The Best Hu Tobacco Is Like A Smoke From Abel‘s Fire

The Best Hu Tobacco Is Like A Smoke From Abel‘s Fire
This interview deviates from the series of interviews I made. They focus mainly on philosophical, mystical, artistic and geopolitical topics, but the common denominator is that I made those interviews with the Slovak and Czech masterminds in their fields of expertise. Now it is no different. This time I focused on the topic which is one of my dearest in privacy – and that is, besides mentioned earlier, dealing with lifestyle exceptionality. In this case it is my big appetite in the bluish, cold smoke, which is hovering around me, writing and reading of books for 21 years – from the day of birth of my son. During that time I experienced a lot of intense and intimate moments, when the pipe was my most confidential companion.

In the vast time plane of two decades I gradually came to possession of quite but not extremely big collection of about one hundred of interesting, conservative, but artistically perfect pipes. I was choosing very carefully and almost all of them can be considered artworks of exceptional makers, connected by specific design and big portion of extra quality briar wood (wood from the root of Erica arborea shrub, which as only one in the world, due to the high amount of silicon, can stand the temperature up to 800 degrees of Celsius when burning tobacco in the tobacco chamber). For me, the bluish smoke is a symbol of ease, contemplativeness, return in the loop of time, but a also of delight and ephemerality. They say with humor and relief that the pipes are smoked with sobriety by those seeking criminals and thieves – neurotic smokers of cigarettes leaving ugly and stinking stubs, while pipe lasts in time for whole centuries as an artifact with soul and its own story. Just recall Sherlock Holmes or inspector Maigret and his creator George Simenon, among the known pipe smokers you also find Albert Einstein, George Gordon Byron, Sir Francis Bacon, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling, J.R.R.Tolkien, Carl Jung, Vincent van Gogh amd many, many others.

I wrote all my books and almost all my essays in the monthly Zem &Vek, published under the label Smoke signals from the very start in 2013, by the bluish smoke. The topic of smoke, tobaccos and pipes is a whole alchemic philosophy, about which the books are written (here I draw attention to the most appreciated author and specialist in this vast field – Richard Carleton Hacker) – but the purpose of this interview is to introduce the author of nowadays‘ most catchy pipe tobacco in the world of the brand HU Tobacco – Hans Wiedemann. We met on pipe smokers forums and our opinions were similar. In one short review I wrote that the of chivalry of HU tobaccos rises to the sky humbly and solemnly as the smoke from Abel‘s fire. They are the real alchemy of geniality in revolutionary mixing of tobacco blends hovering high above the others. They are something wholly different than what the world of tobaccos, even the premium ones, offers. Tobaccos of Hans Wiedemann enchanted me to the point that I decided to make an interview with him. I have a feeling as if I spoke with someone like Alfred Dunhill, who was an exceptional figure in this field at the time. Hans is also like that, now in the third millenium, and the interview with him is brought to you exclusivelly in its entirety.

Dear Hans, I know that you started smoking pipes when you were 13 years old, which is quite unusual age. The youngsters mostly start to flirt with cigarette smoking, but pipes? That is not the thing. I also know that you were inspired by your father‘s pleasure when being next to him. Anyway, the young man is curious and tries it, but then his interest quickly fades away. What is maintaining your affection to pipes?

Yes, it is really very unusual to discover this affection in thirteen and it is equally unusual that it didn‘t flame out even almost 50 years later. Of course, that what was adventurous then, what was a drive to stick out, made way to routine. Searching of new tobaccos is not as thrilling as before, but the relationship to pipe became more intensive, maybe yet more candid. I am very emotional and my decisions are not always rational, which is good for my work, blending tobaccos. Imagine that i put on the market only tobaccos from which I expect the greatest gain. That would be death to HU Tobacco or I could join countless providers. Just this emotional side forces me to stick to pipe. I also smoked cigarettes, but never passionately, cigarette was interesting to me only to satisfy my nicotine level. Otherwise, smoking of cigarettes was nor a pleasure, neither amenity and definitely not something lasting. The preparation of the pleasure of smoking, that beauty and often unique feeling of well-made pipes fills me with joy, and the intense and multifaceted pleasure of smoking will ensure that this love never fades, as long as it is healthy for me.

