things off with a reflective chat about "the blend that got away," swapping stories of those missed, ignored, or underestimated tobaccos that still haunt us in the best way. From there, we dive back into our ongoing ChatGPT noir adventure, where our heroes sprint through shadowy alleys, dodge questionable characters, and Josh may-or may not-finally reclaim his long-lost pipe. Our deep dive shifts gears into history as we explore how early taxation, government monopolies, and shifting trade laws gave rise to the hidden world of tobacco smuggling. We close the show with a thoughtful review of Cornell & Diehl's Bijou, savoring its honeyed complexity and debating where it lands in our personal rotations.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of pipe tobacco from every angle. We kick things off by uncovering rare and even extinct leaf varieties lost to time, before diving into a Thanksgiving-themed misadventure where Seb and Josh face one travel disaster after another. The drama continues in our noir saga, revealing more about the final last word of the perique blender. We then shift to a deep dive on the psychology and marketing behind blends-why scarcity and hype shape what we crave-and finally bring it all home with a thoughtful review of Escudo itself.

In this episode, we kicked things off with a playful destination game, each choosing five cities for the other and pairing them with the tobacco we'd settle in with for a month. From there, we slipped back into our ongoing detective-noir tale, confronting a dangerous cult and going undercover to shadow a suspect whose trail keeps getting stranger. Our deep dive explored the true golden era of pipe smoking- from 1850 to 1950-looking at the culture, craft, and legacy that still shape the hobby today. We rounded things out with a review of Glengarry Flake, and closed the show by issuing a new challenge to our listeners to carry forward intotheir own pipe-journeys.

In this week’s episode, we took the show live on Discord and invited the community into the conversation. Listeners jumped in to share their experiences on how to keep moving forward in the pipe-journey—everything from refining one’s palate with intention, to building a meaningful cellar rather than a chaotic stash, to shaping a pipe collection that actually reflects who you are as a smoker. From there, we shifted into the next chapter of our new ongoing 1940s noir saga featuring detectives Seb and Josh, a smoky, shadow-drenched tale that kept the room hooked. After returning from the dark alleyways of fiction, we opened a broader discussion about the phenomenon of pipe blends that turn into myth and legend after they vanish from production, exploring why scarcity, nostalgia, and community storytelling elevate certain tobaccos into near-mythic status. To close out the night, we settled into a thoughtful review of Eight State Burley, breaking down its character, strengths, and place in the modern burley landscape.

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh kick things off with a fun and fiery guessing game before diving into a captivating short story imagining a world where briar no longer exists. The conversation then turns to the fields with an in-depth discussion on the art and process of tobacco farming—exploring how the leaf makes its journey from soil to smoke. To round it all off, the duo share their thoughts in a rich and flavorful review of From Beyond by Cornell & Diehl.

In this lively episode of Beyond the Burl, the boys are back with plenty to talk about - starting with some exciting industry news, including the long-awaited return of the Seattle Pipe Club. From there, we treat listeners to a special ChatGPT-crafted Halloween story where Seb and Josh find themselves in a spooky, smoke-filled adventure you won't forget. Next we dive into tales from our very first Vegas Pipe Show, sharing highlights of the trip, standout pipes, tobaccos, and accessories that caught our eye, all with our good friend Johnny along for the ride. To cap things off, the boys review the LVIPS exclusive blend "High Roller". Grab your pipe, light up, and settle in - this one's packed tighter than a well-broken-in briar.

This week on Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh put their wits to the test in a game of “Tobacco 20 Questions,” where blends, brands, and bold guesses collide. Then, a Victorian-inspired ChatGPT story drifts through the fog—mystery, manners, and maybe a bit of pipe smoke along the way. The conversation turns luxurious as the guys debate the allure (and absurdity) of $1000 pipes—art, craftsmanship, or pure indulgence? Finally, Johnny from Palmyra Products drops by to chat about their upcoming pilgrimage to the Las Vegas International Pipe Show, where briar, friendship, and a fair bit of chaos await.

