Are we really losing that much with the closures of Mac Baren and Sutliff?

[anotherbob]

Ahhh I knew it was bad but gee whizz they have pulled the proverbial pants down and not offered any lube have they I’m glad I have what I need and I just collected from the post another pound of 515 and buttered rum to insulate a little more. I really will have to work on anything Kopp have fingerprints on now too as they are probably the next ones in the gun and they have huge bearing on Pease and C & D going forward so we aren’t out of the woods yet I’d say. One look at this screen shot should get everyone’s pulse racing!
View attachment 361255

Some of those are ones they distribute in some places. If I understand what I am looking at. Well fun fact Germany has the most pipe smokers per capita last time I checked ten years ago.

 

[Zamora]

Ahhh I knew it was bad but gee whizz they have pulled the proverbial pants down and not offered any lube have they I’m glad I have what I need and I just collected from the post another pound of 515 and buttered rum to insulate a little more. I really will have to work on anything Kopp have fingerprints on now too as they are probably the next ones in the gun and they have huge bearing on Pease and C & D going forward so we aren’t out of the woods yet I’d say. One look at this screen shot should get everyone’s pulse racing!
View attachment 361255

I knew Kopp had Rattray's and Sillem's but I didn't realize it went this deep. Both Gawiths, wow, very surprised 4th Generation isn't under STG but as we all know at this point STG does supply Kopp with leaf. I thought HU was independent and C&D were under Laudisi.

I know more then a few older smokers who have the blend. Anything else they won't even try.

What blend? The complete lack of curiosity so many have is so alien to me, I can't imagine refusing to try anything else. I'd say it's their loss, but it's also ours because that's why so much stuff gets discontinued

 

[NookersTheCat]

Or maybe it's meant to nudge the conversation in a productive direction. People shooting off their mouths rather than exercising their brains, at members of the tobacco industry, as well as other recognized figures in the community are why forums are avoided by professionals.

Really? I thought the whole point of forums was for us to *respectfully* shoot off our mouths. I invite you to look at every single post I've made here, none have been mean in spirit or disparaging anyone individually, and I fancy myself as someone who exercises my brain frequently, thank you.

P.S. What's this positive direction? Starting a $100 million tobacco conglomerate in our garage? The establishments in place make sure only those with enough grease can appease those palms.

I've been pipe smoking for more than 50 years. How much brand loss you think I've experienced, or other pipe smokers with similar lengths of use? Unless you're been smoking for at least the last 30 years, you have no concept, absolutely none...

Well kudos.. I've been alive almost 32 years and smoking pipe for only a bit less than half of that. So while this bit makes it seem you'd love for me to grovel to you at my lack of age I don't feel the need since I wasn't present for the gutting of our society by many in your generation... the results of which won't even be able to be paid off by my great grandchildren. A side effect of which I could effectively argue is a primary cause for the topic at hand.

So congrats on enjoying the spoils, but perhaps consider kindly allowing a few of us who have to now shoulder the burdens a venting session here and there? Hell, I'm not even one venting. Just discussing a current topic.. on a forum meant for discussing current topics. I'm starting to remember why the last time I logged on here was half a decade ago

Take some positive action and get off your butts, buy what you can while you can, where you can, and start looking at new possibilities.

Yeah, it's a wrench, but it's hardly the first and only wrench.

Again, please look at my other posts if you're so concerned. I have not only been doing such but vocally encouraging others to as well. But forgive me if I don't bow and lick to the 'more holy than thou' attitude just because you had the genetic fortune to start earlier than me with significantly lower costs of living.

And then y'all wonder why the hobby is dying off?
I always used to defend the use of the term "codger" as a tongue-in-cheek term of endearment/affection but you're making that increasingly difficult, sir... lol

 

[NookersTheCat]

I would not say KBV was closing up after reading this: New Projects – KBV - https://kbven.com/new-projects/?v=0b3b97fa6688

That's def somewhat encouraging but I'd say it still seems at best wishy-washy (50/50)... more like he's saying he's basically gonna be rolling out what was already in the works with stuff already under contract. I was just going off the last I'd heard which was this from the post right before that one...


