I just noticed that my 6 week old Creme de figue has mold all through it. While i like the scent i had barely had more than 3 pinches from it so the vast majority was completely undisturbed in the glass jar. It has been siting on my desk since being opened. I has been summer here in Oz so tempratures have been warmer. Still none of my other snuffs have had this. Got to say, for the price, i’m pretty disapointed. The closest thing i have to this is Abraxus premium and that is still great.

I haven’t noted any mold in mine, and I purchased it when it was first introduced. Perhaps it because I keep mine in the refrigerator, except for the small amount in a smashbox. I have also noted that different locations have different “stuff in the air” The snuff is dear, so it would be disappointing.

Yes, the mold is white-ish. My how time flies. I said that this was bought 6 weeks ago but it was actually bought on the 21st of november 2012 by my email records(the first batch). The snuff has been barely touched so it is still hard packed as it came. You can see it through the base quite well and it runs up the sides.

Well I reckon the lesson to be learned is to up one’s snuff consumption, and finish it before it has a chance to get moldy.

it’s a sign you angered the Gods. The problem is which one or ones it was. Good luck getting back into their favors.

BigNose - have just seen your post and am horrified. All jars and equipment used in making the snuff are sterilised and the jars are oven dried before filling. It is deeply worrying and I will contact MrSnuff immediately. In the meantime, please accept my abject apologies and if you send me your address, I will either compensate you or send another jar.

Yes, @BigNose, that’s mold. Toss it and get in touch with Johnny, he’s an upstanding fellow and I’m sure he will make it right. It’s too good a snuff to give up on.

Mold happens, Sorry for your misfortune

The refrigeration idea may have some merit if it is a snuff you use infrequently. Dried figs often have a ‘bloom’, i.e. mold, on them. It is benign but it may make this particular snuff more prone to deterioration if conditions are right.

@johnny thanks. I fear the warmer temps down under have contributed to this. It wasnt the money, it was not having the snuff when i wanted it that dissapointed me. I do like the scent very much and variety is the spice of life. I’ll use the fridge in future.

This happened to me, as many folk here will remember. It’s survivable and can be remedied and knowing Johnny I am certain he will make it right. Sometimes we just have to tweak the production methods.

For the information of members, I have asked MrSnuff to remove Creme de Figue from the site and will of-course compensate anyone who has a similar problem. They merely have to PM me. In the meantime I will identify the source of the problem and take the necessary steps to avoid a repetition. Moist snuffs can be prone to mold and although every effort is made to ensure that each process and all equipment is protected by the most rigorous sterilisation, spores have obviously slipped through the net. My most sincere apologies.

I will have to check mine when I get home. I ordered mine when it fist hit the shelves but its kept in a big cigar box with my other snuffs so I’m not expecting to find mold. Fingers crossed

@Johnny I think its a little drastic to take Creme de Figue off the shelves for just one reported case of mold, my jar is just fine. It is very likely that since it is the ONLY case of mold that the mold spores came from his own fingers when he took a pinch.

I have to agree with @n9inchnails–I’ve been happily insufflating a 50g jar of Creme de Figue, and there’s no mould at all. I also bought a 15g jar, and it’s a few months old now and completely without mould. It’s dry as dust and turned to powder, but that’s my own fault for not storing it wisely.

If you want to sell any of the old stock off cheap…

Will check mine now to be safe, but it was fine a few weeks ago when I last had some.

Just checked mine and found no mold. I did notice I was running a little low so I’m with hr_pufnsnuff. Sell your old stock here as discounted use at your risk snuff. “It might be fine border snuff” lol.

Sorry to report, but I have found mold in my 15g jar. However it was on the very bottom, so the most I lost was just about four pinches. No compensation necessary for that. I got my pleasure from it. It looks like the mold started at the bottom of the jar. My Auld Alliance is as moist and there was no mold present in that one.

I also had mold in my 15g jar, the green kind. No compensation neccessary, just a fyi. The 50g jar is fine (so far).

{@Johnny - No sign of mould in either the 15g or 50g jars that I have here. I will just have to take rather more of it as a precaution. On a more serious note I hope you manage to get it sorted out without too much work. I would not want to see the Creme de Figue disappear as - even though the Auld Alliance and Fields of Juniper are superb snuffs and I will always keep a supply of those - The CoF is still my favourite of your blends. Good luck.

Hi Johnny, I live in San Francisco where it is often damp and foggy. it has been quipped that the coldest winter was a summer in San Francisco (Mark Train didn’t say it) I have a 15g (all most gone) and a 50g of your creme de figue, that I keep in the refrigerator, and of course what ever snuffbox I’m using. I really like the snuff, and I haven’t had any problem with mold, which tends to be a problem in San Francisco (leather and bread) Perhaps a recommendation to store it in the refrigerator? I would be sadden if you stopped producing creme de figue. Perhaps has a precaution I will have to increase my consumption…Oh the pain…Oh the agony

Upon reading this i checked my jar and unfortunately it had quite a lot of mold. If it helps diagnose the problem; I have not opened the jar for a long time since i have been busy snuffing other snuffs. Obviously i cannot remember exactly but i reckon it has been opened maybe five times, to refill my wooden snuffbox. It is stored in my living room which is quite cool. To move the snuff i use a snuff spoon which is washed with only water. I certainly agree with @chris and hope @Johnny can sort this out cause the Creme de Figue is really a great snuff.

