Germain and Sons Stopping Production?

[sablebrush52]

Are any of the Esoterica blends similar to Germain's Brown Flake?

Not that I've found. The Esotericas use lighter grades of Virginia. I love Germain's Brown Flake, but only have a few tins left, and am not buying any of their current product. Of course, Im not buying anyone's current product as I don't need more tobacco. Even if that were not the case I wouldn't be buying Esoterica, given the changes. Again, if these are new to you and you like them, that's all that matters. It's a different situation for me.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've also read on here that some of the blends have changed. I saw a picture of some Stonehaven (never smoked it but I do smoke RDF and that's supposed to be virtually identical) and the flakes looked very light in colour.

I received the gift of about 100grams of RDF purchased at JJ Fox in London a couple of months ago. It's was a pleasant smoke, but compared to the RDF I smoked in 2014 and 2017, some of which I still have, it's less flavorful, less complex, with the ale missing in the topping.

 

[ThermionicScott]

So, 9 pages in... have we all agreed to stop buying Esoterica blends, because they're going out of business?

Yogi Berra has entered the chat:

"No one smokes Esoterica anymore, it's too hard to get."

 

[mingc]

Yogi Berra has entered the chat:

"No one smokes Esoterica anymore, it's too hard to get."

Perfect!

 

[PipeIT]

The one thing good about this post, is that it sheds light on how Germain’s blends, aren’t the Lost Ark, everyone should be dying for, as if they are the best.

But, that brings us to the subject of ‘Best’. After all, why has the world been chasing after blends like these, because people have thought for far to long, they were either the best, or one of the best you’ll want to get a hold of.

While, so many of these people, might not of stopped to realize, that this is subjective, based on tastes, and that there is no such Best, it’s all a personal preference.

So hopefully now, it will finally be a lesson to of learned, for those that were not aware, or especially the new/newer pipe smoker, finding themselves sucked into this Fantasy Unicorn World.

Even in life, for so many consumers goods, I read and see people asking all the time;

Which is the best one? And I always respond, there is no best, and that depends on your needs and no one elses.

So remember our Pipe brethren;

Taste is in the beholders tongue, and there is no best tobacco, it’s whatever you like!

 

[Andriko]

Side note I think the future of pipe tobacco pricing is going to be more like cigars. Some blends costing more because the components are more expensive. I could be wrong but I think that it's really going to end up being the only way to keep it worthwhile for farmers to grow certain types of tobacco is if they can sell them at a price that makes up for the smaller levels of it used in blends. I don't think it's going to be as crazy as it is with cigars but I think a straight burly or Virginia blend will probably be cheaper then something with more condimental leaf.
It might also help keep blends more consistent. Because blenders won't be as tempted to replace one thing with another if they can make sure it doesn't cut into profits.
Though someone in the industry could certainly have a much better idea then that.

I've suspected something like this will happen since I got into pipe smoking. It's too niche to be fully on the ban radar, and contemporary pipe smokers like us tend be a bunch of snobs about what we smoke, so the inevitable result will be a small 'luxury' market of 'vineyard' style pipe tobacco.

 

[PipeIT]

I've suspected something like this will happen since I got into pipe smoking. It's too niche to be fully on the ban radar, and contemporary pipe smokers like us tend be a bunch of snobs about what we smoke, so the inevitable result will be a small 'luxury' market of 'vineyard' style pipe tobacco.

Don’t include me in the ‘Us’ party, I’m not a Snob, in any definition of the word. LOL

I’m a Particular man, with Particular tastes is all.

And, as for the Snob that looks down also on his fellow man, no, that is certainly not me. No man, should ever consider himself above any other man, we are all in the same boat in life!

 

[anotherbob]

I've suspected something like this will happen since I got into pipe smoking. It's too niche to be fully on the ban radar, and contemporary pipe smokers like us tend be a bunch of snobs about what we smoke, so the inevitable result will be a small 'luxury' market of 'vineyard' style pipe tobacco.

Like I have said it's just my guess. But it seems like the most viable path forward. I'd rather pay more to get what I want then have pipe tobacco be like cigs.