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

[Mike N]

With the likely closing of Sutliff and discontinuation of a lot of its blends, I would like some thoughts and speculation on what will be the most sought after of the old Sutliff blends (now available) at pipe shows five years from now? Here are three nominees mostly based on the date of issue, not necessarily current popularity:

Sutliff 175th Anniversary Silver Quarter

Cringle Flake 2024, likely the last year of production

Pipe Force III, which I thought was the best of that Per Georg Jensen series

 

[khiddy]

If bulks are under consideration, I'd say:

Mature Red Virginia 515RC-1
Virginia Slices 507-C
Match 20 (965)
Match BSOSM
Match Duke Albert (Prince Albert)
Match Ready Rubbed
Match Victorian
TS-12 Dark Fire Cured
TS-24 Blended Turkish

and, definitely in the minority here, but Mixture 79.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yes, let's give the flippers a list of what to buy up as fast as possible, so that anyone who wants these blends will have to wait till they actually go extinct and hit the secondary market for $100 an oz.

I know that you meant to start this thread for fun and positive reasons, but when you look beyond the target, this is what you get.

 

[AroEnglish]

I'd agree with the Cringle Flake 2024.

 

[Hutch Piper]

507C and Mixture 79 I think are givens.

 

[FLDRD]

I'd agree with the Cringle Flake 2024.

I think their statement regarding it being the last of the McClelland red Virginias made it desirable on it's own...

 

[coming to_falling too]

Frosty Mint

 

[Mike N]

Yes, let's give the flippers a list of what to buy up as fast as possible, so that anyone who wants these blends will have to wait till they actually go extinct and hit the secondary market for $100 an oz.

I know that you meant to start this thread for fun and positive reasons, but when you look beyond the target, this is what you get.

I totally understand your concern. But as you pointed out, this thread is meant for fun, though, and since I named the three I think will be sought after, I kind of limited myself from purchasing any more, too. All three were sold out on Smoking Pipes last time I checked. None will ever reach Frog Morton status, so none of these are a likely a path for anyone to retire on.

I think an interesting option might be to grab of a few of the Cup O Joe’s marked anniversary tins from their site as possible neat tins to display in the tobacco cabinet 10 years from now. I believe the Bradley Stuff N Things video mentioned COJ.

 

[Pipke]

I only stocked up on a modest amount of blending components. Never was a Sutliff fan. Not going to be coveting this stuff over at Tin Bids.

 

[khiddy]

I'm still chuffed to have scored a 1lb bag of vintage 2019 Sutliff Victorian Match on Tinbids for $35 shipped earlier this year. The stuff is fantastic. Led me to squirrel away a few fresh lbs for the longterm – not for resale, but for sheer enjoyment.

 

[telescopes]

507 and 515 for sure. Blends like Molto Duece and others will gain a cult like status. Many of Russ’s blends will begone and with them the last of some old school matches. Gone. Forever.

 

[telescopes]

Access to blending Green River Cavendish, blending Latakia, Perique, Smyrna, and Turkish, as well as Maryland, various Virginias - stoved, sweet, etc, various blending burleys- all excellent for creating one’s own blends, these are real losses. The Sutliff catalogue allowed blenders to access recipes and bring them back to life - some over 100 years old. Crystal Palace is an example of one such blend. Old school authenticity simply has lost one of the last foot holds it had. Yes, C&D can and does offer some blending components as does PS. But as someone who has used them, the flavor notes are and will be different. I have enough now that as long as I don’t give any away, I am good for life- or at least long enough to get bored of the blends I have after awhile. But the real impact of this loss will be realized when blends that use to be laughed at are described longingly with admiration In later years.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

But the real impact of this loss will be realized when blends that use to be laughed at are described longingly with admiration In later years.

"Man, remember Sutliff? I miss the days when I could smoke a cherry vanilla chocolate custard and not have to taste any tobacco at all."

 

[Peter Turbo]

I have 10 tins of Silver Quarter that I bought to smoke, I really, really enjoyed the one tin I smoked. I even emailed Sutliff when it came out asking why it couldn't be regular production. Now it just seems like a better idea to flip them in a few years for double or triple what I payed. Have a ton of 2021 Cringle as well.

 

[telescopes]

I have 10 tins of Silver Quarter that I bought to smoke, I really, really enjoyed the one tin I smoked. I even emailed Sutliff when it came out asking why it couldn't be regular production. Now it just seems like a better idea to flip them in a few years for double or triple what I payed. Have a ton of 2021 Cringle as well.

It's your tobacco to do with as you wish - as is always the case. However, buying tobacco in large quantities only to flip it later encourages scarcity for those who truly enjoy the blends but are like most people, living on limited incomes. Pipe tobacco should never have become a commodity that has artificial scarcity - we have governmental forces already working on that.

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

The Match blends are going to be a huge loss.

 

[jpberg]

As OP said, all in fun, but still.
This appears to be a McClelland moment for those who missed it and need a moment to call their own and bore future forum members with.
Sutliff wasn’t great.

 

[sablebrush52]

What will be the most sought after Sutliff blends in 5 years? I have no idea.

 

[anotherbob]

fun thing here. If they change course we'll never know if it was them feeding the market false information or if they realize they are throwing away a gold mine.

 

[Ahi Ka]

EGR