Smokers usually have collections of pipes. Since the pipe must rest in order to absorb the condensate and ventilate, it is necessary to have at least two or three, and it is said that a person becomes a pipe smoker when he has seven pieces. Of course, it‘s not about quantity, but about quality and also about the memories associated with pipes. I wonder how many pieces do you have in your collection and which ones are closest to your heart? We all prefer a type or brand, I personally succumbed to the charm of the Renaissance spirit of the beautiful Italian Ser Jacopo, which I consider to be the most beautiful and high-quality pipes in the world, together with Mastro de Paja and Viprati, but the Danish pipe smoking tradition is also interesting. I am also very happy that here in Slovakia and in the Czech Republic, clever and skilled craftsmen are getting appreciated. In Slovakia, we had a famous production of clay pipes in Banská Štiavnica in Karol Zachar‘s workshop. I have one rare pipe, it‘s some pear wood from a tobacconist, an ordinary and cheap pipe, which was my first one 21 years ago. I stood under the windows of the maternity ward in the damp and cold November weather and knowing next to nothing about pipe smoking, I nervously stuffed one after another until my son was born. Of course it ended up almost burnt out. So I would be very interested in how you perceive these "smoking pieces of furniture." We have to distinguish between how many pipes we really need for the pure enjoyment of smoking and how many pipes are needed for personal pleasure. Basically, I‘m very pragmatic smoker and I get along very well with about a hundred pipes that I use regularly. My preferences have changed again and again over the years, but in terms of shape I have always remained loyal to the classic pipe line. So if you are looking for unusual fancy pipes from the 70s or purely artistic objects that are actually unsuitable for smoking in my pipe collection, unfortunately you will not find what you are looking for. However, if you are looking for classically interpreted pipes with a beautiful emanation or artwork, or pipes that show their genius only at second glance, then you are in the right place.

Unfortunately, I don‘t have time to enjoy a pipe for hours, often I can only enjoy a short smoke and then my daily pipes are used. Dublin, Pot or Bulldog are my favorite shapes and Peterson is my favorite brand of pipe for everyday use. Why Peterson? Peterson doesn‘t exactly have a reputation for perfect pipes, the number of models is also very strict and they are always offered with different mouthpiece colors or surface. But emotionally, I really care about Peterson. Firstly, because I really like Ireland as a country and a way of life, but also because the visits to the Peterson store in Dublin were always very nice and interesting. This brand simply maintains a certain continuity of its models. This can be boring, but it can also be very enjoyable and interesting if you get the same models after many years. One of the reasons may be that I prefer English style tobaccos and of course the classic English shape suits me best. As far as creativity and craftsmanship are concerned, I was and I still am a faithful follower of Italian pipes. Ser Jacopo, Viprati, Brebbia, Mastro de Paja, Foundation... these are all producers who convince and inspire me with their pipes. My pipe collection includes about 400 pipes with a lot of pieces from German pipe makers, but like I said, a lot of Italian pipes as well.

How many pipes do you usually smoke a day and what time do you prefer to spend with a pipe? I‘m a typical night owl.

I smoke about three pipes a day. Since I have health problems, I have reduced my consumption a lot. It used to be 5 or 6 "whistles" a day. I prefer smaller pipes, so I smoke one pipe filling for about three quarters of an hour. Unfortunately, I can‘t afford more time.

I know many pipe smokers who have no choice but to smoke a pipe on the balcony. I can‘t quite imagine that hour or more, especially in winter, with a pipe on the balcony – it doesn‘t remind me of well-being. I‘m also not much of an "exterior type", because the smoke from my mouth just flies away outside, and to enjoy the nuances, the best choice for me is to smoke pipe at home, while reading a good book or movie. What about you?

Alas, I have become a victim of time. I don‘t have to smoke in front of the house, which I like to do in the summer, but I don‘t have a TV in my smoking room either. Nevertheless, I have the time and opportunity to smoke with pleasure. In the days when smoking tobacco was not a crime, I could smoke anywhere in the house except bedroom and bathroom. Of course, it was a little more relaxed and pleasant than now. Smoking and being with family are not mutually exclusive.

For some tobaccos, including yours, it is best to use pipes with a large tobacco chamber and a sufficient diameter to allow the flavor to develop as well as to stuff them a little more gently. Do you perceive it similarly or do you know a different trick?

In principle, I prefer smaller pipes for aesthetic reasons, but also because of the shorter smoking time. I also don‘t mean that HU tobaccos taste better exclusively from larger pipes. I already distinguish different tobaccos according to the size of the pipe. I won‘t put Janneman Flake in my pipe and I won‘t smoke Nebari from a giant one. But I think each of us has different feelings and preferences here.

