It would be interesting to compare old with new methods. Taddy & Co, a wholesale manufacturer, used a mixing bin 10feet long and 3 wide with high back and sides. Scent is never applied directly to the snuff to be scented but through an intermediary snuff called G which is turned out in parcels of 1,600lb and made specifically for that purpose only. The process of making G is fully described in the text.
Scotch is sieved through a 20 sieve while the heavier grained G is sieved through a size 17 sieve. The general process is as follows: After G has absorbed the scent it is mixed well with a proportion of the Scotch (100 parts) to be scented. After it has absorbed the scent which has been run through G it is then sieved on to the remaining snuff to be scented using a size 20 cane sieve. The whole is raked and shovelled and finally sifted again using a size 20 sieve. The complete process is described in detail using the manufacture of No.5 snuff as an example.
No.5 Snuff (Also sold as Queen’s Scotch)
287 CS
287 SP
5 G
½ oz Otto Rose
1/8 oz Oil Cinnamon
10 oz Lemon
3 Lavender
12 Bergamot
The process is described twice. This is the succinct version:
‘In making this (No.5) take 100 S.P and sift the scented G onto it thro’ 20 sieve as described then turn part of rest on to the floor & make a thin layer of the scented on to that & so on to mix it well & then sift the whole thro’ Fine Cane into Bin.’
The other version reads as follows:
‘Take the 100 S.P turn it into the right corner of Bin & rake it level, put a little Scotch on the left (this absorbs any scent run thro’ G ) on it put 5 G and sprinkle scent on to it, mix it well up, sift it thro’ a 20 sieve onto the S.P, rake it well into it and then turn onto it the C.S (it is now all on the right hand side of the Bin). One man should gently shovel it over to the left while the other gently rakes it, brush the right hand side up and sift it back thro’ fine cane sieve and it is finished. When parcel too large for the bin then onto the floor.’
I have not yet fully researched the books but distillers based in Mitcham (now an urban sprawl) crop up frequently. An example is the business of two physic gardeners, Moore & Potter who set up in business in 1749. It is from them that orders were placed for lavender oil (English Lavender) and peppermint oil and delivered during the first week in October.
Caution is urged in the scenting process:
‘Great care should be taken in scenting snuffs in that the quantity of scent or flavour used is just the quantity sufficient and no more, as otherwise the Article of scent or flavour used is detectable and the Article by fermentation even imbibes as flavour often lead to the idea that it is scented as with the 8L (Violet Brown Scotch) wherein the Trade supposes we use orris root.’