10 yr Old Tin.....of Virginia

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Aomalley27

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 8, 2021
763
1,701
Chicagoland area
Just popped open a tin of “Virginia” that’s been aging (well; to be honest, forgotten) in my cellar.

I’ve smoke plenty of “Virginia” over the years, but normally it’s either fresh, or has two years age on it. Anyone that’s smoked this blend knows it has a weird/almost sickly sweet topping. I’d describe it as something akin to tamarind candies you can buy in the Mexican specialty shops.

This tin was markedly different. Upon opening, I got more of a sweet, yet pungent aroma. My best description would be “port-like” minus the alcohol. A matured fruit essence.

The moisture content was spot on. (Luckily the seal held lo these many years. Most of my aged stuff gets sealed in Mylar bags after five or six years of aging, this guy somehow missed that step. Fortunately I’ve another 8 tins which have now been mylared.)

The smoke itself was sublime. Pure, unadulterated Virginia happiness. I wasn’t sure this stuff would age that well; but this stuff is just magical. No relights needed, minimal tamping, this stuff just seems to ignite itself while burning down the bowl. Air pockets/gaps have no detrimental effects. The ember just has a mind of its own.

It was a blustery 35 degrees outside, but the colder weather opened my sinuses significantly to where I could easily appreciate the subtle nuances coming out of the blend. A bit of sweet caramel, a touch of chocolate, that fermented fruit essence. (My sweetie, who only sits with me when I smoke aromatics at Christmas, gladly sat with me. She swore I was smoking a Plum like Aromatic) All weaving in and out throughout the bowl. It burned down to a fine light ash. Just a shade darker than white. I completely lost myself in the moment. Forty five minutes passed by in an instant.

Few blends grab me like this did (Frog Morton Across the Pond, some Murray’s era 965, McClelland Millenium PCCA); it was magnificent discovering this gem. ?Sadly I Didn’t age 20 or 30 tins, so I’ll have to be stingy dipping into this stuff. Truly epic smoke.

And no I won’t reveal which blend it is. I’ll give a few clues.... it’s a Virginia, it’s not American, and it’s only available in tins.
 

Aomalley27

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 8, 2021
763
1,701
Chicagoland area
I've had quite a few aged Virginias (no quotes needed) that developed a wonderful caramel sweetness after years of aging, several McClelland Christmas Cheers, Gawith St James Flake, FVF, etc. Doesn't always happen, but it's wonderful when it does.
My two favorite CC’s were 2006 and 2011. I’m still hoarding these, and picking off tins that come up at shows. People look at me like a mad man when I turn a tin over to check the date?
 

pantsBoots

Lifer
Jul 21, 2020
2,368
8,995
Astley’s 109?

Had an aged tin that was beautiful - smelled of pretzels and was quite deep in flavor. I rushed out to get a fresh tin and it doesn't hold a candle to the aged stuff. It's good, but either needs a lot for age, or else the blend has changed.
 
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dunnyboy

Lifer
Jul 6, 2018
2,594
32,408
New York
Just popped open a tin of “Virginia” that’s been aging (well; to be honest, forgotten) in my cellar.

I’ve smoke plenty of “Virginia” over the years, but normally it’s either fresh, or has two years age on it. Anyone that’s smoked this blend knows it has a weird/almost sickly sweet topping. I’d describe it as something akin to tamarind candies you can buy in the Mexican specialty shops.

This tin was markedly different. Upon opening, I got more of a sweet, yet pungent aroma. My best description would be “port-like” minus the alcohol. A matured fruit essence.

The moisture content was spot on. (Luckily the seal held lo these many years. Most of my aged stuff gets sealed in Mylar bags after five or six years of aging, this guy somehow missed that step. Fortunately I’ve another 8 tins which have now been mylared.)

The smoke itself was sublime. Pure, unadulterated Virginia happiness. I wasn’t sure this stuff would age that well; but this stuff is just magical. No relights needed, minimal tamping, this stuff just seems to ignite itself while burning down the bowl. Air pockets/gaps have no detrimental effects. The ember just has a mind of its own.

It was a blustery 35 degrees outside, but the colder weather opened my sinuses significantly to where I could easily appreciate the subtle nuances coming out of the blend. A bit of sweet caramel, a touch of chocolate, that fermented fruit essence. (My sweetie, who only sits with me when I smoke aromatics at Christmas, gladly sat with me. She swore I was smoking a Plum like Aromatic) All weaving in and out throughout the bowl. It burned down to a fine light ash. Just a shade darker than white. I completely lost myself in the moment. Forty five minutes passed by in an instant.

Few blends grab me like this did (Frog Morton Across the Pond, some Murray’s era 965, McClelland Millenium PCCA); it was magnificent discovering this gem. ?Sadly I Didn’t age 20 or 30 tins, so I’ll have to be stingy dipping into this stuff. Truly epic smoke.

And no I won’t reveal which blend it is. I’ll give a few clues.... it’s a Virginia, it’s not American, and it’s only available in tins.
Okay, it's been over a week. Time to put us out of our misery. What is this transcendent mystery "virginia?"
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,638
That's what Virginias are supposed to do. You should get a tin full of goodness. Some aspects of other blends can fade fast after a few good smokes, but I think this one should sustain its goodness.
 
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