Beyond the Burl

With Sebastien away on vacation, Josh is joined by Johnny of Palmyra Products for a wide-ranging and reflective episode that blends conversation, storytelling, and smoke. They dig into the blends that taught them patience and humility, revisit a tobacco they once disliked before coming to understand, and reflect on a blend that fundamentally changed how they approach pipe smoking. The episode also...

In our latest episode, we kick things off by diving into our newest pipe and tobacco acquisitions before settling in for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with Jeremy Reeves of Cornell & Diehl, talking craft, blending, and the passion behind small-batch tobacco. Along the way, Jeremy throws us a curveball with a ChatGPT-suggested short story featuring Daryl and Gail from Letterkenny—a mo...

We kicked off the first episode of the year by easing back in with a playful name-association game that set the tone for what's ahead, before diving back into our ongoing noir tale with a tense chapter that edges ever closer to its final instalment. From there, the conversation turned reflective and forward-looking as we shared our tobacco goals, pipe dreams, and the small rituals we're hoping to...

In this episode, we settle in for a thoughtful and festive smoke as we imagine the ultimate cellar world—a fun exercise where we challenge ourselves to choose just one blend per category if that’s all we could ever cellar. From there, the holiday spirit rolls in with a pipe-smoker’s rendition of a classic Christmas poem, giving a familiar favourite a warm, briar-scented twist. We wrap things up wi...

In this festive Christmas episode, we gathered around the hearth to reflect on the past, present, and future of our pipe journeys, sharing how tradition, taste, and time have shaped our paths in the hobby-and where the road ahead might lead. We continued our ongoing story with a holiday twist, as our heroes leapt into action to save Christmas itself, blending seasonal cheer with a bit of adventuro...

In this episode, we take a look back at 2025-our most-smoked blends, the standout releases, and the moments that shaped our year in the hobby. Our noir saga pushes deeper into the shadows as our heroes infiltrate the infamous Cavendish Club and uncover the full rot behind their schemes. We also dive into ten truly odd tobacco laws from history, each stranger than the last. To cap it off, we sit do...

In this episode, we kick things off with a reflective chat about "the blend that got away," swapping stories of those missed, ignored, or underestimated tobaccos that still haunt us in the best way. From there, we dive back into our ongoing ChatGPT noir adventure, where our heroes sprint through shadowy alleys, dodge questionable characters, and Josh may-or may not-finally reclaim his lo...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of pipe tobacco from every angle. We kick things off by uncovering rare and even extinct leaf varieties lost to time, before diving into a Thanksgiving-themed misadventure where Seb and Josh face one travel disaster after another. The drama continues in our noir saga, revealing more about the final last word of the perique blender. We then shift to...

In this episode, we kicked things off with a playful destination game, each choosing five cities for the other and pairing them with the tobacco we'd settle in with for a month. From there, we slipped back into our ongoing detective-noir tale, confronting a dangerous cult and going undercover to shadow a suspect whose trail keeps getting stranger. Our deep dive explored the true golden era of...

In this week’s episode, we took the show live on Discord and invited the community into the conversation. Listeners jumped in to share their experiences on how to keep moving forward in the pipe-journey—everything from refining one’s palate with intention, to building a meaningful cellar rather than a chaotic stash, to shaping a pipe collection that actually reflects who you are as a smoker. From...

In this episode of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh kick things off with a fun and fiery guessing game before diving into a captivating short story imagining a world where briar no longer exists. The conversation then turns to the fields with an in-depth discussion on the art and process of tobacco farming—exploring how the leaf makes its journey from soil to smoke. To round it all off, the duo share...

In this lively episode of Beyond the Burl, the boys are back with plenty to talk about - starting with some exciting industry news, including the long-awaited return of the Seattle Pipe Club. From there, we treat listeners to a special ChatGPT-crafted Halloween story where Seb and Josh find themselves in a spooky, smoke-filled adventure you won't forget. Next we dive into tales from our very f...

This week on Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh put their wits to the test in a game of “Tobacco 20 Questions,” where blends, brands, and bold guesses collide. Then, a Victorian-inspired ChatGPT story drifts through the fog—mystery, manners, and maybe a bit of pipe smoke along the way. The conversation turns luxurious as the guys debate the allure (and absurdity) of $1000 pipes—art, craftsmanship, or p...

