Sutliff's 515 RC-1 has Way too Much Vinegar... Any Way to Remove It?

[ScienceSmoker]

I bought some Sutliff 515 RC-1 about a year ago, and it was overwhelmingly doused in vinegar. Other people have said this particular blend has a strong vinegar smell, but this was off the charts. I'm convinced my batch was mistakenly over-drenched in it. It's literally unsmokable... I tried and it felt like I was smoking mustard gas. So, I jarred it and set it aside hoping that some time in the cellar might smooth it out. Well... it hasn't so far. So I was wondering if there is any way to remove or lighten the vinegar. It's only 2 oz or about $4 of the stuff, so it's not big deal - but just out of curiosity's sake, I'm wondering if there is anything I can do. Wash it? Air it out and then re-moisten it? I have no idea. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Any thoughts?
thanks!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Mine came unsmokable also. Even my fingers were coated and smelled like Vinegar for a long time afterwards. My guess is that not everyone's came like this, because some say they can smoke theirs.

I let mine set and just dry out, then jarred them, but I labelled mine, Faux McClelland, DO NOT OPEN! I have no plans to open it till maybe a few decades have rolled by.

I have no suggestions, but some may suggest that you just let it dry out. And, that's valid. Give it a try, but even dry, I still think mine tastes repulsive, triggering my gag reflex. YMMV

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Let it sit out and off gas for a while. You may have to do it several times and rehydrate as needed.

 

[ScienceSmoker]

I've also considered trying to stove it. Wrapping it, or a portion of it, in tin foil and putting in the stove at a low setting for a bit.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've also considered trying to stove it. Wrapping it, or a portion of it, in tin foil and putting in the stove at a low setting for a bit.

If you wanted, you could use the oven to just dry it the hell out, and then rehydrate. Rehydrating is relatively easy to do.

 

[sablebrush52]

Same as I did with the McClelland, air it out. I'd pop a tin about a week before I was going to smoke it and just open the lid for a couple of minutes each day. That got rid of the vinegar and left the great Virginias.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Not tried the the Sutliff, but St Bruno has a lot of vinegar. what I did was put it loosely in an oversized jar, then take the lid off everyday for a couple of weeks and wave it around.

As I was waving it, I would sing in a plainsong chant - Sanctus Brunicus vinegarums, exeunt.?
I kid you not. I'm as daft as a brush !

 

[mso489]

What sable said. Just air it out; I don't think you will have to rehydrate.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Forget airing it out, mix it 50/50 with Dark Fired Burley and it's one of the best tobaccos ever, I think my last mix was 60% RC-1 and 40% ODF, really you don't need a lot of Dark Fired tobacco before it dominates the blend.

 

[ScienceSmoker]

Forget airing it out, mix it 50/50 with Dark Fired Burley and it's one of the best tobaccos ever, I think my last mix was 60% RC-1 and 40% ODF, really you don't need a lot of Dark Fired tobacco before it dominates the blend.

I'm telling you, even 50/50, it'd be unsmokble. There was some potent evil poured on that tobacco.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm telling you, even 50/50, it'd be unsmokble. There was some potent evil poured on that tobacco.

I know, I’ve had a thread I made about how it was sopping wet with it, and had a slight cat piss smell. It was unsmokable. It would just burn your mouth and nose.

My guess is some guys just can’t taste. Because, so many fans of it were coming on and saying, “just dry it out a little,” or “you’re overreacting.” I’m telling you, it’s vile shit. I would never suggest it to anyone.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

If you wanted, you could use the oven to just dry it the hell out, and then rehydrate. Rehydrating is relatively easy to do.

Don't use the microwave - I used ours to "help" some tobacco dry and underestimated even on a very low setting the impact. It still smells like burned tobacco coming out of there when I heat up anything else, but getting a little better each day, haha.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Don't use the microwave - I used ours to "help" some tobacco dry and underestimated even on a very low setting the impact. It still smells like burned tobacco coming out of there when I heat up anything else, but getting a little better each day, haha.

When I dry tobaccos in the microwave, I have found 8-9 seconds to be perfect.

 

[Servant King]

Regarding 515, there is only one known solution:

Tobacco Sell/Swap/Search - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/forum/tobacco-sell-swap-search.28/

 

[pip01]

Toss it

 

[Servant King]

My idea is reasonable by comparison.

You'll be able to get something for it. Some guys love the stuff. Not sure how that's possible whilst wearing a straitjacket (let alone maintain a cadence).

 

[ScienceSmoker]

I actually had some luck with this stuff after airing it out/re-hydrating it many times. Check it out:

Wow - I Turned Trash into TREASURE! :: Home Blending

I recently posted about some Sutliff 515 RC-1 Red Virginia I bought over a year ago. It was drenched in vinegar and unsmokable. (https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/sutliffs-515-rc-1-has-way-too-much-vinegar-any-way-to-remove-it.87886/) But as recommended by some guys in the thread, I...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[Streeper541]

If I remember chemistry class correctly... ?

However, you might not like the way it smokes after. YMMV.

 

[krizzose]

I agree the vinegar is overdone, but the Virginia underneath is pretty good. I can attest that it does mix well 50/50 with a good burley.

 

[Merton]

I like it, especially in the summer in a cob. Everyone's taste is different.