Description
A Danish-style Red Virginia flake with a deep, natural sweetness and notes of dark citrus and zesty spice. 50g tin. Note: these are now shipping in plain packaging.
About Per Jensen
Per Jensen is a Danish craftsman and tobacco expert whose life has been deeply interwoven with the world of pipes and pipe tobacco for more than half a century. Born into a family that would become influential in the pipe community, Per’s earliest memories are tied to the workshop his father, Per Georg Jensen Sr., established in Copenhagen in 1954. Although his father originally worked in law enforcement, he had a mechanical mind and began building specialized machinery for turning briar wood into pipes. When the customers who commissioned the machines didn’t pay, the Jensens used the equipment themselves and founded Georg Jensen Pipes, a brand that soon earned respect for its Danish character and quality workmanship. Per began helping in the family business at the age of nine and crafted his first pipe at about fifteen, an experience he remembered vividly despite losing that first creation in a wager at Tivoli Gardens.
Throughout his youth and early adulthood, Per worked in every part of the factory—from shaping briar to fitting mouthpieces. Over decades, he estimated that his hands had been involved in crafting around half a million pipes, a testament to his dedication to the craft. The Georg Jensen factory, at times employing a dozen makers, produced thousands of pipes annually and became a notable name in Danish pipe making. By the late 1990s, however, increased global competition and rising costs made it difficult for the family business to remain viable. In 2001, after nearly fifty years, the company was sold to W.Ø. Larsen, marking the end of the family’s direct involvement in pipe manufacturing.
Faced with a new chapter in life, Per pursued education in computer technology, a surprising shift for someone whose career had been rooted entirely in handcrafted pipes. But fate soon brought him back into the tobacco world. By reaching out to industry contacts, he connected with Mac Baren Tobacco Company, where he was offered a role that leveraged his deep industry knowledge. Since 2001, Per has served as product specialist—later also master blender and tobacco ambassador—at Mac Baren, guiding the development of numerous blends and educating retailers and consumers around the world.
During his blending career, Jensen became responsible for some of Mac Baren’s most admired mixtures and helped expand tobacco lines and maintain classic brands. He also collaborated on projects with Sutliff and, more recently, with Cornell & Diehl on the Per G. Jensen Legacy Collection, a series of blends honoring his father’s life and legacy.
Per Jensen’s story is one of evolution—from youthful pipe maker in a family workshop to respected global figure in pipe tobacco. His enduring passion for craftsmanship and quality has left a lasting impact on both the pipes and tobaccos cherished by enthusiasts worldwide.
