Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured guest is Russell Gardner, owner of Dark Arts, a unique smoking lounge and retail tobacconist in Las Vegas. A longtime veteran of the restaurant and bar business, Russell owns several themed cocktail lounges, but his latest venture took an unexpected turn when he transformed a small back room at Grey Witch into a hidden, speakeasy-style smoking lounge and tobacconist.

Dark Arts accommodates about 25 people, and getting inside is part of the experience – you actually enter through a fireplace. Russell is also a rare Las Vegas native, and his connection to pipe smoking goes back to high school, when he picked up a pipe at age 15 after starting out with cigars. Brian and Russell will talk about Dark Arts, the inspiration behind the unusual space, and the Las Vegas pipe scene.

At the top of the show, in Pipe Parts, we'll have the fifth installment of our coffee pairing series with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the fifth installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipesdegree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. In this episode, Brian has a list of questions for Nate to answer from the perspective of both a pipe maker and a pipe smoker.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with pipe maker Alexander Syrma of Israel. Alexander works primarily with high-grade Mediterranean and Algerian briar, sometimes incorporating distinctive materials such as mammoth ivory and exotic woods into his designs. His pipes range from lightweight, classic shapes to more expressive freehands, including Danish eggs, Rhodesians, and sandblasted diplomats.

Brian and Alexander will talk about his approach to pipe making, the materials he works with, and the inspiration behind his distinctive designs.

At the top of the show, Brian will take a look at the history of small-batch and limited-edition pipe tobaccos, including how these special releases have become such an interesting part of the hobby. He'll also give his own take on the appeal of limited and small-batch blends.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Dutch pipe maker Martin Romijn, who originally appeared on the show in October 2019 on episode #372. Martin began smoking a pipe in 1989, at the age of 20, but it would be many years before he began making pipes. He first started making tampers and other pipe accessories as a part-time pursuit, and in 2016 he began making pipes.

What started as a side project eventually became a full-time career, and Martin has developed a distinctive style of organic, freehand shapes that allow the character and grain of each piece of briar to influence the finished pipe. Brian and Martin will talk about his journey as a pipe maker, his approach to shaping briar, and the inspiration behind his work.

At the top of the show, we’ll have another installment of our Ask the Pipe Maker segment with Jeff Gracik, where Jeff answers listener questions and shares insights from the artisan pipe maker’s perspective.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Richard Epley of EP Pipes. Based in Kentucky, Richard began making pipe stands from bourbon barrels in 2016 before turning his attention to pipe making a couple of years later. His background with bourbon barrels has given his work a distinctly Kentucky connection, while his handmade pipes showcase his creativity and attention to detail. Richard also pours his own acrylic stems and is known for using an unusually wide range of colors rather than sticking with the traditional black stem. Brian and Richard will talk about his journey from making pipe stands to crafting pipes, his approach to stem making, and the distinctive character of his work. At the top of the show, we'll have a review of G. L. Pease Fillmore, one of the blends in the G. L. Pease line from Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Will and Joe, the founders of PipeRevival. What began as a passion for restoring estate pipes has quickly grown into a respected restoration business, with their work breathing new life into hundreds of cherished pipes for collectors. Brian, Will, and Joe will discuss the origins of PipeRevival, their approach to restoration, and some of the memorable pipes that have crossed their workbench. At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves, Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Allen Kipp of Kipp Pipes. Allen has been making pipes for more than a decade after deciding to try his hand at the craft when his appreciation for fine pipes outpaced his budget. An engineering fabricator by trade, he brought his machining and fabrication skills to pipe making, developing a style that reflects both craftsmanship and precision. His work has also included creating the distinctive Thorn rustication for Kaywoodie pipes. Brian and Allen will discuss Allen's path into pipe making, his approach to the craft, and how his engineering background has influenced his work. At the top of the show, Brian celebrates 30 years of pipe smoking, reflecting on the hobby that has become such an important part of his life and the friendships and experiences it has brought along the way.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Jody Davis, a renowned artisan pipe maker and lead guitarist for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Newsboys. Jody's handmade pipes are highly regarded for their Danish-inspired designs, exceptional craftsmanship, and limited availability, making them especially sought after by collectors. Brian and Jody will discuss a pipe that Brian recently commissioned from him, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the design and creation process. At the top of the show, in Pipe Parts, we'll have the fourth installment of our coffee pairing series with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the fourth installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipesdegree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. In this episode, Nate shares highlights from his trip to the International Pipe Show in Lake Como, Italy, along with his visit to Denmark and the people, places, and experiences that made the journey memorable. At the top of the show, we’ll have a Christmas in July tobacco review featuring Carolina Christmas from Low Country Pipe & Cigar, crafted in South Carolina by Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Eric Scholten of Sylvan Pipes. Eric is an American artisan pipe maker whose handmade pipes reflect a balance of classic shaping and modern design, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, engineering, and the natural beauty of briar. His work has earned a following among collectors who appreciate both refined aesthetics and excellent smoking qualities. Brian and Eric will discuss Eric's journey into pipe making, his approach to design and craftsmanship, and what inspires his work as an artisan in today's pipe-making community. At the top of the show, we'll have another installment of our Ask the Pipe Maker segment with Jeff Gracik, where Jeff answers listener questions and shares insights from the artisan pipe maker's perspective.