Duty Free Smoking?
Posted on April 2, 2008
Filed Under Help Wanted |
Philip writes:
Do non-Uk pipesmokers realise that some blends of tobacco bought at UK duty free shops are not the original blend that would be bought in UK tobacconists? Examples are St. Bruno and Gold Block.
This assertion is news to me. Perhaps Philip, or someone else, would care to fill us in a bit further. Specifically, I would like to know:
- How does one know that there is a difference?
- Can I tell by looking at the tin?
- Are there separate manufacturers for domestic and export versions?
- Why would a manufacturer do that? It seems ot me to be more work.
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Further to my message concerning duty-free tobacco at UK airports, I have had something of a battle with Ogdens of Liverpool over the years.This is the company which manufactures St. Bruno and Gold Block. Ogdens have granted a license to British American Tobacco Company to provide St. Bruno and Gold Block for duty free sale. This tobacco is a copy and, in my opinion, not much like the original. It is sold in boxes of 5 50grm pouches (250grm) and does not bear the ‘Ogdens of Liverpool’ mark on the box.I have written and spoken to Ogdens but they seem unwilling to concede that this is a complete rip off. As far as I know, these are the only tobaccos affected. If you want genuine St. Bruno or Gold Block, buy it in a supermarket before you leave the UK.
The only pipe tobaccos that BAT produces for the UK Export market are Dunhill De Luxe Navy Rolls, Early Morning Pipe, 965, Nightcap,Royal Yacht and Standard Mixture. It’s pretty much the same list for the UK Internal market with Flake and the rest of the My Mixtures added in.
Further, if tins are beginning to no longer have the Ogden’s mark on them, perhaps you should speak to the people who have owned Ogden’s since Sept 1902 when they bought it from American Tobacco; Imperial Tobacco Group. My guess is that from their perspective, Gold Block and St. Bruno are more valuable names on their own than Ogden’s is, so they are slowly dropping it.
I am told by my tobacconist that all DUNHILL pipe tobacco is no longer being produced for the UK market.This ,I think,would mean that anything sold in UK duty free shops is not the real thing.In my opinion the brand that comes closest to Dunhill 965 is PETERSONS Old Dublin.For those who like a Latakia blend and travel to Holland,they should try to find Sir William .Although I have only tried 50g it was preferable to Dunhill965.
Yes,Imperial has takenover the Ogden’s name. I have also spoken to them (Imperial Tobacco)and it is they who told me about BAT. It was only after quite a bit of wrangling that Imperial tobacco finally agreed to replace all the duty free tobacco I had bought when I went abroad. I think you will find that pouches of St. Bruno and Gold Block bought at shops in the UK still have the Ogden’s name on them. I can only reiterate that the tobacco bought at duty free shops is not the original product.
I should also add that I have been a St. Bruno smoker for thirty years. It was immediately obvious on opening the pouch that this was a copy.
You are totally right Phil.
Have just checked myself.