Episode 27 - Live from Discord!

This week we went live on Discord for a special interactive episode! We kicked things off with a round of Tobacco Bingo, heard a great story from our friend and listener Ya'akov, and dove into a lively discussion about those so-called "classic" blends-some that truly hit home and others that missed the mark. We wrapped it up with a deep, smoky review of Kendal Plug.

In this weeks episode, Seb and Josh sit down with Tim from Paul’s Pipe Shop to talk legacy, craft, and what keeps this iconic name burning strong. Things get a little eerie with a story about Art the Clown, and then it’s time to light up and review Arrowhead, one of Paul’s classic house blends. A mix of history, horror, and good smoke.

In our 25th episode, Seb and Josh light up with a wide-ranging conversation that covers both the serious and the slightly ridiculous. The discussion kicks off with nicotine: how its strength impacts enjoyment, whether it enhances or detracts from the ritual, and the big question—would pipe smokers still light up if nicotine weren’t part of the equation?

From there, things take a sharp left turn into the bizarre with a short tale about Killer Klowns from Outer Space—because sometimes a good pipe pairs best with a strange story.

The main event comes in the form of a brand-new experiment: a tier list of 36 different tobaccos. Together, Seb and Josh weigh in, compare notes, and lock each blend into place, sparking debates that are sure to stir the pipe community.

Finally, the pair smoke, review, and unpack the nuances of Prince’s Blend from Drucquer & Sons, giving it the full Beyond the Burl treatment.

This week on Beyond the Burl Seb and Josh dive into the ritual of the first blend of the day—that sacred moment where the pipe sets the tone for everything that follows. Our ChatGPT story takes us beyond the stars, spinning a strange and wondrous tale of extraterrestrial visitors and their curious relationship with pipe smoking.

For our deep dive, we explore The Alchemy of Curing, breaking down the mysterious and time-honored techniques that transform raw leaf into the tobaccos we love. From flue-curing to fire-curing, we look at how these methods shape flavor, strength, and tradition.

We round out the episode with a review of Cornell & Diehl’s seasonal blend We Three Kings—a festive mixture that’s perfect for the season.

And finally, exciting news: Beyond the Burl now has a merch store! As a thank-you to our listeners, the first 10 orders will receive 10% off with the code “BTB”.

https://beyondtheburl.myshopify.com/

This week on Episode 23 of Beyond the Burl, Josh and Seb dive into the age-old question of “everyday” vs. “special occasion” blends—what makes a tobacco a daily companion versus one worthy of saving for rare milestones? From practical considerations to emotional rituals, they unpack the subtle differences that shape our smoking rotations.

Thanks to ChatGPT, we journey back in time with a playful story that imagines a medieval England where pipe tobacco already existed.

For our deep dive, Seb and Josh share their hard-won advice for beginners, offering guidance on how to navigate the overwhelming world of pipes and tobaccos with confidence.

After weeks away on a family trip, filled with meaningful time and adventures, Josh finally makes his long-awaited return to Beyond the Burl. The reunion is as lively as ever, with Seb and Josh easing back into their familiar rhythm, catching up on everything from recent pipe and tobacco acquisitions to the stories that unfolded during Josh’s time away.

In this week’s Tobacco Talk, the tables turn as Josh challenges Seb with a round of “Two Truths and a Lie.” Ten questions, plenty of surprises, and more than a few laughs reveal just how much pipe-smoking trivia Seb can handle under pressure.

But the episode doesn’t stop at banter and games. Seb and Josh take a moment to pause and reflect, giving thanks to the many listeners who reached out during Josh’s absence. Their appreciation is heartfelt, and they share a touching listener submission that underscores the community spirit at the heart of pipe smoking.

