Bulk Verses Tin

[Old_Newby]

As a new smoker reading a lot of reviews I have noticed on occasion that a review may ding bulk (sample) of the same tin blend. For example on P&C reviews a C&D Billy Bud (not actual example) that comes in both tin and bulk might have 1-2 negative reviews where comments are made that the tin is better, or the bulk is in some way different.

This led me to think is there a real difference between the tin and bulk? Is bulk a one off that did not pass quality checks? Is bulk the outlet mall version where they sell slightly flawed products? Or is this the exact same tobacco and the smoker just experienced it differently?

Not talking about MATCH blends here, but actual exact bulk of tin blends.

Thoughts or experiences?

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I’ve purchased tins & pounds of the same blends. IMHO, there is nominal difference, if any, in the consistency/quality between C&D blends. Pounds tend to be a touch dryer, but not much. As far as H&H, haven’t noticed much difference at all. I smoke a fair amount of tobacco & pounds of both HB, Pegasus & HH Burley Flake are a must. If I really enjoy smoking a blend, bags are the way to go. ?️

 

[STP]

Bulk is not “a one off that did did not pass quality checks.” Any negligible differences might be due to varying moisture levels effected by packaging/storage, or at least that’s my experience.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

As a new smoker reading a lot of reviews I have noticed on occasion that a review may ding bulk (sample) of the same tin blend. For example on P&C reviews a C&D Billy Bud (not actual example) that comes in both tin and bulk might have 1-2 negative reviews where comments are made that the tin is better, or the bulk is in some way different.

This led me to think is there a real difference between the tin and bulk? Is bulk a one off that did not pass quality checks? Is bulk the outlet mall version where they sell slightly flawed products? Or is this the exact same tobacco and the smoker just experienced it differently?

Not talking about MATCH blends here, but actual exact bulk of tin blends.

Thoughts or experiences?

That's a bingo.

There are many psychological factors at play here but you see this across a lot of hobbies (and reviews in general)... People will find *ANY* reason to try and justify (to themselves) spending more money on something. Also, think about who's writing reviews, often there's an aspect of "showing off" how refined and distinctionary (is that a word) your palette is.

"Oh you can't taste the difference between the tinned and bulk blends? You must be a newb with a caveman's palette"

If you've studied the chemistry of smell and taste, you'll understand that it is largely dependent on suggestions and how your brain "thinks" about the taste or smell.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Or is this the exact same tobacco and the smoker just experienced it differently?

It's the same tobacco. In a tin the tobacco is sealed in a micro-enviroment and may briefly taste different until exposed to airing for a few days.

 

[Grangerous]

Some offerings only come in bulk. Doesn’t mean less quality. It’s a matter of marketing for that particular blend.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I’ve purchased tins & pounds of the same blends. IMHO, there is nominal difference, if any, in the consistency/quality between C&D blends. Pounds tend to be a touch dryer, but not much. As far as H&H, haven’t noticed much difference at all. I smoke a fair amount of tobacco & pounds of both HB, Pegasus & HH Burley Flake are a must. If I really enjoy smoking a blend, bags are the way to go. ?️

Agree with this. I don't notice any difference except for moisture content. If I like a blend alot, I'm buying big bags of it. Mac Baren, GH, and C&D are great examples of this.

 

[Old_Newby]

Thanks for responses. Then I am going to utilize the 1oz sample savings. Don’t care for spending $10-15 on something I won’t like. I have plenty of samples to try anyway before I buy more. I think I am suffering from TAD anyway. I have never been a shopper of anything and actually very frugal. My Tahoe is 18 years old and my Silverado is 15 years old and I have a 5.3L in my garage that I am rebuilding. I will never buy another new vehicle if I can help it. I have not bought new clothes is over 5 years. That said I find my tobacco wish lists getting ridiculous. So when I do want to try a new blend I am going to exploit all the 1oz options.

 

[Old_Newby]

I’ve purchased tins & pounds of the same blends. IMHO, there is nominal difference, if any, in the consistency/quality between C&D blends. Pounds tend to be a touch dryer, but not much. As far as H&H, haven’t noticed much difference at all. I smoke a fair amount of tobacco & pounds of both HB, Pegasus & HH Burley Flake are a must. If I really enjoy smoking a blend, bags are the way to go. ?️

That brings up another question. Why does P&C not carry Pegasus? It’s odd that some of the main online providers don’t carry certain blends.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

That brings up another question. Why does P&C not carry Pegasus? It’s odd that some of the main online providers don’t carry certain blends.

