Esoterica's lack of availability.
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It is still being made and a few days ago SmokingPipes.com had some in, but it all sold out in a couple of hours.
It is the same thing that is going on with Samuel Gawith. They are still producing their blends, but they are out of stock at the stores for so long that when the stores get their stock in, they sell out in a matter of hours.
It is a vicious circle that is partly caused by hoarding of pipe smokers.
The stores are out of stock.
When stock comes in, it sells out very fast.
That leaves the stores out of stock for a long time until the next shipment comes in.
When that shipment comes in, pipers hurry up and buy it before it is gone and it sells out very fast again.
Repeat cycle.
But rest assured, it is still being produced, the hard part is getting some before it's sold out. That gives you about an hour or so when the stores get some in stock, which isn't a lot of time.
It is the same thing that is going on with Samuel Gawith. They are still producing their blends, but they are out of stock at the stores for so long that when the stores get their stock in, they sell out in a matter of hours.
It is a vicious circle that is partly caused by hoarding of pipe smokers.
The stores are out of stock.
When stock comes in, it sells out very fast.
That leaves the stores out of stock for a long time until the next shipment comes in.
When that shipment comes in, pipers hurry up and buy it before it is gone and it sells out very fast again.
Repeat cycle.
But rest assured, it is still being produced, the hard part is getting some before it's sold out. That gives you about an hour or so when the stores get some in stock, which isn't a lot of time.
Is there, then, a reason that Butera doesn't step up production to meet demand? Are these tobaccos sold by regional distributors or only ordered direct from Butera? I can't take the fact that it is still being made but no one seems to be able to buy it. I just want some friggin' penzance. Does anyone take preorders or anything?
Take this with a grain of salt but I've heard the same thing from a few stores. In addition to hoarders causing problems, you have the additional complication of less brands being made or imported into the US such as Dunhill (no longer made), CAO and Dan Tobacco both have issues. Those brand smokers had to go elsewehre. Esoterica is a name owned by Butera but made by Germain. Germain and the Gawiths popularity have gone through the roof since P&T reviewed them over the last 10 years, causing broader distribution and more demand. Combine popularity with increased demand, a disconinuation of other brands with hoarding and bingo, out of stock. Another theory I heard was that they were having a difficult time getting leaf of high enough quality for their standards. You also have to remember, these are small companies. They can't just double output.
I agree with the reasons stated for these shortages...and we are also feeling the result of this medium of communication. People now know at a glance if a shipment has arrived. 4Noggins rec'd 75 pouches of Stonehaven and it was limited to 2 per customer...but it was gone in less than a day. The dealers are as frustrated by this state of affairs as we the smokers.
I wish there was an easier answer to this. I miss my Full Va Flake, and I have been jonesing to try Stonehaven for months.
I would love to hear opinions on any other blends that people feel are more or less the equivalent of these two.
Murad, in Maine
I wish there was an easier answer to this. I miss my Full Va Flake, and I have been jonesing to try Stonehaven for months.
I would love to hear opinions on any other blends that people feel are more or less the equivalent of these two.
Murad, in Maine
I can't speak to those blends Murad but for those who enjoy Penzance, I really enjoyed Park Lane Tobacco's Knightsbridge reminded me of it. Its not a krumble cake but is has a very similar weight and depth to it that immediately made me think of Penzance.
I will not take all 16. I'm just not like that. As I said. I will take a few and either let you guys know where it is or buy it and sell it to you at what I paid for it plus whatever shipping it takes to get it to you. Hauntedmyst is first on the list of recievers because he asked first.
I have read posts in another Forum that state Butera has retired. In a conversation with Premal Chedda this evening, he confirmed this, as his reliance on Butera to import the Smoker's Haven Imported Blend, manufactured by Germain and Sons, has been interrupted for some time now. This is a situation that is being resolved with a new distributor and Premal is expecting to see new stock come in towards the end of next month. I have no idea of what is to become of the Butera blend production or what the status of other blends that depended upon Butera for distribution are. As for Esoterica, I haven't learned of anything that indicates that their production has problems, so it would seem that the scarcity is a result of the lack of distribution. If this is the case, then the problem should be short term.
I think this is also a symptom of the overall positive trend that pipe smoking is on the rise, and definitely that what Murad said, that news travels fast online, and more pipe smokers are coming online than ever before.
I agree Kevin. The renewed interest in Pipe smoking is a positive event for us all.
It also presents a challenge to producers to keep pace with an increasing market
demand, part of which is due to a trend to cellar blends. It's an interesting time in the marketplace and the influence of tobacco on civilization. Some foresee the continuation of increasing prices along with decreasing availability. We have grown accustomed to global access to a huge range of blends. The current situation reminds me of the old drug stores that we used to get our Pipe tobaccos from. You might wind up waiting for a blend to return to stock, as the store did not want to have a lot of stock sitting on the shelves.
It also presents a challenge to producers to keep pace with an increasing market
demand, part of which is due to a trend to cellar blends. It's an interesting time in the marketplace and the influence of tobacco on civilization. Some foresee the continuation of increasing prices along with decreasing availability. We have grown accustomed to global access to a huge range of blends. The current situation reminds me of the old drug stores that we used to get our Pipe tobaccos from. You might wind up waiting for a blend to return to stock, as the store did not want to have a lot of stock sitting on the shelves.
Crap. All 16 tins were sold by the time they got my email. I will alert everyone when I do find some Penzance or any of the other sought after hard to come by tobaccos. I'm not a hoarder so I just want a few tins and will be happy to distribute the rest or at least the information that will enable the rest of you go get your hands on the tobaccos that we all miss and want dearly.
Is esoterica a good smoke? I saw it for sale on a website a while back and almost purchased some but I hAvent heard any reviews so I decided not to purchase any.
I am a new member, have been piping intermittantly since the 1960's. I have 8oz bulk (less 2 pipefulls) of Penzance recently opened and now in a lucite sealed jar. I've have lost my jones for this blend. I've latched on to Justice Mixture from Watch City Cigar. Love the cav treatment on the oriental. Am willing to trade or sell this Penzance.
Ryan, where did you go? I want your Penzance
This Penzance frenzy is getting out of hand. $80.00 for a 8 oz foil bag is insane :evil:
This Penzance frenzy is getting out of hand. $80.00 for a 8 oz foil bag is insane :evil:
Today on Fleabay, Penzance hit a new record high of $113.00 for a 8oz foil bag. Wonder if we'll see $200.00 before it's over?
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