Whoa ... hold on.
Sorry to branch off topic here but this is huge news to me.
What evidence is this statement based on and what brands are you talking about?
Doesn't K&K make Astley's, Rattray, McConnell, Reiner, Solani, Fribourg & Treyer, Sillems, and Savinelli?
Are you completely writing off all the blends from all these brands?
What others am I missing?
Are you telling me that Doblone d'Oro has gone to shit?
Doblone d'Oro isn't made by K&K, so you're safe there.
When I bought a kilo of Director's Cut last year I was surprised, and not a little dismayed, by the flavors. It didn't taste like the Directors Cut I had bought in 2016. I pulled out an older tin and confirmed for myself that it wasn't the same blend. And since then I've had independent confirmation that the blend has been changed. Same holds true for Makhuwa and for 5th Anniversary. I don't enjoy the current releases as much as what I have stored, so there's no reason for me to buy more. The curent Astleys 44 and 109 are not the same bends as they were just a few years ago and there's been considerable comment on it in various fora. Having cellared I don't really feel the need to buy blends from a maker whose product I no longer feel I can trust to provide the flavors that I like. If I want to add to my cellar, I'll look elsewhere.
It's not like this is new. Remember that Curley Block changed manufacturers and in the process, the constituent tobaccos were changed. It's not the same blend, so I have no reason to buy more of it.
STG Escudo doesn't ripen with age like the A & C Petersen version, so I'm not buying any more of it. If I had to choose between more Escudo and more PS-LBF, I'd buy the LBF because it really pops with about 4 years on in. STG Escudo is like the portrait of Dorian Gray.
But my situation is certainly different from people who are starting out, or just getting familiar with a wider range of blends. They may be very happy with what they smoke, having no frame of reference to what earlier versions were like. Some might prefer the changed version.
I'll look for something new, rather than settle for what tastes like a lesser version of a favored blend. I can't recommend blends that I don't find holding up to their earlier standard. And people who liked the version prior to recent changes should know about changes before they spend their money.
You may have gleamed that I am a cheap bastid, that may be true.. but it isn't why I like the BOTR blends (english & aromatic).
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