Got My Sun Bear

[Casual]

is it really all that good, or is it just a lot of marketing

There’s only one real way to find out. That’s how they get you.

 

[lawdawg]

There’s only one real way to find out. That’s how they get you.

Which is exactly why I didn't buy any and I'm just asking you guys instead

 

[kschatey]

Seems like there is a lot of hype surrounding Sun Bear... is it really all that good, or is it just a lot of marketing of the "new small batch limited release one time only!" thing? I generally lean away from marketing hype, and there is quite a bit of it surrounding this blend, but if it's good, it's good, and I might try it.

I've seen it mentioned and talked about for the past year since the last release, so the hype and interest has been building for quite some time. I haven't yet tried it as it was last released before I joined the hobby. I know that it is a highly recommended VaOr by several forum members.

 

[briarbuck]

FYI I placed an order this am for 8 off of SP. After I got notification that it shipped, went back to the website this evening and it let me place another order for 8 shipping tomorrow. Found a hole in the Matrix...

 

[logs]

Seems like there is a lot of hype surrounding Sun Bear... is it really all that good, or is it just a lot of marketing of the "new small batch limited release one time only!" thing?

I think you already know the answer to your question. Sun Bear is the flavor of the minute. Wait a few minutes and something else will turn up.

 

[3rdguy]

I skipped it last year and all I heard was great things about it, by then it was sold out. I decided just to wait til this year to try it so I made sure I got some to try.

 

[ofafeather]

Well, 8 tins is ALMOST just enough for free shipping. Also, maybe they are trying to stretch it a bit further this time given how fast the 2,000 tins of Mac Baren Stockton disappears last week at a limit of 10 tins/day. I wasn't able to get a tin of that to try, but maybe someday I'll have a chance to try it from a kind soul.

It's not clear how many out of the 8,000 were released for distribution to be sold by other vendors. It's a bit weird since C&D and SmokingPipes.com are both owned by the same parent company (Laudisi) and therefore participate in the entire production, distribution, and sales chain for the C&D products. At least some portion of the tins has been sent into the distribution chain for Small Batch releases. but this one seems to be more limited so far as only one other vendor (Cup O Joes, 5 tin limit) has shown Sun Bear as being available for purchase at this time.

TobaccoPipes had no limit but they sold out while I had 10 in my cart looking up other shit. Good thing SP still had some, thanks to their limit.

 

[Sonorisis]

TobaccoPipes had no limit but they sold out while I had 10 in my cart looking up other shit. Good thing SP still had some, thanks to their limit.

Yes. I, too, had it sold out from under me. I wish more companies would take KBV's approach to the shopping cart.

 

[ofafeather]

I

Yes. I, too, had it sold out from under me. I wish more companies would take KBV's approach to the shopping cart.

I actually refreshed my cart before I checked out and it didn’t note it was out of stock. Tried to check out with PayPal which is when I discovered that they “didn’t have enough in stock”.

 

[lightxmyfire]

Hearing about this blend last year I was hoping they’d do another release. The honey topping sounded interesting so I grabbed one tin at midnight last night while also stocking up on some pease favorites. I’m looking forward to giving it a try!

 

[bullet08]

Still sitting on three tins I got last year. Just ordered 4 more. Probably get to the first tin next yr. Maybe. Setting up a new bicycle and all the coins are going that way.

 

[Spinkle]

I didn’t hear about this blend last year until it was already sold out and regretted not being able to try it. Purchased 6 tins last night at about 12:05 - 1 to open and taste test and 5 more for aging.

 

[ofafeather]

I wasn’t going to buy any but somehow have 8 on the way.

 

[mityahicks]

I think it is worth the hype. One of the most flavourful aromatics I've had. It is so sweet.

 

[kschatey]

Wow, apparently available and gone already at Cup O Joes, Mars Cigars, and TobaccoPipes.com. I wonder what their actually allotment sizes were compared to how much Smokingpipes.com reserved for themselves.

Also sold out already at The Pipe Nook.

 

[foursidedtriangle]

Which is exactly why I didn't buy any and I'm just asking you guys instead

Yeah as you know hoarders gonna hoard, do you actually expect someone to say no don’t get it?

 

[jttnk]

I sadly succumbed to the hype. I bought a tin last year. It’s been in a jar untouched. 2 tins to cellar this time. Maybe I’ll try this one in a year. What I’ve learned is I think I like Virginia’s with some age. Fresh Virginia’s not so much. Still experimenting with an open mind.

 

[lawdawg]

Yeah as you know hoarders gonna hoard, do you actually expect someone to say no don’t get it?

Yes. There have been plenty of honest discussions on this forum about hyped up blends, both pro and con.

 

[Spinkle]

Yes. There have been plenty of honest discussions on this forum about hyped up blends, both pro and con.

I agree with you 100% about not buying into the hype in general. In this case, this is the second run of this particular blend and I've seen enough reviews over the past year to be willing to take the "risk" that I'll like it. Seems like these Small Batch blends tend to be released yearly so if you do think you'll like after reading some reviews it it will be around again next year.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Smoking a bowl from last year's batch as I type this. I like VaOr blends. This one is a bit sweeter due to the casings. I think this is fabulous and expect it will even get better with age. Smokes cool, zero bite. I hope this is released every year moving forward.