HU Tobacco Coming to the States

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Chris T

Lurker
Aug 3, 2023
31
93
Same! Had to resort to a screwdriver to open my Indaba, and thought I was going to punch a hole in the tin.
This is my first HU, and one bowl in I wouldn't try to describe it, but I completely enjoyed it and found it distinct from other blends, so I'm hopeful that we're not all really doomed to monotonous tobacco with different packaging.
 
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PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,216
30,797
Hawaii
This is a flawed analogy. The HU tobacco was blended already in Germany (fully assembled car) and then packaged (put in a box/tinned) in the USA; your Porsche version of the tobacco would be sent to the USA as the different components of tobacco and mixed together in the States—very different things.

I know what you mean, and trying to make comparisons like I did, doesn’t convey 100% the same. They were just silly analogies of taking something from one county and completing in another, that‘s all.

@Roach1 some are aware they ship to Europe and package over there.

The one thing I’m wondering, shipping in bulk to the USA, if this would mean altering the tobacco slightly for the travel, with the addition of needing more humectant added.
 
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Jan 30, 2020
2,317
7,650
New Jersey
Opening my tin of Indaba to let breathe for a bit, my first impression is the scent is very creamy and it's rather moist. It almost feels like Newminster 400 where it's almost sticky to the touch, possibly even sharing some similar smell too.
 

pappymac

Lifer
Feb 26, 2015
3,565
5,056
Slidell, LA
I know what you mean, and trying to make comparisons like I did, doesn’t convey 100% the same. They were just silly analogies of taking something from one county and completing in another, that‘s all.

@Roach1 some are aware they ship to Europe and package over there.

The one thing I’m wondering, shipping in bulk to the USA, if this would mean altering the tobacco slightly for the travel, with the addition of needing more humectant added.
You're assuming the ship by sea. If they do, the tobacco would probably be in a sealed, airtight container placed inside a shipping container. I don't think the time in a sealed shipping container would dry it out too much.

It is also possible to ship using air cargo.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,216
30,797
Hawaii
You're assuming the ship by sea. If they do, the tobacco would probably be in a sealed, airtight container placed inside a shipping container. I don't think the time in a sealed shipping container would dry it out too much.

It is also possible to ship using air cargo.

I wasn’t making assumptions about the shipping methods, maybe the way I worded it came across that way.

Of course I understand various methods of shipping, sealing and keeping under controlled conditions.

The one thing I mentioned later on, without having to hassle with this in the USA, Kopp should of labeled and sealed in mylar bags like J.F.Germain & Son does. This would of kept costs down and eliminated the need to package in the USA.
 
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telescopes

Pipe Dreamer and Star Gazer
The bottom line is the tobacco is now available here in the USA. I actually have some from Europe - Packaged in Europe. It is a fine enough tobacco - some blends quite interesting. But at least it is now for sale here without the hassle of VAT deductions, shipping cost, and uncertainty of arrival. I am sure that the manufacture settled on the current method of shipping it here for good reason.
 

Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
3,130
30,281
France
I also think US smokers who appreciate aros will be happy to have HU. I dont tend to smoke those blends but all the HU aromatics are made with real tobacco. They arent heavy handed goopy stuff. Typically you can pull it from the tin and smoke it without getting bit. Though I just checked...it does not look like a lot of those are in the US yet. They probably will eventually if these go over well.
 

beef

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 10, 2021
147
331
Ontario
I just got 4 tins in. Each of them seem pretty beat up. Did any one else notice this? or was it just mine? I don't think the problem was the retailer as the tins were bubble wrapped in the box. It looks like its mostly cosmetic. One of my tins is obviously not sealed still, I'll need to get it into a jar. It looks like I'll be trying Night Owl first.
 
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filmguerilla

Can't Leave
Oct 17, 2022
313
1,937
Memphis, Tennessee
I just got 4 tins in. Each of them seem pretty beat up. Did any one else notice this? or was it just mine? I don't think the problem was the retailer as the tins were bubble wrapped in the box. It looks like its mostly cosmetic. One of my tins is obviously not sealed still, I'll need to get it into a jar. It looks like I'll be trying Night Owl first.
Maybe just bad luck? I got three tins from SP and three from Boswell's, none were beat up or anything. Night Owl is fantastic!
 

Uguccione

Can't Leave
Jan 22, 2024
339
819
Italy
The question raised by @MavErik made me think that in many food productions (I'm thinking especially of wine) it is important that the label reports the words "produced and packaged in...". That is, the fact that a product is born and packaged in the same place, in the same farm, is considered synonymous with higher quality.
All fine wines report this wording.
That said, as far as tobacco is concerned, I also find it more logical that it is shipped overseas without the useless ballast of cans.
The difference - I bet - will be imperceptible.
 
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paulfg

Lifer
Feb 21, 2016
1,632
3,113
Corfu Greece
A question for those complaining about not being shipped in tins

You would be quite happy and not moan about the extra cost placed on each tin to cover the shipping ?

i see many times complaints about the rising price of tobacco in the US even though its as cheap as it is compared with elsewhere.There were even some about the HU price even though they are 100gr tins
 
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MavErik

Might Stick Around
Jan 4, 2024
50
83
Central Maryland
The question raised by @MavErik made me think that in many food productions (I'm thinking especially of wine) it is important that the label reports the words "produced and packaged in...". That is, the fact that a product is born and packaged in the same place, in the same farm, is considered synonymous with higher quality.
All fine wines report this wording.
That said, as far as tobacco is concerned, I also find it more logical that it is shipped overseas without the useless ballast of cans.
The difference - I bet - will be imperceptible.
Being a big wine guy, I think you nailed why I have the perceptions I do about this issue.

I will reiterate for those new to this thread, I was not against the process they used. I was against the fact that we weren’t openly informed of their choice before purchase. I should have the right to determine whether I want to buy this materials so called produced in Germany knowing that it was repackaged here in the US. A liken to what you were mentioning with wine. Before everyone starts jumping back in on me, I know that it does say that on the back of the label. However, that wasn’t available to us prior to purchase.
 
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pappymac

Lifer
Feb 26, 2015
3,565
5,056
Slidell, LA
I also think US smokers who appreciate aros will be happy to have HU. I dont tend to smoke those blends but all the HU aromatics are made with real tobacco. They arent heavy handed goopy stuff. Typically you can pull it from the tin and smoke it without getting bit. Though I just checked...it does not look like a lot of those are in the US yet. They probably will eventually if these go over well.
I am a US pipe smoker and I definitely appreciate HU aromatic blends. I wish the first drop would have included more aromatics. I just see The Untouchables - my favorite HU blend. I have nine tins in my cellar at the moment so I'm not buying any more at the moment.

I'm hoping that eventually HU Coming Home and MacLochain are available. I have gone through two tins of Coming Home and just want to try the MacLochain. I have also smoked Tillerman Flake, China's Heaven and Haddo's Best Irish.
 
Ha ha, all of this complaining about where it was tinned... I remember the days when I would get my HU blends sent to me in plastic sandwich bags. I don't think that these are the equivalent of fine wines. Being that they are heavily cased, it is more akin to Boone's Farms. And, no one gives a shit where they were bottled. But hey, they may still be good tobaccos, but a far cry from something that will age well, nor were they meant to be aged.