So let‘s move on to the tobacco itself. Almost all smokers go through different periods when they start smoking – most often what is on hand in tobacconists, often smelling like vanilla, sour cherries or bourbon. This is usually also a beginner‘s mistake, because they take for granted the recommendations to stuff their pipes with aromatic tobaccos at first. They are often discouraged by the fact that the taste is completely different from the chemically conjured smell and stop trying. I am personally convinced that a beginner should not necessarily buy the cheapest pipes and certainly not the strange "kiwi and vanilla" flavors. He should get acquainted with such a taste and such a pipe, which together will create the best idea of the "world of smoke". What kind of tobacco did you start with, and which would you recommend for starters from today‘s offer?

Basically, I totally agree with you here. Many beginners throw a towel into the ring because they are recommended to smoke tobacco that smells like cookies, but when smoked, it can no longer maintain that flavor. Many give up because they think they are doing something wrong, they don‘t know how to smoke or because they don‘t like smoking a pipe. Especially beginners or those who are transitioning from cigarettes often inhale too fast and too hard, which has a very, very negative effect especially on the aromatics. Therefore, I would recommend a very mildly flavored, almost natural tobacco that is not too strong. That which is also uncomplicated to smoke and has a pleasant sweet spicy taste. If I stick with HU tobaccos, I think the Casablanca feeling or Coming Home would be one of my recommendations. If the smoker already has some experience, then I would recommend Makhuwa or Indaba as slightly more natural tobaccos. I consider the English breakfest ideal for getting to know English blends. It has a pleasant sweetness paired with subtle smoky notes. Very nice tobacco, but too mild for me. Unfortunately, I don‘t remember exactly which tobacco I started with. I think it was a Dutch mix called Puerto Rico. I quickly got into the flakes because I really liked these cut tobacco blocks. I‘ve had Mac Baren‘s Navy Flake in my pipe for a very long time and very often. As a somewhat advanced smoker, I found my true love in the form of Robert McConnell Original Red Virginia. This tobacco had absolutely nothing to do with today‘s blend of the same name. It was a great, powerful blend that I stayed devoted to until the end. A Scandinavian pipe friend recently sent me a sample of a mid-80s version of Red Virginia. And yes, it was my Red Virginia, as I loved it. But even today there are enough good blends, the smokers don‘t have to be too constrained.

I continued to smoke through the unexplored world of natural tobacco flavors, I was particularly interested in Virginia blends from Rattray‘s, and over time also typical English soap flavors such as Enerdale and the like. Finally, I got acquainted with Latakia, I also managed to catch up with the mythical Balkan Sobranie, later the legendary Dunhill Night Cap, 965, Early Morning Pipe and then tobaccos from Gawith such as Balkan Mixture, Squadron Leader and the like. What were your tobacco periods, or have you stuck to a line since the beginning?

Yes, I stayed loyal to my tobacco preferences. My big love is Virginia/Perique blends with all their variations paired with Kentucky or Burley. I fell in love with English blends after a relatively short time and I still enjoy them today. I also enjoy English style aromatics from time to time, such as those found in Lakeland tobaccos. But this only happens to me occasionally. Virginia and Latakia are my favorite directions.

I used to have the habit of lighting two types of tobacco: dense Latakia, followed by Virginia type tobacco as a dessert. In general, I divide pipes into sweet and salty: i.e. Latakia, smoked, English blends and sweeter Virginias. And so I always had a maximum of two cans open. Later I also had three open, but I had no need to open more. Basically, I was always looking for something like the ideal basic tobacco, I didn‘t experiment too much when I found something close to the ideal. At one time I discovered Dunhill Ye Olde Signe, which I really liked, and when Dunhill ended, I bought Ye Olde Signe everywhere I could, which lasted me almost a year. In a nutshell, I opened another can after smoking the previous one. Unfortunately, Dunhill has ended and with it Ye Olde Signe. Frankly, Rattray‘s is not what it was 15 years ago. Many of my friends, experienced pipe smokers and tobacco lovers, sadly note that the monopolization of the tobacco industry turns the original excellent blends into dim and indistinctive tobaccos with unified taste. How do you explain that? I can‘t get my head around how such excellent tobacco brands as Dunhill could stop. What is your view on this development?

