Similar Blend to McClelland #24?

[hoosierpipeguy]

Plus, a lot of folks don't live in the forums 24 7. So yes, a lot of people were caught off guard with this one. I imagine those that don't do social networks or forums of any kind were probably really caught off guard. I really do feel bad for all the McClelland fans out there.

Well if they logged in once between the middle of December and the middle of February, it would have been hard to miss. If they had a regular B&M they visited, they would have learned there. If neither of these things happen, unless they were in Outer Siberia/Mongolia, it was hard to miss. Or, they may have not been that dedicated a pipe smoker to where it was a big deal. I can't imagine that many serious pipe smokers who were also McClelland fans were caught off guard. Did it happen to some, of course it did. And it most certainly sucks, I am a huge fan of McClelland Virginias and can relate.

 

[cigrmaster]

I learned of their closing on January 30th from some dumbass from Indiana. I then proceeded to cellar the one MC blend I smoked hard and fast. In two and a half weeks I was done cellaring and then spent the remaining time till the official announcement watching the feeding frenzy that ensued.
Many people were in denial the whole time until they read Mary's farewell note, and then it was far too late. They read all the rumors but they didn't believe them and hid their heads in the sand. There were also tons of people who could not financially buy all they wanted. We have to remember that many of us pipe smokers are young and have families and their tobacco allowance is far less than some of us old retired guys. I do feel badly for these younger smokers as many will never know the MC blends many of us take for granted.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

If they had a regular B&M they visited, they would have learned there

Don't count on that. Some of the worst information about tobacco in the world comes from B&M employees.

 

[lochinvar]

"Were you stuck in Outer Siberia from Jan 1 to the end of February?"
Just working and smoking my pipe, not typing about it. You keep being a great guy though, you ray of sunshine you. Oh wait..... :D

 

[drydock]

I'll add that of the 4 B&M stores I went to during our conversations here--only one knew about McClelland's closing up shop--and it was because he'd gotten a letter from them that day. None of B&M tobacco shops I went to knew McC's was closing. If I hadn't checked this board I wouldn't have known either.

 

[elvergun]

None of B&M tobacco shops I went to knew McC's was closing

Same with my local tobacconists - these guys were living in La La Land. They had no idea the end was coming. One of them even suggested, after he knew McClelland was closing, that he was going to call them to stock up on what he thought was stored in some warehouse...but the shelves at the store remain empty.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Interesting. As I was visiting shops and calling shops, seems like the vast majority were very aware of the McClelland situation. I think anybody that moved much McClelland was aware because they had tried to call in orders and got the news.

 

[pilotage16]

My local B&M owner gave me a lecture about Dunhill and McClelland, in total denial about everything.

 

[pipesticks]

After the demise of 5100 and all things red virginia, I figured the jig was up. I started accumulating at a reasonably modest pace thinking there was still time on the non-red blends

.

But when IPSD rolled around and the sales hit, I just hammered on McClelland blends. I knew placing backorders for McClelland was a lost cause from previous experience, so I went hog wild at SPC, which had their sale going for 4-5 days starting the Friday before IPSD. For once in my life, I got the collectible just days before it became a collectible. Not trying to gloat here, guys, but it sure felt good to be on top of it for once instead of chasing. That just doesn't happen often.
And I didn't first learn about it here....I learned it from youtube. Then Pipestud tried to give us all the nudge and I knew for sure. Thanks, Pipestud.