Episode 7: A chat with Pipe and Tamper (Feat. Jay and Bo)
In this special episode, we sit down with Jay and Bo from the Pipe and Tamper podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of pipe smoking. We talk about what brought each of us to the pipe, the stories we try to tell, and why community—whether online or over the counter—keeps this hobby alive. Along the way, we share laughs, favourite smokes, and a few unexpected opinions. We round out this weeks episode with a special ChatGPT story featuring the Pipe and Tamper duo themselves.
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1:28:59
Episode 6: Small Talk on Small Batch
In this episode of Beyond the Burl, Seb and Josh explore the craft of building a custom pipe tobacco blend from the ground up, share a listener-suggested ChatGPT tale of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s contemplative pipe habits, and reflect on the nature of small-batch tobaccos. Plus, a review of Star of the East Flake, and your weekly recommendations. Pull up a chair—this one’s layered.
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1:04:29
Episode 5: Of Brick and Mortar and Memorable Smoking
In this fifth episode of Beyond the Burl, Josh and Seb explore how where and what you smoke changes everything. They dig into the culture of house blends and local tobacconists, sharing stories of iconic shops, forgotten mixtures, and what we gain when we shop local.In the deeper dive, they reflect on place — cars, forest trails, chicken coops — and how the right setting can elevate even a humble blend. Along the way, they share stories, including a hidden gem from a listener and a ChatGPT story about beloved author C.S. Lewis.
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1:00:41
Episode 4: What’s in a Pipe?
This week on Beyond the Burl, Josh and Seb explore the materials that shape a pipe — from briar and meerschaum to cobs and clay — and how each one changes the experience in the bowl. They share tips and stories about hunting for estate pipes and antique market treasures, and review a rare 2003 sample of Dunhill’s My Mixture 965. Plus, a listener story from the Shire, and reflections on memory, ritual, and the ghosts that live in old grain.
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1:01:51
Episode 3: A pipe ought to be honest
In this third installment of Beyond the Burl, Josh and Seb discuss a new release from GL Pease—Ellipsis Flake. They tackle the bold legacy of Latakia in a segment that asks: is it the heart of English blends or just a smoky bully? Then, it’s off to the wild west with a "listener" tale about selling a pipe to none other than Lee Van Cleef—and spotting it later on the silver screen. The conversation moves into the digital realm with a thoughtful look at how the online pipe community is shaping the modern hobby—for better and worse. And finally, they crack a tin of C&D’s “The Beast” and see if it lives up to the legend.
Beyond the Burl is a weekly exploration of pipe culture, craftsmanship, and conversation, hosted by Seb and Josh. From the rituals of tamping and toasting to the strange, smoky corners of history, we delve into the world of briar, blends, and banter. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or just pipe-curious, pull up a chair, light your bowl, and join us as we go beyond the burl.
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