When Buying Vintage Tins...

[select565]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Should I expect the tin to Have lost its vacuum, the tobacco to be dry and to have to Re humidify the tobacco? I recently bought a couple of expensive vintage tins. Bought 5 tins, all but one of them are totally dried out with no seal. These are 25+ year old tins

 

[philobeddoe]

No, you shouldn’t “expect” it, but it’s always a risk when buying older tins. The best you can do is to buy from a reputable dealer and hope for the best. Sometimes even tins with zero rust, that look perfect and sound perfect can be compromised. The fact is, that tobacco tins simply weren’t designed to keep their seal for 20+ years, they were designed to be bought and smoked rather soon thereafter.

 

[logs]

Ask questions before you buy. There are clues to determine if a tin is dried out without opening it. Ask the right questions and you'll probably find out what you need (assuming the seller isn't lying). On the other hand, I don't think the seller is to be blamed if tin of tobacco is bad, provided he/she hasn't misled you.

 

[select565]

I purchased these tins from one of the site sponsors. I feel like an idiot for spending all that money on dry, unsmokable tobacco

 

[select565]

What % of flavor and smoking quality comes back when rehydrating dry vintage tobacco?

 

[greeneyes]

I purchased these tins from one of the site sponsors. I feel like an idiot for spending all that money on dry, unsmokable tobacco

You might inquire about returning them or obtaining a partial refund. Tins that are not sealed are usually sold for less as "rehydration projects."

 

[greeneyes]

What % of flavor and smoking quality comes back when rehydrating dry vintage tobacco?

This will depend entirely on which brand of tobacco you've bought. Some rehydrate nicely while others are worthless. I've rehydrated several tins. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

How well it rehydrates will depend on how long the integrity of the tin seal has been lost. 25 year old tins may not have much recovery available. It also depends on just how dry the tobacco is. If it crumbles when handled, probably not much to be done with it. One question to ask when buying it is "if you try to open the tin by hand, will the lid turn?" There's generally a distinct difference in the sound of a compromised and uncompromised tin when you shake it. Why would you spend huge money for 25 year old tins of tobacco? If you're looking for the joy of smoking aged tobacco, I'll sell you plenty of tobacco with 5 years or more of age to it for semi huge money and guarantee it will be good. LOL Just kidding on that one, I'm building my cellar to smoke, not as an investment.

 

[select565]

How well it rehydrates will depend on how long the integrity of the tin seal has been lost. 25 year old tins may not have much recovery available. It also depends on just how dry the tobacco is. If it crumbles when handled, probably not much to be done with it. One question to ask when buying it is "if you try to open the tin by hand, will the lid turn?" There's generally a distinct difference in the sound of a compromised and uncompromised tin when you shake it. Why would you spend huge money for 25 year old tins of tobacco? If you're looking for the joy of smoking aged tobacco, I'll sell you plenty of tobacco with 5 years or more of age to it for semi huge money and guarantee it will be good. LOL Just kidding on that one, I'm building my cellar to smoke, not as an investment.

Thanks for the reply and the insight. I’m buying and smoking plenty of new tins to build a cellar of sorts and have a nice variety of what to smoke.

Why am I buying vintage tobacco? In my limited experience with the quality vintage tins I’ve purchased, smoking vintage tobacco can be Very enjoyable.

 

[select565]

This will depend entirely on which brand of tobacco you've bought. Some rehydrate nicely while others are worthless. I've rehydrated several tins. PM me if you have any questions.

I appreciate that. Will send you a PM

 

[jpmcwjr]

Really, a PM? Everyone benefits from a discussion, esp. how-to's.

 

[select565]

Really, a PM? Everyone benefits from a discussion, esp. how-to's.

Green eyes offered to have a pm discussion with me, I was just following along. Hope I didn’t offend you

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Thanks for the reply and the insight. I’m buying and smoking plenty of new tins to build a cellar of sorts and have a nice variety of what to smoke.

Why am I buying vintage tobacco? In my limited experience with the quality vintage tins I’ve purchased, smoking vintage tobacco can be Very enjoyable.

If it is well preserved, it is enjoyable. I personally haven't found it to be worth the significant premium but it's your money. In my own experience backed up by what I've read, the majority of the aging benefits occur within the first 5 years. I recently though had a nice member here send me an ounce or so of Bombay Court from 1999 and near an ounce of MB Special Fine Cut Deluxe guessed to be from the 70's. Both were incredible, it was mind boggling how sharp the flavors were and how full bodied the MB is after 40 plus years.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Green eyes offered to have a pm discussion with me, I was just following along. Hope I didn’t offend you

Oh, gosh no. No offense whatsoever. I know he was being helpful, but it's a bit against the grain of the forum.

