Reflection
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How to Properly Prepare Twist Tobacco I have talked to a lot of people who want to smoke twist or rope tobaccos like Gawith Hoggarth’s Black or Brown Irish X but get frustrated with keeping it lit. I have been learning that the problem is often in how it is being prepared. When it comes…
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Since 2019, when Not Just Blowing Smoke began, I have shared my thoughts on the best new cigars and tobaccos of the year. On the one hand, the last thing the cigar/pipe world needs is another list of the best of 2024. But I am not just blowing smoke when I confess that some of…
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One of the things I have been learning is that everyone has problems. You have problems. I have problems. I don’t know anyone who does not have problems! If you are alive and breathing, you have a problem. If you don’t think you have a problem, your problem is worse than you realize! Something else…
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J.R.R. Tolkien, renowned for “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” is celebrated for his intricate world-building and rich storytelling, influenced by his Catholic faith. His love for pipe smoking emerged as a meditative practice, symbolizing comfort and reflection. These elements shaped his characters and narratives, creating profound connections with readers.
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This is the inaugural post in my Faith and Fire series, which aims to explore the intersections of faith and cigar and pipe smoking in the history of the Church. My motivation for this series is threefold: Some of the most outspoken critics of my love for cigars and pipes are Christians of the Baptist…
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How did I end up with a nickname like Pastor Padrón? Well, it all started when I was working my way through seminary at a cigar shop in downtown Princeton, NJ called A Little Taste of Cuba. During that time, I would often enjoy a Padron 2000 or Londres cigar while working. One day, when…
Not Just Blowing Smoke with Pastor Padron 