First off, I want to applaud Roderick and Toque snuff for delivering a product that always has the same fresh quality I desire. However, it seems to me that out of all the brands I own, Toque seems to go bad the quickest. I know some people have never had this happen, people who only use a few types daily and can empty a tin quickly. Me however, I spread my snuffing across 20 or so brands and don’t empty a 10g tin that fast - in some cases 1-2 months. As an example I will use my favorite SP Extra. Upon first recieving my SP it is the freshest and best snuff I have ever tried, but it goes bad quickly. When it goes bad, I usually end up throwing it away, because it aquires a “bready” taste that I don’t like. It seems to me that Toque doesn’t add the SP flavour directly to the snuff (correct me if i’m wrong), but instead allows the snuff to absorb it secondhand. I think this is the reason that they go bad quicker. A snuff that has flavour mixed into it will retain that flavour longer than a snuff that was scented by secondhand “scent infusion” lets call it. My questions are 1) What can I do to ensure my snuff stays fresh? - I don’t want to buy bulk bags because I would never use that much 2) Does toque use a scent infusion, or apply the scent directly to the snuff? - Roderick I understand if you can’t release this info. 3) Does anyone else notice the “bread” smell of stale toques?
I have only had one Toque snuff lose its flavour and that was because I’d forgotten about it for months on end. How are you storing it? Try decanting it into a plastic jewellery bag and seal it after forcing all the air out. I’ve never noticed a bread smell in any of my snuffs.
Have to agree on the SP Extra. The first half tin was one of the best snuffs I have had the pleasure to sniff. Second half became quite ordinary by the end of the week. I don’t think Toque is unique in this respect. SPs seem to be more fragile than other varieties. I know that bergamot and lavender (the traditionally accepted SP scents) are prone to rapid deterioration. I find either using them quickly, or freezing larger quantities helps. If you don’t believe me with regards to lavender - buy Wilsons’ version in bulk, take a small fresh sample, then leave it in a small tin for a week and be amazed that the contents of the small tin is the same snuff as the bulk sample.
Bulk will stay fresher actually, as long as you keep it airtight. I think I know what you mean in regards to them changing over time. They really need to be stored airtight. Those tins are not. If you can’t finish a single tin in a couple of weeks, put half or 3 quarters into an airtight smashbox or film canister and come back to it when you need a top up.
I put some in a papermart tin, and keep the rest in baggies in the freezer. I’ve generally get 25g or bigger amounts though.
I store all my snuff in air tight canisters. I have several plastic ones (click-clack variety) and one very large glass cauldron type with a plastic gasket. I have only been snuffing about a year, but I have acquired over 130 snuffs. Some of them are close to a year old, and most seem nearly as fresh as the day I bought them.
Upon receiving a new tin I put enough in a smash box for a couple weeks use and vacuum seal the tin with a food-saver. The food saver sucks all the air out of the bag and seals it tight. When i find a snuff I like, I usually buy several tins and store the unopened ones this way as well. By the way the food-saver vacuum works great for snus stored in the freezer.
i keep all my snuff in an airtight plastic container had em all for months and none of them have lost their flavour, as for the toques ive got, i keep the tins inside the sealable bags they came in and inside the container, theyre still as fresh as when i bought them. bloody lovely stuff, im thinking about getting some more toque, some different flavours this time :@)
@Roderick: I’d rather have snuff that tastes like the real thing for a while than artificial stuff that tastes like plastic for ever.
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@Roderick Being new, this is very useful information. Thank you. Cigars need months in the humidor before smoking, pipe tobacco sits months to years. At least with this, I know it’s better to go ahead and use it up rather than sit on it. Does this also apply to Spanish Gem Quit Natural and Original? Will they deteriorate rather than improve over time, contrary to cigars and pipe tobacco, but more akin to cigarettes where fresh is better?
I’ve been using Toque now for 16 months and the only flavour which faded in that time, was Grapefruit. I have some Original in bulk which has been sitting for 5 months and it’s still as fresh as the day I received it.
Doubtful, but we might see the Berwick Brown, Natural Toast and Lime Toast by then. Roderick?
good, I hope you have the tins ready to go, as I want to make an order.