What Will Be The Most Sought-After Sutliff Blends 5 Years From Now?

[sablebrush52]

With the announcement of McClelland closing back in 2016, many individuals began hoarding any of their blends they could acquire for the sole purpose to flip the tobacco at a higher price. People were buying blends they never even smoked or blends they didn't like just to be able to flip the tobacco at a later time at a higher price. I know this because at the time I was part of the YTPC, and knew of several individuals that were doing this. In my opinion this was a 'Dick' move, as people that enjoyed those blends weren't able to buy them as they were all ready snatched up. It was very unfortunate that people would do this to their fellow pipe smokers. People were even doing this when their was the uncertainty of the Dunhill blends, before they were re-branded with the Peterson name.

I agree with Sable as I don't think the Sutliff and Mac Baren blends are on the same level as McClelland. It's not to say that there aren't some really good blends, as I enjoy several Sutliff and Mac Baren tobacco's and will miss them when I'm out, but it's not the same as when we lost McClelland.

I'm sure the same thing is going on currently with Sutliff and Mac Baren blends. I would bet there are individuals out there that never smoked a Sutliff or Mac Baren blend because they deemed them inferior; however, they will buy up a bunch of tins and/or bulk in hopes of flipping it at a later time. I'm sure there are individuals that will go out and buy 20 tins of something to add 5 to there cellar and flip the other 15, and take advantage of their fellow pipe smokers down the road. Again, 'Dick' move in my opinion.

I'm all for someone to buy what they can, and enjoying said tobacco, but buying a bunch of stuff just to flip it; when there were people out there who really love said that tobacco and want to buy a tin or two before they can't; all of a sudden can't even do that because of the hoarders who buy up what they can so they can flip it for a quick profit. That's just asinine to me. Again, my opinion.

The whole McClelland closing thing was the worst best kept secret or the best worst kept secret.

McClelland notified their tobacconists months before the announcement, asking them to let their customers know while asking them not to blab about it, so they could stock up before the piranhas descended. It actually worked.

I’d heard about the pending closure about 3-4 months before the announcement and picked up some tins of favorites, some bulk, and a few tins to try out. The only blend I stocked up on was the 40th.

The announcement breaks and all hell breaks loose.

Suddenly tins are showing up on eBay at huge mark ups.

Silly me. It never occurred to me to buy a ton to scalp others.

And all that panic!

It’s just tobacco, for fuck’s sake.

 

[Mike N]

I definitely think the Cringle Flakes will be highly sought after, they always sold out so quickly as it is. Maybe the Birds of a Feather and Pipe Force stuff too since we're unlikely to get another limited edition series from Per Jensen unless he finds a new home. As for Mac Baren definitely the HH line, especially since it was made with unique equipment meaning it can't easily be matched.

This.

 

[anotherbob]

EGR was headed for the scrap heap before jiminks got Sutliff to change direction.
I doubt that it will join the immortals.

it's got some real charms though the kind that aren't easy to find all too often. I can see people getting a serious yen for the stuff.

 

[MisterBadger]

And all that panic!

It’s just tobacco, for fuck’s sake.

'Tis human nature - the Original Sin, one might say - that when a human is told they can't have a thing, even if they never had it before, they become desperate for it. And that's where the snakes slither in to take advantage, of course.

As for tobacco profiteers, and worse, FB tobacco scammers, I think it's safe to assume they are 99% of them tobacco afficionados themselves - may they get to empty the ashtrays in Hell once every thousand years as a special treat to assuage their craving. Selah.

 

[pantsBoots]

I'd miss the bulks more, but I think some of the Crinkle Flakes will become sought after. They are pretty danged unique in cut and blend.

 

[Auxsender]

'Tis human nature - the Original Sin, one might say - that when a human is told they can't have a thing, even if they never had it before, they become desperate for it. And that's where the snakes slither in to take advantage, of course.

As for tobacco profiteers, and worse, FB tobacco scammers, I think it's safe to assume they are 99% of them tobacco afficionados themselves - may they get to empty the ashtrays in Hell once every thousand years as a special treat to assuage their craving. Selah.

Take advantage? Slithering snakes? Ashtrays in Hell?
Sir, this is capitalism. “Buy low, sell high” is a pillar of modern society standing right next to “do unto others….” Besides, just because someone is asking a certain price for a luxury item does not mean they’re “taking advantage”; they’re simply trying to make a buck. If people weren’t driven to make a buck, society would collapse.

Is the price too high? Don’t buy.
I personally do not have a problem with people charging what they think the market will bear. If someone can actually get 500% markup on a tin or bag, I say “get it, girl”. They’ll never get it from me but they might get it from someone and I believe they should certainly try.

 

[Mike N]

it's got some real charms though the kind that aren't easy to find all too often. I can see people getting a serious yen for the stuff.

Not too sure whether Sutliff’s EGR will ever reach icon status. In any event, HU now has its own “Edward G.,” although as JimInks pointed out,”I don't know why they named this after Edward G. Robinson, but it's nothing like the American version, which is mildly aromatic.”

