Sir Walter Scott Mull of OA expired?

[chris_hall_hu]

Hi everybody, been lurking for while, not posted as everything I think of seems to have been answered such a good resource.

Relatively new to snuff, been trying a few things, and recently purchased Sir Walter Scott Mull of OA (amongst other things), as sounded interesting.

On arrival though, after opening the tin it was soooo dry and smelt more like old cheddar than Whisky. I tried it and it was useless what I could keep in my nose sat there for ages before anything happened and then was a virtual non-event. Texture wise was a bit like WOS Brunswick Black Rappee but notably drier. I found a Video review by Paul Shallbetter and it was moist, he made a point of holding the snuff to the camera at an angle, I compressed my hopefully in the tin, held it at a slighter angle and immediately lost a few grams on the floor… bugger, yes this is soooo dry.

I tried it again over the next day or so a couple of times and bugger all of nothing, faint hints a while after bump. In desperation I attempted to rehydrate (only been trying snuff a few weeks but open tin in bed of wet paper towel in a sealed box for a day and a half did something. Now more like the black rapee in texture and old cheese smell gone, subtle but enticing smell, and a sort of whisky thing. Tried it again and it is better (couldn’t be worse) but still very faint. Have tried different times of day, different sized bumps. If my nose is dry virtually nothing, if not there are hints of what people describe after a short while but am having to concentrate to get it. I have been trying quite a few snuffs to find what I like, if snuffs were boxers and WOS best dark, WOS Africa, WOS Brunswick Rapee, Viking Scotch Dark were Mike Tyson, this is Julian Clary … not a fair fight. I get a lot more out of lighter snuffs as well. If I have had any other snuff in the last hour or more it is basically lost. I have tried huge bumps, small bumps etc. etc. no luck, I can trigger a nasty backdrip with some effort though.

There was a review 2 year later than Pauls by Snuffanybody Mac Feegle and his seems much dryer than Paul’s whereas mine started of notably drier than his. I am not knowledgable about Sir Walter Scott, a one man band (someone on here I think) and production is either stopped or reduced due to newish UK laws around Tobacco purchase?

if you look at reviews on Mr Snuff going back over the years the snuff appears to be getting drier and drier, is it that this could have been the same batch that Paul reviewed, after almost a decade I guess it is not at its best (understatement).

Thoughts…
if this is case I will leave a poor and descriptive review on Mr Snuff to give others the clue not to try it. Also now I would hesitate to buy any more SWS on the grounds that I have no confidence regarding the age.

[n9inchnails]

Unless it gets moldy snuff does not expire or go bad when it dries out you just have to rehydrate it, it may lose a little flavour but will be as good as new. Mull of OA like most artisan snuffs should be very moist. SWS does not use vacuum sealed tins so unless you get a fresh batch it will dry out in the warehouse waiting to be sold.

To rehydrate snuffs I put the snuff into a tupperware container with a moist (not wet) paper towel making sure not to let the snuff touch the paper towel. Then put the lid on and check and mix the snuff once a day until desired moisture level is reached.

As I stated Mull of OA should be very moist, when it is you will find it is a completely different snuff than the dried out version not only will you get alot more flavours from it it will feel better in the nose. Be warned SWS does not use any preservatives in his snuffs so once you start pinching from it when it is moist it is prone to go moldy unless you store it in the fridge.

[chris_hall_hu]

Thanks, looks like I was on the right track but didn’t hydrate it anywhere near enough.

I did refrigerate as that detail was on the website and label… the dryness thing though I think that should be explained before you buy it. As purchased it was expensive (for snuff) and useless. I am going to add more H2O (considerably more) and will report back. At least it doesn’t smell like old cheese now (so there is that )

[towhee89]

I noticed some of the snuffs I’ve gotten from him look different than the reviews from years past would indicate (especially in the different packaging he used to use) I guess the only way to be able to tell for sure is to be able to speak with Sir Johnny directly, but he hasn’t been on the forums much lately. I just know the Latakia Paul Shallbetter had is totally different than mine is now - it’s more like a scotch in grind and moisture, but nothing is super “dried out” like I’d think leaving a WoS rappee in its original tin after opening for a few weeks dry

This is a photo I snagged from Facebook from October 2020, does yours look anything like this?