Though still, better than an "ERROR 401!" I suppose!


On a personal note Jim, appreciate your timely reviews and what ya do for the hobby. They're a great way for us to get an early insight on these increasingly limited edition blends that we have to buy blind with not much else but hopes and well wishes.

 

[JimInks]

That's def somewhat encouraging but I'd say it still seems at best wishy-washy (50/50)... more like he's saying he's basically gonna be rolling out what was already in the works with stuff already under contract. I was just going off the last I'd heard which was this from the post right before that one...
View attachment 361269

Though still, better than an "ERROR 401!" I suppose!


On a personal note Jim, appreciate your timely reviews and what ya do for the hobby. They're a great way for us to get an early insight on these increasingly limited edition blends that we have to buy blind with not much else but hopes and well wishes.

Thank you for the kind words. I'm pleased that the reviews have been helpful to you.

 

[Zamora]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm pleased that the reviews have been helpful to you.

Seconded, your reviews are always very objective so I can always count on them to determine whether or not I want to try a blend

 

[buroak]

One thing we might lose is that every blend out there is potentially someone's favorite or more importantly the one that starts the love affair with pipes.
Though any change in any market opens opportunity (if anyone takes it or succeeds with it is another story).
Another odd thing we might gain is how people I've known getting into to pipes are often overwhelmed when visiting any online vendor. So many choices and explanations that mean nothing sensible to the new guy. Have actually seen a few people almost quit at that point. Funny they can pick a pipe in their price range because they can see how much they like the look. But tobacco is another story. I guess I am saying it might actually help in some way for there to be less choice now.

As the chorus of the closing number in The Life of Brian exhorts: "Always look on the bright side of life."

 

[sablebrush52]

Really? I thought the whole point of forums was for us to *respectfully* shoot off our mouths. I invite you to look at every single post I've made here, none have been mean in spirit or disparaging anyone individually, and I fancy myself as someone who exercises my brain frequently, thank you.

P.S. What's this positive direction? Starting a $100 million tobacco conglomerate in our garage? The establishments in place make sure only those with enough grease can appease those palms.

Well kudos.. I've been alive almost 32 years and smoking pipe for only a bit less than half of that. So while this bit makes it seem you'd love for me to grovel to you at my lack of age I don't feel the need since I wasn't present for the gutting of our society by many in your generation... the results of which won't even be able to be paid off by my great grandchildren. A side effect of which I could effectively argue is a primary cause for the topic at hand.

So congrats on enjoying the spoils, but perhaps consider kindly allowing a few of us who have to now shoulder the burdens a venting session here and there? Hell, I'm not even one venting. Just discussing a current topic.. on a forum meant for discussing current topics. I'm starting to remember why the last time I logged on here was half a decade ago

Again, please look at my other posts if you're so concerned. I have not only been doing such but vocally encouraging others to as well. But forgive me if I don't bow and lick to the 'more holy than thou' attitude just because you had the genetic fortune to start earlier than me with significantly lower costs of living.

And then y'all wonder why the hobby is dying off?
I always used to defend the use of the term "codger" as a tongue-in-cheek term of endearment/affection but you're making that increasingly difficult, sir... lol

You appear to have a chip on your shoulder about the size of a redwood, poor thing.
Drop it and life will be better.

 

[anotherbob]

As the chorus of the closing number in The Life of Brian exhorts: "Always look on the bright side of life."

can't go wrong with anything you learn from that movie. As I always say what have the Romans done for us?

 

[anotherbob]

What blend? The complete lack of curiosity so many have is so alien to me, I can't imagine refusing to try anything else. I'd say it's their loss, but it's also ours because that's why so much stuff gets discontinued

lots of half and half and a few Capin Black and even Five brothers.