Of course, Beyond the Burl wouldn’t be complete without a little bit of poetic mischief. ChatGPT delivers a custom poem for the occasion, weaving humor, rhythm, and reflection into the fabric of the episode.

For this week’s Deep Dive, Seb and Josh step back to look at the bigger picture: the journey of the podcast so far, the lessons they’ve learned, and their vision for the future. It’s equal parts reflection and excitement, offering a behind-the-scenes look at where Beyond the Burl is headed.

And finally, the episode closes with a fitting choice of tobacco: Rattray’s Hal o’ the Wynd. Bold, flavorful, and full of character, this blend sets the stage for both reunion and renewal, echoing the themes of the episode itself.

So settle in, light your favorite pipe, and join us for an episode filled with laughter, gratitude, and the promise of what’s still to come.

Josh is still soaking up the sun in Cuba, but the show must go on! This week, Seb is joined by none other than pipe maker Nate Rose for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on just about everything under the pipe-smoking sun. The episode kicks off with a community Q&A, where Seb and Nate dig into listener-submitted questions about favorite blends, dream pipes, and the quirks of pipe smoking culture. From there, thanks to ChatGPT, the guys check in on Josh, who hasn’t been idle on the beaches of Cuba—let’s just say his pipe-smoking antics abroad are becoming the stuff of legend. With Josh accounted for, Seb and Nate shift gears to something close to both of their hearts: the art and craft of pipe making. They talk shop about the challenges, the joys, the long hours of sanding, shaping, and drilling, and how much of themselves goes into every finished piece. Nate shares insights from his own bench, including what inspires his designs and why pipe making remains such a rewarding pursuit. And of course, it wouldn’t be Beyond the Burl without a blend on the table. To round things out, Seb and Nate light up Cornell & Diehl’s Old Joe Krantz—a bold, unapologetic burley-forward blend with plenty of strength and character. They give their thoughts on its flavor, its place in the C&D lineup, and why this blend has such a loyal following among seasoned smokers. It’s an episode full of laughter, stories, and passion for the hobby we all love. Whether you’re here for the tobacco talk, the inside scoop on pipe making, or just to hear Josh roasted for his Cuban misadventures, this one’s got something for you.

Josh may be off sipping piña coladas on the beaches of Cuba, but the show must go on! In this special episode, Seb is joined by Jay and Bo from the Pipe and Tamper podcast for a relaxed, free-flowing conversation about all things pipes and tobacco. Together, they unpack some popular opinions in the hobby they simply don’t share, offering a fresh take from years of experience and a deep love for the craft.

Even in his absence, Josh makes his presence felt by leaving us with a ChatGPT story—brought to life with flair by Bo’s excellent narration. Jay and Bo also share personal stories and insights from their decades in the pipe-smoking world, offering listeners a wealth of perspective and camaraderie.

To round things out, the trio sits down to review Cornell & Diehl’s Comfort, a blend that truly lives up to its name. With thoughtful discussion, laughter, and a good dose of storytelling, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 19 of Beyond the Burl brings a very special guest—Michael Dean from Timber and Smoke. We dive into Michael’s journey of creating his magazine, from its original conception to his exciting plans for the future. He shares insights into what’s next, and listeners will want to stay tuned for a very generous offer revealed during the episode. Our ChatGPT story takes a Halloween twist, adding a bit of seasonal atmosphere, and we close the show with a review of Cornell & Diehl’s Visions of Celephais, a blend as imaginative as its namesake.

In Episode 19 of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh put their wits to the test with a round of pipe tobacco trivia—questions ranging from the tricky to the downright obscure with that added bonus that most of the questions are less then well researched. Our ChatGPT story sails into the fantastical world of fairies and pirates, blending whimsy with a touch of smoke. We then take a globe-trotting tour through the diverse pipe smoking cultures of the world, exploring traditions, styles, and rituals from centuries past to the present day. To round things off, we light up and review Two Friends English Chocolate, a comforting blend where rich Latakia meets smooth cocoa.