McClelland: "We're Just Going to Close the Doors"

[woodsroad]

I just got off the phone with Mary McNiel. I had left them a message earlier in the day and she was kind enough to call me back. Mary is undoubtedly one of the nicest (and most knowledgeable) people in the tobacco industry. We had a wide-ranging discussion on how the industry has changed over the past decade or so: The removal of government price supports, the farmer buyouts, the demise of the auction system, all of which has led to an overall decline in the quality, availability and diversity of tobacco available to McClelland. Then there's the FDA, and the great regulatory and financial burdens it will place on them. Up to a half million dollars to get all of their blends tested to meet FDA regulations. And if they suspend production of a blend (due to not having the right leaf available, as in the situation with 5100) they may not be able to resume production without going through the FDA approval process for new products.
In the end, Mary and Mike have made the decision to close their doors. The exact timing isn't known to them as of yet, as they are still tinning blends that they have in stock. But they do not foresee much, if any, additional production. "We look at the burdens that lie ahead with the FDA. What does the future hold?" Mary told me, "We're just going to close the doors".
Mary and Mike, I wish you the very best in your retirement. Move forward, knowing that you have brought over 40 years of happiness and pleasure to pipe smokers around the world. You will be missed, but you will always be deeply appreciated for bringing us extraordinary and unique blends, pipe tobacco like no one else makes, now and forever.

 

[alan73]

Thanks Woods for posting. That seems definitive to me. Best regards to the McNiels.

 

[torque]

Sad to see such a time honored and beloved brand forced out of business by government regulations, but their reasoning is perfectly understandable. I wish these fine folks the best in the future and I personally will miss their products.

 

[lightmybriar]

Good for them! Bummer for us. I wish I was better prepared. There were so many of their tobaccos I hadn't tried yet. Cheers to Mary and Mike for my four years of enjoying their products, and for all the years and tins the rest of us have enjoyed over the last forty!

 

[woodsroad]

They deserve a wonderful retirement.

 

[doctorbob]

Well, it's official then....
Doc

 

[jpmcwjr]

Ah, sad in many ways, but for Mike and Mary I hope it's a big relief and that they enjoy many years in retirement, and come to a bunch of pipe shows in the future.
Thanks for the important posting, Dan.

 

[twoonefive]

Thanks for getting that info for the community Dan. Best of luck in retirement to the McNiels, it is most deserved!

 

[mikethompson]

Thanks for posting that Dan, although it is sad news.
First Dunhill, now McClelland.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Thanks for posting this. I will miss many of their products, they are definitely my favorite brand. I wish the two of them the best as they retire, they’ve certainly earned it. They set standards for Virginia pipe tobacco products that will never be equaled.

 

[lazar]

Sad news, but good for them as others have said. Their innovation, uniqueness, and uncompromising quality will be sorely missed.
As far as panic buying and TAD go, this should be noted: "they are still tinning blends that they have in stock." So what's currently out there is not the absolute end, yet.

 

[sablebrush52]

Hi Dan,
Thanks for posting this. Sounds right.
Congratulations and thanks to the McNeils for 40 years of great blends and uncompromising quality. Enjoy the next great thing.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Sad news, but I understand and wish them the best.
All these threads on McClelland have made me wonder - if Germain ever goes out of business, it would probably take us all 5 years to figure it out given their production.

 

[coyja]

Thanks for calling and posting. That gives a very full picture of the situation.

 

[Dutch Pipe Smoker]

Thank you very much for the information. Very sad news but understandable, I wish them all the best.

 

[menuhin]

I can see it coming, but not as early as this decade.
I just can say thank you and a sad farewell to my beloved American tobacco manufacturer. To remember your blends, I may have to add some Heinz ketchup to my Virgina tobacco.

 

[mikethompson]

What are we all going to speculate about now?

 

[jravenwood]

Thanks for posting Woods, this is indeed sad news. Their blends will be missed but they deserve some rest and relaxation now!

 

[midwestpipesmoker70]

Well, the news came more quickly than I had hoped. I am not going to go crazy but there are a few blends that are still available that I am going to stock up on. The rest, well hopefully down the road I will get and opportunity here or there to sample some of their blends that I was unable to try during production. Thanks for the information and Of course I thank the McNeils for the wonderful blends that I have been able to enjoy and I wish them all the best.

 

[briarbuck]

Man, that's sad. Best of luck to a well deserved rest.