Danish Sir Walter Raleigh

[Briarcutter]

I sent this today to:
Got the email address off STG website.

torben.sand@st-group.com​

Dear Sir,
I have been a loyal smoker of Sir Walter Raleigh regular for many years. I still have some USA made product but wanted to renew my supply. I have heard from a close friend when he opened the 7ounce tin a very strong and nose burning smell of vinegar was present. He had three canisters all the same, un-smokable to him. I asked the question on a pipe forum about heavy, strong vinegar smell and if anyone has noticed it in the STG version. A lot of complaints have come back confirming the strong, overwhelming smell and taste of vinegar. Is this the current method of production? If so, I'm afraid I'll have to find another brand of tobacco as this is unacceptable and was never present in the USA made product.
Sincerely,

 

[Skippy B. Coyote]

I've got a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh regular on the way from SmokingPipes that should be here by the end of the week, so I'll report back when it arrives as to whether or not I got a vinegar bombed pouch. I'm hoping I'll get a good batch without the vinegar, but after reading all the reports around here regarding the current production SWR I'm not overly optimistic.

 

[Skippy B. Coyote]

Whelp, I got my pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh regular in the mail from SmokingPipes this afternoon, cracked it open, and gave it a sniff. Now I'm not sure exactly what Sir Walter Raleigh is supposed to smell like, having never had it before, but this tobacco smells like it was soaked in enough vinegar that you could dip a hushpuppy in it. There is a tiny bit of chocolate aroma as well, but it's about 95% straight vinegar for the tin note.

It certainly doesn't smell like something I'd want to put in a pipe and smoke, but I'll be brave and give it a try later tonight or tomorrow to see how much of the pungent vinegar aroma comes through in the flavor when smoked. If you don't hear back from me afterwards then assume I have met the fate of many a king's royal food tasters.

 

[woodsroad]

Well, at least I got a response. Unfortunately, it was that, since I live in Canada, I should contact the Canadian branch of STG. However, since the Canadian branch of STG doesn't import SWR, I can guess what the response would be.

Over to a willing US consumer !

The stuff is made in DK, they are the ones to answer the inquiry. Unless they don’t care about their customers.

 

[grimpeur]

The stuff is made in DK, they are the ones to answer the inquiry. Unless they don’t care about their customers.

I thought my question was sent to DK, I could be wrong. I'm thinking about sending an email to Smoking Pipes; obviously it's not their fault, but a big reseller might have a little more sway when dealing with a big company like STG.

 

[Briarcutter]

Well, I sent a email to DK from STG website on Monday, no response yet. I think we should also send complaints to where we purchase it, maybe they could assist.

 

[MidTNPiper]

Well, I sent a email to DK from STG website on Monday, no response yet. I think we should also send complaints to where we purchase it, maybe they could assist.

Same here. Think I send one in on the report an issue via contact us a day after you…nothing yet.

I typically leave my open tubs with the foil cover (removed) but laying on top of the tobacco with the clear plastic cap on. Will see what ends us happening in a few weeks. But man, fresh…it’s rough…

 

[woodsroad]

I thought my question was sent to DK, I could be wrong. I'm thinking about sending an email to Smoking Pipes; obviously it's not their fault, but a big reseller might have a little more sway when dealing with a big company like STG.

My point is that you sent your inquiry to the right place, but they refused to answer you. My respnse would be tell them that if they really don’t give a rat’s ass about their customers, then you’ll buy from a company that is more responsive.

 

[Briarcutter]

Still no response from STG, sent email on 22APR2024.

 

[jdlander]

I typically leave my open tubs with the foil cover (removed) but laying on top of the tobacco with the clear plastic cap on. Will see what ends us happening in a few weeks. But man, fresh…it’s rough…

Is it any better now?

I just opened a pouch of SWR and my eyes started watering from the overwhelming vinegar and ammonia smell... I'm thinking of cellaring it for a while to see if it helps.

 

[Joe H]

For what it's worth, I ordered a pouch of SWR from Smoking Pipes at the end of May and received it in early June (2024). It smells nothing like vinegar, just an average mild OTC burley with a mild, sweet aromatic topping. I'd probably see about returning it if it smells as you describe. My dad used to smoke this and there is no way he would have ever aged an OTC blend just so he could tolerate the smell. Hopefully you get some explanation as to what happened to your orders.

 

[Strange Quark]

Is the aromatic also FUBARed? Anyone know? If so, another favorite of mine bites the dust. I'm just getting over the loss of Walnut and am starting to take this b.s. personally.

I smoked the pouch aromatic earlier this year and it was a disappointment. No vinegar but it is becoming simpler and watered down in aromatic flavor. This used to be just about the best OTC blend. Captain Black Platinum is awfully similar to this blend at a higher price. I have no idea what STG is doing here other than cutting corners. I fear what they will do to Mac Baren.

As to the SWR regular it's been crap for ages. There doesn't seem like there is any cocoa in this blend like it used to have, tastes flat with an overwhelming top note of mace spice. It wasn't even like this when Lane initially took over production form B&W. This was my favorite burley back in the day. R.I.P. B&W.

 

[jdlander]

I have no idea what STG is doing here other than cutting corners. I fear what they will do to Mac Baren.

Yes. I am pretty pissed at STG, and will probably stop buying anything they produce. They're buying up and destroying all the pipe tobacco classics.

 

[SouthernCivil01]

The last pouch I bought from a local grocery smelled like straight up vinegar.
Horrid

 

[OverMountain]

I haven’t bought any in a few years because I stocked up. Is SWR/A really changed in the last year?

 

[f4phantomdriver]

A friend gave my two 7oz tubs and they were horrid. SWR was my all day smoke for a few years before switching to Prince Albert. I still have 4 tubs of regular and aromatic that was made in Tucker GA, thank God. I felt bad but I had to toss those 7oz cans, they were terrible. Vinegar and sautéed "back side" is what it tasted like. The room note was straight up cigarettes too. So unpleasant.

 

[OverMountain]

H

A friend gave my two 7oz tubs and they were horrid. SWR was my all day smoke for a few years before switching to Prince Albert. I still have 4 tubs of regular and aromatic that was made in Tucker GA, thank God. I felt bad but I had to toss those 7oz cans, they were terrible. Vinegar and sautéed "back side" is what it tasted like. The room note was straight up cigarettes too. So unpleasan

Hate to say it but my tub smelled like vinegar. RIP SWR.

 

[PipeIT]

H

Hate to say it but my tub smelled like vinegar. RIP SWR.

I don’t know your experience/background with pipe tobacco, but Vinegar is a common smell among VAs, and McClelland’s has been highly sought after for something of it’s own vinegar smells.

Vinegar doesn’t mean it’s bad…

But then, SWR is suppose to be Burley, wonder if it was cut with VAs, or if it’s 100% Burley you have, it’s gotten rancid somehow.

P.S. True, Burley shouldn’t smell like Vinegar…

 

[buroak]

IF STG leaves Sutliff alone, you can get the best of the best codger blends: Watch City American Cut Plug. It isn’t cheap, but it is fantastically good.

There are also the C&D burleys. I stay away from the marque’s mold-prone blends, but their burleys seem to keep.

 

[Searock Fan]

To repeat myself... First: Too bad you threw out the Raleigh. If I get a bad one I save it to do some experimenting with blending. Second: I recently mixed some Raleigh and Half and Half at 50/50. Surprisingly it made for a pretty good smoke. Much better than either one alone.