Well, Pegasus is produced by C&D, which is owned by Laudisi, which is also the parent company of Smokingpipes.com. I reckon that they supply their distribution chain first, then if there’s enough to go around…sell it off to the competition. Also, Pegasus seems to’ve gained some popular traction over the last couple years…so maybe there’s just not enough to go around for the likes of P&C? ?‍️

 

[ashdigger]

The only time I’ve observed any difference is with Squadron Leader. Open a tin, dry it a touch and you’re off to the races. I’ve found bulk to take about two years to achieve that flavor profile.

 

[ray47]

Although Cornell & Diehl claim that their tined blends are the same as their bulk, I found that their Haunted Bookshop in the tin was less harsh than the bulk.

 

[mso489]

The cost of making separate batches for bulk and tin sales would be prohibitive, in terms of sourcing the constituent tobaccos, the intensive labor of actually putting them together, and the storing and packaging. Money speaks, and it is telling me that tin and bulk are the same product in different packages. The convenience of tins makes many people willing to pay the extra percent it costs ready-sealed to age. But bulk is a real savings and is popular for that and other reasons. The savings makes it easier to get more in quantity and more variety. As noted, money speaks. Any variation in a bulk and tinned version of a blend comes from variations that occur simply processing and handling, and I think the better samples could end up in either package.

 

[Terry Lennox]

One difference is not in the tobacco itself but in the moisture content depending on how long the retailer has had the batch. I've ordered bulk that arrived dry. I've ordered bulk that was from the bottom of whatever container (bag?) they were using to hold it and so it was a lot of crumbled small pieces and powder-like remnants. Your mileage may vary. Mostly it will be just fine, but once in a while you will get dry remnants. It's just how it goes. I prefer tins so that I can unseal 50 grams as I go over the years. And also because I can always sell/trade.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Well, Pegasus is produced by C&D, which is owned by Laudisi, which is also the parent company of Smokingpipes.com. I reckon that they supply their distribution chain first, then if there’s enough to go around…sell it off to the competition. Also, Pegasus seems to’ve gained some popular traction over the last couple years…so maybe there’s just not enough to go around for the likes of P&C? ?‍️

Another factor to add to that equation: As I recall, Pipes & Cigars is owned by Cigars International, so I would think Laudisi and it might be competitors on a few levels.

 

[anotherbob]

might have been touched on. But bulk comes in more temporary packaging. So if the bulk has not been stored well it is more likely to degrade in some way.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

might have been touched on. But bulk comes in more temporary packaging. So if the bulk has not been stored well it is more likely to degrade in some way.

I think this is a big factor. At headquarters, tins are Sealed and stored on shelves. Im not sure how bulk is stored, but it's not in a sealed tin. Not only can this effect moisture, but also flavor if the bulk is exposed to air often.

 

[anotherbob]

I think this is a big factor. At headquarters, tins are Sealed and stored on shelves. Im not sure how bulk is stored, but it's not in a sealed tin. Not only can this effect moisture, but also flavor if the bulk is exposed to air often.

love that avatar. Yeah precisely. That's the whole point of tins really.

 

[sablebrush52]

As a new smoker reading a lot of reviews I have noticed on occasion that a review may ding bulk (sample) of the same tin blend. For example on P&C reviews a C&D Billy Bud (not actual example) that comes in both tin and bulk might have 1-2 negative reviews where comments are made that the tin is better, or the bulk is in some way different.

This led me to think is there a real difference between the tin and bulk? Is bulk a one off that did not pass quality checks? Is bulk the outlet mall version where they sell slightly flawed products? Or is this the exact same tobacco and the smoker just experienced it differently?

Not talking about MATCH blends here, but actual exact bulk of tin blends.

Thoughts or experiences?

It's the result of fevered imaginings of credulous pipe smokers, akin in validity to the left handed tea cup.

To the extent that they experience a difference not caused by self deception it's most likely a difference in moisture, or perhaps texture. Texture if the bulk came from the bottom of a larger bag where the small bits settle. Moisture if the bulk has been sitting around for awhile and the bag has been open for any length of time.

The actual blends are the same, though tiny differences will happen with different runs.

 

[anotherbob]

and then there are batch variations. And not sure what kind of sales and distribution of each batch between tins and bulk. But there will always be batch variations.