Newbie Question about specific brands

[exbenedict]

Ok, so I have been trolling this forum for a while and a couple of others, and I have noticed that there are a few brands that everyone goes nuts for (generally speaking) and that are always out of stock. For example, Penzance and Exotic Orange. Is there a reason that those two particular brands are always out of stock while other brands by the same blender are easy to come by? Are they that good that everyone hoards them? Or is this some sort of artificially created short supply to create a high demand and good word of mouth? Just curious. Thanks!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, to all of the above. Attend a pipe convention and someone will lay some on you. Otherwise, Fergeddddabbbbouuuudit!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

We are a society that hates those blends so much that we buy them out every time they come back up for sale to prevent people from accidentally smoking them. You are welcome to join our society; however if you chose to participate, you must swear to send those blends to me for proper disposal. ::

 

[exbenedict]

HAHA! Excellent....I'll keep my eyes peeled then for any that come around just to try it and see what the hype's about. Thanks!

 

[cigrmaster]

There are so many great blends out there that you should never worry about a couple of hard to finds. You want something great to smoke grab some of these that are readily available.

Mac Baren Old Dark Fired

Capstan Blue Flake

Dunhill Navy Rolls and Dunhill Flake

Solani 633 and Silver Flake

I don't smoke English blends like Penzance anymore, but one of my favorites when I did was Two Friends Deacons Downfall and it is always available.

 

[swb118]

Can't believe no one has told you about Mixture 79 yet.

 

[mso489]

exben', welcome aboard. Scarcity and rarity definitely appeal to many and set their hearts to yearning at the mere whiff of unavailability. Most of the blends people long for, scarce or not, are pretty good. Some are definitely acquired tastes, and like any blend, specific people wouldn't like specific ones at all. That's individual taste. Personally, I strongly favor and feel some loyalty toward blend brands that make an effort to keep up with demand and work for the availability of their products and the ease of the consumer. That's a tall order, and I admire it greatly, whether we are talking about over-the-counter old time blends, or various premium or economy blends. I don't have too much awe about blends (or single leaf) that is mostly unavailable. If it's all that exotic, maybe I can just imagine something way better, since I am not so anointed as to be able to purchase the precious stuff. Some plain old brands are really quite impressive.

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 w/cigrmaster - I use to enjoy the "thrill of the hunt", sometimes I got them, sometimes I didn't - but as mentioned there are SO many great / available blends now I would much rather spending my time smoking those then trying to hunt the unavailable ones - I have smoked Penzance and can say IMO it is great, others have said meh to it, so many blends / so many personal tastes out there - so just enjoy the journey and fire up another bowl ::

 

[sablebrush52]

There are a lot of great blends readily available, blends as good as, and in some cases better than, the unobtainium that people obsess over.
I recommend the following easy to find blends:
House of Sobranie Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture

Sobranie 759

Krumble Kake

Sullivan and Powell Gentlemen's Mixture

State Express London Mixture

Christmas Cheer 1993

Bell's Three Nuns

Germain's Rich Dark Flake

Elephant and Castle Deerstalker
Easy to find, reasonably priced, decent smokes.

 

[cigrmaster]

Jesse, what a great guy you are, sharing all those easy to find blends.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Ex- You can see we have a real gaggle of wags here.
What sort of tobacco has pleased you? We may be able to supply some appropriate and obtainable names....

 

[exbenedict]

As of right now I am simply grabbing what's available from my local B&M, but once I get a feel for what I like, I'll definitely be back asking for suggestions. Thanks!