Packaging- A Tobacco Company’s Dilemma

(Russ Ouellette) ... When we started making the Hearth & Home tobaccos, they were all in a bulk format. After a while, I received comments and requests to tin our blends, as some folks don’t want to buy loose tobacco and jar it. I understood, but I had some angst in making the choice (with Scott’s okay, of course) because there would be the inevitable comparisons- were the two versions the same (in our case, yes); and why the big price difference? The added labor, container, labeling and shipping costs mean that tinned tobacco has to be, of necessity, more expensive. But as far as the components go, there’s no difference in quality. Yet some people will insist that there are noticeable contrasts. This is unavoidable as bulk is exposed to open air more, and tins have additional fermentation occurring. Continued