Cornell & Diehl Small Batch: Carolina Red Flake

[sablebrush52]

So far tins with numbers above 2100 have turned up infested with mold. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. The tins weren't numbered sequentially on any specific day. Tins with mold have turned up that are dated to 5/13, 5/23. and 5/24 and the numbers issued on those dates differ widely. There's no way to predict whether a tin contains mold without opening it. Also, you need to empty the contents and look through it since some report that the mold wasn't apparent on the top, but a few layers down. This leaves whole release a crapshoot. Mine are going back.
It's a real shame because it's a very nice blend, but in the end it's just tobacco, and knowingly smoking mold spores just doesn't appeal to me, strangely enough.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Yeah I'll probably just have them trade me for something. My tin is 5/23. Dang it! Sure smells good!

 

[mcitinner1]

The tin I opened that's got mold is dated 5-24 and is tin #283, so yes the numbers are all over the place. The mold isn't easy to see and I'm sure it was there when I cracked the tin, and no, it didn't just start to grow since I jarred it.

 

[deathmetal]

Now I pretty much 'ave to go to the local B&M and acquire a tin of this delicious blend.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I went through mine carefully and there is definitely some mold. Back it goes (if they actually want 1 tin back) and maybe I can get some OJK or something.

 

[zitotczito]

Darn, mine are all dated 05/24 and the numbers are in the 400's.

 

[deathmetal]

Looks like a minority of the tins were afflicted....
Having brewed beer, it is very small details that affect this. Frustrating.
In the meantime, I'm hunting around for a tin. Since 96% of them have no mold, I have no fear. I just want to smoke this delicious stuff!

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Call the Tinder Box in Reno, NV. They have two on the shelf.

 

[mcitinner1]

I think I'm going to let mine go to anyone looking. I have six sealed tins. So there's no surprises, I paid $11.25 for them at Pipe and Leaf.

 

[catyrpelius]

Just opened all 5 tins I purchased, all were done on 5/13. 3 of the 5 tins had visible mold on the surface, I'm going to dump out the other two tins tomorrow and go through them.
Regardless of what their doing to make this right I'm disappointed. I don't want my money back and I don't want other tobacco, I wanted to try the tobacco that's been so highly spoken of by most people so far.
As far as I'm concerned their "return policy" is the absolute minimum I'd expect and the exact same offer pretty much everyone else already has in place.

 

[renfield]

Data points:
I have 9 tins. Sadly, 3 have mold.

The moldy tins were #705 5/24, #2147 5/13, and #2188 5/13.
The 6 which after close examination show no mold are;

356,482,494,496,1702 from 5-24-16 and 2099 from 5-13-16.
I've jarred the 6 apparently good tins and will keep an eye on them for now. The other 3 will get sent back.
Ren

 

[catyrpelius]

Just shifted through the two tins with no visible surface mold and I didn't see any mold in either of them. Either way its all going back and the poor person that's going to answer my phone call is going to get an ear full.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Deathmetal, I don't know where 96% is coming from but I'm seeing 3 out of 5, 3 out of 9, 1 out of 1... I'd be wary of taking the leap. I mean, it's only a few bucks so no huge risk, but yeah. Seems a little more widespread.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

the poor person that's going to answer my phone call is going to get an ear full.

That seems unfair and inappropriate.

 

[catyrpelius]

Pipesmokingtom, I disagree. I'm not going to yell or threaten but I won't be thanking them at all.
This isn't the first time C&D has had mold issues and I honestly disagree that their return policy is generous or appropriate.

 

[papipeguy]

One of our pipe club members just posted on our Facebook page that 3 of his 5 tins have mold. Based on what I've been reading here it sounds like a total recall is in order. Anything less would be irresponsible and especially at a time when the FDA is looking for anything to condemn a tobacco product.

 

[catyrpelius]

Papipeguy, that was me...

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I just wonder what you think they should do to make you whole beyond a full postage-paid refund or exchange.
And giving a customer service rep who probably has less than nothing to do with it personally an "ear full" does seem unfair.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Based on what I've been reading here it sounds like a total recall is in order. Anything less would be irresponsible and especially at a time when the FDA is looking for anything to condemn a tobacco product

I think I'm with you on this. Eek, that sounds like no logistical fun at all, but maybe appropriate. No idea what they were making wholesale, but it's probably a 20k loss or so. Very unfortunate.

 

[catyrpelius]

If this was any of their normal products I'd be 100% fine with their replacement policy. Unfortunately this was a unique one off product. According to them their isn't another straight Virginia like it anywhere and there may never be again. I don't want my money back, I don't want 5 more tins of something else they make, I want the tobacco I paid for to be mold free.