Introduction
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
With Halloween just behind us we look towards another night of revelry. Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is a staple of the British calendar. This is a popular tradition that sees local communities gather to build a large bonfire made from scrap wood, often with an effigy of a man burnt atop. Fireworks great and small, roman candles, flaming torches and sparklers can be seen across the country. More often than not some liquid cheer is at hand, complemented with a good smoke.
In this newsletter we have gathered items that will best suit this date in the calendar.
Why Do We Celebrate?

The 5th of November we have all come to know and love is a day of celebration dating back to 1605. On this day a treasonous plot to blow up the houses of parliament and kill King James I was foiled. At the scene of the crime one man was found guarding the cache of explosives in the basement, Guy Fawkes.
A group of Provincial Catholics, Fawkes and his co-conspirators had planned to assassinate the king and afterwards replace him with a Catholic monarch. Unfortunately for the rebels an anonymous letter had tipped off authorities to the location under parliament that the men had leased and stockpiled with the explosives.
Upon his arrest Guy Fawkes was tortured into a confession, whereby his crimes would recieve a capital punishment. The effigies made are representative of Fawkes, sporting the moustache and hat that we all recognise.
Stoking The Fire
To help get into the bonfire night mood we have selected some choice Balkan and English pipe tobacco blends. Each is made with no added flavouring and embraces liberal use of Latakia tobacco.
Historically Latakia tobacco was grown in Syria but is now most commonly grown in Cyprus. Instantly identifiable by its jet black colour and smoky essence, this tobacco is favoured for its ability to cool other tobaccos when correctly blended into a mixture.
When any of the following blends are being smoked the room note will be hearth like, warming and familiar. This is the quintessential smell people (non pipe smokers) associate with pipe smoking.
There is something here for all experience levels. If you have only smoked aromatics but often find they smoke too hot, one of these mixtures might sway you over to the traditional side.
Gawith Hoggarth: Balkan Mixture Loose Pipe Tobacco
- Strength: 3
- Flavouring: 0
- Taste: 2.5
- Room Note: 3
A truly classic style Balkan blend. The blend is generously rich in Latakia, select Virginias and Orientals. A sweet smokey traditional blend of unadulterated tobacco flavours are harmonised. A balance of smoothness and intensity that can be appreciated by any Balkan fan. For decades this blend has been a firm favourite.
Gawith Hoggarth: Balkan Flake Loose Pipe Tobacco
- Strength: 3
- Flavouring: 0
- Taste: 3
- Room Note: 4
Smokey and full of character. This Flake is an ideal go to for smokers who chase that true Latakia experience. Similar to the previous blend, this tobacco boasts a little more taste thanks to its flake format. To prepare, simply work the flake with your fingers into a consistency that resembles bran flakes.
Samuel Gawith: Skiff Mixture
- Strength: 2.5
- Flavouring: 0
- Taste: 2
- Room Note: 2
This is for the smoker who appreciates the full flavour oriental blend. A variety of flue-cured tobaccos gives Skiff its character. Its real identity comes from the added Turkish and Cyprus Latakia. This gives the blend its full, well rounded taste. It is fair to say this blend is a truly robust, classic smoke that will be appreciated by the discerning gent.
Robert Lewis: Tree Mixture
- Strength: 3
- Flavouring: 0
- Taste: 2.5
- Room Note: 3
A fine Latakia mixture that boasts a mixture of Oriental/Turkish, Virginia and Black Cavendish tobaccos. The addition of the aforementioned Black Cavendish changes the composition of this blend from a traditional English mixture into something one of a kind. Slow burning with a cool, pleasant taste, Tree Mixture is not to be missed.
Flame Grain Pipes
When looking at a pipe, one of the first things that attracts your eye is the grain and finish of the pipe. Most commonly pipes will have either a straight or cross grain (or most commonly a combination of both). As briar is a root, it grows below ground and the grain itself starts from the central point of the burl. From this point they expand outward through the burl, often widening and becoming less uniform towards the outside of said burl.