{@Johnny - No sign of mould in either the 15g or 50g jars that I have here. I will just have to take rather more of it as a precaution. On a more serious note I hope you manage to get it sorted out without too much work. I would not want to see the Creme de Figue disappear as - even though the Auld Alliance and Fields of Juniper are superb snuffs and I will always keep a supply of those - The CoF is still my favourite of your blends. Good luck.

I really really agree! It maybe as I stated earlier, different locations different “stuff in the air” isn’t that what cheese is all about?

Forgot to post last night, found a small bit of mould along the sides near the bottom of the opened jar (15g) but the other 15g jar I have is fine (that I can see) which is unopened.

Well everyone, we better get snuffing. I will finishes off the 15g jar tomorrow (only a few pinches left) and start in on the 50g. …Oh the pain…Oh the agony

No mould in my 15g jar which is about 2 months old.

Johnny, I’ve never tried your snuffs. I am just getting back in snuffing. You are clearly both a gentleman and a righteous man. I will, with my next order, start sampling your snuffs. My purchases will merely be a salute to you. Thank you

My Creme de Fugue is just GRAND… No probs with that Field of Junipers or Auld Alliance. They are all JUST GRAND!!! Will DEFINITELY be ordering more…

Once athe gain I plead ignorance. Went to order this snuff and don’t know where. So where? And the manufacturers name? My thanks to 99 % of you who know more than I do.

ok, figured out, based on stogie’s post that it is Sir Walter Scott. But where do I buy it.

@asieg33 find @ MrSnuff, catalog under British. Good luck… all his offerings are perfectly GRAND…

@asieg33 the creme details Figue is on Mr snuff as “fine border snuff”

But it looks like its already been pulled as its not even listed anymore

Almost done my first jar,I have two more not opened, Just check them they seem to have mold on the bottom. So the mold must be from the source. :((

ah mold one of the most common lifeforms. And our friend cause there would be lots more garbage without it. But mold please try and keep in mind we are going to use the snuff so try not to eat it.

I feel so bad for Johnny with this pandemic hitting his flagship snuff. He must be suffering. Perhaps if we all order some Auld Alliance and Field of Jumpers in the meantime it will cheer him up a bit. Then there’s always dark humor, I know that always makes me feel better–anyone know any mo(u)ld jokes?

I am deeply moved by the support and generosity of spirit from those who have posted on here. This is a complete calamity and I am appalled that people who have bought my snuff in all good faith have been let down . As some of you will know, I set out a couple of years ago to try and make organic “heritage” snuffs. Originally for myself and a few friends, and then, by offering them to aficionados in the wider community. I am horrified that an ingredient in Creme de Figue has proved susceptible to mold. I am confident my sterilisation policies for all equipment could not be bettered, but mold spores have clearly become established in one of the raw ingredients. I am advised that, were I to continue, there are protective methods that can be employed to protect against this, without destroying the integrity of the product, but that is a decision for the future. Naturally, I have PM’d everyone who has identified a problem, offering recompense and would urge anyone else to contact me. In the meantime, my apologies again and thank-you for your forebearance.

I have found most Rustica to be “dirty” and now flash heat it to kill any mold spores.

Juxtaposer - pasteurisation is an aspect which I would look at very closely in the event of any further production. The snuff was heated, but I guess a degree or two could make all he difference to success or failure.

if I understand correctily salt makes a big diffrence. maybe someone who actualy knows what they’re talking about can elaborate further.

I’ve also got mould I’m afraid. None in my Auld Alliance though thankfully. Stefan

Bob - yes it does and salt was used, but as in the case of heat, clearly not enough.

Sodium Carbonate will raise the ph and make it harder for mold. Also increases nicotine uptake. normally added at 1-2%.

Sodium Carbonate will raise the ph and make it harder for mold. Also increases nicotine uptake. normally added at 1-2%.

My understanding is that sodium carbonate will also increase the burn. One of the great things about Creme de Figue was that there was very very little burn, and it was a good snuff to introduce to people. I haven’t had any problems with mold and I would order some more of I could, there is some in my nose right now. Don’t worry Johnny unforeseen events happen.

Juxtaposer - pasteurisation is an aspect which I would look at very closely in the event of any further production. The snuff was heated, but I guess a degree or two could make all he difference to success or failure.

Johnny, I hope there will be further productions, perhaps as an aid to product development you could send small samples to the far reaches of the known world in small ziplock bags with the instructions of throwing it in one’s dirty sock pile.

That sucks, no mold in any of my SWS snuffs here. Then again, I 'd just do it like cheese, cut the mold off and have at it, but thats me. I have yet to try CDF, but I still will. Keep up the good work Johnny, dont let this misfortune get in the way of your talent. Sh#t does happen.

Sodium Carbonate will raise the ph and make it harder for mold. Also increases nicotine uptake. normally added at 1-2%.

My understanding is that sodium carbonate will also increase the burn. One of the great things about Creme de Figue was that there was very very little burn, and it was a good snuff to introduce to people. I haven’t had any problems with mold and I would order some more of I could, there is some in my nose right now. Don’t worry Johnny unforeseen events happen.

Thats a very good point. It’s pretty clear that most like it just the way it is. Hopefully Johnny can find a solution that stays true to the original. I made the suggestion to be constructive. I think this mold issue was going to have to be dealt with at some point, and while i feel a little turdly for being the one who raised it, i don’t really feel guilty. I have never been know as the most tactful person so for those who are currently unable to reorder due the the snuff being withdrawn, feel free to give me a hard time - i can take it.