Anyone able to confirm this? I just saw a video on YouTube from Uncle Squinty claiming that this was a done deal and advising people to hurry to the company’s website and order as much Molens as they can afford via bank transfer. Uncle Squinty also warned NOT to buy Molens from any other supplier, as it is supposedly not fresh and is not being restocked by those suppliers. If anyone knows anything definite, please share. @Jaap Bes?
@Toby: Part of what Uncle Squinty said is correct. The point is The windmills which we use to prepare our snuff are owned by the municipallity of Rotterdam and the city council decided that because they have to cut down the costs the mills are put up for sale. At the moment negotiations are going on between the muncipallity and “Historisch Stadsherstel Rotterdam NV” who is looking for a new assignment of the mills. What that will be is not clear for us, because we are no party in this negotiations.
So uncertain times. Furthermore may age is creeping up on me and as there is no succesor for me our production is likely to stop somewhere in the future.
My intention is to go on for a couple of years, but you can guess from above that it could be less.
Jaap Bes.
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With no successor lined up… would you consider selling your recipe book to ensure your amazing snuffs are not lost to Father Time?
Regardless… we wish you all the best, Jaap!
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@snuffmiller I hope something viable comes along so the heritage and the products can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
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I hope it something works out. I have not yet tried your snuff. It would be a shame for another snuff maker to go out of business.
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@all above: Thanks for your kind words. We
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This is sad. I had heard about the sale of the mills, but it seems even @snuffmiller is uncertain what will happen. I have some small containers of de Kralingse on the way. I’ll be sure to stock up on the ones I really like. Macuba, Mattaijer, and Gingerbread are ones that I know I’d like to have on hand, for sure. Jaap Bes, I wish you success in any future endeavor, including retirement! I hope you find a worthy successor to produce your recipes when that time comes.
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Now I have to really realize my plan to visit Rotterdam and buy few kilos for my stock 
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If you posted/sold an eBook of the complete process and recipe for your snuffs I think you would make history @snuffmiller
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June 16 Continued: Again thank you all for your kind words. We plan to continue for about a year or two and hope to find a successor in that time, but as I stated above we are no party in the negotiations about the selling and possible new assignment.
Jaap Bes.
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That is sad news…but I’m glad we have all been able to enjoy these wonderful snuffs. Perhaps a wealthy snuff-taker will buy the windmills…
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I’m going to get this bank wire thing figured out… Thanks for the information. Sad to hear, but glad there’s still time to get a good sized stash whatever happens.
In the past, in our small Polish community of snufftakers, in such moments, rather than with sadness write “a great loss”, we moved into battle (assuming our Hussar wings). We didn’t have a certain snuff on our markets - petition; We did not like it, that something is withdrawn from the market - petition. But when I see that a strong international group, instead of giving to understand the city council of Rotterdam, that selling the mills, which we love, is not only casting into oblivion excellent snuff, but also a great tradition of Dutch tobacco, which should survive generations, it breaks my heart.
Negotiations are ongoing, but doing nothing and saying only “what a pity”, we all kill what we love. I demand a petition! They will not do anything, but let as all realizes that the world loves the Dutch style traditions that are the mills in Rotterdam.
I do not want my dream to meet Japp, shattered like a soap bubble.
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@Filek: Thanks for your kind words. But I fear the selling proces is already to far on its way to stop. But if anybody here will give his or her opinion on this matter you can do so by writing an email to Ahmed Aboutaleb the burgomaster of Rotterdam who is in essence the owner of the mills .
His email address is : a.aboutaleb@rotterdam.nl
Jaap Bes.
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This is very sad news, indeed. I am very glad that I got the opportunity to see the mills when I did in 2011.
Jaap, you’ve done a great service towards preserving the history of snuff making. Thanks for all your work and research over the years, and especially for your kindness and hospitality when I was there! I hope things work themselves out, but either way, your efforts have brought to light processes that were hundreds of years old. That has been and will continue to be incredibly valuable to all of us!
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The only way forward here that I can see is for someone to buy the company and continue its snuff tradition. Roderick mentioned wanting to help… Maybe Toque can ensure Bon Bon and the rest continues on after the windmills have been abandoned?
@snuffmiller, I’ll certainly send him my insights on that matter. That of course won’t do much, but letting go forgotten such an important historical institution without a word, it is outrageous.
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Awesome. I haven’t had a chance to try any molens yet, but looking at the snuff it looks good. Well crap, so far for trying to avoid snuff aquisition disorder.
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I’m really sad about this news… Really really sad. Molens Snuff are a piece of history.
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I just received the message that the mills are sold to the “Historisch Stadsherstel Rotterdam N.V.” A company that specialises in reallocation of historical buildings.
The future will tell ???
Jaap bes.
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