I divide my pipes after the different flavors that I smoke from them. Virginia, Latakia, flavored tobaccos and fine aromas. I think it makes sense, because it avoids mixing flavors and aromas. Of course, it‘s a pity that the Dunhill tobaccos of old times are no more. I really like Ye Olde Signe and when I found out Dunhill was being discontinued, I stocked up on my favorites Ye Olde Signe, Elizabethan Mixture and Royal Yacht as well as Early Morning, Durbar, Aperitiv and 965. I think I have reserves for the rest of my life (laughs). The current Peterson tobaccos should be no different from the last Dunhill tobaccos, because both are or were made by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. There was a clear difference when Murray‘s production was closed (I think in 2005). And here we come to the second part of your question. The monopolization of the pipe tobacco industry is really very, very unfortunate when it comes to old original blends and brands. I‘m the very last person who takes stock in the "good old days", but it hurts my soul that distinctive blends like McConnell, Rattray‘s, Erinmore still produce but only "on paper", and sometimes they have very little in common with the original. The distinct "corners and edges", characteristic features and partially the power of these "old blends" have irretrievably disappeared and often only mass products that try to satisfy as many people as possible remain. This is one of the reasons why HU Tobacco was created in the first place. I tried and I am still trying to fill this gap. Not with replicas, but with creations that may not please the masses. My tobacco Khartoum is never aimed at the mass market and it was not intended for it, but it is an offer for individualists who simply want to enjoy the creation outside the mainstream. Blends like Fayyum Kake or Thuarekh, also Nyala and Director‘s Cut and now Nebari are offers for gourmets, for people who love tobacco and not aromas, for people who still know how to taste and interpret blends, for people for whom smoking is not just making of smoke. But you can‘t appeal to the masses with such blends. And they shouldn‘t appeal to them, because we logically couldn‘t produce too much in such a quality. Already now there are problems with basic tobacco that we cannot get in such quantities as we need. And we are not talking about tons here, but about kilograms. The tendency is sad, but in Germany we can be happy with current production. And there are still gems that please the heart.

I agree with your opinion, "mainstream" is not always a synonym for bad tobacco, just like a small producer is not a synonym for quality. Thank God, however, my friends introduced me to the Dan Tobacco Manufacturing brand (DTM), where I discovered tobaccos that really interested me – London blend no.1000, Fred the Frog, Midnight Rider, Old Ironsides... At that moment I said to myself that not everything is lost and the European offer has something to say, even if many experienced pipe smokers are skeptical. But they drew my attention to the brand that is almost unknown to us and familiar only to connoisseurs – HU Tobacco. I took a few cans – Khoisaan, Fayyum, Zulu, Tuarekh... and I was stunned. The way you mix Latakia is literally revolutionary: I discovered what I‘ve been looking for 20 years. I mean not an orthodox, smoked Latakia reminiscent of wooden railroad ties, but a bravado blend of salty candies, something like salted caramel. The taste of HU tobaccos is excellently full, dense and exceptionally balanced. HU tobacco cannot be compared to any other tobacco, not even Dunhill, to which some people compare it on world forums and reviews. Nope. HU is absolutely peculiar and unique. How did you invent this recipe of excellent flavors?

Yes, the DTM is also a small gem, which doesn‘t let discourage itself on its way and offers several specialties, thanks to which the tobacco market is very interesting. We can only hope that DTM will be able to independently manufacture and offer tobacco for as long as possible. In addition to classics in the fields of VA (Virginia) and VAPER (Virginia and Perique), HU Tobacco has great success with Latakia blends. I think we sell more blends with Latakia than without it. It is very remarkable and absolutely against all trends. But this is also our idea. First-class blends, far from trends. Mainly Africa Line set is a true treasure of great Latakia blends of all shades. The special recipes are completely unique here. For example, Khoisaan consists only of spicy tobacco, but it was a sensation when it was introduced in 2012/2013. Until then, there was nothing like it on the world market. HU Tobacco also launched the first European Crumble Cakes in the form of Fayyum Kake. These are world mílestones, from such a small factory as we are. Or strange fruitiness of Zulu, and lastly very strange aroma of Khartoum. I‘m a bit proud of how we can not only differentiate ourselves from the rest of the market, but we can also do it very successfully. HU Tobacco doesn‘t need to acquire masses and so our production batches are very small and we can react very quickly to requests, if we or I consider it good. Networking within social networks and direct contact with our customers is also a strong point of HU Tobacco, which large companies simply can‘t and don‘t want to solve. Their focus is simply on maximizing profits and market share, while at HU Tobacco, the customer and creativity are still the measure of everything.

