Thoughts On STG

[mr_future]

I just learned from the pipesmagazine podcast that Scandinavian Tobacco Group is behind Orlik, Peterson, Dunhill, and many others (coming soon: Mac Baren/Sutliff). On top of this, they own Pipe Tobacco - Tobacco Pipes - Smoking Accessories | CupOJoes.com - https://cupojoes.com/ and Tobacco Pipes, Smoking Tobacco and Pipe Accessories (Huge Selection, Best Prices) - https://www.tobaccopipes.com/ , which is a shocker.

They are all about sales and less about tobacco. They buy the competition and eliminate most of their blends in order to gain shelf space. I know this business model well and know how quality takes a back seat when you are buying other brands just for market share.

Does anyone intentionally buy blends from other, more reputable companies that are more aligned with quality tobacco? Are there any fans of STG? I had some STG blends on my list but will be trying C&D equivalents.

 

[solideogloria86]

Nope

 

[Homer]

I just learned from the pipesmagazine podcast that Scandinavian Pipe Group is behind Orlik, Peterson, Dunhill, and many others (coming soon: Mac Baren/Sutliff). On top of this, they own Pipe Tobacco - Tobacco Pipes - Smoking Accessories | CupOJoes.com - https://cupojoes.com/ and Tobacco Pipes, Smoking Tobacco and Pipe Accessories (Huge Selection, Best Prices) - https://www.tobaccopipes.com/ , which is a shocker.

They are all about sales and less about tobacco. They buy the competition and eliminate most of their blends in order to gain shelf space. I know this business model well and know how quality takes a back seat when you are buying other brands just for market share.

Does anyone intentionally buy blends from other, more reputable companies that are more aligned with quality tobacco? Are there any fans of STG? I had some STG blends on my list but will be trying C&D equivalents.

Its Scandinavian tobacco group not pipe
group. And yes it makes Orlik and Peterson. Dunhill is discontinued and is´t now Peterson.

 

[mr_future]

Its Scandinavian tobacco group not pipe
group. And yes it makes Orlik and Peterson. Dunhin is discontinued and is´t now Peterson.

Edited thanks. I guess I have pipes on the brain.

 

[fireground_piper]

A number of their state side acquisitions were a culminations of other acquisitions over the past few years.

Cupojoes was independent up in Queensbury, NY. Tobaccopipes was independent down in Florida. Sutliff wasn’t originally owned by Mac Baren.

Mac Baren eventually acquired Sutliff. Then a few years later(2021-ish?) Sutliff acquired both cupojoes and tobaccopipes (Queensbury cigar still exists as a B&M, they only sold off the online business). Then STG acquires Mac Baren who ultimately owns all of those other portfolios by proxy.

All that really needed to happen was a bunch of smaller business make a few deals and then the big company buys the other parent company to get everything.

 

[jguss]

Does anyone intentionally buy blends from other, more reputable companies that are more aligned with quality tobacco?

∅

This is pretty much what mathematicians call a null set.

 

[K.E. Powell]

They are hardly unique in that regard. Many large businesses swallow all in their wake and cut corners in doing so. To paraphrase George Orwell, if capitalism is about competition, well, then it stands to reason someone wins. Think of the truly important industries that shape our lives, and you will find that over the last 50 years the competition in these fields has winnowed to only a handful of large businesses. The winner is never the consumer, mind you.

Anyway, no, because I have no delusions as to the character of the tobacco industry. I buy tobacco I enjoy. C&D is my favorite, but I will smoke whatever I like without much regard to any other consideration.

 

[jguss]

I will smoke whatever I like without much regard to any other consideration.

Why would you ever do anything else?

 

[Peterson314]

The only thing we know for sure is that one of the biggest pipe tobacco manufacturers is closing factories, cutting personnel, and cutting offerings. I expect a large recalibration of the pipe tobacco industry.

If you buy from boutique blenders, support them now.

 

[Chasing Embers]

All companies merge to increase their profits and reduce competition. C&D was created and owned by Craig Tarler and his wife before Laudasi bought them. Nothing wrong with STG blends it's just how businesses operate.

 

[sablebrush52]

I just learned from the pipesmagazine podcast that Scandinavian Tobacco Group is behind Orlik, Peterson, Dunhill, and many others (coming soon: Mac Baren/Sutliff). On top of this, they own Pipe Tobacco - Tobacco Pipes - Smoking Accessories | CupOJoes.com - https://cupojoes.com/ and Tobacco Pipes, Smoking Tobacco and Pipe Accessories (Huge Selection, Best Prices) - https://www.tobaccopipes.com/ , which is a shocker.

