Member
International Premium
Cigar & Pipe Retailer




The Squire Tobacconist
108 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Tel: (304) 345-0366
Fax: (304) 345-0367

STORE HOURS
Mon-Fri 8:00 - 6:00
Sat 10:00 - 6:00
Closed Sundays



Cigar Rights of America

*A WORD ON THE SAMUEL GAWITH AND ESOTERICA TOBACCO SHORTAGE
Samuel Gawith and Esoterica pipe tobaccos are imported from the UK. Distribution rights in the U.S. for these products are held exclusively by a handful of distributors.

There has been a shortage of these pipe tobaccos for well over a year. Rumors and theories have circulated in various forums. Some of the more popular rumors say that Samuel Gawith has undergone packaging changes that have slowed production, or that the companies products do not comply with U.S. FDA regulations on pipe tobacco. There is no substance to these rumors.

To date, the FDA has not established any regulations for pipe tobacco. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA) specifically states that "...Pipe tobacco is considered a tobacco product under the Tobacco Control Act. However, the Act does not automatically apply to pipe tobacco. FDA must issue a regulation deeming pipe tobacco to be subject to the law."

THE REALITY
Shortages of these products are a combination of several factors that have created a perfect storm, and resulted in a severe imbalance between supply and demand.

1. SHIPPING. Esoterica (J.F. Germain) tobaccos are only shipped a couple times annually to the states. Gawith ships a bit more often, but still only few times a year. This requires that the few distributors that supply the entire nation, are forced to estimate their inventory requirements well in advance. This creates an enormous lag in the flow of product to the retailers. Accordingly, they cannot adjust to abrupt fluctuations in demand.

2. INTERNET. The expansion of communication and information on the internet has greatly increased the demand for these products. Products that were once little known, have developed a tremendous following and awareness due to sites like Tobacco Reviews, and various tobacco forums. Tobacco enthusiasts read that Penzance and Stonehaven are the Holy Grail of pipe tobacco, and naturally they want to have it. The sudden run on these tobaccos creates a shortage in the B&M, and online retail sources. Panicked buyers then begin hoarding and buy up everything available on the market. Speculators buy up everything and then sell it on Ebay for ridiculous prices.

3. PANIC. When distributors do receive a shipment, it is immediately sold to retailers who have has standing back orders for a year, and gone within hours. The products are allocated and rationed in order to spread the limited supply as far as possible. No retailer receives much of anything. Those who are fortunate enough to receive a smattering of product, sell it within hours to those who are hoarding, and those who are speculating on the shortage. It is a vicious circle.

4. PRODUCTION. Samuel Gawith and J.F. Germain are very small companies with limited production facilities and labor force. They cannot suddenly increase production to meet the sharp increase in demand. Their production is also limited to the inventory of pipe tobacco and raw materials on hand. They can only produce so much.

All of these factors combine to create a perfect storm. Supply just cannot meet the ever growing demand. Eventually, the panic and hoarding will subside, and return to a normal cycle. This will take time.

The Squire has not received any new shipments of Gawith or Esoterica tobaccos since the fall of 2009. Although we have standing back orders with our distributors, there just isn't enough product to go around. We, like everyone else, must stand in line and wait our turn. When we do receive product, it will only be a small allocation until the cycle normalizes.

When we receive any new shipements, the information will be posted on this website, as to quantity and availability. Naturally, there will be limitations and rationing, in order to satisfy as many customers as possible. In the meantime, we suggest trying other blends. There are some really great new blends available.

BULK PIPE TOBACCOS
We stock premium bulk tobaccos from Peter Stokkebye, Samuel Gawith, Lane Limited, and Altadis. These fine tobaccos are sold by the ounce. If you have a particular belnd or preference, we will be pleased to order it and add it to our inventory. Currently, our inventory of bulk tobaccos includes the following:

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