Over on Ebay they have 3 tins of American Scotch Snuff. The tins are unopened, are in great condition (no rust or fading) and have bar codes on the side. The description says that they are 30 years old. I would like to purchase them for the snuff (one is a brand I have been meaning to try and the price is a deal). My questions are (a) Do you really think they are 30 years old (given that they have bar codes)? (b) Do you think the snuff will still be good?
Hey Snifs, I just took a look and have to wonder if those tins are really 30 years old. I don’t really think they used a lot of barcodes back then. I am sure it is worth the cheap price just to taste them. I am looking at the Ralph’s Scotch Snuff Unopened Tin 1872 Antique Old Box. Wow, unopened snuff from 132 years ago. The world was very different back then. Could the snuff in there be re-hydraded and sniffed?? That would be interesting.
Yeah i think i saw this tins (two bigs and one small right?) They look in pretty good conditions! The dry American scotches should stay good for a real long time i think.
Oh well, I had to buy the Ralphs 1872 can, just to see. Maybe we all can try some 132 year old snuff.
@ bigbuyer: it shouldn’t need rehydration. Its supposed to be dry. When I asked Troutstroker for some advice on a similar matter I learned that barcodes were used as early as the early 1970s. The biggest concern is rust. I have 9 tins here that date from 1946 to early 1980s. I haven’t opened them yet but I think I will try one tonight. If the rust has gotten to the inside of the tin, then air can also have gotten in. Also rust particles in snuff is bad.
Thanks for the advice guys. I went ahead and put in a bid. So BB while you’re snooting your 132 year old snuff, I’ll be trying my sad little tins that are only 30 years old.
@sniffs Hope you get them. I wonder what is in that tin… Let you know when I get it.
I kind of like my rusty Bruton. The one with the cardboard tube, I had to throw out. I have a cardboard Star Quality snuff tin that I think may never be opened.
Roderick wrote: “I think old snuff fades in its first few years and then matures, like vintage cigars.” Oh baby now I’m getting excited. Thanks for all the help guys (what a great forum and great community of folks)
My old can shipped. Let you guys know. Hope there is something in there!
Very curious about this old snuff, Bigbuyer
OK, I just got the old can of Ralph’s Scotch in the mail… I am going to open this 132 year old can, right now and tell you what I find… Pulling off the metal cap…the label paper just shreads off now… Wow, a full can of scotch! Taste…like an american scotch! Dry but not bad…tastes almost fresh with more of a mellow tobacco background and the usual BBQ flavor is no so pronounced. I am amazed that this snuff stayed just fine all these years…still a vitamin “N” hit too… I want to share this treasure…Anyone want a FREE sample sent to you?? (in the USA) Just Whisper to me. 132 years and still good. That is really mind blowing.
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BB, That’s great to hear. I just wone the 3 tins of 30 year old snuff on ebay (Navey Sweet, Red Seal sweet, Rooster). I’ll let you know when it gets here and what it is like. I will also probably have a lot to share.
The old can of Ralph’s.
Cool pic.
OK. I have allocated all I can to send out. So if you were not emailed or whispered, I am sorry. Six of you have made it. Post when you get the samples. I would love to hear what you think.
Roderick - do you blend your old Garret with the snuff you sell or is it just your personal stock? It would be fascinating to have modern snuff with that link to the past available.
OK guys the time capsule has arrived. In it three 30 year old tins (Rooster, Read Seal Sweet, and Navy Sweet). The Tins are in fantastic condition. No rust, no fading, no dings. First up Rooster: I have a sample of new Rooster that I will be using as a comparison 1. Color and Grind: between the two, the color and grind are indistinguishable 2. Moisture: I can’t tell if the moisture is different. They both feel the same to me. 3. Taste- the old has still got it. All the parts are still there if that makes any sense. In fact I would not have know the difference had I not had the new sample to compare back to back. But having the new sample and comparing them back to back the old has mellowed some what and become more rounded. 4.Nic: the ol bird ain’t mellowed a bit. Two back to back snoots and I’m feeling good. Over all I am very pleased with the tin Now to the Navy: here again I have a new sample that I will be using for comparison 1. Color and Grind: old is a little lighter and feels just a little finer (but not much in either case) 2. Moisture: the same (unless the findings in #1 are due to a bit of drying) 3. Taste: my first take it that there is a difference here that is not due to mellowing. The sweetness in the old seems to be of a different sort. I’m going to clean my nose and try again to be sure…… ……Ok back again with a clean testing unit. Second try- yea there is a big difference here in my opinion. The old actually has more burn/spice to it and a different type of sweetness. It mellows in the nose quicker than new the into what I would call a rounding off that seems due to the age. I even tasted the two (with my mouth). Here you can really tell the difference. I would think a fan of Navy would want to spend some time with this one and see what a more seasoned nose thought. In my view the change is significant enough to make me suspect that there has been a change in the processing or ingredients (possibly just subbing out the way its sweetened) 4. Nic: It is certainly not less. Man I usually don’t feel snuff this much (and I use a lot of American Scotches) But 4 nice blasts of Rooster and Navy and I’m ready to write some poetry. Last is Red Seal: I have never tried RS and thus have nothing to compare it to. However, after the Navy what I think will be interesting is to see if there is a pattern here with the type of sweetness found in the older tins 1. Color and grind: typical American grind. It’s a good bit darker than the Navy and a little lighter than the Rooster 2. Moisture: again typical of an American 3. Taste: This is sweeter than the Navy and much smoother. Very little burn and a very mellow. I cannot detect a big difference in the type of sweetener here. But by now my nose is probably not as sensitive to subtleties as when I started. 4. Nic: oh baby, it may be the cumulative effect of doing a three part taste test in one sitting or it may be that ol Red packs some punch. But I am feeling this one. Conclusion: All three snuffs have held up and aged well over time. Each has seemed to round out and mature very nicely. Finally, in keeping with the spirit of snuffhouse, I would like to share these snuffs. I have already promised Tom and Big buyer a sample and I will be glad to pass on 4 more samples to the first takers (USA only). Whisper me your address if you would like a sample BB Whisper me your address
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@sniffs Thank you for your great review. I am now thinking that American Scotches have a very long shelf life. Your old ones and mine. Flavor was still there, moisture and nic.
OK guys we have our winners. The offer is now closed. Hope everyone enjoys these blasts from the past