100 Year Old Tobacco

[kevm]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Hi everyone

I have come into possession of a tin of Lloyds' Captive Rich Mottled Flake from the 1920's and a packet of Rubicon Spun Cut from the 1930's. Does anyone know if this tobacco would be okay to open and smoke, or are they best left sealed as collectibles?

 

[ofafeather]

Hi everyone

I have come into possession of a tin of Lloyds' Captive Rich Mottled Flake from the 1920's and a packet of Rubicon Spun Cut from the 1930's. Does anyone know if this tobacco would be okay to open and smoke, or are they best left sealed as collectibles?

It’s a crap shoot as to whether it would be a good smoke but it is most likely safe to smoke.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

What's okay mean? If you open it and it's not moldy, it should be good to smoke. I'd smoke it or at least try to.

 

[ashdigger]

You can open them and smoke them. Then save the empty tins.

If the tobacco is still good it will only last a short time before air degrades it. If the tin was compromised in the last hundred years you’ll have mummy dust.

 

[greeneyes]

Do you have photos? I attempted to smoke an old packet of Digger's and it was an unpleasant experience. Packets don't generally preserve well. What's inside your tin or its condition is anyone's guess.

 

[mingc]

You know what they say -- once you open that Rubicon, there's no turning back . . .

 

[Jacob74]

Turn it into a party...invite some of your pals over who smoke pipes, break open a bottle of scotch and all be brave together. If it's a garbage smoke, at least you have good company and spirits.

 

[sablebrush52]

Depends on so many factors. The chance that it isn’t complete crap is marginal at best. Those Virginia’s died decades ago. Any flavorings have devolved into sludge.
The burley might still taste like burley, if you can still taste it past the general nastiness.
But if you’re desirous of experiencing the thrill of smoking century old tobacco go for it. Just make sure that you have some mouthwash on hand.

 

[kevm]

Depends on so many factors. The chance that it isn’t complete crap is marginal at best. Those Virginia’s died decades ago. Any flavorings have devolved into sludge.
The burley might still taste like burley, if you can still taste it past the general nastiness.
But if you’re desirous of experiencing the thrill of smoking century old tobacco go for it. Just make sure that you have some mouthwash on hand.

Thanks. That's just the kind of info I was looking for. I might just leave it sealed ?

 

[greeneyes]

Thanks. That's just the kind of info I was looking for. I might just leave it sealed ?

Again, photos will go a long way toward helping appraise the condition of the tin.

And .... and... I have a suspicion that those tobaccos aren't as old as you think they are. Just a suspicion mind you.

 

[logs]

Cool looking tin

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Just smoke it. What, like keeping it in the tin is going to preserve the value? I bet 10 to 1 that it sucks, but only you will know.

 

[logs]

Just smoke it. What, like keeping it in the tin is going to preserve the value? I bet 10 to 1 that it sucks, but only you will know.

That's some optimistic odds. I'd say the chance that it doesn't suck is negative infinity.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've just never heard anyone smoke a 100 year old tobacco and be all like, it was nirvana. 20 years old, sure. 40 years old, maybe. But, 100 years old... it most likely has molded, then the mold gave way to dust, then the tobacco has transformed into mulch and dirt, over and over again many times.

40 years is my limit on purchasing an old tobacco to taste, but even then I know it's a coin flip. 20 years, even then, not all tobacco tastes better with age. But, at least you'll know after trying it. I've been through several tins purchased by my pipe club from Pipestud, pitching in $10 to $20 for a try is worth it, but I'll not be buying a whole tin to "try." Pouring $100+ worth of mulch into the garbage just isn't part of my game plan.

 

[STP]

Pop it open and see... If it did turned to dust, then you can sprinkle a little over something from the current millennium and say that you technically smoked 100 year old tobacco ?

 

[kcghost]

You ought to spend some time seeing how much it is worth. That value might change your mind as to whether to smoke it or not. There is a listing on etsy that is for an empty tin and its up to about $16 with a little time left.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've just never heard anyone smoke a 100 year old tobacco and be all like, it was nirvana. 20 years old, sure. 40 years old, maybe. But, 100 years old... it most likely has molded, then the mold gave way to dust, then the tobacco has transformed into mulch and dirt, over and over again many times.

40 years is my limit on purchasing an old tobacco to taste, but even then I know it's a coin flip. 20 years, even then, not all tobacco tastes better with age. But, at least you'll know after trying it. I've been through several tins purchased by my pipe club from Pipestud, pitching in $10 to $20 for a try is worth it, but I'll not be buying a whole tin to "try." Pouring $100+ worth of mulch into the garbage just isn't part of my game plan.

Having smoked some 100 year old tobaccos on several occasions, I can attest that it is one of the most disgusting flavor experiences I have had. I would definitely wish it on my worst enemy.

And why I tried this out more than once can only be attributed to toxic stubbornness in the face of reality. There's this nagging feeling that it's just that one tin. No it ain't.

 

[mso489]

If you do the smoking party, have several premium tins of new tobacco on hand, but hidden. If the century old leaf isn't pleasing, break out the "good stuff" and continue. I think that twenty years is about the maximum to benefit aging, or even preserve smoke ability. After that, it's pure luck, and mostly lack thereof. Even fine wines hit their limits and go downhill. If it is useable, it will deteriorate fast. That's why the party is a good idea. By the time you'd smoke it up, it would be mummy dust.

 

[dcicero]

If it's dust use it as snuff.

 

[logs]

If you do smoke it, please make a youtube video of the fiasco.