Normally I don't have to chime in because things oft repeated get thoroughly covered, but there's a few things you loving knuckleheads didn't go over, so allow me to indulge:
Today's thought: Mold.
* Paper molds. It's made of wood. Wood is the filet mignon of many mold spores. In fact, most of the mold spores out there are designed to be symbiotic with some kind of cellulose material, and paper is about as broad-spectrum as it gets--think all you can eat buffet for mold. Plus, it is free of the natural mold-inhibiting agents produced by the tree from whence it came, so in case an unattended human child ingests six pounds of it, he or she won't die as quickly
* Tobacco is kept moist. Much moister than most organic material in our every day lives, yet it's slightly more resistant to the bad kinds of rot, both bacterial and fungal, and it accepts good rot, in the case of anaerobic "aging" we all know and love. Mold can indeed happen with tobacco, ranging from not-at-all-visible to green powdery slime.
* Old musty paper smells like old musty paper because of mold. This is why old books smell like they do, basements smell like they do (many being made of wood and having cardboard and/or wooden boxes keeping your 35 year old plastic light-up Santa Claus). It's not a lot of mold, in fact may just be slight discoloration or gray, circular fades, but the stuff is pungent. Uppity metropolitan termites regard this stuff like we would a Blue Stilton, a veined, stanky, delicate wood or paper.
* Putting a piece of paper, prone to mold if left to its own devices, in bags of sealed tobacco, which might not as easily show mold, but prone to taking on very subtle flavor and scent nuances of the environment it is in, is a practice that smart people likely avoid and those in need of a refresher biology course should make note of. Exterior sticky labels are wonderful things.
* Smoking any tobacco that has been subjected to any of these scenarios is probably going to create a horrible smoking experience.
In short: ((paper label + moist tobacco) long term + bag) + nose x smoking = quasi-moldy/funky tobacco
Funny enough, living in the desert, I have dryness concerns that most of you do not. I use a folded business card with a one-square piece of toilet paper, barely moistened, and tightly sealed in a mason jar that will perk up dry tobacco in 24 hours. This works and has proven 100% effective. The difference is I do not leave it in there for this exact reason. I did not become wise by the grace of God, I used questioning, eyes, ears, and spectacular error. Such similar incidents include trying to use bread, apples and other nonsense that doesn't belong in tobacco.
There is no way to un-do this particular unfortunate event. You need new tobacco. I also know this particular unfortunate event wasn't due to anyone here, in fact, someone was a victim of it, but it's probably a good idea to take one man's mistake and turn it into a lesson for all.
My condolences for your loss and dashed expectation beardedbassguy. On the good side, I believe you are involved with the Secret Santa event, and therefore, are likely to recoup a few smokes from that whole deal. Might I suggest mixing the horrid tobacco you posted about originally here as a good additive to your garden or potting soil? That works in my realm, and it helps keep bugs away. Seriously, try it.
8)
