Ultimate Stanwell Collection

This is really quite nice. A great value for all that you get. (I haven't tried the vanilla tobacco yet, but it has a nice tin note.)

I received this sampler in quickly after placing my order. This is typical of Pipes and Cigars. When it arrived, I examined each item, and found no defects, as I had fully expected. The tobacco was gifted to a friend, as I'm not an admirer of aromatics in general, and vanilla in particular. He found it to be flavorful, mild, and smooth, with little or no bite. Perhaps I should have kept it. The pouch has yet to be used, as I seldom travel, and haven't taken my pipes "on the road" as yet, but it seems capacious and sturdy, nicely finished, and free from sewing defects. The filters are long gone. They perform very nicely in my Stanwells and W.O. Larsen pipe. They seem to catch the moisture very well, draw very easily, and don't alter the flavor of my tobaccos. I have purchased them several times and will continue to. I would recommend them for any pipe that uses a 9mm filter, and have used them in other pipes that do. Now, the partially sandblasted "Elephants Foot". What a remarkable pipe! It has quickly become my new favorite. It is very, very comfortable in my large hands, more so than I had expected from the photo. It is also much better looking than the photo. It's shape is very "Organic" (that's design term! :P), and is large enough for me to grip easily and comfortably for long periods, there is no chance that I will ever "clench" this pipe for more than a few seconds, it is big, chunky, and uncomfortably heavy for that. But it is a wonderful pipe to sit and relax with. It has a medium diameter bowl, that is rather deep, but due to the comfort factor, I often find myself finished smoking long before my hand is tired of holding it. The draw is very relaxed and easy. It gives no indication of being a filtered pipe by it's draw. It has smoked gently, and well since the first bowl, and has broken in both quickly and well. I know these Stanwells' are pricey, but I would highly recommend them to anyone with the wherewithal to purchase one. Regards, Dean