FYI I recently posted this question over on the TobaccoReviews.com forum but found that this forum seems to be considerably more active, so i thought I would also seek some more answers from this site. I know over the course of the past several decades we have lost not only many highly regarded blends but we have also witnessed many companies fall out completely such as McClelland's. I am curious to see what older pipe smokers will say who have witnessed these legendary blends come and go. I am curious about many of the older blends which were retired several decades ago such as Sullivan & Powell, the other Sobranie tobaccos, Benson & Hedges (the more premium side), John Cotton's, State Express, Player's, Three Castles, Dunhill, Gallaher's etc. If you could bring back say 3 retired blends, what would they be? Looking forward to your comments, appreciated as always.
What Retired Blends Would you Bring Back?
- Thread starter SOG47
- Start date
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None of them. The components and processes wouldn't be the same so the blends would only be brought back by name only.
I don't smoke Latakia much at the moment, but weirdly enough a lot of the blends I'd bring back have it. I would say Dunhill Durbar, Murray's Mellow Mixture and Ogden's Walnut Flake (as it used to be).
Edited to say I agree with @Chasing Embers , and was assuming this meant as they were then.
Edited to say I agree with @Chasing Embers , and was assuming this meant as they were then.
If old blends could be made to the recipe and quality they had before then my list would be pretty simple:
- McClelland Dark Star
- McClelland Dark Star
- McClelland Dark Star
I was involved in the 'resurrection' business being part of the team that re-animated War Horse, Bengal Slices, John Cotton's 1 and 2, John Cotton's Smyrna, Dobie's Four Square as part of the Standard Tobacco Co of PA. It is not worth it. You think that the world will beat a path to your door to congratulate you on your efforts? Wrong! The world will try and burn your frigging house down, scream abuse at you, all the while your manufacturing partners will tell you what they cannot do. You will be surrounded by arm chair experts, the mentally deranged and one or two people that need locking up in the funny farm. If it is not made today there is a good reason for it and probably commercial. Bringing back something from the dead is the most thankless task you could ever engage in and I can fully understand why our good lord only ever resurrected Lazarus!
You did create a couple of very tasty blends though. For that I am indebted to you and the crew.
So, what are you trying to say? You're being so vague it left me confused...
For you newbies:
What’s Old is New Again Thanks to Standard Tobacco Co.
Kevin Godbee The Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania is a new company focusing on old tobaccos—and some famous ones at that. They are bringing back recreations of iconic pipe tobacco […]
pipesmagazine.com
McClelland's Blackwoods Flake
McClelland's Drama Reserve
Rattray's Hal O the Wind from 15-20 years ago, before it got the current saccharine overtone
McClelland's Drama Reserve
Rattray's Hal O the Wind from 15-20 years ago, before it got the current saccharine overtone
Not legendary blends and really not even THAT old but I really miss the Hearth and Home Sweet & Savory, and Virginia Night.
Another long time favorite is the original Petersons Sherlock Holmes - when it was just a nice straight Virginia ribbon.
Another long time favorite is the original Petersons Sherlock Holmes - when it was just a nice straight Virginia ribbon.
For the game to make any sense at all we have to posit reincarnation; the resurrection of a blend in a form indistinguishable from “the good old days”. Unrealistic, of course, but we’re talking about idle fantasy.
With that understood my vote is for State Express London Mixture. Ask me again tomorrow and you might get a different answer.
With that understood my vote is for State Express London Mixture. Ask me again tomorrow and you might get a different answer.
If I could wave a magic wand it would be exactly as I remember. McClelland oriental mixture 14. Otherwise none since I know it wouldn't be the same.
You could start with the three blends you would bring back and why from the 80s - 2020.
In that case, Murray's Three Year Matured Virginia, D&R London Dock, and Mac Baren HH Mature Virginia.
State Express London Mixture
Elephant and Castle
Marcovitch Black and White
Elephant and Castle
Marcovitch Black and White
1) Dunhill Aperitif
2) Drew Estate Gatsby Luxury Flake
3) Orlik Racing Green
Not long lost, just...lost.
2) Drew Estate Gatsby Luxury Flake
3) Orlik Racing Green
Not long lost, just...lost.
I noticed the "Why" is missing from each reply.