Episode 27 - Live from Discord! This week we went live on Discord for a special interactive episode! We kicked things off with a round of Tobacco Bingo, heard a great story from our friend and listener Ya'akov, and dove into a lively discussion about those so-called "classic" blends-some that truly hit home and others that missed the mark. We wrapped it up with a deep, smoky review o...

In this weeks episode, Seb and Josh sit down with Tim from Paul’s Pipe Shop to talk legacy, craft, and what keeps this iconic name burning strong. Things get a little eerie with a story about Art the Clown, and then it’s time to light up and review Arrowhead, one of Paul’s classic house blends. A mix of history, horror, and good smoke.

In our 25th episode, Seb and Josh light up with a wide-ranging conversation that covers both the serious and the slightly ridiculous. The discussion kicks off with nicotine: how its strength impacts enjoyment, whether it enhances or detracts from the ritual, and the big question—would pipe smokers still light up if nicotine weren’t part of the equation? From there, things take a sharp left turn in...

This week on Beyond the Burl Seb and Josh dive into the ritual of the first blend of the day—that sacred moment where the pipe sets the tone for everything that follows. Our ChatGPT story takes us beyond the stars, spinning a strange and wondrous tale of extraterrestrial visitors and their curious relationship with pipe smoking. For our deep dive, we explore The Alchemy of Curing, breaking down th...

This week on Episode 23 of Beyond the Burl, Josh and Seb dive into the age-old question of “everyday” vs. “special occasion” blends—what makes a tobacco a daily companion versus one worthy of saving for rare milestones? From practical considerations to emotional rituals, they unpack the subtle differences that shape our smoking rotations. Thanks to ChatGPT, we journey back in time with a playful s...

After weeks away on a family trip, filled with meaningful time and adventures, Josh finally makes his long-awaited return to Beyond the Burl. The reunion is as lively as ever, with Seb and Josh easing back into their familiar rhythm, catching up on everything from recent pipe and tobacco acquisitions to the stories that unfolded during Josh’s time away. In this week’s Tobacco Talk, the tables turn...

Josh is still soaking up the sun in Cuba, but the show must go on! This week, Seb is joined by none other than pipe maker Nate Rose for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on just about everything under the pipe-smoking sun. The episode kicks off with a community Q&A, where Seb and Nate dig into listener-submitted questions about favorite blends, dream pipes, and the quirks of pipe smokin...

Josh may be off sipping piña coladas on the beaches of Cuba, but the show must go on! In this special episode, Seb is joined by Jay and Bo from the Pipe and Tamper podcast for a relaxed, free-flowing conversation about all things pipes and tobacco. Together, they unpack some popular opinions in the hobby they simply don’t share, offering a fresh take from years of experience and a deep love for th...

Episode 19 of Beyond the Burl brings a very special guest—Michael Dean from Timber and Smoke. We dive into Michael’s journey of creating his magazine, from its original conception to his exciting plans for the future. He shares insights into what’s next, and listeners will want to stay tuned for a very generous offer revealed during the episode. Our ChatGPT story takes a Halloween twist, adding a...

In Episode 19 of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh put their wits to the test with a round of pipe tobacco trivia—questions ranging from the tricky to the downright obscure with that added bonus that most of the questions are less then well researched. Our ChatGPT story sails into the fantastical world of fairies and pirates, blending whimsy with a touch of smoke. We then take a globe-trotting tour th...

n this episode of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh share their personal top five pipe tobacco blends—favorites from across their rotations that keep them coming back for more. This week’s ChatGPT story takes a strange and smoky turn as we enter the world of Captain Ahab, where the line between obsession, legend, and pipe smoke blurs. We also dive deep into the long, fascinating history of tobacco its...

In Episode 16 of Beyond the Burl, we’re taking a closer look at the many ways tobacco is cut and prepared. From shag cut to plugs, we break down what makes each cut unique and how it affects your smoking experience. We read a ChatGPT-generated story about none other than Pablo Picasso, blending historical fact and playful fiction in surrealist fashion. Our deep dive this week turns to the storied...