They are all about sales and less about tobacco. They buy the competition and eliminate most of their blends in order to gain shelf space. I know this business model well and know how quality takes a back seat when you are buying other brands just for market share.

Does anyone intentionally buy blends from other, more reputable companies that are more aligned with quality tobacco? Are there any fans of STG? I had some STG blends on my list but will be trying C&D equivalents.

I listened to Brian's comments and they may turn out to be true, but they aren't really an efficient use of STG's investment. Mac Baren and Sutliff both have healthy followings, so it make more sense to whittle down the offerings along the lines I've been given to understand is the plan, trimming down the catalog by 60%, probably based on what's the most profitable, and then monetize the markets for Mac Baren and Sutliff. It's what K (formerly known as K&K) has done for years. Buy the IP, substitute whatever shit you want in its various products, and sell to a grateful population.

 

[condorlover1]

The same thing applies the FDA Deeming Regulations which thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling that tossed the Chevron Doctrine this has slowed the FDA down a tad with their expansive regulation of tobacco and ever expansive rule making agenda. I think you will find that manufacturers would be perfectly happy to produce one blend of tobacco, call it People Collective No.1 since supplying a market without choice or variety would be highly profitable for the manufacturer.

 

[sablebrush52]

The same thing applies the FDA Deeming Regulations which thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling that tossed the Chevron Doctrine this has slowed the FDA down a tad with their expansive regulation of tobacco and ever expansive rule making agenda. I think you will find that manufacturers would be perfectly happy to produce one blend of tobacco, call it People Collective No.1 since supplying a market without choice or variety would be highly profitable for the manufacturer.

Profitable up to a point, when the consumer switches to a different vice entirely and People Collective No. 1 is left holding its colossal shrinking dick in its hand. We're pretty close to that now.

 

[MisterBadger]

I'm a Peterson's fan. For now, anyway. Sorry.

 

[Servant King]

@condorlover1 as per Jesse's post, I nominate "Colossal Shrinking Dick Flake" as the blend name.

 

[Scottmi]

The same thing applies the FDA Deeming Regulations which thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling that tossed the Chevron Doctrine this has slowed the FDA down a tad with their expansive regulation of tobacco and ever expansive rule making agenda. I think you will find that manufacturers would be perfectly happy to produce one blend of tobacco, call it People Collective No.1 since supplying a market without choice or variety would be highly profitable for the manufacturer.

eh... a PC No.1 wouldn't work for me. I smoke a pipe as a hobby FOR the variety of choice and delight. I rue the departed noble tobacco houses and blends of old (i.e. just a couple years ago even), yet I have no need -- nic or otherwise -- to maintain this activity with only a PC 1,2, or even 3. The desert island thought experiments are fun?, but ultimately I'm glad that is not the current situation for me. How many of us would 'walk away' were such a tragic collapse of the market to occur?

 

[sablebrush52]

How many of us would 'walk away' were such a tragic collapse of the market to occur?

Me. But fortunately I'm not facing that decision because I stocked up on things that I like and don't actually have to deal with any of this. Still some things are already dead and just don't know it.

Farewell St Bruno. You were once a truly great and mighty blend, but Mac Baren gelded you and your current version is but a faint trace of even that.

 

[condorlover1]

I can see it now. Peoples Collective Tobacco No:1 a fine blend of good honest proletarian leaf picked by genuine workers and intellectuals as the vanguard of the pipe smoking revolution! The tin would have picture of Marx on the lid and each tin would cost you $100.00 a tin or 2 forever stamps!

 

[Danish Estates]

I am a fan of Escudo which is made by STG. I also like some of the former dunhill blends. I will miss several other favorites if they are to cut out many blends. Does anyone know if Boswell uses Sutliff blending components, I assumed that they do?

 

[sablebrush52]

I can see it now. Peoples Collective Tobacco No:1 a fine blend of good honest proletarian leaf picked by genuine workers and intellectuals as the vanguard of the pipe smoking revolution! The tin would have picture of Marx on the lid and each tin would cost you $100.00 a tin or 2 forever stamps!

Which Marx? Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, or Gummo?