After doing extensive research on this site, it seems that there is an overwhelming consensus that ordering Wilson’s (and by extension, F&T) in bulk is the way to go–for both quality and economy–once you’ve settled on a few favorite varieties that you use on a roughly daily basis. I’ve already got 200gs or whatever the bulk container size is of McC O&G and Mild Lemon, and am in the process of budgeting enough to allow for 6-8 bulk containers of my favorite Wilson’s and F&T varieties. As of now, I think this would be: Wilson’s Best SP Wilson’s Irish DHT #20 Wilson’s Strasbourg Wilson’s HDT #22 F&T Santo Domingo F&T Macouba F&T HDT F&T Old Paris I currently have between 100g and 200g of all of the above in smaller tins, and already have about 100g- 200g of my favorite Toques, Dholakia’s and other brands once I gather up the containers and transfer them into Mason Jars. I have two questions: 1) The price difference in the US between the 260g and 450g tubs is only about $10 per container for the super bulk amount, which is 25% more money for 75% more snuff. But 8 pounds of snuff seems like an insane amount that would take me the better part of the rest of my life to use up. Is it worth spending the relatively small extra amount to get the super bulk amount, or would it be likely to fade significantly if kept for over a couple of years? 2) Does it really make sense to get the F&T varieties in bulk in the first place, in light of the superior environmental protection that the screw top aluminum tins offer and the relative infrequency with which one uses more heavily scented snuffs, or is there as significant a quality difference as has been generally reported with the Wilson’s? My favorites are fairly moist except for the HDT, so maybe I’d be better off going for maintaining the interesting variety I have in all the F&T scents, all of which I love except for the Morlaix. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I’ve never made a bulk purchase like this.
why no Grand Cairo? Make sure you put your snuff collection in your will.
- You did the math already. Seventy-five per cent more snuff for only 25% more cost outlay makes inarguably sound sense. When – not if – the PACT Act becomes law, how easy do you think it will be to obtain those Wilsons and Fribourg & Treyer snuffs? (It will not be impossible; as with heroin and other illicit goodies, one is going to have to pay through the nose for it.) 2) Properly stored snuff will last indefinitely. A properly sealed glass container stored in a relatively stable environment is all it takes. (Some will say that plastic will work just as well, but I do everything possible to eliminate plastic containers and their leaking toxins from my life – especially if we are talking about long term storage solutions.) I have about four pounds of IHT No. 22 in my closet. I’m sure that my nose will fall off before that is ever exhausted.
plastic alone= so-so plastic+heat=bad, bad, bad
Where does one find these airtight glass containers? I spent an hour searching on the internet last night, and the best I could find was Mason Jars, which don’t take kindly to being constantly opened and closed. One of the main reasons I’m considering the bulk buy is to get the containers it comes in. Evidently other peopls have had similar problems bassed on my search last night. Even Mason Jars are virtually impossible to find in your local stores, unless its canning season, whenever the hell that is. And I live in a big city.
Many of the ‘dollar’ stores seem to carry canning jars, if not now , then very soon with Spring. I don’t like the fact that it’s CLEAR glass, though. Would be nice to have blue or cobalt colored glass with a nice screw top. I have a couple aqua ATLAS STRONG SHOULDER mason quarts I’m reserving for some special snuff.
The containers the bulk Wilson’s comes in are air tight and as long as they are being kept at room temperature there should be no worries about the snuff going stale. The same goes for SG’s bulk packaging. Stefan
Bulk is better because the container is filled fresh and the quantity itself is the protecive agent, ie the snuff is surrounded by snuff (the same principle as filling a snuff box to the rim, it will last more than filling it half full). I wouldn’t consider bulk on that basis to be anything less than a half pound jar - not lots of tins. The WoS cannisters are perfect and can be used ad infinitum. Glass peanut butter jars, thoroughly scoured, are just as good and free if you eat peanut butter.
“But 8 pounds of snuff seems like an insane amount that would take me the better part of the rest of my life to use up.” Not at all. Snuffy Charlotte (wife of George III) bought Marrocco (not Morocco) in 10 pound jars and Masulipatem in pint claret bottles. Napoleon reputedly used seven pounds a month, which was loaded into the ‘fausses pattes’ of his clothing. George IV filled an entire room at Windsor Castle with snuff in jars, bottles and canisters in the same way that the cellars were stocked with wine. He had hundreds of bottles of Martinique alone that retailed at 21s. per lb. Compared to the several tons of snuff in George’s collection eight pounds is quite a modest undertaking.
Snuff used to be sold for long-term storage in claret bottles that came with a skewer to extract it. You might want to take a cue from history and store snuff in wine bottles like vintages. The veteran snuff aficionado Leonard Fox recommends this method for keeping large quantities. Antique long-handled spoons made from lignum vitae for extraction of snuff from wine bottles are still occasionally seen. I decant snuff from an opened drum into 2oz F&T tins and can testify that the snuff keeps in good condition for at least several decades.
And F and T sold ‘prince’s’ for many a year after his death - the bulk was sold back to them. Claret bottles would be very elegant but anything, if it’s airtight, will last as long as you do, if not many years beyond. I too have FandT that is decades old and in perfect condition. I have some Macouba and Dieppe that is at least 30 years old and in excellent form.
Glass-lidded, rubber-sealed bail closure jars work best. They are readily available in just about any size you want at any kitchen supply. World Market and IKEA are good sources as well. Opaque porcelain wire clasp jars can be found at places like Crate & Barrel.
Weck jars are the most elegant, I think: [url]http://www.weckcanning.com/index.htm[/url]
Snuffster - I bought my last tins of F&T from an outlet in Piccadilly that took much of the stock after the business folded in 1981. All gone now, alas! Rummaging around in my loft a tall tin of Gold Label Vintage was discovered. No idea where or when it was bought, but probably dates to the 1960s or 70s. Owing to a loft being a poor environment for storage the snuff is in poor condition.
@PhilipS: This is no longer true. Mr. Snuff has made an arrangement with Wilsons to supply him with F&T in bulk.
Bradmajors - I removed the last post as Wilsons just informed me (quite literally) that drums are a special order with the price being a whopping £40.00 plus postage and packing. Several times in the past I enquired about drums of F&T and was informed that under license Wilsons do not distribute F&T varieties beyond the 2oz tin.
PhillipS - my two oldest can are that era - the eternal quandary now; use it or hoard it like a miser. There is so little pre WoS FandT around now that I don’t really want to do anything but look at it! The Gold label sounds tantalising - could it be re-hydrated? My last can of vintage GL went last year.
I have a very small amount of pre-WoS F&T left. Mostly I just look at the tins but very occasionally I have a pinch.
@PhilipS: That’s the price I was quoted too when I enquired a few months back. In fact, at the time Carol wasn’t aware that Wilsons were supplying an American retailer with F&T bulk and had to call me back with the price once she had confirmed that they were indeed available. At that price, it’s not significantly less than buying 2oz tins at a time with free postage so there’s little point in buying bulk. And at the current exchange rate, Mr. Snuff is managing to import it to the States, turn a profit and sell it for less than £40. It’s a strange business.
Based on the prices of the F&T bulk, it doesn’t make economic sense to buy the 260 gram size, since the tins would cost only a few dollars more. Likewise with the WoS. The only argument would be in favor of the freshness, but based on my research on this forum, that can make a considerable difference. I think I’ll start small and just buy 3 pounds and see if I can detect a strong difference. I thank everyone for their helpful advice so far.