 

[sablebrush52]

And now there's scammers who join FB pipe groups with pictures of other people's Frog Morton stash often with Esoterica in the mix as well. Worst part is people fall for it

I don't do antisocial media, with the exception of this forum and another professionals site. Life's too short and there's other interesting things to do.
The fakery and fraud, sadly, doesn't surprise me. There's little to no consequence to amoral and unethical behavior on virtual spaces, so it thrives.
It's necessary to be a skeptic to avoid becoming a victim.

 

[sablebrush52]

Take advantage? Slithering snakes? Ashtrays in Hell?
Sir, this is capitalism. “Buy low, sell high” is a pillar of modern society standing right next to “do unto others….”

I don't take issue with characterizing laissez-faire capitalism as a form of godless depravity. It's exactly that. But, capitalism being a shit system, it's still the most attractive system with its appeal to greed, and the easiest system to work.
As has been said, "Capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the others."

 

[Zamora]

The whole McClelland closing thing was the worst best kept secret or the best worst kept secret.

McClelland notified their tobacconists months before the announcement, asking them to let their customers know while asking them not to blab about it, so they could stock up before the piranhas descended. It actually worked.

I’d heard about the pending closure about 3-4 months before the announcement and picked up some tins of favorites, some bulk, and a few tins to try out. The only blend I stocked up on was the 40th.

The announcement breaks and all hell breaks loose.

Suddenly tins are showing up on eBay at huge mark ups.

Silly me. It never occurred to me to buy a ton to scalp others.

And all that panic!

It’s just tobacco, for fuck’s sake.

That was very courteous for them to go about to that way. I've noticed pretty much every hobby has scalpers nowadays, everything from whisky to Legos has people buying up supply in order to resell at astronomical markup.

I don't do antisocial media, with the exception of this forum and another professionals site. Life's too short and there's other interesting things to do.
The fakery and fraud, sadly, doesn't surprise me. There's little to no consequence to amoral and unethical behavior on virtual spaces, so it thrives.
It's necessary to be a skeptic to avoid becoming a victim.

At this point I barely do either, I just check once a day to see what friends and family are up to. I used to be active in a few pipe and cigar groups but all of them get infested with scammers claiming to have massive stockpiles of Cuban Cohibas, Opus X, McClelland, and Esoterica.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I don't take issue with characterizing laissez-faire capitalism as a form of godless depravity. It's exactly that. But, capitalism being a shit system, it's still the most attractive system with its appeal to greed, and the easiest system to work.
As has been said, "Capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the others."

I think there is a difference between capitalism and corporatism.
Price gouging by individuals is capitalistic behavior.
Gobbling up companies to clearly eliminate competition is corporatism.
As the badger says, “selah”.

 

[sablebrush52]

massive stockpiles of Cuban Cohibas

I didn't like them when they were still good. Too light weight.

 

[LotusEater]

I don’t think I’ll miss much of the sutliff blends that are going away and I have cellared a bit of handful I like most. I’m more concerned with how Sutliff’s closing affects LJ Peretti and others like them.
That said I am kicking myself a bit for not getting some match walnut before it disappeared from the online shelves.

 

[sablebrush52]

I think there is a difference between capitalism and corporatism.
Price gouging by individuals is capitalistic behavior.
Gobbling up companies to clearly eliminate competition is corporatism.
As the badger says, “selah”.

Still, it takes capital investment to do either, so it's all a form of capitalism. Pick your poison.

 

[AcesAndEights]

That said I am kicking myself a bit for not getting some match walnut before it disappeared from the online shelves.

Same. I’d never heard of it until all the craziness started. By the time I looked into it, it was gone. Maybe they will release a bit more before the end.

 

[Zamora]

I didn't like them when they were still good. Too light weight.

At this point they're so expensive they could never possibly be good enough for the price of admission unless you're a millionaire. The price for one makes the price for a tin of consignment tobacco look reasonable

 

[beezer]

Not sure what will be the most sought after, but Sutliff 1849 always flew under the radar. That is/was a very good blend. I snagged 10x tins a few days ago to keep on hand.

 

[Infantry23]

For me, the match blends will be what is missed the most.

 

[LotusEater]

Same. I’d never heard of it until all the craziness started. By the time I looked into it, it was gone. Maybe they will release a bit more before the end.

I’m really hoping they do release a bit more before the end but I’m not too optimistic. I’ll let you know if I see it pop up somewhere

 

[pinem]

Still, it takes capital investment to do either, so it's all a form of capitalism. Pick your poison.

Regardless of what it's called, disadvantaging and/or profiteering off your own kind to make a quick buck, is still best defined as a dick move.

I ended up leaving pipe forums behind for about 3 years after all the crass materialism that was put on display after the McClelland closing.

As for what I am disappointed newcomers won't be able to experience in the future, Russ' Hearth & Home blends, SToP's matches (they were all good, even though their promoters were the blend's worst critics), and Per's HH blends.