Samuel Gawith FVF Tin (2008) Rusting

I was going through my cellar and noticed that there was some rust on the bottom of a SG FVF tin and edge of the lid, so decided to break the seal and jar. After opening, I’m really glad I did. There was quite a bit of rusting on the inside of the tin as well.
Thankfully no contamination with the flakes due to the wrapper, and the flakes look absolutely amazing with the darkened color, and enough bloom to throw a disco party (and still has that SG moisture of course).
The good news is that I have one flake set aside to smoke. It’s imperative that good quality assurance be applied and verified of course!
Anyway, it’s Strange as my other SG tins from 2008 look almost pristine, though I did find a Squadron Leader tin that when flipped, and looking up between the base and the lid, looks to be developing rust near the seal. Will make a move to jar it soon too.
These have been cellared in an environmentally controlled room so not sure what’s up. All of my McC’s, GL Pease, and C&D tins from 2007 - 2010 look like they were produced this year (minus some bulging). Humidity is kept low. :?:

Yup, know how to use search and did so before posting. Saw some posts about dunhill with Per Jensen’s name mentioned in passing, but nothing quoting him or linking to an article he penned.
Will search on him so I can get an idea of what you’re referring to.
After reading the discussion yesterday about GL Pease 2000-2004 tins rusting out, clean through, had me sketched.
Thx for the reply
Edit - follow on for anyone not familiar after searching “Per Jensen rusting tin”: Tobacco Tins Rusting On Inside

Funny @metal ... looks like you had trouble with the search on this as well as this was your article :wink: Not sure why your article didn’t pop for me; assuming due to using “Samuel Gawith” specifically.

@cossackjack ... I think that’s the moral of the story for me. I need to examine my tins on some type of recurring basisi (monthy/quarterly maybe).
For reference (recap for you seasoned pipesmagazine.com posters, and quick source for anyone that hadn’t seen the reply from Per Jensen):
Sourced via link in my post above:
I was very concerned reading the discussions on Pipesmagazine.com and I do feel like adding a few comments to the issue of the rusting edges on the HH Old Dark Fired tins. Hopefully this will allay some of the consumers concerns and ensure that we do value consumer feedback as it helps us make a better product.

First of all the tobaccos in the HH line is made under a quite different concept than all other Mac Baren tobaccos. This concept is of purity and as natural as we possibly can make the tobacco. This means that only a few things are added to the tobacco as a slight casing, and no top flavor at all. One of the few things added are vinegar, which is used for taste but also as a preservative.
Vinegar is an acid and will over time get in contact with the tin, and make it rust, but this is no way compromises the vacuum or the tobacco. However, the most important factor in this is the fact that the rust does not have any influence on either the smell or the taste. The tobacco will still taste and smoke like it always did.
The second issue is whether the tins hold the vacuum or not. The HH Old Dark Fired was introduced in May 2012. I have today opened a tin of HH Old Dark Fired packed in July 2012 (second batch), and the vacuum were intact and only the top edge were rusted. I filled my pipe, lit it and enjoyed a 45 minutes smoke, and there were no difference in taste, as I knew before even lightning up. At Mac Baren it is our goal to produce the very highest quality tobacco that will stand the test of time.
Without mentioning names I checked tins from other manufactures (which I keep in my office), and every manufacturer who produces this kind of almost pure tobacco using vinegar, had the same problem with rust in the tin, as long as they have sold tobacco in tins with vacuum.
I suspected this would happen for the HH Old Dark Fired, but for me it was natural and a result of the process that makes the HH series so unique. We are looking into ways to adjust the packaging material to avoid any rusting, but that is a work in progress. The unique qualities of the tobacco are such some reaction with the vinegar and metal may cause rust on the edge of the tin, but do not compromise the tobacco in any way. That is why I was so concerned reading the posts on pipesmagazine.com and why now I want to assure you the quality of the tobacco has not been compromised. Please feel free in the future to contact Mac Baren directly to address any questions or concerns you may have. (info@mac-baren.com)
The HH Old Dark Fired tobacco was composed to be smoked within a short period of time; however I do know the American way of cellaring the tobacco for years. My suggestion is, that you tap on the lid to hear if the vacuum is still OK, before you start taking the tobacco out of the tin. Try to tap a tin with vacuum and an open tin; you can clearly hear the difference in sound. Only when the vacuum is gone, you should think about putting the tobacco into jars. But, it will take many, many years before the vacuum disappears.
I have understood what was written in on pipesmagazine.com and will of course see which means we have to avoid rust on the edge. We at Mac Baren feel confident that the smell and taste of the tobacco has not been compromised, but will look into the matter with great importance.
It is my hope that everybody understands that rust do not have any influence on smell and taste, and also that the vacuum will keep for many, many years.
Finally, I will be present at the Chicago Pipe Show 2014, so everybody who has a question is very welcome to come to my table and ask me.
Happy smoke

Per Georg Jensen

Brand Manager – Pipe Tobacco

I do appreciate it man; I wouldn’t have seen Per Jensen’s response without ya popping in here.
I was surprised to learn that rust won’t hurt the blend as long as the seal is still good, and the leaf is still in a vacuum. That’s knowledge gained, which is why I love this community!
The thought of puffing on rust flake still doesn’t sound appealing or healthy though ..

but when I open the tin and spot rust on the inside, then it goes into the nearest trash can. Please be cautious

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I’ll heed pipestud’s warning then. If I find rust dust / flake in the tobacco, I’ll do same. I plan on smoking that SG SL after I use up the last of the Old Dublin I have open, so think I’ll be ok there.
I may just go through and start jarring up all of my SG tins that are over 10yrs old to be safe; they’re for me to smoke, so first and foremost I don’t want to lose my stock (resell/trade be damned). Losing 6-12mo’s of aging time by opening seems insignificant compared.
I’ve survived this long (including some extremely dangerous situations) following my instinct, and my instinct tells me that it’s just tobacco, and there’s a lot of tobacco that tastes great fresh, so no need to be desperate about smoking aged tins with rust.
@bigpond ... I thought C&D was bought into pipers cellaring already. Wasn’t that the point of their cellar series? It absoluetly makes since for both the hobby (and sales) for the industry to play along imo

First, apologies for the spelling / grammar. Ughh...
I’m from the northern hemisphere, DC-ish area (northern Virginia).