Father's Day is approaching, and that's a big deal here at P&C. It seems that people like to give pipe and/or cigar lovers gifts related to their pastime, so we've created this guide to make your shopping a little easier.
Pipes
Some pipe smokers are rather picky, so it can be tricky to find the right pipe. The first thing you should do is to look at the pipes the recipient already owns. Do they prefer briar pipes. Meerschaums, or corn cobs? Do they like bent or straight pipes? Do they like pipes with a rough exterior, or ones that are smooth? Next, of course, is price. If you have a limited budget (don't we all?), you want to spend wisely. If you want to be sure to give a brand name pipe that won't wreck your gift-giving budget, take a look at Stanwell . This legendary brand not only has a wide selection of desirable pipes, but they compare very favorably in price compared to the competition.
If you want a premium-quality pipe at a great price, and a big brand isn't important, you'll want to check out Baraccini , Viking , John Bull , Erin Go Bragh , and C'est La Vie . These pipes are made at top-notch factories that make many brands that you would recognize, but their prices run about 20 to 30% less than the big brands. For those who have a somewhat tighter budget, but who still need a pipe that will be an enjoyable smoke, investigate Roma Pipes and Crown Pipes , which have received excellent reviews despite being half the price of big brands, or less.
For people who like meerschaum pipes, Meerschaum Depot delivers outstanding craftsmanship, incredible variety, and reasonable prices. Of course, corn cob fans, for the most part, will only smoke a Missouri Meerschaum .
A final point – check to see if the dad or grandpa in your life prefers pipes that use filters. If they like the European-style 9mm charcoal filters, look at Stanwell , which has a lot of available shapes that use filters. If they like 6mm paper filters and like briars, Crown has some great options, and a lot of the Missouri Meerschaum corn cobs take those filters.
Tobaccos
To help choose a tobacco for someone, you'll need to follow your nose. While the gift recipient is enjoying a pipe, just stand around and sniff the air. If what you smell has a sweet aroma or smells like fruits or desserts, you'll want to look for aromatic tobaccos . Virtually all tobacco companies make these pleasant-smelling blends.
If the aroma has a distinctly smoky campfire-like scent, then you'll want to check out the English Blends category. Brands that highlight these types of blends include Peterson , Hearth & Home Marquee , and Peter Stokkebye .
If the aroma doesn't smell like either of the other categories, you may want to investigate Non-Aromatic blends. These include Burley blends like Half and Half , Velvet , Sir Walter Raleigh , and Granger . For people who like Virginia Tobaccos , look at Escudo Navy Deluxe , Hearth & Home Signature , Peterson , and Peter Stokkebye .
If you're not sure, you can always take a look at PIPES and CIGARS gift cards , available as a physical card or a virtual card, if you're short on time. This way, your father or grandfather can choose their favourites.
Pipe Accessories
This is the easiest area in which to shop for a pipe smoker because some smaller accessories get misplaced, while others simply stop working.
For pipe smokers, you can get them Pipe Tools , Pipe Lighters , Pipe Pouches , and Pipe Stands . These are items that they tend to use regularly, and as their collection pipe grows, they lean toward also collecting accessories.
If you're still confused and don't know what to choose, check out our Father's Day Gift Guide for plenty of curated pipe and tobacco gift selections. And if you need any further help in choosing a gift item, call 800-494-9144 to ask one of our helpful representatives to give you a hand.
