Is SPC at Risk Without Lankford?

[nathaniel]

Ive been pipesmoking for over 15 yrs and had tried everything I thought. That is until my father retired and tried to take it up. He did some research and got SPC's plum pudding Special Reserve and after breaking his meerschaum, left the tin with me.
Of course I'd heard of it, but i shy away from anything with perique unless im in a particularly froggy mood. I'm a staunch English/Oriental enthusiast.

Well good heavens... Its the single best blend (HANDS. DOWN.) ive ever smoked. I immediately bought a few tins in its various iterations, but haven't stocked up. Its so pricey i only enjoy a bowl every now and then.

However (to get to the point), i just read regretfully, that Joe Lankford passed away last year. Is this cause for concern of any future production halts or alterations? Or are we only buying what he had already blended?

I did just order some tins of other similar SPC blends to see if they are as good to me as plum pudding SR.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Ive been pipesmoking for over 15 yrs and had tried everything I thought. That is until my father retired and tried to take it up. He did some research and got SPC's plum pudding Special Reserve and after breaking his meerschaum, left the tin with me.
Of course I'd heard of it, but i shy away from anything with perique unless im in a particularly froggy mood. I'm a staunch English/Oriental enthusiast.

Well good heavens... Its the single best blend (HANDS. DOWN.) ive ever smoked. I immediately bought a few tins in its various iterations, but haven't stocked up. Its so pricey i only enjoy a bowl every now and then.

However (to get to the point), i just read regretfully, that Joe Lankford passed away last year. Is this cause for concern of any future production halts or alterations? Or are we only buying what he had already blended?

I did just order some tins of other similar SPC blends to see if they are as good to me as plum pudding SR.

Not a fan of any of their products but SPC's blends aren't manufactured by them. Lankford created the blends but they are manufactured by Sutliff so likely no chance of a shortage.

 

[nathaniel]

As an aside, ive yet to try the flake or the bourbon barrel, but have had a tin of normal PP amd am on my 2nd of the PPSR. The normal PP is good but nothing too special for me. The special reserve however, should be canonized aside Sobranie, Bengal Slices, and Penzance. Not even as an apocryphal addition, just straight up put in the f'n New testament of tobacciana's redemptive narrative.

 

[nathaniel]

Not a fan of any of their products but SPC's blends aren't manufactured by them. Lankford created the blends but they are manufactured by Sutliff so likely no chance of a shortage.

That's fantastic! Thank you for the observation!

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I’ve sometimes wondered how many of Joe Lankford’s blends have been accurately documented and if we might continue to see a number of releases for years to come.

 

[condorlover1]

I had a tin of something from SPC given to me at the Chicago Pipe Show in 2015. I didn't really care for it that much but then taste is a personal thing.

 

[PA Piper Mike]

The normal PP is good but nothing too special for me. The special reserve however, should be canonized aside Sobranie, Bengal Slices, and Penzance. Not even as an apocryphal addition, just straight up put in the f'n New testament of tobacciana's redemptive narrative.

I'm sort of with you on that. I tried the regular PP and was like, ok, this is pretty good. Then I tried the PPSR and pulled a Bill and Ted....woah. Needless to say, I've been stocking up on the PPSR over the last 2-3 years when it goes on sale, which, unfortunately, isn't very often.

I can't comment on Sobranie, Bengal Slices, and Penzance, since I've never had the opportunity to try them yet, but regardless, SPC PPSR is 1 of my top 3 English blends.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I'm sort of with you on that. I tried the regular PP and was like, ok, this is pretty good. Then I tried the PPSR and pulled a Bill and Ted....woah. Needless to say, I've been stocking up on the PPSR over the last 2-3 years when it goes on sale, which, unfortunately, isn't very often.

I can't comment on Sobranie, Bengal Slices, and Penzance, since I've never had the opportunity to try them yet, but regardless, SPC PPSR is 1 of my top 3 English blends.

Have you tried LJ Peretti Royal or Tashkent? For me they blow away those listed.

 

[vosBghos]

Of course I'd heard of it, but i shy away from anything with perique unless im in a particularly froggy mood. I'm a staunch English/Oriental enthusiast.

You might like their Wild Man , really Oriental forward with a bit of Burley too

 

[JimInks]

I’ve sometimes wondered how many of Joe Lankford’s blends have been accurately documented and if we might continue to see a number of releases for years to come.

Joe had a book full of recipes.

 

[PA Piper Mike]

Have you tried LJ Peretti Royal or Tashkent? For me they blow away those listed.

I have not, but they are both now on the top of my list to try. Thanks!

 

[crashthegrey]

Joe had a ton of recipes and kept extensive notes that are still accessible. From what I know, Sutliff has some more plans. Obviously, things can change but there is no perceived issue currently of which I am aware. I asked earlier today and was told there are likely more SPC blends to come.

 

[Merton]

Joe had a book full of recipes.

I believe that he had about 150 remaining recipes which have not yet been produced. The most recent, Down Yonder, was produced posthumously. Still, SPC has a solid list of blends which will always appeal to the English, Balkan, Virginia and Vaper smokers among us. I am especially fond of Hogshead and hope that it available for a long time to come. The perique component of Virginia Jazz was, however, a bit too barnyard for me.

 

[Murphestopheles]

Its so pricey i only enjoy a bowl every now and then

I’ve had good luck getting SPC stuff on cigarbid. If you time it right you can get pretty steep discounts. Just make sure not to get too caught up in the bidding and overpaying.

 

[Uruss]

I'd love to know how many he had "in the oven" before he passed on. Hopefully many more blends to come.