Yes, this approach is evident. HU tobaccos have charmed me from the very beginning and without any doubt I personally consider them to be the best I have had the opportunity to meet in the world of tobaccos. I was extremely interested in the aforementioned African line, which I tested in its entirety. It is very difficult to judge which of them is the best, because the whole set is exceptional. Since it is an African line, do the tobaccos come from Africa (Tanzanian Virginia and the like)? Please, tell me a bit more about the tobaccos you mix in your blends, where do they come from and how did you find them (through DTM and Kohlhase & Kopp, I assume). What is their origin?

With Africa Line, we wanted to focus on Africa as a tobacco continent. Because a lot of tobacco comes from Africa, but nobody talks about it. The main growing regions are Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. These are mainly Virginia and Burley tobaccos. In the beginning, we tried to put into blends as many African tobaccos as possible. Depending on the mixture, this is sometimes more or less successful. But it was important for us to present Africa as a tobacco continent with exceptional properties. The more our tobacco series grow, the less this intention becomes readable. On the one hand, we need tobacco from other growing areas to put into our compositions and on the other hand, the recipes are more and more sophisticated and often contain varieties that are not grown in Africa or are not available to us. Here we always depend on the offer from DTM and Kohlasse & Kopp. HU Tobacco is too small to purchase tobacco, which is then also affordable, on the stock exchanges. Not even manufacturers would participate here. Nevertheless, this tobacco series is very important to me, because its creativity is hard to beat and it has produced creations that are of the top quality in the world market. And that‘s funny and a bit proud satisfaction.

Let‘s move on from HU tobaccos to the question of the tabacco industry. Almost everyone finds this incredible hypocrisy of regulation, ugly labels on the precise design of cans and separating people to zones to be disgusting and incomprehensible. As if the brain went missing and here comes the perverse Orwellian dictatorship.

This is very emotional and sometimes even crazy topic. As you say, many regulations are very hypocritical and destroying hundred of years old culture. It is almost arrogant to assume people do not know that excessive tobacco consumption is harmful to health. It‘s true, but everyone knows it. We don‘t have to malign people every day, we are not stupid. Labels take away the possibility to continue the tradition of beautiful tobacco labels from their makers. Old tobacco boxes with beautiful pictures and slogans of their time are the artistic genre themselves. HU Tobacco ascribes huge meaning to continuation of this tradition despite the warnings. I perceive pipe tobacco as a holistic product and the content, but also the packaging and the label, must correspond with it. This is also a kind of product evaluation. It‘s a pity there‘s such a destruction here, because today no one would doubt that tobacco is not healthy. But warnings are just visible effects of health obsession (in fact, there are scientific studies showing that putting warnings on the packaging is reducing the numbers of new tobacco addicts – note of a translator). In the background, we are fighting for ingredients, then for different proofs, as is the future law of monitoring. The goal is to create a world without smoke and to stop the culture of enjoyment. But the meaning of life is definitely not to be the longest but at the same time buffled. Every culture has the right to enjoyment, addiction or whatever you call it. But the spirit of the times is simply moving in the direction of polarization and exclusion (smokers are already being treated as criminals) in order to put people in line. Smoking is not healthy, alcohol is not healthy, sugar is not healthy, fat is not healthy, many sports are not healthy. But it‘s fun and it frees your mind from everyday stress. But it can‘t be told and written down. It‘s a pity.

This is also related to the fact that here, in Central and Eastern Europe, many tobaccos, including HU, cannot be found, while we are EU member countries. How is it possible?

It is true. HU Tobacco does not export to any EU country. The laws and the administrative burden when exporting from one EU country to another are so strict and the effort so high that we cannot export anything to EU countries. The chance of discovering HU tobacco in Beijing, New Delhi or Cape Town is 100 times higher than in Prague, Pilsen or Bratislava. Well, this is how the EU destroys trade within its member countries. The effort is worthwhile only for big companies, but not for us, the small ones. And that‘s too bad.

It is sad. But the good news is that the last of the tobaccos of the African line is Khartoum, which launched summer 2022: Latakia, Virginia, cigar leaves Brazil and Havana, Kentucky, Black Cavendish. A genius blend and I admit that along with Fayyum and Khoisaan it is for me the best that the world of pipe tobacco has to offer today. After testing, I ordered a larger quantity of it for the archive. I must say that at first I was apprehensive about opening the 100 gram cans, but all fears were dispelled when I discovered that the tobaccos do not dry out weeks or even months after opening the can, so I have opened about ten of them to enjoy HU pleasure. We know that well-stored tobaccos mature like wine. How many years will they last if stored well? How do you archive them?