 

[Sigmund]

Some of those are ones they distribute in some places. If I understand what I am looking at. Well fun fact Germany has the most pipe smokers per capita last time I checked ten years ago.

Yes, that screenshot is a company blurb to make them look more expansive than they are. They distribute a lot of those in the EU. They dont have a hand in making quite a few of those on the list. Kopp is why we have GLP and CnD but its also why we pay double the price. They saw opportunity and stepped in.

That said Kopp does make a lot of tobaccos here in the EU and if they cant source leaf from one place I really doubt they will just decide to fold.

Despite any desire to rule pipe tobacco I would venture to guess that STG makes a lot of cash acting as an intermediary for the sale of leaf. Their idea of shutting down stuff that doesnt sell more than X pounds a year is one thing. I dont know that they want to shut down unfinished/partly finished leaf sold in tons. I dont know that we would ever get a straight answer if we asked that question. Those sorts of decisions are rarely shared.

 

[buroak]

can't go wrong with anything you learn from that movie. As I always say what have the Romans done for us?

The aqueduct?

 

[Zamora]

lots of half and half and a few Capin Black and even Five brothers.

Half & Half will always have a special place in my heart, I'm glad it's one of the least likely to be nixed

Yes, that screenshot is a company blurb to make them look more expansive than they are. They distribute a lot of those in the EU. They dont have a hand in making quite a few of those on the list. Kopp is why we have GLP and CnD but its also why we pay double the price. They saw opportunity and stepped in.

That said Kopp does make a lot of tobaccos here in the EU and if they cant source leaf from one place I really doubt they will just decide to fold.

Despite any desire to rule pipe tobacco I would venture to guess that STG makes a lot of cash acting as an intermediary for the sale of leaf. Their idea of shutting down stuff that doesnt sell more than X pounds a year is one thing. I dont know that they want to shut down unfinished/partly finished leaf sold in tons. I dont know that we would ever get a straight answer if we asked that question. Those sorts of decisions are rarely shared.

I know a lot of people in the US believe that Arango makes Esoterica but in reality they're just the American distributors

 

[NookersTheCat]

Half & Half will always have a special place in my heart, I'm glad it's one of the least likely to be nixed

Same. One of the old standbys of my grandpa and therefore one of the first blends that got me into the hobby. God, I can still taste that first bowl in my MM Washington cob... cutting grass on the lawn tractor....
Ahhh....
Anyway! Haha

Point being, I wouldn't count on anything from STG going forward. Did Half&Half and my favorite Lane blend (TK-6) make the original cut? Yup. But going forward they've stated that by 2028 they are looking to cut even further including skus already previously owned by them before this acquisition...
"Didn't I warn you not to trust ANYONE, Dr. Jones?..."


PS... checkout CigarBid for the occasional stupid deal on stocking up on cans of Half and Half

 

[anotherbob]

The aqueduct?

straight roads.

 

[greysmoke]

I'm still grappling with the loss of the "original" Bengal Slices, Syrian Latakia, Frog Morton, and all of the Chief Catoonah blends -- especially BBB. Somehow, I'll manage. Worst case, you'll find me retching over a trash can with Borkum Riff Whiskey ashes still smoldering in my pipe.

 

[crashthegrey]

Cringle Flake, 1849, the four blends that I helped make, for now all SPC tobacco, plus many, many more white label stuff, to name a few.

 

[yardjocky]

Worst case, you'll find me retching over a trash can with Borkum Riff Whiskey ashes still smoldering in my pipe.

That was my dad favorite I used tease him about it. Now he is probably laughing his ass off in his grave.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Worst case, you'll find me retching over a trash can with Borkum Riff Whiskey ashes still smoldering in my pipe.

That was my dad favorite I used tease him about it. Now he is probably laughing his ass off in his grave.

That's one of their best ones. Mostly smoke it in my Kenan meerschaum owl.

 

[Mr. Stubb]

What is recommended as a substitute for 507C Virginia Slices?