[RevSmoke]

It is identical. The only difference is the age on the tobacco. Usually, the tins are aged a bit more - hence darker.

The only thing I noticed, and this might have been my imagination, is that the flavors in the bulk might have been brighter - not as melded as they are in the tin. That'd be an aging thing.

Personally, after doing a few tins, I got the bulk - put some in a 1/2 pint mason jar and sealed it up. After a couple monthes, that darkened up too. Didn't notice any difference when I opened it up a year later. If I buy any more, I opt for cheaper and get the bulk.

I also believe that the bulk is packed loosed than in the tin - that would explain why it is lighter in color than the tinned version.

You want a fun experiment? This gets the flavors to meld quicker. It may also change them - ever so slightly. Try this. Get some bulk... Portion it out to half pint mason jars. Put the jars in the oven at 170 degrees for 3 hours. This will stove the tobacco and when you pull the jars out, as they cool, you will hear them pop as they seal. Now they are good to go for a long, long, long time in the cellar. They are very tasty the next day out of the oven too. The stoving seems take some of the brightness out of the fresh stuff and mellows is.

This process works well with VAs too - it seems to taste like it accelerates the aging process.