As a Certified Retail Tobacconist I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've really been ignoring the piping world. I certainly haven't been ignoring my pipes, but I haven't bought anything new in a long while and it's been about as long since I paid honest attention to what's new or hot in the industry.

So... What's new and what's hot?

Here's what I do know: Dunhill dumped Elizabethan, Durbar, Apertif, and Ready-Rubbed on us. Bengal Slices and John Cotton re-blends are in the works. Hamborger Veermaster is available, which is blowing my mind - last I knew, people (like me) had to hoard over it given its rarity. Exotique is back on the shelves at Smoker's Haven.

Here's what else I know: Shockingly, SPC Plum Pudding is no longer available in bulk and it's so stinkin' popular that it's actually out of stock. SHPC VR Blend and Great Hiatus aren't even listed at P&C anymore, which is a shame. And, while Smoker's Haven is stocking tobacco again, Krumble Kake isn't in the mix. I understand now why so many codgers lament days gone by.