 Pipe Smokers
Imagination knows no bounds
Quality knows no bounds.
There are 21 steps, in one flight, up to the showroom in the Savinelli building outside Milan.
I counted them.
That’s what one does when one has a troublesome back and you are challenged by a steep staircase: you count off the steps one by one until you reach the top with a “got you” feeling inside.
And it’s worth it!
The Savinelli team were waiting for us, and after greetings, an Espresso and a glass of water, we sat down to talk “pipe” with our friends, face to face, a good feeling.
Over the years we look forward to these meetings – what will Savinelli have in store this year?
We have come to accept, and trust, that whatever innovations Savinelli introduces will not compromise the fundamentals for producing pipes that will offer a cool, dry, smoke.
The ultimate objective for all pipe makers!
This doesn’t mean that we see the same things year after year.
On the contrary we have been impressed by the innovations introduced in the finishing of the outside of the bowls, the colours and embellishments with the mouthpieces and in some cases the “flavouring” of the bowl; Miele for example (continually popular).
This time it was the “Gaius”
“Gaius” (guy-us) is a Latin praenomen, or personal name, and was one of the most common names throughout Roman history. The feminine form is Gaia.[1] The praenomen was used by both patrician and plebeian families, and gave rise to the patronymic gens Gavia.
Gaius Marius (born 157 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who held the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies. Wikipedia
One of Paul’s traveling companions during his third missionary journey was named Gaius. Luke identifies him as a Macedonian.
Gaius was a Jurist who died 180AD (Books: Institute)
Gaius could be considered a fundamental Roman.
A Gaius pipe is a pipe, as a man was a man in Roman times: the essence.
The Gaius pipes are offered in bold Kingsize shapes, all finished in the same pebble rusticated black with burgundy glint highlights, and polished rim.
The striking feature is the military style mount fitted over the shank, which to me emphasizes the manly element in the overall impression created by each pipe.
Just to hold one inspires in you the feel of the underlying strength of the Roman Empire at its height.
And if that was not enough, we were offered the pipes at a 19% discount off the Euro price.
These pipes which should retail for R1995.00 landed to sell for R1650.00.
See the shapes below
They are stunning pipes!
I'm sure you'll agree
If so, now is the time to take advantage:
On offer from March 26 until 2 weeks
after the lockdown is lifted
Savinelli “Gaius” pipe
(R1650.00 less 25%) |
Another advantage:
The strength of the Military Mount will prevent swelling or cracking if the pipe is smoked without the 6mm balsa filter or the 6mm adapter, supplied with each pipe. (You’ll find the adapter in with the balsa pieces.)
Whenever you choose a Savinelli, you are getting a quality pipe, tailored for your smoking pleasure.
You are sure to enjoy it.
Colin Wesley
No.474 March 19 – April 1, 2020
Reflections:
The New Pipe
“It’s like meeting a new friend and getting acquainted by relaxing together.”
Rick Hacker - The Ultimate Pipe Book |
 Cigar Smokers
“I enjoy a good cigar.”
I am not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination, however I appreciate a nice, neat colourful garden.
So, once a week a weeder and sweeper man arrives and does what’s necessary.
Then, once a year the pruners arrive and clip and cut their way among the roses and the fruit trees.
This is followed by the compost and watering, etc. throughout the year.
As a result of their efforts we have a peaceful garden in which to enjoy a good cigar.
All this reminds me of a poem I learned in Prep School:
"Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:—"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade..."
~Rudyard Kipling
Why am I saying this?
Well, much the same can relate to saying “I enjoy a good cigar”, but not doing anything to check whether the cigars are kept in the best surroundings to achieve and maintain their good condition.
Winter is around the corner, and for many parts of our country it spells out dry air.
This can be bad news for your cigars if you do not check the condition of your humidor or storage space.
And if you are at home in isolation this is a good time to do this.
The relative humidity should be around 70%, but feel the cigars. They will tell you more than the normal analogue (analog) hygrometer. If they are hardening up, losing their sponginess, and possibly cracking, they need more moisture.
Read more.
If you’re not too happy working by feel, buy yourself a digital hygrometer, which measures humidity and temperature.
If the inside of the humidor feels bone dry remove all the cigars and give it a wipe with a damp (not soaking wet) cloth. Allow the moisture to be absorbed before replacing the cigars.
Your digital hygrometer will tell you the true story.
Check the humidifier: is it filled, and are the holes clean? If you have a nano-bead humidifier, are the beads still swollen and opaque in colour? If not, submerge the humidifier in distilled water. If the beads don’t absorb the water the humidifier needs replacing.
When wet, the nano-beads will release moisture if the RH falls below 70%, and absorb moisture if the RH goes way above 70%. They should maintain a reasonably constant relative humidity no matter how often the humidor is opened. However, it always pays to check – your digital hygrometer will help.
Remember the 70:70 rule.
Once you have the humidity in the humidor under control check the general surrounding area. Winter is the time for heaters to be switched on, sunlight to be allowed in, and doors to be kept closed. Any of these, or a combination of these, can adversely affect your cigars.
If you are in that part of the country where the winters are cold and wet – you still have to worry about the temperature – make sure the cigars aren’t too warm.
Cigars don’t like heat!
Watchpoint: If you have more than twenty or thirty cigars in one humidor remember to rotate them occasionally.
Don’t suffocate those at the bottom.
Thought: The cost of a digital hygrometer is little more than the cost of 3 good cigars.
To help you possibly save more than 3 cigars we offer:
Due to the Lockdown situation, with no goods coming into South Africa, we are short of stock of these instruments. They are sitting in Europe waiting to be shipped!
If you email an order we will honour the discount when the stock arrives.
Ensure that the storage area is cool, and with good humidity your cigars will be a real joy to smoke throughout the winter season, and for the rest of the year.
Colin Wesley
No.475 April 2-15, 2020
Reflections:
"Whether in a box, case, in your hand or mouth, treat your cigar with care. Your pleasure depends on it."
Zino Davidoff
|
(ZAR)
