How to Smoke Blends That Have Formed Sugar Crystals

matchstickman · Jan 28, 2013

I was lucky enough to do a trade with rmbittner recently and got my hands on some Stonehaven. When it arrived, I got a bag of some very long strips of dark brown/black flake and noticed sugar crystals were forming on the tobacco 8O
I'm not gonna lie to you guys, my heart skipped a couple of beats.
Now that being said, I have never smoked a blend where sugar crystals had started to form on the tobacco, so my question is: should one take even more care when smoking a blend like this? Do the sugar crystals under the influence of the flame make the tobacco burn even hotter? Any tips/tricks I should know that will facilitate a better smoking experience? I am thinking of saving this for a special occasion, but I might have to try a bowl or two just to see what it is like. Any advice is appreciated, and thanks again to rmbittner for a wonderful trade!

rmbittner · Jan 28, 2013

Not sure what you mean by "sugar crystals," here. I've been smoking from that same bag and haven't run across anything like that.
I'd just suggest smoking it.
Bob

eaglerico · Jan 28, 2013

I look forward to see the advice given. In the mean time...could you take a picture and post it. Would be interesting to see this as I have never seen it.

spartan · Jan 28, 2013

Smoke as usual. Just means it has transformed into super mellow goodness.

matchstickman · Jan 28, 2013

Not sure what you mean by "sugar crystals," here. I've been smoking from that same bag and haven't run across anything like that.

When I looked inside the ziploc baggy I saw little white flecks all over the top of the flakes. I tried searching around the forums and a couple of other pictures of some other pretty well aged tobaccos led me to believe that these were sugar crystals, or at least that was popular opinion seemed to be in regards to these white specks. Ill see if I can get a picture up in a few minutes for the rest of you guys.
EDIT: I couldnt get a really good picture of it that showed what I was referring to. rmbittner, the white speckles are really hard to see unless you are REALLY looking for them, but they are there in the bag you sent me. I was always led to believe those white speckles were signs of really well aged tobacco. I also have to say that grabbing the bag to take the picture and smelling the tobacco inside made my mouth water. I dont think this stuff is going to make it to a special occasion. This is just too awesome.

docwatson · Jan 28, 2013

If it has sugar crystals or bloom on it, don't smoke it. It will spoil your palate and tastebuds and when you run out of the stuff you will have withdrawal. Send it my way instead and I can alleviate that problem for you. :lol:

matchstickman · Jan 28, 2013

Further Edit: Given what I just read on rothnh's post, I am assuming this could be "bloom" :?: I just compared what I saw in the tobacco to other pictures of the same thing I had seen in previous forum posts, and "sugar crystals" seemed to be a popular vote, so I just assumed thats what they were. In any case, it sounds like normal smoking seems to be the best option.

docwatson · Jan 28, 2013

I did say it as a joke, but it is also very true like you stated. That's the reason for cellaring so many pounds of fine leaf for years. Stash a pound for every pound you buy and before you know it you have aged tobacco that is the best there is. Just look at what the prices for vintage tobacco bring on eBay and other sites. It's amazing and justified IMO. Some folks pay hundreds of $$ for a bottle of vintage wine, others pay hundreds of $$ for vintage tobacco. Both give the aficionado the most luxurious taste ever.

docwatson · Jan 28, 2013

PN,

If they are sugar crystals, which are common in well aged Virginia blends, they will sparkle just as sugar does, bloom will be dull in appearance. Both are signs of well aged and fermented leaf, fantastic stuff.

matchstickman · Jan 28, 2013

Both are signs of well aged and fermented leaf, fantastic stuff.

rmbittner gave me some from a batch from 2007, so ~6 years on it. I cant wait to try some, to be honest I am a little nervous to try it. Ive never had tobacco aged that long before, and from what you guys tell me it is going to be easy to get hooked on it.

tjameson · Jan 28, 2013

I smoked a bowl from that same bag and its fantastic. Don't be worried at all! I cube cut it, but the flakes are very thin so it would rub out nicely too. Burned perfectly and was a great experience. Load up a bowl or two and then save the rest for special occasions, that's what I'm doing anyways. Let us know what you think of it!

gray4lines · Jan 28, 2013

That is awesome. I didnt know pipe tobacco would do that! Should be delicious!
Can you take a picture of it? (Nevermind, I see that you ready tried! No worries)

chopz · Jan 28, 2013

light match. apply match to tobacco. puff and enjoy.
you're welcome.

rmbittner · Jan 28, 2013

I've seen crystals develop in much older tobacco -- say, a 30-year-old Virginia -- but this bag was just six years old. I don't know what you're seeing, but I agree with the consensus here to fill a bowl.

Bob

thesmokindragon · Jan 29, 2013

Mmmm, bloom...smoke it! ;-)

spartan · Jan 29, 2013

The only sample of Penzance I've smoked had bloom on it. Was crazy delicious.
Still havn't bought a fresh tin of the stuff for fear that it wouldn't be as good! :rofl:

crpntr1 · Jan 29, 2013

I have some FVF from '09 that has bloom, some of the best I've had

sparroa · Jan 29, 2013

Bob, I would wager that if you held a flake up to a desk lamp or something you would get a glimpse of what he's talking about.
It is quite common to see that in a blend with just a couple years on it, let alone 6 or 7.
Pipesnovelist, smoke away. It will be perfectly fine if it matches your description.

rmbittner · Jan 29, 2013

Okay, I grabbed a handful of random flakes from the bag from which Pipe Novelist and TJameson have both received samples. Here are three shots:

Pipe Novelist:
BTW, it doesn't sound like you're unhappy with our trade, but if you are, just PM me and I'll send something else.
Bob

plet · Jan 29, 2013

When crystals starts to form, so should a smile on your lips :mrgreen:

How to Smoke Blends That Have Formed Sugar Crystals

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