Just in from STG/MacBaren/Sutliff

[Zamora]

Is there any chance that STG could come out with new products?

Sure but consensus is they show no interest in doing so. I'm not even aware of any blends that they've created, as far as I know they just acquire rights to already existing ones. They're far more reliant on OTCs and bulks than most other companies which really explains a lot of their decisions, especially since pipe tobacco is just a side show for them and most of their revenue comes from cigars and RYO.

 

[KennethR]

Is there any news on the future status of Seattle Pipe Club blends?

 

[Zamora]

I support the idea of boycotting STG (and I was already partially doing so) and supporting those who still believe in quality and variety in the production of pipe tobacco, but...

I live in Switzerland where the choice of tobacco is similar to the USA.
However, the majority of smokers are faithful to flavored blends in bags which are also sold in supermarkets and gas stations or sold in bulk which are found in tobacconists and many smoke pipes with 9mm filters from Savinelli, Vauen, Rattray and similar.

Among the best sellers are Amphora Full Aroma, MB Mixture Scottish Blend and Vanilla Loose Cut, or the various Borkum Riff, Skandinavik etc.

Unfortunately I believe that this type of smokers, who are the majority, do not inform themselves on forums, they do not stock up, they just consume what they find.
Those who can no longer buy Amphora will probably simply switch to Scottish Mixture or Borkum Riff.

However, it is always worth supporting those who still believe in it and buying their products to support them and hope that we will still be able to find good tobaccos for us refined enthusiasts.

Very well said. Nobody who just smokes whatever is available at their local grocery store is going to care that STG is discontinuing a bunch of stuff they never would've tried anyway

 

[Zamora]

Is there any news on the future status of Seattle Pipe Club blends?

Last I heard they're still in limbo. My prediction is that Plum Pudding, Mississippi River, and maybe a few others will be picked up by C&D but the rest probably won't, however there might be new stuff eventually.

 

[sablebrush52]

Is there any news or information outlet that is??

Maybe the Oxford Dictionary?

 

[Chasing Embers]

good tobaccos for us refined enthusiasts.

That's the kind of thinking that will be the demise of pipe tobacco. Other than outgrowing and becoming bored of Latakia blends in general, I've found no bad tobacco.

 

[gord]

That's the kind of thinking that will be the demise of pipe tobacco. Other than outgrowing and becoming bored of Latakia blends in general, I've found no bad tobacco.

Complete common sense. Two thumbs up.

 

[gord]

Think it's time to harvest and process my plants? They're flowering again. Think they're trying to tell me something.

 

[timpiper]

Many of those limited release were regularly available tobacco in Europe (like the rustica or the stockton) not small batches made on purpose, so I guess that the limited run had only something to do FDA.
If they stop making those entirely and Leonard here explained the high volume setup of STG, limited runs of specialties are highly unlikely

Smoking pipes always have a listing for london burley, stockon, hh rustica and royal twist. Because they didn’t remove the listing, Its like it was planned to have them return at a certain point.

 

[MisterBadger]

That's the kind of thinking that will be the demise of pipe tobacco. Other than outgrowing and becoming bored of Latakia blends in general, I've found no bad tobacco.

Have you ever tried Thuoc Lao?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have you ever tried Thuoc Lao?

No but I've got mapacho and tambolaka.

 

[BayouGhost]

I have read a few rumors that Peterson's blends are now at risk as well. Seems like EMP, 965 and Nightcap among others are also flying off the shelves. I bought a tin of Royal Yacht just because I have never tried it and want to see what the hype is all about in case it gets deep sixed. The sky is falling!!!

 

[Chasing Embers]

what the hype is all about

I've mostly seen it referred to as Royal Yuck for many years here.

 

[Zamora]

I have read a few rumors that Peterson's blends are now at risk as well. Seems like EMP, 965 and Nightcap among others are also flying off the shelves. I bought a tin of Royal Yacht just because I have never tried it and want to see what the hype is all about in case it gets deep sixed. The sky is falling!!!

From what I understand STG wants to evaluate the Peterson blends in a year or two, so a spike in sales might actually save them. Now that the match blends for them are toast there isn't a Plan B like there was between Dunhill dropping them and and STG picking up and rebranding them.

I've mostly seen it referred to as Royal Yuck for many years here.

I've also seen a lot of people who like the taste but say it's too high in nicotine for them to handle

 

[Bassman65]

I've mostly seen it referred to as Royal Yuck for many years here.

@Chasing Embers - on the silver lining side, we’ll still have our Lane Black Raspberry available!

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Is there any chance that STG could come out with new products?

I've no idea. I've seen quite a few people post in this thread saying that they should reintroduce Warrior Plug, though.

 

[Egg Shen]

Evidently, some outstanding Latakia is being made in Uganda. I just received a private club mixture of Orange Virginias, orientals, and this Latakia and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

People will find sources for tobaccos in unexpected places and use them to create blends, while others will bemoan the loss of their usual sources and struggle.

There's painful change, but there are also possibilities.

What is the local bush they use in the fire, now that is in Uganda?

 

[sablebrush52]

What is the local bush they use in the fire, now that is in Uganda?

That I don’t know. All I know is that it was made in Uganda. I believe it was purchased from Wesley’s in South Africa. Maybe they know.

 

[NookersTheCat]

I have read a few rumors that Peterson's blends are now at risk as well. Seems like EMP, 965 and Nightcap among others are also flying off the shelves. I bought a tin of Royal Yacht just because I have never tried it and want to see what the hype is all about in case it gets deep sixed. The sky is falling!!!

Yes that's the general consensus that the fabled Leonard has eluded to (I think the word 'eluded' may be a bit charitable lol) both here and on StuffNThings YouTube channel (his last video revealed him as his source as well.) Like it or not other than the few official press/company memo releases put out, he's been our strongest source of info.

Think of it in terms of a nuclear explosion. Basically the main culling was with the official note we just received stating how Sutliff and Macbaren "proper" are both essentially gone... including all the other tins you have that say "Made by Sutliff in Richmond, VA" on the bottom of the tin... or things to that effect (Seattle Pipe Club, Meir & Dutch/Standard Tob Co [Bengal, Hearth&Home] etc.) This was the nuclear blast. Gone. Vaporized in the fireball of ground zero.

Now, over the next couple years the secondary effects of the fallout will begin. This will be all the rest of the brands/blends basically other than those by C&D, G&H, or (maybe) Kopp. Even those already owned and produced for years by STG in Denmark (Peterson/Dunhill, the OTC's like Captain Black, Velvet, etc.) Not to mention the supply lines of raw leaf for domestic "B&M blenders".... depending upon what the bean counters remember learning from their Paul Krugman book in ECON203, we'll see how those fair. Maybe one random day a year or so from now we'll wake up and find out the Peterson/Dunhill line will have shrunk from 36 blends to 3... oh well.

TLDR, If it's not made by C&D, GH, or (maybe) Kopp [the transparency of their distribution sources remain murky]... don't count on anything remaining solidly available going forward.

 

[Servant King]

Paul Krugman

No need for that level of profanity here!