Changes in Wessex Blends (seeking info)

[alaskanpiper]

So I’ve read a lot (particularly in @JimInks revised reviews) about recent changes to many of the Wessex blends. I am curious, does anyone know (even roughly) when these changes occured?

I recently came in possession of a tin each of Wessex Red VA Flake, Brown VA Flake, and Gold VA Flake, all from 2013 (square tins).

I opened and smoked some of the Gold first, and thoroughly enjoyed it. What I want to know, is if I choose to buy a stash of the modern version of any of these flakes to lay down for a while, am I buying the same blends?

It would be great to know, as if they are the same I will open the older ones and smoke them, while laying down some new ones. If not, I will likely save them as a special treat to open later, and pop one of the newer ones to evaluate its aging potential.

Thanks!

Frank

 

[Rockyrepose]

I was curious about this year's Curly Block, I know it isn't the same as the old stuff. Has anybody given it a shot this year?

 

[Chasing Embers]

The Kholhouse Kopp changes occurred earlier this year based on comments posted.

 

[sablebrush52]

The changes to blends seem to be an ongoing process, going back as far as 2019, when K&K changed Director’s Cut and other blends in their portfolio. If seems to have accelerated since then.
It’s not like this is a new thing. Escudo has undergone several changes under STG, Curly Block was significantly altered when STG took over manufacture, acquiring a burley bullseye, Doblone d’Oro stopped being a Va/Per Three Nuns clone by 2018, etc, etc, etc.

The Virginia base for some of the Esoterica blends changed in 2020.

My advice is try a tin of “Whatsis” and if you like it, stock up before it changes again.

 

[SBC]

I know that Wessex Classic VA changed from being a straight red VA to a yellow VaPer around 2014.

Your 2013 tins are almost certainly different than what you'd buy today.

 

[greeneyes]

Agreeing with sable, 2019 seems to have been a year that saw a lot of variation from then onward. For several different brands.

 

[kcghost]

Manufacturers of tobacco chance tobacco flavor seemingly on a whim. and they have been doing it since the flood.