To find a consistently straight grain is rare and so demands a higher price. The same principle applies to a flame grain. Both can seem similar to the untrained eye but upon closer inspection you can note the differences.
Flame grains like straight grains have run vertically with narrow spaces between each other. The main difference being that they widen as the higher up the bowl they climb. A beautiful wavering effect that tapers makes the pipe have a look reminiscent of flames.
Erik Nording: Freehand Sweet 16 Pipe
- Weight: 35g
- Length: 130mm
- Bowl Width: 20mm
- Bowl Depth: 35mm
In our Erik Nørding and The Danish Pipe Shop Blog we looked in depth at what makes Nording pipes so special. The family business is run by the patriarch, a true pipe making master by the name of Erik, aided in his craft by his son Knud.
This is perhaps the finest flame grain pipe we have had in store. The deep maroon grain sits beautifully upon the fire red. One of the most notable points is the stem that has been designed to seamlessly match the shank and bowl, giving it the appearance of one complete piece.
Nording’s Freehand Sweet 16 is as much a work of art as it is a functional pipe. This is a collectible piece, made by hand. You will not find two that are alike.
Vauen: Leopold Pipes
German pipe manufacturer Vauen has been producing top of the line pipes for over 170 years. Renowned for their attention to detail and individuality when it comes to design ethos.
The Leopold series pipes are strikingly eye-catching. Orange bowls are sandblasted to a semi rough finish and a black band on the shank. The stems appear as though they have flames licking up them. Fiery red and orange, the mottled stems are perfectly matched with their respective bowls.
Currently the Leopold series is available in six shapes, each pipe is fitted for a 9mm filter.
Stanwell: Royal Guard Model 15 Pipe (9mm Filter)
- Weight: 77g
- Length: 140mm
- Bowl Width: 20mm
- Bowl Depth: 40mm
On November 5th in the early hours, the Royal Guards searched through the House Of Lords. As they worked their way through the cellars they came across an astonishing sight. A singular man was caught unawares with 36 barrels of unconcealed gunpowder and nothing but a small lamp, matches and fuse.
NEW CIGARS IN STORE!

Our good friend Stephen enjoying a cigar in Monte Carlo
Por Larranaga Galanes
- VITOLA: Galanes
- RING GAUGE: 52
- LENGTH: 4¾ inches – 120 mm
- ORIGIN: Cuba
Brand new for 2021, Por Larranaga have released a 52 ring gauge cigar for the first time in the brand’s history! Not only that, it is the only cigar in the Cuban catalogue of this specific dimension.
Designed to fall in line with modern smoking trends, the Galanes is a tad longer than a traditional robusto whilst sporting that much loved ring gauge. The Spanish word galanes translates to gallant, a term used to describe the actions of a heroic person or can also be used to describe a man who is “charmingly attentive and chivalrous to women”.
CLICK HERE to read our blog on these remarkable cigars.
Selección: Petit Robusto & Robusto
In the last newsletter we gave a heads up about the impending Seleccion Petit Robusto and Robusto gift boxes hitting our shelves. Well, there finally here! These gift boxes both contain a mixture of the finest Habanos cigars from across a range of classic brands such as Cohiba, Montecristo & Romeo y Julieta.
The cigars are housed in beautifully crafted gift boxes. Whether you’re buying it for someone’s christmas or as a gift to yourself, these cigars are sure to make someone’s day!
Official Harris Tweed Hip Flasks
When out under the stars on a brisk night it can be hard to keep warm, even beside the roaring fire. As we Scot’s know all too well, it’s nothing that a little liquid fire can’t fix.
Harris Tweed have the solution, these eye-catching stainless steel hip flasks are wrapped in the world famous patterned fabric. Made in the remote outer hebrides for over 150 years, Harris Tweed has become an iconic material that is utilised by designers all over the globe. Each of these hip flasks can hold up to 6oz of your favourite beverage.
Available in a diverse range of colours/patterns range from underrated greys to flamboyant pinks, each hip flask has the authentic Harris Tweed orb insignia proudly stitched on the front.