 

[ofafeather]

I’m sorry that happened. That really sucks.

Some style of tins can be clearly check for integrity. Round, twist to open tins you can usually try to turn, as others have said but stubborn life might still hide a lost seal. Rectangular vaccuum sealed tins are also easy to check if the seal is lost. Loose pack tins are much harder.

I’ve had even recent blends be dry due to a pinhole. Still have a tin of Dan Tobacco London Blend I bought new In the early 2000s but had a pinhole under the bottom label. I blame cheap tins for that! The bottom is really thin on that tin. I think it’s still unopened. Maybe I’ll rehydrate.

I lost 2 tins of my beloved kingfisher that must have popped without me realizing. Bone dry. Rehydrated it some and shared with a friend. I’m told it was a great smoke. Haven’t tried the rehydrated version myself but it’s jarred up.

Rehydrated a dry tin of Bracken Flake from 2008 that I opened and forgot about. It is sublime!

I know Pipestud won’t take any tins that even hint at being compromised. No rust or dents visible. I don’t think that any reseller will guarantee the integrity though.

That said, I have had tins survive a flood with only surface tin oxidation

 

[select565]

If it is well preserved, it is enjoyable. I personally haven't found it to be worth the significant premium but it's your money. In my own experience backed up by what I've read, the majority of the aging benefits occur within the first 5 years. I recently though had a nice member here send me an ounce or so of Bombay Court from 1999 and near an ounce of MB Special Fine Cut Deluxe guessed to be from the 70's. Both were incredible, it was mind boggling how sharp the flavors were and how full bodied the MB is after 40 plus years.

Right on man. Im In that early exploratory phase where I’m figuring it all out. Pipe sizes and styles, tobacco preferences etc etc. Maybe in the future I’ll look back at these tin purchases and regret it. Maybe I’ll learn the hard way. But for the most part, currently I’m enjoying the old tobacco I’m smoking

 

[ofafeather]

Right on man. Im In that early exploratory phase where I’m figuring it all out. Pipe sizes and styles, tobacco preferences etc etc. Maybe in the future I’ll look back at these tin purchases and regret it. Maybe I’ll learn the hard way. But for the most part, currently I’m enjoying the old tobacco I’m smoking

I think that’s the key. Rehydrate and enjoy. It’s the same with pipes. Cost does not guarantee a good smoking experience and YMMV is the key to success. What works for some may not work for others. You won’t know until you try.

I smoked some 20 y/o tobacco the other day. I really didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as this fresh tin of Erinmore Flake or Royal Yacht. I’m not sure there’s a single answer to this one.

Personally I would let the seller know. Not necessarily so they will do something but just to put it out there.

 

[select565]

I think that’s the key. Rehydrate and enjoy. It’s the same with pipes. Cost does not guarantee a good smoking experience and YMMV is the key to success. What works for some may not work for others. You won’t know until you try.

I smoked some 20 y/o tobacco the other day. I really didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as this fresh tin of Erinmore Flake or Royal Yacht. I’m not sure there’s a single answer to this one.

Personally I would let the seller know. Not necessarily so they will do something but just to put it out there.

Definitely. I’m having a conversation with the seller. Hopefully we can figure something out. Thanks for the input

 

[ofafeather]

Definitely. I’m having a conversation with the seller. Hopefully we can figure something out. Thanks for the input

It would be great if they do something. Just had a conversation today about dented tins for current blends. Some retailers won’t sell them and to others it’s not a big deal as long as the seal is intact. My problem is that you really can’t tell on loose pack tins. Also, if I’m buying a new tin, I want it to be in top shape. Maybe I’m buying for a gift or some other purpose. It really shouldn’t make a difference to the retailer and our tins should be in top shape. Sell the “scratch and dents” at a discount.

 

[pipestud]

Hi select565,

Since I am a site sponsor and since I do sell vintage tobacco, I kind of have a bullseye on my back right now. If it was me who sold you five dried out tins of a particular blend, please do let me know. I am hoping it was not me. I can be fooled on one tin but five of them is a little over the top. If I was the dastardly re-seller of those aged tins please let me know. I don't mind you letting me know on this forum thread, but if you prefer a private email, I can always be reached at steve @pipestud.com. And rest assured, if it was me I will certainly give you a full refund on those tins.

Thanks,

Steve