Bulk vs Tin

[Mortar0341]

So I'm a fairly new smoker, been smoking for about a year I guess, so Im still discovering new stuff all the time. I noticed Bulk prices are much cheaper than the cans at C&D. I smoke primarily Haunted Bookshop and was thinking man I could just buy this stuff Bulk. My question is, does the Bulk taste the same. Is the extra money I'm paying just for the can? Or is it a different batch of tobacco all together?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

In my own experience, any difference is minimal. I believe it is the same tobacco. You might detect some minimal taste difference due to bulk not being vacuum packed. After a tin has aired out, exactly the same.

 

[Roach1]

Do you smoke HB "normal" or HB Cake? The cake will have a different taste because of heating ans pressing.

 

[Mortar0341]

Do you smoke HB "normal" or HB Cake? The cake will have a different taste because of heating ans pressing.

I haven't tried the cake, I like the normal version because it's easy. I've heard the cake is good though.

 

[Pypkė]

Its about the same. Buy a pound or two and some 16 oz. mason jars to store it in.

 

[Mortar0341]

I usually buy the 8oz can. But you can buy 8oz bulk for like 12 dollars cheaper

 

[Mortar0341]

I haven't tried the cake, I like the normal version because it's easy. I've heard the cake is good though.

Its about the same. Buy a pound or two and some 16 oz. mason jars to store it in.

This is what I'm thinking. Just buy it bulk, I store it in jars anyway. I feel like $12 dollars just for a coffee can, I'm wasting money

 

[Roach1]

I haven't tried the cake, I like the normal version because it's easy. I've heard the cake is good though.

Then bulk is the way to go. The money you save can be used for OJK.

 

[Mortar0341]

Then bulk is the way to go. The money you save can be used for OJK.

Oh I do enjoy OJK! I went back and forth for awhile on which one I liked better and think I like HB better. I also like mixing Bayou Morning with OJK Blue. But I like original OJK by itself too

 

[Bbailey324]

It's the same stuff, just different packaging. That does affect aging and flavor development but buying bulk and packaging it yourself if you want to age it is a good way to go.

 

[SSGT.]

I agree with Hoosierguy I don't really know because I don't work at CD, but my guess would be they put it in the tins right after mixing then the bulk is exposed to air a little longer, but it's all the same blends.

Personally, I buy bulk if available of the stuff I smoke regularly and tins of stuff, I want to let sit awhile. Some will argue the resale value of the tins is greater, but I don't buy tobacco to sell I buy it to smoke, after I'm dead those left behind can figure out the best way to get rid of my cellar.

 

[Homer]

I agree with Hoosierguy I don't really know because I don't work at CD, but my guess would be they put it in the tins right after mixing then the bulk is exposed to air a little longer, but it's all the same blends.

Personally, I buy bulk if available of the stuff I smoke regularly and tins of stuff, I want to let sit awhile. Some will argue the resale value of the tins is greater, but I don't buy tobacco to sell I buy it to smoke, after I'm dead those left behind can figure out the best way to get rid of my cellar.

I think that the resale value of bulk tobacco is close to zero.

 

[Mortar0341]

I don't have any interest in selling my smoke. What I really want is a Large fancy Jar next to my pipe cabinet, full of my favorite blend. That's always full. I've basically spent this last year trying to find what I like. The Virginia, Perique, Burley trio has been my jam. Haunted Bookshop has been a special one to me. It just hits right Everytime. I really just want to buy a ton of it in Bulk I think and celler it.

 

[SSGT.]

I think that the resale value of bulk tobacco is close to zero.

Guess it's a good thing I'm a smoker and not a seller. I'd have to close shop in no time.

 

[Pypkė]

I think that the resale value of bulk tobacco is close to zero.

True, but sort of off topic here.

 

[Homer]

True, but sort of off topic here.

Yes I know. Sorry.

 

[Waning Embers]

Yes I know. Sorry.

Don't be, it's another facet of the bulk versus tin topic being discussed.

 

[Auxsender]

I don't have any interest in selling my smoke. What I really want is a Large fancy Jar next to my pipe cabinet, full of my favorite blend. That's always full. I've basically spent this last year trying to find what I like. The Virginia, Perique, Burley trio has been my jam. Haunted Bookshop has been a special one to me. It just hits right Everytime. I really just want to buy a ton of it in Bulk I think and celler it.

Definitely do that but know that pipers’ tastes change throughout their journey. I’m really glad I never cellared deep on blends with Latakia despite my love for it early on as I can’t stand it now.

 

[Mortar0341]

Definitely do that but know that pipers’ tastes change throughout their journey. I’m really glad I never cellared deep on blends with Latakia despite my love for it early on as I can’t stand it now.

Same. I started with English, and really enjoyed it for awhile but lost my taste for them. Now I'm on Perique.

 

[sablebrush52]

So I'm a fairly new smoker, been smoking for about a year I guess, so Im still discovering new stuff all the time. I noticed Bulk prices are much cheaper than the cans at C&D. I smoke primarily Haunted Bookshop and was thinking man I could just buy this stuff Bulk. My question is, does the Bulk taste the same. Is the extra money I'm paying just for the can? Or is it a different batch of tobacco all together?

This seems to be a perennial topic. The short answer is, yes, tinned and bulk versions of blends are the same. Take a moment to consider what the point would be, from a commercial perspective, to add the cost and complexity of running separate production lines for bulk and tinned versions of exactly the same product.

So why offer the same product in two formats? Customer convenience. Not every blend gets customer demand for a bulk option. Psychology - some nitwits are sure that the tinned version is superior in quality in some undefinable way so why not satisfy the nitwits and charge them extra, a nitwit tax.

So why do some say that the bulk and tinned versions taste ever so slightly different?

Most of the time it’s just imaginary, the power of self suggestion. It’s in a tin, it’s gotta be better.
And sometimes the bulk gets a little drier over time, sitting in those big plastic bags at the B&M, and that moisture change alters the flavor a little.
In any case it starts out as the same product.