I looked at the sales numbers again yesterday and I have to say that Khartoum has been the most successful tobacco on the market in our country so far. It hit like a bomb and I‘m glad that pipe connoisseurs have similar tastes to me. Personally, Khartoum is number one for me. (*TER: Before doing this interview, I told my friends with a smile that I think Khartoum is exactly the tobacco that Hans tried to blend all the time). The manufacturer of the cans guarantees functionality for 5 years, as long as they are not damaged. I opened and closed the cans myself 10 years ago and the tobacco is still in super condition. For me personally, these painting cans are perfect for tobacco, especially when it comes to curing it. The air cushion inside the can allows the tobacco to mature much better than in a vacuum can. So you can safely store tobacco and it can age for 10 years or longer, but it‘s important to remember that not all tobacco tastes better with age. You must like old tobacco. The taste will be significantly softened. But it is no longer as highlighted as when fresh. I‘m talking about a multi-year maturation process here. Our tobaccos are matured for several weeks before packaging so they can be smoked immediately.

Which of the tobaccos do you like best from the world offer and which of HU do you consider the most successful?

Let‘s start with the lighter part of the color. The most successful HU blends are Director‘s Cut, Louisiana Broken, Nashville County, Fayyum and Fayyum Kake, Zulu and I think also Khartoum. Flanagan, Dockworker, Haymaker, Dark Moor and Night Owl are also very well established, as well as Old Fredders. My personal HU favorites are Director‘s Cut, Haddes Best Irish, Louisiana Broken, Nashville County, Dark Moor and Night Owl, Khoisaan, Khartoum and Fayyum. I‘m an ardent European when it comes to non-HU tobacco. My favorites are Dunhill Navy Rolls, Aperitive, 965, I love St. James Plug or Full Virginia Plug and Grousemor Plug from Lakeland tobaccos, then good old Three Nuns and with a Danish touch Mac Baren, Navy Flake or Danebrog. Of course, I also like many American blends, although I‘ve never been a McClelland fan. But Russ Ouelette and Greg Pease are already masters of their craft and I look up to them in awe.

HU tobaccos are not a global or European giant. I was wondering how big is your production per year compared to the bulk manufacturers?

Oh God, HU Tobacco is a dwarf. It‘s not that HU Tobacco doesn‘t have a potential to grow, I‘m just doing it as a hobby, not trying to attract new customers in any way. If the seller doesn‘t knock on my door and ask if he can have HU tobacco for his business, I won‘t approach him myself. There are still some big sellers in Germany that I don‘t even ask if they want my tobaccos. It is the same with exports. We‘ve grown quite a bit over the last few years, but I‘m not doing anything to grow. My producers have also signaled that basic tobaccos are hard to come by in current quantities. In addition, the blends are very complex to manufacture, so it is difficult to make larger volumes. Despite all the anti-smoking campaigns, all manufacturers are incredibly busy. They‘re not able to make more of it.

So HU Tobacco is a smaller brand, I have read in one interview with you that you only deal with it as a hobby. So how does the HU store work and how do you currently see its perspective?

HU Tobacco no longer has its own store. This means I only have one website and I only supply to specialized retailers and no private customers. Meanwhile, HU Tobacco is too big to supply customers directly, as I did at the beginning. The specialized dealers are also not supplied directly by me, but through the retailer. Tabakwaren Bosch in Fürstenfeldbruck near Munich supplies all my specialized dealers. I also don‘t have a warehouse anymore, it‘s done via drop shipping from manufacturers. My biggest customers and exports bypass Bosch. I take care of that myself. My age alone makes the prospect very manageable. HU Tobacco‘s growth would throw much of what HU is now overboard. I would like to continue to be a specialized provider and insider tip. I earn my money with a regular job. The way HU is set up now, all options would be viable, but as I said, I‘m slowly starting to think about how HU Tobacco will continue when I retire. Should I let the brand die or sell it? Both ideas are not very nice. However, I still have a few years to think it all through. Until then I will continue to enjoy the great tobaccos and the great development that HU Tobacco has made over the past 12 years. I remember the first time I offered my tobaccos at a pipe fair. This can no longer be compared with HU‘s current position. Tibor Eliot, thank you for the very interesting questions.

Hans, i also thank you for the exclusive interview and in the name of all the fans I wish you and HU Tobacco a long lifespan, success and stable quality, which is the best the world of pipe tobaccos offers.

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