Bulging Tins

While doing an inventory of my tobacco today I discovered 3 tins with bulging tops and bottoms. All were C&D blends and all were primarily burley blends. Now, if these were Virginia tobaccos with their high sugar content it wouldn't surprise me if the fermentation went a little wild. But these were all burley tobacco which has a very low sugar content. Several years ago, I had a tin of C&D Burley Flake that was bulging so badly I was afraid it would explode, so I held it at arm's length and carefully popped the top. It was probably the best burley I've ever smoked. I'm hoping that a similar experience awaits me when I open these. But, I can't help wondering why this only seems to happen with C&D tobacco, and only with burley.

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Originally Posted by Pugsley

But, I can't help wondering why this only seems to happen with C&D tobacco, and only with burley.

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It doesn't only happen to C&D tobacco.

I currently have a vintage tin of Red Rapparre that is bulging pretty badly. I have also had GL Pease canisters do the the same thing. I think the "peel back" topped tins are just more likely to bulge like that. I have never had a square European tin do it before myself, but a I have had a lot of those "peel back" top tins do it.

I wouldn't worry about it myself. Just pop it when you want to smoke it and enjoy that sweet aged flavor :encouragement:

I've seen plenty C&D blends bulging but it's not only limited to them. Gasses will be a byproduct of fermentation no matter what content of the tobacco IIRC. Back to C&D, my friend got a tin of Comfort (in the Serenity Series) and when he opened it, the wrapper partially shot out of the tin along with some tobacco. He actually happened to be filming it and put it on youtube.

Peculiar.... maybe it's a bacteria of sorts? Or the way they process certain tobaccos.
any pictures? ...or samples? You know, for scientific research ;)

Isn't a bulging tin a sign it is in its prime? Like a done timer? Lol

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Originally Posted by LandonColby

Peculiar.... maybe it's a bacteria of sorts? Or the way they process certain tobaccos.
any pictures? ...or samples? You know, for scientific research ;)

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It is just a byproduct of the fermentation process. It means things are going right inside that little tin, and it is visual validation for us fools who let tobacco's sit in our cellar's for years and years and years. :p

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Originally Posted by Horseshoe

Isn't a bulging tin a sign it is in its prime? Like a done timer? Lol

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That is a very good way of looking at it! It is kin of like the little red pop-up timer on your turkey :D

I tried to take some pictures, but it is kind of hard to see tell.

http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/...psfxozj7ub.jpg

Here you can kind of see the tab starting to pop up on its own
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/...pslgcgnhql.jpg

I keep forgetting to add Red Rapparee to my orders! I'm putting a sticky note on my computer...I need to try it lol

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Originally Posted by LandonColby

I keep forgetting to add Red Rapparee to my orders! I'm putting a sticky note on my computer...I need to try it lol

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Uhhhh yes, yes you do ;)

It is probably the closest thing I have to a desert island tobacco that I have. That or FVF.

A bulging tin is not usually a bad thing. Over the years, I have had this happen many, many times. I will admit that on three occasions, the tins were full of mold. However, all the many other times, the tobacco was just fine and probably at a peak in maturity. They were all wonderful smokes!

I've viewed this with a number of brands that use the C&D tin style- McClelland, GLP (who C&D tins for), etc. Personally, I've never had it be anything but a positive experience. I can't imagine the disappointment of having what looks like a perfectly ripe tin, and finding it full of mold.