MEERSCHAUM, n. (Literally, seafoam, and by many erroneously supposed to be made of it.) A fine white clay, which for convenience in coloring it brown is made into tobacco pipes and smoked by the workmen engaged in that industry. The purpose of coloring it has not been disclosed by the manufacturers.

There was a youth (you've heard before,
This woeful tale, may be),
Who bought a meerschaum pipe and swore
That color it would he!
He shut himself from the world away,
Nor any soul he saw.
He smoke by night, he smoked by day,
As hard as he could draw.
His dog died moaning in the wrath
Of winds that blew aloof;
The weeds were in the gravel path,
The owl was on the roof.
"He's gone afar, he'll come no more,"
The neighbors sadly say.
And so they batter in the door
To take his goods away.
Dead, pipe in mouth, the youngster lay,
Nut-brown in face and limb.
"That pipe's a lovely white," they say,
"But it has colored him!"
The moral there's small need to sing –
'Tis plain as day to you:
Don't play your game on any thing
That is a gamester too.

Martin Bulstrode

 

We too have seen ones become too engrossed in the pursuit of coloring their beloved meerschaum pipe to pay attention to the more important things, like protecting our right to enjoy a fine bowl of tobacco now and again as a responsible member of society and not the criminal that so many would prefer we be!

Looking for fine meerschaum pipes? Try out the Tobacco Barn’s meerschaum pipes page. Looking for find out more about meerschaum pipes? Try MeerschaumPipes.com.

   Springing from the depths of “MixMaster” Tom’s mind come three new custom blend pipe tobaccos exclusive to the Tobacco Barn.

First up you’ll find Silverado pipe tobacco. Silverado is a replacement for the recently discontinued Arcadia and as such, has big shoes (or boots) to fill. This English-style tobacco has a flavor as big movie by the same name without succumbing to the “big budget” that caused the filmmakers so much grief.

The next new release is Balkan’s Best pipe tobacco. Balkan’s Best is another English-style pipe tobacco that follows in the footsteps of our  traditional Balkan tobacco blend.

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll find our newest addition to our light aromatic lineup and that is the Cherry Ridge pipe tobacco.  You’ll find that this is a delightful mixture of tobaccos that are infused with a cherry flavoring for a smooth, aromatic smoking experience. This is one tobacco that those around you will be clamoring for more as the pleasant cherry wafts around you.

But don’t take our word for it. Stop by the store anytime and give any of these new taste test. And if you forget to bring your pipe with you for tasting purposes, I’m sure Tom will gladly sell you another one right then and there!