A Look at STG Internal Documents Regarding the Mac Baren / Sutliff Buyout

[mtwaller]

Wise move IMO, given the uncertainty.

Yeah unfortunately I think it’s the only sure way to avoid some serious heartache that is probably coming down the line.

 

[Elric]

Yeah unfortunately I think it’s the only sure way to avoid some serious heartache that is probably coming down the line.

You can never have too much tobacco. Of any type. I figure there will be a lot of horse trading in the future, which should be fun.

 

[mtwaller]

You can never have too much tobacco. Of any type. I figure there will be a lot of horse trading in the future, which should be fun.

No doubt. It’ll be a wild and wacky ride when Mixture 79 is going for like $30 a pouch or something bonkers.

 

[Ahi Ka]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

 

[Elric]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

I JUST got that email! LMAO!

 

[abecox]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

Looks like my friends are getting homemade gifts this year!

 

[mtwaller]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

lol they’re ready to get that shit gone. I was happy to do my part this morning and help them in that regard.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

And to think the, and I really promise it this time guys, last purchase I made of Sutliff stuff was delivered a few minutes after I saw that email…sigh lol

 

[Snook]

20% off Sutliff bulk at SPC

I guess I could take another look at their offerings...........

 

[Zamora]

STG is an RYO and cigar forward company. Definitely their cigar and RYO fans would hate it. But, I was at The Briary the other day talking to the new manager, and The Peterson blends just don't move like they used to. On here, sure we have lots of fans of those blends, but out and about in the greater non forum majority of pipe smokers, they just aren't jumping on it.

Speaking of this larger population of pipesmokers... I wonder what the reaction is going to be to such shuffling of blend availability, period. If STG were to go away, and all of their newly purchased companies were to stay as is, There would be less loss of blends removed from the shelf than as what we stand to lose now.

Of course, I may just not be aware of what all is made by STG in comparison to MacB and Sutliff. I'm just going on what is on the shelves at The Briary.

Edit: sorry one word made me sound like I was saying the opposite.

As a cigar smoker I could take or leave any of their cigar offerings.

I had no idea Peterson blends weren't that popular in real life, but that isn't shocking. I once snagged a tin of Dorchester at a B&M for like $20, people who just buy whatever is at the B&M aren't going to know about all the hype. It's like how Captain Black is the biggest selling brand, you'd never know that looking at what forum types post but the Korean War vet who smokes nothing but Captain Black Cherry probably doesn't even know what forums are.

Peter Stokkebye (ie; STG) makes some of my favorite bulks; Luxury Navy Flake, Luxury Twist Flake, and Luxury Bullseye Flake. I joined the party late, too. So, I only know the STG versions if any version before STG did exist.

Erik Stokkebye products, however, are/were apparently under Mac Baren. I also really enjoyed their Evening Flake and Night Slice.

I've been trying to do some research to determine if there are any other non-ribbon cut bulk Va's/VaPer's that I can try out. Still in that process.

EDIT: I should say I already tried Newminster Superior Navy Flakes, Newminster Superior Round Slices, and Sutliff Virginia Slices. But, my understanding is Newminster and Erik Stokkebye are Mac Baren and Sutliff is obviously on the chopping block. So, trying to branch out from Peter Stokkebye under the STG umbrella but struggling to find alternatives.

Yeah the Stokkebye bulks are great. LNF was my first VaPer, I have five jars of it in my cellar and plan to get more once my local B&M restocks it. Norwegian is perfect for a quick smoke. I also love English Oriental Supreme, so much flavor.

 

[Valliantpiper]

Very secondary from looking at their prospectus, etc.

As a newcomer to this “hobby”, what keeps me here is the interesting aspects of the hardware and software (the pipes themselves and the variety of tobaccos).
What annoys me is the almost elitist, quirky aspect.
Pipe smoking seems to have thrived when it was just a contemporary, unabashed, one of many methods of enjoying nicotine-available and attractive to everyone from all classes, and in its heyday it was the “everyman” that smoked an affordable pipe with accessible and affordable blends that you would see all over the crowds in public spaces that drove the market.
Clinging to the illusion that pipe smokers are better than other nicotine addicts makes us a niche market which by definition will have less pull in the marketplace.

I’ll buy what I can, stock up on what I like, try new things and roll with the punches because I really like being able to get a tasty half hour (to an hour) enjoyable nicotine experience with roughly the same amount of product as a cigarette that lasts maybe five minutes.
When you choose to drive an exotic, rare, or old vehicle, don’t expect to be able to find parts at the local parts store.

MacBaren is the market equivalent of a family whose estranged children inherit a beautiful old country estate in a developing suburban area, but have no interest in preserving its historic (to the family or community) value. Such beauties disappear every day to condo and retail developers.
Many bemoan the loss of such gems, but it is rare when those that have the means or motivation to save such from “progress” are able to save them.
To save Sutliff and their facilities, one would have to present the board of STG an offer they can’t refuse, before it’s too late (which I’m pretty sure it already is).

To be honest, my angst with this news comes selfishly from being a guy late to the party, that finally found what has become my everyday “go to blend”, and it happens to be one that’s affected. I can appreciate the loss of blends, brands and history, but the responsibility for that ultimately lies with those that sold out to the evil conglomerate. The inheritors of MacBarne’s legacy made a conscious decision to shitcan history, quality, and most importantly the livelihoods of all their staff.

The only constant in this life is change.

Why can’t someone who lives in Virginia ask for a study to be done by the State Historical Preservation Society on the Sutliff Factory to see if it qualifies and could be made an historic landmark

 

[Zamora]

Why can’t someone who lives in Virginia ask for a study to be done by the State Historical Preservation Society on the Sutliff Factory to see if it qualifies and could be made an historic landmark

That's a great idea, definitely worth pursuing. I'm sure there's plenty of Virginians on here. STG might be fine with, they just don't want to pay to keep it operating or for a competitor to take over. I wish it could keep operating but it being preserved as a historical landmark would be better than nothing, especially since STG purportedly wants to destroy all the machinery.

 

[TriedPiper]

Why can’t someone who lives in Virginia ask for a study to be done by the State Historical Preservation Society on the Sutliff Factory to see if it qualifies and could be made an historic landmark

I have to respectfully disagree with this approach. Seen too much of that. I believe property owners have a right to do what they see fit with what THEY own. Now if someone were to make the owners an offer they can't refuse...well, that's different.

 

[lazar]

I have to respectfully disagree with this approach. Seen too much of that. I believe property owners have a right to do what they see fit with what THEY own. Now if someone were to make the owners an offer they can't refuse...well, that's different.

You've seen too much of one-of-a-kind historical properties being designated historical landmarks and thereby being saved from destruction?

 

[fireground_piper]

You've seen too much of one-of-a-kind historical properties being designated historical landmarks and thereby being saved from destruction?

There are some big pros and cons to that designation. There are many "historical landmarks" that end up falling into disrepair because the restrictions for renovation and use are so stringently regulated by the respective historical societies they reside in. It takes a very specific tenant with the right kind of money to keep these properties from falling to pieces (or if they've fallen to pieces, to make them useable again while being having that tenant's financial spends be driven by the society).

 

[Zamora]

There are some big pros and cons to that designation. There are many "historical landmarks" that end up falling into disrepair because the restrictions for renovation and use are so stringently regulated by the respective historical societies they reside in. It takes a very specific tenant with the right kind of money to keep these properties from falling to pieces (or if they've fallen to pieces, to make them useable again while being having that tenant's financial spends be driven by the society).

That's a very good point