A few months ago, P&C announced (in the catalog) that they were halting the production of Russ's blends (citing the then-new FDA regulations). Given the 'discontinuation' of Russ's awesome blends, P&C encouraged pipe smokers to snatch up what was left because 'when it's gone, it's gone.' Smokers, already skittish from the FDA rules, began panic buying, making most blends 'backordered' or 'out of stock.' Now, just a few months later, the blends are restocked and new blends introduced/reintroduced. When reviewing the P&C site and social media, virtually all trace of the product-discontinuation doom-saying has vanished. That being said, are the blends being 'immediately discontinued' or was it a sales ploy?
Russ's Blends-- Here to Stay or Going Away?
- Thread starter thatshychef
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No ploy. At the time that was announced, we didn't realize that we had the option of registering as a manufacturer so we could continue to keep the blends. We've now done that, so, we will keep the blends up for sale.
Russ
I don't understand how all this is clarified or announced by the FDA, but if significant blenders like PC, C&D, 4noggins, etc. can continue with the blends they offer now and originate new ones, that is wonderful. My local independent pipe shop owner is uneasy because he can't get much clarification on the regs, so he's waiting for that. So far, this from Russ is extra good news. Long may it be so.
As I understand the situation, registering allows manufacturers to continue to sell their blends, but not indefinitely. Blends not on the market before and on Feb 15th 2007 will still be discontinued by August 8th 2018. As for blends that were introduced to the market after August 8th of this year, all of them had a recorded sale prior to the August 8th date. This way, they could be introduced widely later without falling afoul of the FDA Regs.
Clearly, no manufacturer wants to have significant unsellable stock sitting on shelves on August 8th 2018, so expect these blends to go out of production and be allowed to sell out well in advance of the August 8th 2018 deadline. Blends that sell will stay in production as long as possible. Marginal sellers will get phased out. This scenario may change if the Deeming Regs get revised. But for now, this is how it stands.
Clearly, no manufacturer wants to have significant unsellable stock sitting on shelves on August 8th 2018, so expect these blends to go out of production and be allowed to sell out well in advance of the August 8th 2018 deadline. Blends that sell will stay in production as long as possible. Marginal sellers will get phased out. This scenario may change if the Deeming Regs get revised. But for now, this is how it stands.
Every week that goes by brings up new questions and possible solutions to the headaches caused by the deeming regulations. We're doing the best we can to make sure that we can keep as many of our current products available for as long as is humanly possible.
Russ
Russ
Russ :clap:
If you guys get through this without a total loss. To commemorate the Darth Vader Years of the FDA, I beg of you Russ, get together with Cornell and Diehl and make a Special Edition cake 50/50 Larrys Blend And Old Joe Krantz. I got the name ready: Joe, Larry and Burley! Slap a $20 price tag for two ounces and donate a proportion to a cancer organization. Got to throw the mothers a bone. :rofl:
If you guys get through this without a total loss. To commemorate the Darth Vader Years of the FDA, I beg of you Russ, get together with Cornell and Diehl and make a Special Edition cake 50/50 Larrys Blend And Old Joe Krantz. I got the name ready: Joe, Larry and Burley! Slap a $20 price tag for two ounces and donate a proportion to a cancer organization. Got to throw the mothers a bone. :rofl:
As a latecomer to Russ's blends, I hope they're here to stay.
As I've posted before, I haven't been a part of an online pipe community for about 8 years until this year and had stayed with my tried and true blends I enjoy. But now that I've had the privilege of tasting some of Russ's Blends, I'd rate them right up there with some of my favorite GLP & McClelland blends. I wish I'd discovered them sooner, but am happy I finally got to smoke these wonderful tobaccos.
Here's hoping that Russ, Greg, and Mike can keep producing. The pipe tobacco world is definitely better for having them.
As I've posted before, I haven't been a part of an online pipe community for about 8 years until this year and had stayed with my tried and true blends I enjoy. But now that I've had the privilege of tasting some of Russ's Blends, I'd rate them right up there with some of my favorite GLP & McClelland blends. I wish I'd discovered them sooner, but am happy I finally got to smoke these wonderful tobaccos.
Here's hoping that Russ, Greg, and Mike can keep producing. The pipe tobacco world is definitely better for having them.
The not-knowing is frustrating. My 'cellar' if it could be called that, is much wider than deep--as I'm still exploring tobaccos and discovering my likes, dislikes, mehs. I have 4 oz of several of Russ's blends, and worry that by the time I get to/through them, these blends will disappear. The blessing/curse is that there are SO MANY wonderful sounding blends, and only so much time/$$ to try them. Am hoping for the best for all blenders, but find it scary that several mom n pop shops with good house blends have closed shop. Hope the bigger hitters have better luck, but I'm also really disappointed to have lost access to places like GQ, HU, (locally Tewksbury), etc. Wishing everyone safe passage thru the muddy, unpredictable waters of the FDA.
Im sad about GQ, especially that I never got to try Askwith Kake. I have been enjoying Russ's blends a lot and have put several tins of Blackhouse, WhiteKnight, and Magnum Opus away for the dark times.
We're still working on ways to make sure that as many of our blends as possible will continue. While we're making our plans, we have to keep in mind that things can change again. It's possible that the new administration may look to get rid of a number of restrictions and regulations, and hopefully the deeming regulations will be part of that.
In any case, we have a team that is constantly briefed on the situation, as it changes constantly, and we are doing all we can to keep our blends available to you.
Russ
In any case, we have a team that is constantly briefed on the situation, as it changes constantly, and we are doing all we can to keep our blends available to you.
Russ
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