I don't see wide spread reporting. I see you bringing up your thoughts on Dunbar based upon opening one bag. I don't necessarily doubt you're into something and I certainly don't doubt your palate out industry experience. I just think it's a bit premature to be nailing the lid on the coffin.
I'm sure you saw the revised reviews I posted here, and I did not post all of them. I find K&K to be the major culprit in changing blends. It isn't just the Virginias that are different, but toppings as well in some blends, e.g., Solani Aged Burley and Wessex Burley Flake. HU has been heavily discussed, and a friend told me a few days ago that Janneman Flake is different now, though I haven't had the chance to find out for myself.
At least a few Sam Gawith blends have changed: St. James Flake and Plug, FVF and Plug, and 1792. A forum friend who knows his tobaccos is sending me samples of the plugs so I can revise my reviews. I saw them yesterday during our weekly zoom meeting, and the color of the plugs have changed, so I suspect the flavor has as well. As soon as I get them, I'll report what I learn.
I have seen several reports from knowledgeable smokers that there are changes in a few G&H blends, but I can't tell you that from personal experience. But, I trust those people and believe them.
I do believe the problem is that the quality of Virginias has diminished, but I also believe their is cost cutting going on. For instance, K&K completely removed Dark Fired Kentucky for Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong, and replaced it with fire cured black cavendish. That certainly cheapened the blend.
Regarding Esoterica: Tilbury has changed twice in the past year, and had changed in 2020 when they heavily doused the tobacco with apricot. Dunbar was weaker in 2020 than it was before, and the last drop proved to me that it's changed again. In case you haven't seen my updated reviews on Dunbar and Tilbury, I'll post them. I saw a photo of the current Stonehaven, and it certainly is lighter in color, which makes me suspect it was changed. I'd like to try it and see for myself.
Dunbar:
My original 10-13-2013 review: The bright and darker Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass/hay, bread, a fair amount of tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, floralness, mild sugar. light sour lemon. and a touch of vinegar and acidity as the lead components. The earthy, woody perique produces a moderate amount plums, raisins, figs and pepper. It offers secondary support rather than full support. The apricot topping is very mild, and doesn’t tone down the tobaccos much. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is a step below that mark. No chance of bite or harshness. Has a few rough edges. Well balanced with some richness, it burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent fruity, mildly spicy, floral, lightly sour flavor that extends to the moderately lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a little more potent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not quite an all day smoke. Four stars.
Update 12-23-2022. I have tried three samples from 2020, 2021, and 2022 drops, and the blend has been changed. The tart and tangy, more sour citrus is more dominant, and the tangy dark fruit is in the background. The sour lemon is much more obvious than before as is the acidity. That’s because there’s more bright, and the dark Virginias are cut with a lighter grade. The perique is more plummy, and not quite as sweet. Neither are the Virginias. The overall spice content is slightly stronger because of the brighter Virginias, and the perique has lost a step of potency from earlier versions. The floralness is more pronounced. Has a little more roughness, but won’t bite, though fast puffing may grant you a small harsh note. These aspects are elevated more in the 2022 productions than the previous two years, but not by much. The apricot isn’t quite as deep as before nor is the overall flavor as rich. The strength, nic-hit and taste levels remain consistent over the years. All other characteristics are the same as I noted in my original review. Two stars for the current manufactures I have experienced. My current rating reflects these years, and not the earlier years.
Tilbury:
There's a natural Virginia buttery tart and tangy citrus sweetness along with some hay/grass, bread, a little tangy dark fruit, wood and earth, and a honey note due to the expert mix of gold and dark Virginias. You get much of the full range of tastes that those Virginias usually have to offer. The burley is nutty and toast-like with an earthy, woodsy flavor that gets a little stronger as you smoke it down. The burley is almost a competitive component. The fruity smell out of the tin or bag allows you to think an apricot topping is present, and I claim it was added in the casing of the Virginia, but this varietal tastes lightly fermented in any case. The tobacco is ribbon cut and a little stringy, so it burns at a moderate pace, cool and clean with a very consistent sweet, nutty and woody, lightly rugged flavor from start to finish. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is a step or two below that mark. Has no dull or harsh spots, and won't bite. Has a few rough edges. Leaves a little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights if you've given it a light dry time. I recommend that. Has a pleasant, lingering woody, nutty sweet after taste and stronger room note.
11-2-2022 Update: I have recently smoked several batches of Tilbury from 2019 to 2022, and have experienced a moderately stronger apricot topping every time. That subdues the tobaccos more than it did in previous productions. I'm not changing my rating, but I am recording the difference for those who read this review.
12-20-22 Update: The latest drop of Tilbury produces another change in the product. The apricot is barely noticeable. The Virginias are not sweet nor are they as complex as the pre-apricot dosed version discussed in my original review. This only has light touch of dark fruit, more tartly sour citrus, and I notice a smoke note that I never encountered in any version. There’s a little more sharpness and is mildly more sour as well. The Virginias remind me very much of those currently used in Dunbar, which are a downgrade from past manufactures. Three stars for this December 2022 version.
