If you're looking for a Tobacconist and/or tobacco shop, you found it, look no further; this is arguably the best tobacco shop in the country; and that isn't just my opinion, they have won countless awards and are know for their quality products internationally.
I'm a daily pipe smoker, I'm 36 and have been smoking a pipe for about 7 years consistently. Prior I was a weekend cigar smoker since I was 18 (and I did smoke cigarettes for well over 10 years till my late 20s). That being said, I've been to many brick and mortar tobacco shops over the years. All of the ones in the Boston & greater Boston area, and I always check one out when I travel. This shop is an outlier in that it is exceptional in every way!
Most importantly they have amazing customer service! You don't feel like a customer, you feel like a friend, hanging out in a community center for tobacco.
They aren't just a tobacco shop selling pipes, cigars and tobacco in pouches and tins, as they do that and more. They are a tobacconist, as they blend their own tobacco! They have been doing so for over 150 years, and to my understanding are the second oldest tobacco shop in the United States. It is by no mistake they are still in business after all these years, they have loyal customers and are gaining new loyal customers on a daily basis because they provide the most exceptional service! In 2019 you would expect a tobacco shop to be losing customers, this is the opposite with Perretti's.
You can sample any tobacco they make/blend. I always pack a bowl or two every visit of a tobacco I haven't tried, I'll then shoot the breeze with locals and employees. It's a friendly and welcoming atmosphere! They have over 100 blends of their own pipe tobacco, blended right there in the back room: cavendish blends, Burley (American) blends, & English Blends. And this doesn't even include the tin tobaccos, huge selection of cigars, snuff and all other tobacco products.
If you are a beginner, they will set you up with a inexpensive pipe and nice tobacco so you don't break the bank. Same with cigars, if you are just starting out, you don't need to get a $20 cigar, yes they have plenty of amazing $20 cigars and plenty much more expensive, but they also have plenty of cigars that are $5 that are great to try out when you aren't sure exactly what you love.
They have a huge selection of anything tobacco and tobacco accessories such as pouches, traveling cases, humidors and so much more.
The selection of pipes goes from $5 corn cobs, to $35 basket pipes (and their basket pipes are actually very nice), pipes in the $45 to $85 range, $100 to $200 (my range), $500 range, all the way up to pipes for $6,000+. And whatever at your price ranges you can find a quality pipe and a large selection. If you don't see what you were looking for, I have learned, all you have to do is ask.
One of the things that I love is they have so much cool brand new backstock. They have brand new tobacco pouches from the 1960s, pipes that have been out of production for 40+ years, brand new antique humidors and that is on top of all the new product of this year/season. The store is small area wise but is packed, and if you don't see it up front they may have it in back, so just ask.
Regarding a complaint I've read in a few reviews: Yes, some of the employees can look like grumpy old Bostonians, but looks can be deceiving, they are nice guys with a good sense of humor; often a dry sarcastic sense of humor. They are also experts in all things tobacco, they are happy to help you and answer your questions, and if they can't answer it they will find an answer!
Not only do they blend tobacco is in house, they also have an in-house pipe maker. So on top of all the namebrand pipes they also have their own pipes being made right there in the back room, and they will make one specifically for you if you request. They will also blend a personal tobacco for you to your specifications. They go above and beyond here, I can't say enough good things about this shop!
I've had issues where I have damaged my pipe, broken it, I've brought it in and they have fixed it right there on the spot if it is simple (for them, for me I've thought it hopeless) or I've come back in a week and had it fixed; often for no charge at all! They take care of there customers. I am not "Mr. cool" in some cool little click there, I'm just a regular customer, and they always take care of me!
There prices are good, and if you factor in the service that you get, then the prices are amazing!
When you get the service that JL Peretti's offers it makes you proud to support a brick and mortar. Since I started going here a few years back I've stoped buying things online, their service is a great example of why we need small business and why we should limit our online shopping.
I know I'll be going here for the rest of my life! read more