Dear All Johnny Scott and I would like to introduce our new recommendations on the storage of our snuffs. Firstly, although ours are two entirely separate businesses, Johnny and I share the same passion and goals: to produce heritage, artisan snuff as it was at the height of historical, English production. In doing this we make snuffs that are afungal rather than with additives to make them anti-fungal and we achieve this by using pasteurization and sterile packaging. So, whilst our snuffs should stay in perfect condition unopened (assuming the seal/closure is kept intact) they can be more susceptible than main-stream snuffs to ambient mould once opened. For us the choice is a simple one; alter the recipes and character of our snuffs or give clear directions on how to store them. Therefore, we are introducing revised labeling that gives, for the first time, specific storage instructions. Simply, these are to refrigerate after opening, decant using only a clean dry implement and to keep the container tightly closed. The fact is that our snuffs now go to a wide variety of destinations, environments and climates so standard storage instructions are sensible. As Snuffhouse is THE snuff community we thought something should also go on the forum. Of course, all of our snuffs are guaranteed and we both have a no quibble, no fuss replacement policy. May we once again express our sincere thanks for the continued support and friendship of the Snuffhouse community. Cheers folks, Nigel and Sir Johnny.
You guys are awesome! Thanks
@Abraxas - I have no problem in placing my snuffs from you and Johnny in the fridge although - having read posts on here saying that was not a good idea - I wish I had known this before. Most of these are in the original glass jars so that is no problem but the SWS FoJ and Mull of Oa are in tins and I have always heard that you should not use tin containers in fridges - or is that just an old wives tale?
@chris - I’ll let Johnny speak for his side of things, as I say we are separate businesses so I don’t want to comment on his packaging specifically. I personally see no problem in refrigerating cans and Wilsons have always recommended it on their website (FAQ section). Is it an old wives tale? There are so many variables at work in something like this and it only takes a few cans to go bad for a multiplicity of reasons for it to become a theory that lives on. Refrigeration certainly won’t harm the snuff and if the can is intact that should stay perfectly good too. I have never believed snuff needs to be stored in any particular way before it is opened - an airtight container is the key factor in unopened snuff - so we are only talking about after the seal/closure is broken. We have both had a small number of reports of snuffs getting some level of mould contamination post opening. It’s a very slight problem to be fair - I’ve had four since I started trading - but if it exists at any level we have to step up and deal with it. After carrying out my own experiments over summer last year I have a hunch that the local environment plays a big part but that is still my problem not the customers, hence generic advice. Best wishes, Nigel.
@Abraxas - many thanks for your comments. I will be transferring my jars and tins into the fridge later this evening.
Chris - yes, Wilsons have always recommeneded storing snuff in a refrigerator. http://sharrowmills-online.com/information/faqs.html The crucial advice though, is that the packaging - aluminium tins, glass jars or whatever - is screwed tight as soon as the required amount of snuff has been decanted. Yrs. Johnny
@Johnny Thanks for your comment and the link. I will be re-arranging my fridge as soon as I have time! I do go to great pains to ensure that all of my containers are sealed as tightly as possible,
Excellent! Unfortunately too late for my small collection of SWS and Abraxas snuffs that ended up looking like a biology project or a cheese maker’s nightmare. These two gentlemen, and I don’t use that term lightly, are the ultimate in professionalism, kindness and courtesy. Exemplary customer service; part of it comes from ownership, but most of it comes from the heart. Clearly passionate about our hobby and an asset to this little community of ours. Kudos!
Here, here. Both Johnny and Nigel are swell chaps who make first rate snuff.
Well, i’m glad I came by here tonight. It’s very dry here, my house also gets incredibly warm during the summer. So, I will be taking all the advise here, and just moved all my tins to the bottom drawer of the fridge. Since most of my refrigerator is used as storage anyway. But, one thing I will say about condensation. Because, I’m about to go deal with a cold condensing floor. How it works, If you live in a warm humid place, and you have a iced beverage. The reason that the glass has moisture on the outside is because the cool surface of the glass cools the humid air touching the glass and hence you have beads of moisture. So I read the statement saying NOT to allow it to get to room temperature would not be correct in my opinion. IF you live in a humid environment and are worried about excess moisture collecting inside then you probably wouldn’t want to open it cold. However. I dont see it being a issue if you are quick. I prefer to never use the tins to grab a pinch unless I just want to try something, every time you open it it adds up to more and more exposure. Eventually, leading up to a dry, stale tobacco over time. I haven’t read enough to see when people do actually consider it ruined. But, like a stale cigarette hopefully it will be obvious. Other than I have had very old snuff…like found under a 100 year old house…
Unless I saw something growing on it, I might still snuff it! Even if it were under a 100 year old house.
I urge everyone to follow these instructions. I didn’t think mold would affect my snuffs but I was wrong. my abraxas and sws snuffs are stored in original containers and inside a cigar box. I went to use my abraxas connoisseur cerise but sadly the top was covered in mold. Very upsetting. From now on the fridge is where they will stay.
I’ve had a pretty wet summer where I live and found out my SWS Moro Moro had mold in it last night. I’ve got my snuff stored in some cedar chests and hadn’t noticed any problems prior to this. I went through most of my Abraxas and other SWS after and it just looks like the Moro Moro was the only problem, which somewhat surprised me since the lid was tight and appeared to have a good seal. Looks like I’ll get to rearrange the fridge this evening to see if I can fit them in. Have folks seen this mostly happening only with the moister snuffs or across the board? I’m kind of wondering if I should crack open all of them and see what shape they are in. Also I’m somewhat worried about any of my tap boxes since it wouldn’t be nearly as apparent as a tin that it had gone bad.
Does this mold problem effect all snuffs or just with these two brands? Also how long does it normally take for there to be mold present? For example if I kept them in an airtight jar how long do you think they would last at room temp? Thanks
Oh man, does this mean I’m going to have to buy a Snuff Fridge now? http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Fridge-Cooler-Warmer-Office/dp/B00EBEV4OW/ref=pd\_cp\_e\_1
Does this mold problem effect all snuffs or just with these two brands? Also how long does it normally take for there to be mold present? For example if I kept them in an airtight jar how long do you think they would last at room temp? Thanks
@Cigshurtmylungs, I purchased my Moro Moro on 12/31/2013, only opened it once when I received it. I didn’t even get a chance to try it since it hadn’t made it to my rotation yet. =( All the others purchased at that time or earlier look to be fine after I did a bit more digging last night, including a good quantity of Abraxas and other SWS snuffs.
Oh man, does this mean I’m going to have to buy a Snuff Fridge now? http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Fridge-Cooler-Warmer-Office/dp/B00EBEV4OW/ref=pd\_cp\_e\_1
@nmsnuffer, Don’t know about you but that seems a bit… small. 
Oh man, does this mean I’m going to have to buy a Snuff Fridge now? http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Fridge-Cooler-Warmer-Office/dp/B00EBEV4OW/ref=pd\_cp\_e\_1
@nmsnuffer, Don’t know about you but that seems a bit… small.
Oh no no no, that’s the portable model. For daily use.
How is the moro moro moro? Thinking of trying, havnt heard much?
Sounds good! How was it though? Favorite sir walter scott would be?