Iwan Ries and Milan Tobacconists

[WVOldFart]

With the current uproar about STG buying of MacBaren/Sutliff and the demise of the Sutliff plant, it concerns me as to the future of two of the oldest tobacconists in the country; Iwan Ries and Milan Tobacconists of Roanoke, Va.. I'm not as concerned about Milan, who I buy most of my tobacco, because they blend a lot of their own blends and get their tobacco from various sources such as C & D, but Iwan Ries 3 Star blends are manufactured by Sutliff. I wonder how this will effect them. I have enough tobacco to last me the rest of my life, but I would hate to see these two fine institutions fall to the wayside like Sutliff. They are always friendly, helpful and efficient in their work and a major part of the tobacco history of this country. Some of the more knowledgeable forum members may have some insight on these two sites.

 

[Mike N]

You raise some good points. I have ordered blends from Milan in Roanoke, Va and love them after 6-12 months in a jar. I’ve visited Iwan Ries twice and rate its second floor smoking lounge (with the Chicago elevated train rumbling past the window) the most iconic place where I’ve ever smoked a pipe. I love the place. But frankly, the loss of their signature IW 3 Star blend would not be missed by me, and likely could be easily duplicated. It’s not a very complex blend.

The Sutliff/Mac Baren/TP facility in Richmond is totally different than Milan or IW. TP started a “concierge“ service but it was not really a brick and mortar with a public smoking lounge. I had a great visit there in May and will miss it. Here is a thread with a few photos. A Visit To America’s Oldest Pipe Tobacco Company :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/a-visit-to-america%E2%80%99s-oldest-pipe-tobacco-company.104724/

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Oh! Iwan Ries “Three Star Blue” would be a horrible loss! I hope it does not come to pass.

 

[warren]

likely could be easily duplicated. Surely some vendors would love to have a so called

Why has it not, low these many years? Surely other vendors would love of slice of that market.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I would guess these house blends make up a relatively small percentage of Iran Fires revenue. They will survive.

 

[warren]

"Blue" is their "hallmark" blend and seller I believe.

 

[WVOldFart]

"Blue" is their "hallmark" blend and seller I believe.

3 Star Blue is their best selling pipe tobacco world wide, but they have many 3 Star blends that are very good and all are manufactured by Sutliff.

 

[Mike N]

The point was that if Iwan Ries’ 3 Star is made by Sutliff and that manufacturer is lost, hopefully IR with its connections can have it blended (“duplicated”) by another tobacco company. After all, if it’s IR’s blend, they can share the recipe with the new blender. I tried it and prefer not to smoke it, but I know others love it.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I would agree that since they're IWR blends IWR most likely owns the recipes. If that is true then they would most likely have another manufacturer blend it. Though I doubt it would taste the same, unless they're able to acquire the same tobaccos from the same fields/ distributors.

 

[warren]

I messed up the quote in my post above. Inattention I admit, following the Packers, Seahawks game.