Sillem’s Now Aylesbury?

[varrj]

Has Sillem’s officially been taken over by John Aylesbury, or are they just making knock-off Sillem blends? Noticed Alesbury “Commander” is now sold as the replacement for Commodore Flake. Has anyone compared these two to see if they’re the same?

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Always made by K&K. They dropped the old US distributor for reasons no one understood on this side of the Atlantic. Some names slightly different, made in the same factory, though.

 

[kschatey]

Yes, all of the old Sillem's stuff is now under the John Aylesbury name although it's still made by the same manufacturer. No idea of why the name change other than a random thought that maybe it has something to do with the upcoming FDA deeming regulations and being able to show substantial equivalence. Likely not related though.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Yes, all of the old Sillem's stuff is now under the John Aylesbury name although it's still made by the same manufacturer. No idea of why the name change other than a random thought that maybe it has something to do with the upcoming FDA deeming regulations and being able to show substantial equivalence. Likely not related though.

They have, and have had, a line of very nice accessories and leather goods, which continue to be distributed under the Sillem’s name in Germany, and now in the US through the new distribution arm that Tobacco Pipes has started recently. Maybe a situation more like Dunhill, in that they decided to not have their name on tobacco? Even though they would gladly sell you a pouch to put the tobacco in and a lighter to get it started? To the German mind, this must all be perfectly logical.

 

[greeneyes]

Yes. There are several "transition tins" with no label on the front whatsoever. These were never Sillems originals anyway; they were always another K&K portfolio.

 

[3rdguy]

The Sillem labeled ones were much better tobacco then the new, exact same ones!