Another "Ah Ha" Moment

Virginia definitely mellows and refines itself with some age. Although burley is not known for improving with age,

some of the burley blends seem to meld better and work better as blends with some time, although probably not

years. Even aromatics, although they can fade and become bland or worse, actually do become less flavored and

more tobacco-forward in a good way, in my experience. Just cracking a tin, whether you smoke it just opened or

not, improves over days or a week or so, drying a little and having a little air. I would never judge a tobacco by

opening it and packing a first smoke. Usually it improves, somewhat or remarkably. It's always good to try drying

out a blend in a small quantity, a few bowls full, to see if that improves the flavor. Sometimes mixing tobaccos or

blends in a bowl and letting them stand overnight or a day or two picks up the flavors in a highly beneficial way. Playing

around with this often produces really pleasing results. I've had a few ah-ha moments along these same lines, hawke.