I've been away a while - help me catch up!

[Geronimo_Von]

Hey there,

I haven't been regularly in my garage with a pipe for a few years as I have young kids. I just got out all my sealed stash tins and am getting ready to get back in.

When I was involved a few years ago, there was the Esoterica craze, people were still going crazy over sobranie and 759, eBay still let you list if you put in that obligatory spiel about the value being in the tin, McClelland VA were the bomb and everyone sought that ketchup goodness, the world pipe thing still took place at Pheasant Run, St. Charles IL.

Seems like its moved on.

Few things I can't find out - is Esoterica still making stuff? I see McClelland closed up. Makes me even less likely to open to sealed tins.
Peterson bought out Dunhill. Wow. Have a tin of Dunhill Nightcap but don't know what the Peterson versions of these blends will be like.
I went to order a bunch of H&H blends, and half of them were either no longer available for purchase, or, they ship you the blend in separate bags and you mix it yourself. Strange.
Hackert doesn't seem to be making many pipes any more. Oh well.

Anyway, would love you guys to fill me in on this and anything else that has taken place over the last few years.

Peace.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Esoterica still making stuff?

Unfortunately

I see McClelland closed up.

Unfortunately

Peterson bought out Dunhill

Dunhill sold out to Peterson to not be associated with tobacco and to focus on luxury goods.

don't know what the Peterson versions of these blends will be like.

Still manufactured in the same facility with the same tins and tobacco. The only difference is the name on the label.

I went to order a bunch of H&H blends, and half of them were either no longer available for purchase, or, they ship you the blend in separate bags and you mix it yourself. Strange

Deeming regulations only affect blends, not components.

 

[Geronimo_Von]

the blend your own thing is bizarre

also sad to see you can't buy the HH Marquee series in 8oz any more. And Old Tartan looks to be gone too - sad to see.

 

[Servant King]

The only things that matter to me is that Drew Estate came and went (without much fanfare), and Peterson BLEW IT and didn't pick up Aperitif. Lame!

Everyone's still chasing the Esoterica unicorn, though. Everyone but Chasingembers and myself, that is!

 

[Geronimo_Von]

The only things that matter to me is that Drew Estate came and went (without much fanfare), and Peterson BLEW IT and didn't pick up Aperitif. Lame!

Everyone's still chasing the Esoterica unicorn, though. Everyone but Chasingembers and myself, that is!

Yeah was interested to see that move. Peterson Irish Flake and Irish Whiskey are my faves from that line. Most of their others are meh although I was a rare voice who liked their University Flake. I had some ancient Dunhill Nightcap and it was delicious, but the 2019 tins of it were just ok. Standard English.

 

[Geronimo_Von]

The only things that matter to me is that Drew Estate came and went (without much fanfare), and Peterson BLEW IT and didn't pick up Aperitif. Lame!

Everyone's still chasing the Esoterica unicorn, though. Everyone but Chasingembers and myself, that is!

Also yeah, count me out of chasing the rare soaking wet British manufacturers. Germain, Gawith, Eso etc. Nice stuff but not worth hunting.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Everyone's still chasing the Esoterica unicorn, though. Everyone but Chasingembers and myself, that is!

Don't have to chase what's regularly available at B&Ms.

 

[Servant King]

Don't have to chase what's regularly available at B&Ms.

But you do when there's only one B&M within 100 miles.

 

[Geronimo_Von]

How I've missed pipe talk! B&M, lat bomb, PG fest. etc.

Bliss.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But you do when there's only one B&M within 100 miles.

Nope. All B&Ms ship.

 

[bullet08]

Well.. There was a big bang and all dinosaurs died of lung cancer, then the ice age. We are waiting for total polar cap melt down at the moment.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

This is all anyone needs to know about dunhill...
They don't want to be associated with tobacco, and they sell these for $400

 

[Geronimo_Von]

I was never blown away by their blends anyway - their pipes are magnificent if pricey but most of their blends were just OK in my view.

 

[Servant King]

Nope. All B&Ms ship.

True. I'd definitely go that route if I were a unicorn chaser. Hell, I'd probably just have 'em hold it for me and pick it up next time I'm in West LA. The question is, how much am I willing to pay for Balkan Sobranie... ?

Wait, I just said I WASN'T a unicorn chaser. Hmmm, I gotta rethink a few basic principles. BRB...

 

[mso489]

For burley smokers, if you like Irish Flake, I think you might also like 3-P. In tobacco news, it appears tub tobacco has gone from the 16, 14, and 12 ounce tubs to 7 ounce tins, which increases the price per ounce. It suggests not enough people were willing to commit to the tubs, but will buy a big tin. We had a recent post about Mac Baren buying Sutliff, so with other examples, this suggests a consolidation specifically in the pipe and pipe tobacco industry. I'm also interested that, despite the codger caucus at Forums, of which I am a senior member, there appear to be many members in the 20 to 50 age groups, which is a good thing.

 

[Geronimo_Von]

For burley smokers, if you like Irish Flake, I think you might also like 3-P. In tobacco news, it appears tub tobacco has gone from the 16, 14, and 12 ounce tubs to 7 ounce tins, which increases the price per ounce. It suggests not enough people were willing to commit to the tubs, but will buy a big tin. We had a recent post about Mac Baren buying Sutliff, so with other examples, this suggests a consolidation specifically in the pipe and pipe tobacco industry. I'm also interested that, despite the codger caucus at Forums, there appear to be many members in the 20 to 50 age groups, which is a good thing.

Good to know - yeah I tried 3P at the time and it was plug only. I enjoy the hobby but the process of getting a knife out and hacking it wasn't that appealing. Think I had an unopened tin of it in my stash. Irish Flake for me is a perfect smoke for when you've just demolished a huge steak with mash, and are sitting into a chair with a good whiskey. Anything else and the nicotine demon awaits.

Just ordered some IR and its now in a round tin. Easier for reseal. Last I ordered it was square. Those present nice but tough to close.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh, and Pipes and Cigars are no longer site sponsors. It's funny, when they were sponsors, everyone felt obligated to post and post and post about what sorry ass box bashers they were. Now that we can indiscriminately badmouth them... no one ever says anything about them... or Hearth and Home anymore.

 

[anotherbob]

This is all anyone needs to know about dunhill...
They don't want to be associated with tobacco, and they sell these for $400
View attachment 113048

the ponce or the shirt?

 

[solideogloria86]

McClelland went under because their blends were poisoning children. I collect the blends for irony, dark humor, and to protect the youth. Pm me with whatever McClelland stash you have and I'll gladly purchase everything you have for 1995 retail prices and you can cover shipping.

Also, welcome back!

 

[Chasing Embers]

The question is, how much am I willing to pay for Balkan Sobranie...

I got two five can rolls from a Hawaiian B&M a few years ago for $60/roll.