The bulk and the tinned are not the same tobacco. Whether or not the
bulk is blended on this side of the pond, the conditions experienced
by the blend once it's shipped is quite different. Tins are, well,
tins - sealed. Bulk is exposed to fresh air at various junctures on
its passage to you.
And bulks, even originating from the same locale, may get different
"treatment" to accommodate such exposure to air, e.g. additional
humectants added.
In days gone by, the "difference" was also attributed to the supposed
fact that the bulk was blended in the U.S. from leaf with a different
provenance than that which went into the tin in Europe.
Buddy
Thanks, Buddy. OK...so, descrepancies in blend taken into account, is
there anything to do to the bulk in storing it that can change it--
i.e. is it a reversible condition?
Becks
You could seal it in a Mason jar for 6 months to a year. If you keep
it sealed the Virginias and Orientals will mellow with regard to
tongue bite. You could also see an increase in flavor. There is a
wonderful section on aging in the ASP FAQ.
Like Steven said. I'm a firm believer in mason jars. You can put
marginal tobacco in a mason jar and try it after six months and it
will be transformed.
Buck