| Author | Message | ||
     Matty Member Username: Matty Post Number: 52 Registered: 12-2008 |
Anyone know why Stonehaven is unavailable? | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4366 Registered: 02-2002 |
Probably due to the change in distributors. Penzance is only available in tins. I cannot ever remember Penzance (eight ounce package) being unavailable for something like three months, and still not available. Both Stonehaven and Penzance are distributed by the same company--no longer Butera Pipe Company. There are some other blends in the Esoterica line that are available in bulk, but it seems like the most popular ones are still out of stock. | ||
| Matty Member Username: Matty Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2008 |
Thank you. | ||
| Tom Mueller Member Username: Tommueller Post Number: 211 Registered: 04-2008 |
I got a pound (2x8) of Penzance, evidently just in time. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4367 Registered: 02-2002 |
I purchased 6 packages of Penzance (8 ounce) while I had others in stock. Now, some time later, I am finishing up all my bulk and had to buy the tins. I waited around a month or so before biting the price bullet and ordering tins. | ||
| Rusty Pipes Member Username: Rustytoo Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2008 |
It's Arango Cigar Co (Northbrook Illinois) that acquired all of the Butera pipe tobacco blends and TM's in December 2008 from Butera. And at the time they said that the blends would continue to be manufactured by McClelland (Butera RV series), JF Germain (Esoterica line plus Kingfisher), Orlik/Stokkebye (Pelican) and distributed by Arango. This was announced in various industry magazines early this year. But they seem to be having trouble keeping up with demand and there are rumours flying now. Perhaps it's time that somebody nudge them and ask for an update? Arango Cigar Co. Northbrook, IL Toll-free: (800) 222-4427 Tel: (847) 480-0055 Fax: (847) 480-1221 Email: arangocigar@aol.com Products: Accessories, Cigars, Gifts, Lighters, Pipes, Tobaccos | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4370 Registered: 02-2002 |
I know Arango took over, but this kind of out-of-stock situation never occurred when Mike Butera was distributor-and popularity of Penzance has not changed that much. I don't know what calling Arango would do, especially since retailers placed orders months ago and are still waiting. The only update I want to see is Penzance in stock!  | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4371 Registered: 02-2002 |
A thought just crossed my mind, however trivial it may be, the wording on tins and bulk is "Blended exclusively for Butera Pipe Company by J.F. Germain and Son." Since Arango is now the distributor, perhaps they want the wording changed to "Blended exclusively for Arango Cigar Company by J.F. Germain and Son." Now that would mean new tins and bulk packages have to be made, causing a delay in production. Just a thought, and one to ponder as I puff more slowly on my Penzance, slower than ever before. ;-) Of course, there is the possibility Mike Butera made this deal with Arango keeping the wording as is. Either way, the bottom line is Penzance is not in stock (eight ounce bulk) regardless of what the reason may be--and that is an unpleasant fact for those of us who enjoy this unique blend at a reasonable price. I do not consider $9-10 dollars for 2 ounces reasonable, not the way I smoke Penzance. | ||
| Sandy Cumings Member Username: Bird Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2009 |
I'm a new convert to Penzance after reading the many posts here in the discussion forum. It's funny, Penzance gives me that satisfying smoke that I've long been looking for in the way of smoking aromatics. It really is true that you can't judge the taste of a tobacco by the aroma coming out of the bag or tin. Melvin - I believe you may be on to something with Arango wanting the wording changed regarding them now being the distributor. Re-tooling for these things can take a while with all the "red tape" involved especially with Penzance being blended in the British Isles. | ||
| Rusty Pipes Member Username: Rustytoo Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2008 |
I think Mel may be assuming that the rights to the names remained with Butera and that Arango is just a distributor for Butera's brands/blends. The announcement doesn't reflect that. "In December 2008, Butera Pipe Company's lines of pipe tobacco blends, as well as the rights to the Butera Pipe Tobacco names, were sold to the national distributor Arango Cigar Co." - Smokeshop Magazine, Pipe Update, pg 46 Feb 2009 Issue. This is the equivalent of a TM sale. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4374 Registered: 02-2002 |
No, Rusty, don't know why you suggest I was assuming anything. I put up two scenarios including--A thought just crossed my mind, however trivial it may be, the wording on tins and bulk is "Blended exclusively for Butera Pipe Company by J.F. Germain and Son." Since Arango is now the distributor, perhaps they want the wording changed to "Blended exclusively for Arango Cigar Company by J.F. Germain and Son." "Now that would mean new tins and bulk packages have to be made, causing a delay in production. Just a thought, and one to ponder as I puff more slowly on my Penzance, slower than ever before. ;-)" | ||
| Paul Tummers Member Username: Paul_tummers Post Number: 170 Registered: 12-2007 |
I really do not know what is going on; I experience the same thing with my Troost tobacco, blended by Orlik. If any, there are only small amounts distributed to the retailers, and this is already going on like that for over 6 months. I arranged that my retailer will call me right-away when some stock comes in, otherwise he'll have to sell "no sir, sorry" to me because the stock will be sold within a week. Regards, Paul T. | ||
| SCumings Member Username: Bird Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2009 |
This morning I was visiting with one of my local tobacconist and he indicated that the machinery (or parts of it) which is used in the production of Esoterica's tobaccos in bulk in the British Isles is broke down and is the reason for the scarcity of both Stonehaven and Penzance. Has anyone else heard a line on this explanation? | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4380 Registered: 02-2002 |
Sounds like a possible reason for the delay. The good news is distributor for Penzance told me last week that Penzance was on its way from the UK. | ||
| SCumings Member Username: Bird Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2009 |
Good news indeed! |