In just a week, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, the ŠUMAVSKÝ PIPE CLUB PRACHATICE will hold another edition of the slow pipe smoking competition "O Vachtovu šumavskou fajfku" in the village of Stachy-Úbislav.
More information can be found here: https://www.pipeclub.eu/novinky/483-soutez-o-vachtovu-sumavskou-fajfku-2026-se-kona-v-sobotu-21-unora
Although the name suggests an Irish origin, Treasures of Ireland Galway 50g actually comes from the Duchy of Lauenburg, specifically from Lauenburg on the Elbe, and is produced there by Dan Tobacco. It is one of the blends that deserves more attention, as Galway has everything that should make it a favorite. The blend consists of 50/50 Virginia and Black Cavendish. Treasures of Ireland Galway is enhanced with the aroma of blackberries and vanilla. This makes it a fragrant, rounded "work of art" that will surely satisfy those with a sweet tooth. Like all pipe tobaccos from Dan Tobacco, this blend is characterized by producing only a small amount of moisture and burns well.
Room note: beautiful aroma, medium flavor, mild to medium strength.
On November 28, 2025, Jess Chonowitsch, a Danish legend of artistic pipe making and one of the most renowned pipemakers in the world, passed away. Jess Chonowitsch (born in 1947) was among the elite of pipe masters globally. His name became synonymous with absolute precision, refined aesthetic sense, and a deep understanding of materials. Although he was very modest and unassuming, his work spoke for itself — with an elegance that is impossible to imitate.
He was born into an environment where pipes were not just a craft but a way of life. As a young man, he learned in his father's workshop and later had the opportunity to gain experience alongside two legends of Scandinavian pipe making: Poul Rasmussen (since 1965) and Sixten Ivarsson. This school shaped his approach: respect for detail, simplicity of form, and perfection of function.
Once Jess decided to create under his own name, a new era began. Jess's pipes quickly gained respect worldwide. His signature was instantly recognizable: clean lines, harmonious proportions, masterfully executed sandblasts, and impressive work with bamboo. He never allowed himself to be swayed by fashion experiments — his style was timeless. He believed that a good pipe must primarily be a good tool: comfortable, balanced, and reliable.
Few have influenced as many creators as he did. He had a reputation as a quiet, thoughtful man who did not like to talk about himself but was eager to share what he had learned. Pipemakers from around the world visited his workshop to take away not only technical skills but also an understanding of the ethics and philosophy of creation. Jess never worked quickly; he created as it should be done.
Jess's legacy lives on in the thousands of hands that today hold his pipes. Not as collectible artifacts, but as living objects, carrying the art, time, and humility of their creator.
Libor Holý has prepared the second Advent crossword for all fans of long, cold smoke on the website of the Association of Pipe Clubs (adkcr.cz). It works like this: every day you can open the window for that day and answer the question. You write your answer in the crossword, which you can download in PDF or JPG format. But be careful, each question has its number, so write it on the corresponding line of the same number.
However, note that you must go to the calendar every day; the windows cannot be opened retroactively 😎.
So, for illustration (hope this is okay), on December 2nd, the question is: What is the brand of the Nuremberg pipe manufacturer? (one word, we are looking for the first letter).
Some Czech e-shops with pipes have started to feature pipes under the label C-Pipe, which Martin Čermák used for his pipes until 2018. The question of why the Chinese manufacturer resorted to using an existing pipe brand is one that each person will have to answer for themselves. After all, imitation and copying of designs and manufacturing processes is nothing new for Chinese traders.
The owner of the Chinese brand C-Pipe is a certain Wilson Wang, who employs craftsmen that replicate successful global pipemakers and their shapes, so this could essentially be a kind of recognition for Martin Čermák. However, the Chinese brand C-Pipe is definitely not for me; I would rather support Czech pipemakers by purchasing a pipe from them. 😎
Our adventure began at Prague airport, where we treated ourselves to some authentic Czech beer before our departure. The flight went smoothly, and after a few minor hiccups upon arriving in Dublin, we made our way to our accommodation. The hotel was simple, but its central location was ideal for exploring the city.
