Author: Mark Irwin

  Nate Lynn CPG has a real treat for us today: not only his story of a double commission from Peterson's Austin Quinlan, but the Mini-Series on YouTube to go with it! I haven't had a chance to get this rated yet, but I'm guessing it'll be. . . RATED "S" for SMOAKIN'!    A TALE OF TWO PIPES by Nate Lynn CPG Our tale begins in the year of 2023, on a family pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle — a land rich with stories, mist, and music. It was on that journey, alongside my entire clan, that I first set foot in the hallowed halls of the Peterson shop, my oldest son and youngest daughter in tow. Little did I know, that visit would spark a love for the brand. Spin the wheel of time forward by a single year, and there I was again — this time with just my son as companion, the two of us seeking fresh adventures upon Irish soil. Our path led us to the Peterson factory itself, a place steeped in craft and history. It was there we had the good fortune to be guided by none other than Austin Quinlan himself. Now, I’d known of Austin through the fine fellowship of PPN, and had long admired his craftsmanship displayed on SPC.  To have him lead our tour was an unexpected delight. And what a grand tour it was — we spoke at length of all things Peterson, from pipe shapes to silverwork, from history to humor. But what made the day truly special was discovering that Austin was a man after my own heart, with a quick wit and a generous spirit. The hour and half passed in laughter and good company, and by the end I felt I’d found a true kindred spirit across the Atlantic. A few months had passed, and once again I found myself with a trip to Ireland on the horizon — this time not with my son, but with my wife and eldest daughter in tow. The country calls to the heart like few others, and it seems each visit plants the seed for the next. In preparation, I had gathered up a handful of my old Peterson pipes — well-loved pieces, but sorely in need of new stems. Naturally, I reached out to Austin to see if I might drop them off at the factory to be restored. While I was at it, I asked if he might be free to share a pint or two and perhaps chat over an idea that had been taking shape in my mind: a custom Father & Son set of pipes, something timeless that could one day be handed down again. As the trip drew nearer, another notion took hold — I wanted these pipes to bear a mark, a symbol that spoke both to our Irish journey and to our own family story. A Celtic-inspired band seemed the perfect choice — but not one of the typical…