All the ones I’ve gotten have been dry-ish but not stale - the Aged Border Rappee does have a little bit more moisture I just thought it was supposed to be that way possibly. @volunge may have better info than me.

[chris_hall_hu]

It is hard to say from the photo but I would say mine was drier. I am new to snuff although tried a fair few in the past few weeks, if I had more experience I might have proceeded with caution, but thought that looks bloody dry. Pressed it a bit with my paddle, thought “Wonder if that is sticking together”, tilted the tin a bit and 2 or 3g rushed straight out onto the floor. I am a rank amateur. It was almost like dry sand but bigger particles. It is currently hydrating, my initial mini hydration improved things a bit, now after the advice above I am keeping going with that, it is slowly picking up water. I am going to wait until it very moist (similar to early reviews as near as I can judge) and try it again.

The stale aged cheese note I had at first is not mentioned in other reviews That went when it got some moisture in it, that would be my biggest uneducated clue that it wasn’t in a good way. It is an adventure I guess, I will report back when I think it moist enough. The faintish activity I got so far indicates I probably would like it a lot, so remaining hopeful.

[volunge]

Just a couple of notes. Conditioning dried out snuff to its original moisture content doesn’t make it fresh, only easier to take and somewhat more flavourful, at best. I would say, everyone should try re-hydrating some old, bone dry snuff just to find out that it’s not worth the efforts.

I’m not familiar with the whole SWS range, but out of those tried by me most were not alkalized, therefore rather low nicotine delivery capability.

[n9inchnails]

In general grind dictates moisture level. Fine grinds are low moisture, medium grinds are medium moisture and coarse grinds are high moisture. The shining star of most artisan snuffs is the tobacco used to make it and the more moisture you put into that tobacco the more tobacco juices will leech into your nose and allow you to pick up more tobacco notes.

[chris_hall_hu]

After some careful hydration, I persevered further. Attempted to build a relationship with the Mull of OA on a few occasions, gave it chance, experimented with different amounts/frequency, warming the pinch etc. etc. got a feel for what I think it was supposed to be but have to conclude it was a faded experience.

I get a better experience from various other dark, moist tobacco focused snuff I have sample, the back drip from my Mull of OA was acrid and unpleasant whereas with the others if/when it occurred it just kind of added to the tobacco experience and having a cigar sort of vibe.

I got an email from Mr Snuff asking me to submit a verified purchaser review, so I submitted one and gave it 1 star on the basis that I think the current supply (I gather there won’t be any fresh versions of this?) is dry and stale.

As @volunge pointed out at some point re-hydration can only do so much and I think the stale aged cheddar smell (which did subside a lot after re-hydration) was an indication that this parrot was truly dead. Thanks for the advice and information guys, I am a newbie and the silver lining is I learned a lot from this experience :).

I reached the point where the screw top tin felt more valuable than the contents and binned the vexatious powder.

[towhee89]

You could have contacted them and they would have made it right, they’re great about that. Any issues I’ve had Nikki fixed for me immediately. Sorry to hear, all the SWS have been great for me so far.

[chris_hall_hu]

Possibly true, but would they have removed it from sale? I will try that. @towhee89 remember I am new to all of this, initially I didn’t know If I just didn’t understand or had wrong expectations or usage. The review is still valid, maybe my tin was worse than others, but probably it is all old and stale. The next buyer deserves a chance for a second thought surely??

[towhee89]

Not necessarily there’s no date codes on them I doubt they check every single tin but if it gets reported to them then they’d know, but you can get a credit for sure because they aren’t cheap. Just email your experience. Let me send you a PM also

[chris_hall_hu]

Cheers, feedback and pm appreciated!

