Escudo Topped

[alfredo_buscatti]

I've been smoking Escudo since 2001 and have always loved it. Unfortunately it's now topped. You can smell it, and you can also taste it in the smoke. The best I can describe it is floral to the nose and a spicy brightness to the taste. It's still Escudo but now there is a twist; the topping is significant but not strong. As popular as Escudo is you'd think they'd leave it alone. Perhaps they're shortcutting some procedure or using a different tobacco, to save money, and the topping provides a taste element deemed too expensive to provide through the tobacco. There are a number of excellent VA/Periques available in the $50-$60 per pound range, and Escudo is double that. I'll be buying a different blend.

It's also significantly stronger.

 

[Anonymous]

Is nothing sacred?
irat: 

 

[RDPipes]

Ya know, I've been wondering if something may have changed in the blend on my last order of Escudo. This last tin, the smokes have been okay but, nothing like it used to be. It's been stronger and the buttery flavor is gone except for one or two bowls out of the whole tin. I've got about 4 coins left in this one and then I'm opening a January tin, I bet your right sir. I just hope I can find something else to take it's place. I haven't enough cellared to last forever.
And I don't suppose if we ask them if they've changed the blending method they'd tell us or tell us the truth.

I wondering if anyone else has noticed this also.

 

[Anonymous]

Is nothing sacred ?

Depends on who you're dealing with. When it's a "consumer item" owned by a marketing empire, rape-by-cost-accountant is par for the course.

If it's somebody ethical like (GLP), when a critical ingredient stops being available, rather than cheapen popular blends that contain it, he discontinues them. Do it right or not at all.

:face:

 

[RDPipes]

"UPDATE"
After opening an earlier tin, rubbing it out and packing as usual I find the smooth buttery nut flavor I remember and loved about it back. And have also noticed that the newer tin had a harsh chemical taste in the smoke I couldn't put my finger at the time but, believe it to be as you said, a "TOPPING". Some people may not even notice much of a change but, my taste buds can be overly sensitive. Like in, I'm unable to smoke anything with Burley in it or it will literally set my tongue a fire.

Not long ago a member on another forum mentioned that he was told Escudo was to be discontinued. Well, I went to the horses mouth and was assured that it wasn't and there must have been some misunderstanding.
Now I believe the misunderstanding was, it's not being discontinued but, the blend changed.
That just my opinion formed by what has been said and my taste buds but, I doubt if the horses mouth will admit to it even if it be true.

 

[mejoshee]

At first I thought this was a post about a usurping blend, but I guess the title was misleading. :scratch: 

This is sad news. I've read great things about Escudo, and was waiting to try it "soon". Having an somewhat aged tin queued up and cellared a couple newer production tins, I don't know what to make of this, though. Should I just move along or hope I don't notice a difference? Am I sheep in this way, bowing to compromising business models? This is all very philosophical. Let me get my pipe....

But seriously, is this the end? I feel like I have missed out on a good era? :no:

 

[Anonymous]

But seriously, is this the end? I feel like I have missed out on a good era? :no:

Yes, Brother. It is all downhill from here. :affraid:

Isn't it really about following a wine that had a superb vintage year and expecting the same the next year?

Looks like one of their vintage leaf might have gone unavailable and they are trying to maintain the franchise. I imagine sales will fall but they still have branding that keeps it viable.

 

[Anonymous]

The original just tasted like dirt anyway. :twisted: 

You didn't miss much. :lol: 

:face: 

 

[MisterE]

That's a shame to hear.

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

URL for STG Contact Us form. If you do, don't call them "idiots" or "bone-headed bean-counters." I've already done that.

http://www.st-group.com/index.php/contact-us/217

 

[ftrplt]

Referencing an earlier thread on Perique, wonder if the blender has changed from pure perique to the "Acadian Perique," Green River Burley mixed with Perique?? :?: FTRPLT

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

Pease says Acadian is better; I dunno. But no, this change, IMO, has nothing to do with the Perique. You can smell and taste the topping. Escudo is still Escudo but now not really. They've taken a more or less natural tobacco and funnied it up.

When we were talking about the degeneration of 3Nuns a few weeks ago Pease said that the tobacco companies have their gross manipulations well thought out. The older guys who had the fine VA curlies, the first 3Nuns, are dying out. The new generation won't lament the take-downs as they never smoked the original, and the name 3Nuns will get them to spend the money. When it became available in the States a few weeks ago Smokingpipes was running their banner ad on their site to plug it.

It just sucks all around, but STG and their ilk keep making the money. Ef'ing troglodytes.

 

[RDPipes]

You all know they make an artificial Perique right?
I wonder if they may using that now.

 

[Brewdude]

This is a disturbing development!

:no: 


Cheers,

RR

 

[RDPipes]

This is a disturbing development!

:no: 


Cheers,

RR

It's more then disturbing, it's devastating to me. This is my "Holy Grail" of tobaccos and really the only thing I smoke except an occasional VA that's just okay. Escudo has always been heaven in a tin to me. I only have a few tins cellared (my fault) and if I can't find a substitute I'll probably just give up smoking a pipe.

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

I've got a few tins of Navy Rolls. I'm going to open one, and when I know something, report back here. Maybe it's not trashed.

 

[Brewdude]

This is a disturbing development!

:no: 


Cheers,

RR

It's more then disturbing, it's devastating to me. This is my "Holy Grail" of tobaccos and really the only thing I smoke except an  occasional VA that's just okay. Escudo has always been heaven in a tin to me. I only have a few tins cellared (my fault) and if I can't find a substitute I'll probably just give up smoking a pipe.

Yet, there should still be some older stock out there which isn't subject to this.

If one could identify when the switch was made, a query to the retailer could be performed to identify the tin date.

Just sayin'............



Cheers,

RR

 

[PeterD]

...I've noticed this change as well...Seems to me that rather than inviting potential customers and keeping past customers, the manufacturer does an exceptional job of turning folks away...Unfortunate, to say the least...:no:

 

[RDPipes]

I've got a few tins of Navy Rolls. I'm going to open one, and when I know something, report back here. Maybe it's not trashed.

If you mean Dunhill Navy Rolls, I've tried it and no matter what anybody claims I find a distinct difference between it and Escudo. It's okay, but I think it lacks the butteriness (is that a word?) that I experience with Escudo. That's just my opinion and my taste buds.

 

[RDPipes]

URL for STG Contact Us form. If you do, don't call them "idiots" or "bone-headed bean-counters." I've already done that.

http://www.st-group.com/index.php/contact-us/217

I've contacted them on several occasions about other products but now for some reason using the link you gave every time I hit submit it comes up ERROR and stating I have to pick the country in which I purchased it, when I have already.

So, this leads me to believe there mail box is either full or they just closed it because the amount of complaints about there product.
Either way, I'm not going to pursue this any longer, they screwed Escudo up and I doubt if there willing to do anything about it.
I'll smoke what I have left and hope I find something that can take it's place.
Yeah! Like that'll happen.:no: :x