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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,978
50,216
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
But I DID smoke those blends. Been piping since the late 80's. Are the current versions the exact same? No. Are they still good? Yes. I'm fine with the current versions of things--and many of my favorite tobaccos weren't around back in the day (like Pease and Hearth & Home). I guess I'm just not bothered by things changing and tobacco is going to be distributed by SOMEBODY until it isn't, so I'm not much bothered by STG or anyone else buying up brands that would probably otherwise disappear. No need for me to "comfort" myself about anything; I'm happy with the state of pipe tobacco and would argue we are living in a great time to be a piper.
Then just say that instead of implying “Escudo is still Escudo” which is nonsense. And don’t dismiss it as nostalgia when you know better.

I’ve repeatedly said that one should take a blend at face value and if you like it that’s what matters.
And, there are some great blends that have been released in recent years.

But we’re also seeing more smoke and mirrors recently with substitutions of components, and a homogenizing of blends slapped with famous labels, pretending to be what those blends were. Stop raping the corpses for a buck.

Find what you like and smoke it.

Hans may be the most innovative blender working today, and he’s using very fine empire leaf because there is some fine leaf being grown. Then K dilutes the result because they want to save a few pennies on the cost.

Still, if you like what you’re smoking that’s what counts.

There’s no need to pretend to be smoking something that isn’t.
 

Old_Newby

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 1, 2022
564
1,453
Texas
I want Dock Worker and Nashville.

I have to ask…. will the US product be the exact same as Europe? or are they sourcing the US supply from different tobacco sources?
 

Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
3,130
30,288
France
I agree with the face value, or taste value concept. Ive never really been one to smoke a tobacco becuase of nostalga. I dont think most guys do. Obviously, we often try a blend becuase we have heard something about it. I think most of us who have paid attention know that there is a possiblity at any moment for that blend to change. Sometimes is a small change that might irk us. Sometimes it is a big change that is more of a train wreck to previous users of the blend.

I recently tried a Solani blend that was well spoken of. It was compltely changed into an aromatic. When I researched recent reviews it indicated that my perception was right on. Im glad it was a sample and I ddint buy a tin. I dont think the change was to save pennies. I think someone in a board room decided if they changed they would sell more product. Sure we would like them to retire the name. It would be a legit thing to do... but that just aint gonna happen.
 
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mingc

Lifer
Jun 20, 2019
4,257
12,600
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
In case anyone is wondering about the packaging. They are in wide, sealed tins much like those used in the larger OGS cans. Popped the Zulu and had a bowl; so far, so good. Pretty much what I remember from when I was stationed in Germany. But I’d consider this good even without trying it before.

View attachment 346071
Would you be so kind as to post a pic of the bottoms of the tins? I'm curious to see if they have standard Kopp labels and date codes.
 
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alaskanpiper

Enabler in Chief
May 23, 2019
9,438
43,995
Alaska
Call Watch City after roughly 2 pm and talk to Ernie. He sells em and he can tell you all about the tins. He’s been a big help whenever I’ve called.
Yeah, I tried a couple days ago but couldn’t get through. Called TCS as well but whoever was working the desk had no idea what I was talking about hahaha.

Question had been answered now though! Glad to see they are in fact sealed!!!
 
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Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
3,130
30,288
France
That is nicer packaging than the paint cans. The labels are really tiny on those. You have to mostly remember the blend can color on some of them. I always wondered why some of their logos were so small.
 

Peter Turbo

Lifer
Oct 18, 2021
1,471
11,557
CT, USA
My tins of Indaba and Nyala arrived and I popped them both to get a whiff. Ended up smoking Nyala first and heres a few notes. I've never had this blend before. It was surprisingly smooth, mild red virginia sweetness and tang mixing with some fermented notes and a woodsy/earthy note thats sort of creamy if that makes sense. Definitely has a nicotine kick as I got a bit warm during the smoke, with light perspiration, which was another thing I was surprised about considering how smooth and mild the overall experience was going. Lit up right after dinner too so I was full. Could smoke it all day if it wasnt for the nic. Not a bad first bowl but I need to smoke more of it. Indaba up next...
 

MavErik

Might Stick Around
Jan 4, 2024
52
83
Central Maryland
“Blended in Germany
Packed in the USA”
I for one have to say I feel duped. The marketing on SP and others never mentioned it was packaged here. We were led to believe it was all handled by Kopp and then shipped over. This is nothing more than Laudisi licensing it, packaging it and selling for the US market. Look I get it, Sutliff does the same thing for Mac. However, we all know that. Not the same for HU…until after we bought it.

Agree with most of you, does it really matter if the product inside is still good…enough.

I for one don’t appreciate being misled. My tins are heading back to SP next week.
 
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Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
3,130
30,288
France
I guess I dont understand. Is what you are buying blended in Germany and put in tins in the US? If so its the same stuff. If they just got rights to the recipe...who knows?

If its actually made in Germany its all the same thing. Just a different package. There isnt much sense in shipping metal. A 100 gram tin of HU in the can weighs 175 grams. Thats almost double. Shipping across the ocean is expensive and tins take a crap load of space.
 

MavErik

Might Stick Around
Jan 4, 2024
52
83
Central Maryland
I guess I dont understand. Is what you are buying blended in Germany and put in tins in the US? If so its the same stuff. If they just got rights to the recipe...who knows?

If its actually made in Germany its all the same thing. Just a different package. There isnt much sense in shipping metal. A 100 gram tin of HU in the can weighs 175 grams. Thats almost double. Shipping across the ocean is expensive and tins take a crap load of space.
Don’t disagree with you at all. It’s the fact that this should have been disclosed to us upfront.

A simple marketing statement of “Same tried and true HU blend meticulously packaged in our facilities to ensure the highest quality sealed tins, exclusively for the US market” could have actually increased sales even more.

In the US, Federal law seeks to ensure Truth in Advertising. I’m not accusing Laudisi of violating this, but a simple statement of even “Packaged in the US” would have prevented this buyers remorse.