No More Perique in American Spirit Black?

[odobenus]

Hey friends,
Anyone notice that American Spirit Black no longer lists Perique anywhere on the package? Can't find anything about this online. Still says "rich robust taste." Wondering whether this is just a vagary of packaging/marketing, or if they quietly removed all the Perique from the blend due to scarcity/difficulty/etc.
I've heard for years that AS was buying up the vast majority of the Perique from St. James, making life hard for our beloved pipe-tobacconists, but also keeping the real Perique operation alive down there. Never sure how much to believe. Grateful for any insight on what might have happened. Thanks.

 

[Briar Lee]

The next time I’m at a store I’ll buy a package of AS Black and taste them.

Camels only keeps the “Turkish and Domestic” on their classic straight Camel package, but I understand they still sprinkle and mix a little Turkish in the other blends too.

My guess is AS doesn’t want to advertise Perique anymore.

Wouldn't they have to get FDA approval for a blend change?

 

[odobenus]

The next time I’m at a store I’ll buy a package of AS Black and taste them.

Camels only keeps the “Turkish and Domestic” on their classic straight Camel package, but I understand they still sprinkle and mix a little Turkish in the other blends too.

My guess is AS doesn’t want to advertise Perique anymore.

Wouldn't they have to get FDA approval for a blend change?

Hey thanks, I'd love to know what you think.
Makes sense about FDA approval, but why wouldn't they want to advertise the Perique anymore? Can't fathom it.

 

[Briar Lee]

Hey thanks, I'd love to know what you think.
Makes sense about FDA approval, but why wouldn't they want to advertise the Perique anymore? Can't fathom it.

All tobacco makers have to walk a fine narrow line about marketing and it’s because of the ignorance of the public.

They get in trouble saying their cigs are “natural”. Natural implies healthy, wholesome goodness.

And I’ll admit, when I read Perique I think Evangeline and the Arcadian Diaspora and my mind jumps straight over to Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band:

Maybe AS didn’t want any legends started about Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris smoking Picayunes in the Cajun country moonlight.

Bold flavor

meeh