The main reason for our trip was to visit the legendary store Peterson of Dublin, a brand that is synonymous with quality pipes around the world. In the shop, we were greeted by friendly staff, and each of us – me, Radek Koutný, and Michal Pluhař – left with a new pipe that will remind us of the atmosphere of Ireland for a long time.
The city itself captivated us with its liveliness. Dublin is full of alleys, pubs, and people who stand around with a pint of stout by the barrels on the street, engaging in lively discussions. We added a gourmet experience to this with a fantastic Irish steak, of course washed down with several pints of rich black beer.
During our stay, we realized that Ireland is not exactly a paradise for pipe smokers – the prices of tobacco and pipes are significantly higher than back home. However, this did not deter us; on the contrary, it added another dimension for comparison and reflection on how different pipe smoking can be in various countries.
To give anyone considering a similar trip an idea of the costs, here are a few numbers:
• a round-trip ticket from Prague to Dublin costs about 3,500 CZK (of course, depending on the date and chosen fare),
• accommodation in central Dublin cost us about 1,000 CZK per person per night,
• for a pipe from Peterson, we paid around 4,500 CZK, as we chose without major compromises.
All in all, the entire trip cost each of us about 12,000 CZK. And that’s an amount for which, in addition to the pipe, you get an unforgettable experience, a piece of Irish atmosphere, and a wonderfully spent time with friends.
In the end, the whole trip was not just about pipes, but mainly about the moments spent together. We soaked in the atmosphere of the city, had fun, and enjoyed our friendship. And when we returned to Prague, we concluded our journey as it should be – with Czech beer and fast food, which felt surprisingly pleasant after the Irish specialties.
Etrafika.cz now offers G.L. Pease pipe tobaccos. Gregory L. Pease is an American master blender who founded his own brand in 2000. His blends are produced in small batches by Cornell & Diehl (a part of the Laudisi group). He emphasizes a natural tobacco profile, aging, and different cut forms (flake, plug, crumble cake).
G. L. Pease Quiet Nights pipe tobacco – a dark crumble cake, a blend of Latakia, oriental tobaccos, ripe Virginia, and Perique, with deep, earthy flavors and a smoky undertone of spices, ideal for evening smoking.
G. L. Pease Westminster pipe tobacco – a "textbook London mixture" blend of red Virginia, orientals, and Latakia; medium strength, dry with a subtly sweet smoke.
G. L. Pease Odyssey pipe tobacco - a truly strong "Latakia," this tobacco contains a large amount of Latakia, but there is much more in it - exotic oriental tobaccos and beautifully matured leaves of red and dark black Virginia ensure perfect balance. The flavor is strong and pronounced, yet refined. The spiciness of Latakia is balanced by the sweetness of Virginia, while the oriental tobaccos complement the flavor experience in the background. If you are a Latakia lover, Odyssey will surely delight you.
G.L. Pease Cairo pipe tobacco - Cairo is an amazingly complex blend of red, orange, and bright Virginia tobaccos, exotic oriental tobaccos, and Perique. The flavor is naturally sweet, slightly nutty, gently spiced, and rich.
You can purchase the tobaccos directly here: https://www.etrafika.cz/tabaky-do-dymky-g--l--pease/ 😎
I need to save this here, the song by Petr Spálený "Dýmka je zázrak" is great, although I'm not really a fan of his 😎, thanks for the heads up to Tomáš Roreček!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIU4HwRMr2w
Petr Spálený - Dýmka je zázrak (1971)
Lyrics:
1. In my mouth, I have a Dunhill pipe
In my memory, I leaf through poorly
Stories with butterfly wings
I indulge in the bluish smoke
I see the proud Xénia again
Swallows circle over the sea
With the pipe, I forgive her everything
I no longer feel humiliated
La la la...
2. The pale Olina is coming
I sit in the grass with her again
The story calmly begins
When the pipe intoxicates me
Venus passes by Olina
Slim as a wine bottle
I know where the good retouching is
With the pipe, it's beautifully remembered
*: The pipe is a miracle
Created by the gods
From the root of Scottish heather
The pipe knows the story
Beautiful and many
When I bring it to my lips
3. In my mouth, I have a Dunhill pipe
In my memory, I leaf through poorly
Stories with butterfly wings
Beautiful and pure, I indulge
La la la...
