2001 GLP Haddo’s Delight

[farmerdan]

VaPer (?) Not really a review at all, just a first impression as a newbie. I had high hopes after reading some high praise for this blend, but my first bowl left something to be desired. It just didn’t really have a discernible greatness, and my mouth was a little bit like an ashtray afterwards. I’m new, but I’ve also smoked great blends and this one just didn’t do it for me. But I will be revisiting to try again.

 

[Chasing Embers]

VaPer (?) Not really a review at all, just a first impression as a newbie. I had high hopes after reading some high praise for this blend, but my first bowl left something to be desired. It just didn’t really have a discernible greatness, and my mouth was a little bit like an ashtray afterwards. I’m new, but I’ve also smoked great blends and this one just didn’t do it for me. But I will be revisiting to try again.

Considering the age and the type tins used back then, it was past its prime a decade ago.

 

[BingBong]

Considering the age and the type tins used back then, it was past its prime a decade ago.

You raise a good point - the packaging and conditions of storage are really important. I saw someone popped a vacuum sealed tin of 1930s Chesterfields and found them deliciously smokeable - were Pease cans a bit so-so? I can't imagine some eras of SG doing to well either, but they seem back on track with seals.

 

[Chasing Embers]

were Pease cans a bit so-so?

The C&D tins of the early 2000s, really like all tins, weren't made for long term storage but those early ones really weren't. Storing and aging has mystified blenders as their tobacco was intended for immediate use upon purchase. Two plus decades is asking a lot from any blend but sometimes you get lucky. The only guarantee with aging is change, not always a good thing.

 

[BingBong]

The C&D tins of the early 2000s, really like all tins, weren't made for long term storage but those early ones really weren't. Storing and aging has mystified blenders as their tobacco was intended for immediate use upon purchase. Two plus decades is asking a lot from any blend but sometimes you get lucky. The only guarantee with aging is change, not always a good thing.

Although, don't C&D admit that some of their blends are "youthful" and benefit from some age? Uniquely among blenders, I have to observe.

This is a huge topic, really, picking out the hits from the misses.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

@farmerdan Sorry about our friends quick judgement. Did the tin seem to have some swoosh left in it when you opened it? Just because a container isn't best for long term storage doesn't mean that they don't work at all. Hell, Mason jars all come with a note inside saying that they are not intended for storage longer than two years.

That said, this is one of my favorite blends, but it can be a polarizing blend for even hardcore Vaper fans.
Do you have experience with other Vapers? Just trying to figure out your experience level., because when folks say that these type f blends taste like ashtrays, it is because they are smoking them too fast. You really have to slow way down with Virginias and VaPers. Like trickles of smoke.

 

[burleybreath]

I prefer Haddo's young. I like the zing.

 

[farmerdan]

@farmerdan Sorry about our friends quick judgement. Did the tin seem to have some swoosh left in it when you opened it? Just because a container isn't best for long term storage doesn't mean that they don't work at all. Hell, Mason jars all come with a note inside saying that they are not intended for storage longer than two years.

That said, this is one of my favorite blends, but it can be a polarizing blend for even hardcore Vaper fans.
Do you have experience with other Vapers? Just trying to figure out your experience level., because when folks say that these type f blends taste like ashtrays, it is because they are smoking them too fast. You really have to slow way down with Virginias and VaPers. Like trickles of smoke.

Some of the tins I've been exploring have had an audible seal, others not. GLP seals have rarely given that swish sound. A few GLP tins of Tribute, etc have had rust on the inside of the can. The Haddo's had no rust. There's a good chance I smoked too fast. Certainly not throwing anything out. I transfer to mason jars and will come back to it later as my experience grows. Thanks for the advice.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

GLP seals have rarely given that swish sound.

Despite this anomaly of some of their tins, GLP's tobaccos are famous for swelling up like inflated baseballs. Usually they are the tobaccos with the most audible swoosh when opened.
I also prefer Haddos when it's fresh, mainly because that is always how I have had it. I crave it so much when I get a few tins that I tend not to be able to age it, ha ha.

Try it slow... but it very well could be that you just don't like this blend.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Although, don't C&D admit that some of their blends are "youthful" and benefit from some age? Uniquely among blenders, I have to observe.

This is a huge topic, really, picking out the hits from the misses.

That's marketing hitting while the iron is hot.

 

[atwaterville]

Thanks to this thread, I just remembered that I have a tin of unopened Haddos from two years ago sitting in the storage bin. I should open and smoke it now.

 

[sablebrush52]

You raise a good point - the packaging and conditions of storage are really important. I saw someone popped a vacuum sealed tin of 1930s Chesterfields and found them deliciously smokeable - were Pease cans a bit so-so? I can't imagine some eras of SG doing to well either, but they seem back on track with seals.

In answer to your question, the tins were not good quality and many them would rot from the inside out. Here's a link to the post I made in 2018 about the issues with the tins C&D were using, including images of corroded tins:

Look CAREFULLY Before You Leap :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

With all of the crazy "collectible" tin buying action on eBay I've been following a lot of auctions. Several have caught my eye because they are offering something a bit different. Here's one that just completed...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[sablebrush52]

VaPer (?) Not really a review at all, just a first impression as a newbie. I had high hopes after reading some high praise for this blend, but my first bowl left something to be desired. It just didn’t really have a discernible greatness, and my mouth was a little bit like an ashtray afterwards. I’m new, but I’ve also smoked great blends and this one just didn’t do it for me. But I will be revisiting to try again.

I've found those early Haddos tins, where the crappy tinning didn't fail, to be some of my favorite smoking. But, cellaring and aging tobacco is an unpredictable game, even with tins or jars the same blend kept under identical conditions. Sometimes you hit a home run, sometimes you strike out. Once in a while you get hit in the head with a ball.
I'm sorry that you had an unfortunate experience with the blend. It can be polarizing. Try a fresher tin of it, you might find it a better experience.

 

[OzPiper]

I have only been back smoking pipes since 2018, so I have not much experience in cellaring and ageing tobacco.

But I have been cellaring wine since the mid-1970's
I was at a dinner recently where a winemaker brought in 2 bottles of chardonnay which he made in 1987. Both bottles were from the same case and had been in his cellar since they were bottled. So no questions about provenance and storage.
One bottle had minimal ullage. The other had a level 2 inches below the cork
Both wines were in great form - in fact 2 of the best Australian chardonnays I had drunk in recent years.
One showed lovely development and maturity - in colour, aroma and taste.
The other was altogether much lighter in colour, less developed and fresher. It looked and tasted years younger than it's twin.
And it came out of the bottle with 2 inches of ullage
Go figure.

I imagine ageing tobacco to be a similar crap-shoot