Stonehaven Tins?

[jmatt]

Esoterica is a thing of the past, they missed their window.

Huh? Been around a lot longer than 2007.

 

[cigrmaster]

jmatt, just watch what happens. 200 years with only 6 employees real bright.

 

[sablebrush52]

It's going to come down to whether or not Germain's is willing to meet whatever the FDA sets as requirements. They can always decide that they don't need the headache and have enough business without the US.

 

[andrew]

It's going to come down to whether or not Germain's is willing to meet whatever the FDA sets as requirements. They can always decide that they don't need the headache and have enough business without the US.

I think this is the most plausible explanation, I do admire their customer service. I remember one member here called them and they reamed him out for cellaring tobacco. Considering every other company can make ready made bulk bags I don't think it has to do with the fda decision to discontinue the 8 ounce bags, it just makes sense from a supply/demand/profit to only have tins. Those stonehaven tins look like something some drunk brit slapped together last minute, it's laughable but it will still sell.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

I remember one member here called them and they reamed him out for cellaring tobacco

Yeah, when you insult people for buying up all your product, it is hard to imagine your business would last much longer. I will miss it when it is gone, but it seems like just a matter of time. I have heard a lot of criticism of Germain from retailers too, so if regulations don't kill em, shops might just get sick of random and unpredictable product availability, coupled with lots of annoying phone calls from hopeful searchers.

 

[andrew]

In the UK it's readily available, so I think they'll be fine, they're like a micro-brewery but make tobacco instead

 

[sablebrush52]

I remember one member here called them and they reamed him out for cellaring tobacco.

I remember that exchange. To be fair, the member also published on the forum personal email info for Germain that wasn't supposed to be given out in public. The complaint from Germain's was that their tobacco was released ready to smoke and all of this hoarding and cellaring was "fapping about" and unnecessary.
What FDA rule against 8oz bags? I haven't heard that one before. New "fact"?
Germain's doesn't need the US. Our constant demands interrupt the staff's naps.
If Germain's stopped making Esoterica for the US, there's nothing to stop the brand's owners from continuing to have Germain's make it for the rest of the planet. You can buy Stonehaven in Kowloon.
There will be a couple of blends that I will miss, but for the most part I've found the Esoterica blends pretty average, and some quite dull.
On the other hand, it's quite possible that Esoterica will continue to appear, erratically, on the US market. Depends on what is more profitable.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

In the UK it's readily available

I was under the impression that Esoterica blends weren't distributed in the UK or Europe?

 

[dmcmtk]

I was under the impression that Esoterica blends weren't distributed in the UK or Europe?

I have a feeling the post was referring the Germain's tobaccos, and not Esoterica.

 

[andrew]

Yes the Germains like special Latakia flake and brown flake, rich dark flake are widely available but Estorica is for the US. I have a feeling though if Germains was in this to get rich they would of expanded their operation along time ago. They will continue to do the same as they've done financially regardless if the US continues to buy their product, just as a micro brewery can survive only selling to one area

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

I have a feeling the post was referring the Germain's tobaccos, and not Esoterica.

Not really, Sable specifically said Esoterica. Not that it matters, as this is all speculation.

 

[sablebrush52]

Not really, Sable specifically said Esoterica. Not that it matters, as this is all speculation.

Esoterica is made by Germain's, though they don't own the brand. Esoterica is licensed for sale in the US. My comment about Kowloon is facetious, though given their market for bootlegged items, it wouldn't surprise me if something with an Esoterica label and Stonehaven printed on it was to be found on shelves there.
Germain's has their own blends as well as blends they make for Smoker's Haven, which may become extinct under the FDA rules as they haven't been in continuous production, not to forget Balkan Sobranie, which will become unavailable in the US since it wasn't reintroduced until 2011.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

Esoterica is made by Germain's, though they don't own the brand. Esoterica is licensed for sale in the US. My comment about Kowloon is facetious, though given their market for bootlegged items, it wouldn't surprise me if something with an Esoterica label and Stonehaven printed on it was to be found on shelves there.
Germain's has their own blends as well as blends they make for Smoker's Haven, which may become extinct under the FDA rules as they haven't been in continuous production, not to forget Balkan Sobranie, which will become unavailable in the US since it wasn't reintroduced until 2011.

Tell me something I don't know. Sable, I meant my previous comment as a gentle suggestion to Andy to not patronize me. I think you are right, there is potential for Germain to distribute Esoterica elsewhere, although they currently don't.