[volunge]

I’m leaning to assume that the maker of SWS is still active and runs the batches once in a while, when required. The last addition to the range - the new Princess Juana snuff - was in 2021, if my memory doesn’t fail. So, @Johnny was still producing back then. Your tin is probably not older than 2-3 years, I dare to guess.

Unfortunate thing though, water based snuffs lose their moisture quite fast; underfilling the tins only speeds up the process. On top of that, screw-lid tins aren’t really airtight, in contrary to a popular belief. Still, many (if not most) snuffers prefer them to the non-screw lid tins used by other English snuff producers, and it’s unlikely that Johnny would switch to vacuum-sealed tins (unless someone - @MrSnuff or the sniffing community - donates the man vacuum packaging machine).

Costly vacuuming aside, thinking about possible measures which @Johnny could easily implement, two straightforward, low-cost and rather effective ways to preserve snuff moisture for longer without changing the type of tin come to mind:

1) Taping (like WoS did).

2) Packaging snuff in polyethylene bag (like Bernard still do with their Gekachelter V), contained by the very same tin (that is, a small zip bag with snuff in a tin).

A combo of both would be even more effective.

[Johnny]

I am normally informed by MrSnuff if there is a problem and I have a no quibble replacement policy. They haven't done so in this instance, but I will email them to send you a fresh tin.
With apologies.

Johnny
type or paste code here

[Johnny]

Only part of that came through.

I am very sorry to hear your tin of Mull of Oa was dry. It must be an exceptionally old one. I sent a new batch to Mr Snuff in January and the remainder in the bins here is still moist.
Mr Snuff normally inform me if there is a problem, as i have a no quibble replacement policy, but failed to do so in this instance.
I will email them to send you a fresh tin.
Johnny

[chris_hall_hu]

Thank you for taking an interest, wow I am such a noob. Didn’t appreciate the connections and that this snuff originates from the ‘Countryman’ connection made now… respect!

[towhee89]

Very nice of you Sir Johnny! I’m glad to hear you’re continuing to make these. The Aged Border Rappee may be my favorite snuff. Hope you’re doing well. I’ve got to try more of them but the funds elude me at the moment but the 5 I’ve had are fantastic!!!

[Johnny]

Thank you Chris.
I don’t know how much of my previous post came through, but I am arranging for a fresh tin to be sent to you.

Johnny

[Johnny]

Many thanks towhee89
I’m very fond of ABR myself !
Johnny

[chris_hall_hu]

Update: Nikki from Mr Snuff was a star, and sent me a replacement tin (LARGE). The new tin, was a little dry, but a bit a gentle re-hydration sorted that out and was significantly different to the original tin I had the problem with (there was something stale about with that). Obviously things happen but I can’t complain about the excellent customer service.

As a relative newbie I can’t provide a sophisticated review, I can say that I enjoy it very much. The tobacco taste and ‘burn’ is a bit more subdued than some of snuffs I have tried (eg. Viking Dark, Viking Brown, Santa Dominica etc.) however is does build nicely and the whisky flavour is very present, pleasant, persistent and builds with each bump. I wouldn’t describe the whisky flavour as peaty, more towards a slightly sweet fruity whisky (my peat definition is set very high though as I am a fan of Islay offerings).

I can get a back drip that is bitter (often the case with the snuff I like). I can easily avoid this though, for me two generous spaced bumps which builds up to a good nose blow (still leaving a persistent Whisky flavour), and then repeat for as long as I have time for. The coarse nature means the snuff clears easily on the nose blow and I don’t find is blocking or building up at all.

I use this for a relaxing session, in the sun (where available). I can also pace it nice with some other darker heavier snuffs as a refreshing interlude and clear out. On its own or with Coffee, Black tea, or something stronger (actually works well for me with a good rum or non-peaty whisky). I would say nicotine is about medium (I find that hard to judge as my tolerance is quite high atm.) I am not sure what pipe tobacco would be best to pair with (am think about that).

Thank you to Sir Johnny for making this and a very nice introduction to something very interesting to extend my snuff palate.