Wouldn't it stand to reason?

xDutchx

So wouldn't it stand to reason, that if McClelland cannot access the high quality tobaccos that they need to produce Virginias, Orientals, and Aromatics, won't other manufacturers have the same problem? It would seem that they would need to lower their standards to stay in business, or close their doors and leave the industry as well.

Charles

Interesting point @xDutchx.

Woobie

Here's some points for consideration:

1) McClelland was very stringent regarding the quality of their raw tobacco. There was no doubt when you were smoking one of their blends. And as fine as many competitor blends are, there is still a difference. My guess is, on this merit alone we will notice little to no difference in the remaining tobacco, because they probably were already mostly using tobaccos that will still be available. 

2) McClelland, if I am correct, was using U.S. grown tobacco. And since that supply is drying up, they will have to pay big time under the FDA regs to have their products evaluated if they were to switch to a different source. But a lot of the big names are already buying good quality African tobaccos.

Just food for thought, but I have wondered about this a bit.

Woodsman

McClelland English Blends have a distinct sweet/sour fermentation that made their blends among the best. I don't seem to find their equal so they'll be missed by me.