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Bringing Bruno back

German flake fiends were horrified a few months ago, when dealers announced that three venerable favourites were no longer being imported to the country.

Meanwhile, Capstan Mild and Capstan Medium are back on the shelves, but St. Bruno appears to have forsaken the territory forever. Though some connoisseurs might fail to detect a tragic side to this story, DTM in Germany thought the issue worthy of their intention and strove to introduce a substitute. The new Dan Pipe catalogue includes the fruits of their efforts, dubbed St. Bernard Flake and wrapped in a pouch designed to show its heritage. Writing for the German section of Pfeifenbox, Björn Hollensteiner praises the leaf, but misses the typical floral aroma of the original. Though its absence begs a few questions, he warmly recommends giving Bernard a try.

Incidentally, St. Bruno remains the most widely smoked blend in its native UK, accounting for some 28% of all pipe tobacco sales in 2001. However, the ready-rubbed variety constituted about two-thirds of this market share. This suits Bruno's British image as a supermarket blend, whereas continental Europeans tend to regard it as a baccy gourmet's special treat. The flake version is still available in tins from Swiss dealer Synjeco.

Online vendor Heiko Jahr from Leipzig is about to launch an English version of his site www.pfeifenantiquariat.de . His is the second German estate shop to espouse bilingualism in the past few weeks. Stefan Rajek's www.estatepipes.de already includes English pages. Both Stefan and Heiko stress that their prices remain 'European', as does the coinage. Buyers from outside the EU either pay in Euros or according to going exchange rates. While Stefan's focus is mainly on 'affordable' pipes, Heiko's pfeifenantiquariat.de has a clear high-grade emphasis. Both dealers also offer a number of new, unsmoked pipes. Incidentally, Heiko's store is one of the few regular outlets for the outstanding work of Cornelius Mänz.

Rolf Osterndorff's efforts to stage a European Pipe & Tobacco Show next summer are beginning to show results. Click your way to http://www.piepenhoeker.de/pipeshow2004.htm for the latest details on expected participants. According to Rolf's site, Rainer Barbi and Karl-Heinz Joura are among the European carvers who will be putting in an appearance, whereas Rolando Negoita is expected to journey across the Atlantic to attend the show. Several other American makers are still undecided. Some have said that they are waiting to see which Europeans will turn up.

Talking of events, anyone in Berlin this weekend might stop off at the Berlin Pipeshow staged by pipe dealer Nils Thomsen (http://www.nils-thomsen-pipes.de) and his pipe club. Though the carvers who have promised to attend are mostly of regional significance, the tobacco branch of Stanwell will also be exhibiting - as will several private collectors hoping to sell estates. If nothing else, it beats barhopping and braving the notoriously unpolished manners of Berlin waiters…

(November 25, 2003)

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