33 Year Old Capstan Blue ... Perfection

[midwestpipesmoker70]

I thought about starting a new thread for this question but it may have been covered already although I couldn't find it by searching. This is a Virginia so why not more plume? The Virginias in both my Penzance and especially Stonehaven promote quick plume growth. I am assuming this has to do with treatments that the tobacco went through? I know it is the sugars in the Virginias that promote the plume so just curious why this capstan didn't have more than it did. I recall my aged SG Navy Flake having a decent amount. Just curious and this is still a beautiful flake.

 

[cigrmaster]

Congrats on a great smoke. Capstan is one blend I would chase with age like that.

 

[npod]

There were crystals under the first layer. It's hit or miss. Some get it, some don't. I generally see crystals or plume on my pipe tobaccos after 3-4 years of age.
But your question is a good one. Honestly, I was kinda expecting beautiful thick white crystals on this Capstan, but only got small nodules. Still delicious.

 

[brendhain]

Different Virginia types have different amounts of sugar in them. I find the older British tins have much less sugar than the "modern" American tins.

 

[Briar Baron]

Great thread, thank you to the OP and the great input from others.

 

[davidintexas]

Congrats on your old tin still having a seal and aged to perfection. I took a chance on an old tin of Capstan Blue that had the seal compromised, and was hoping that a rehydrate would be able to restore some of it's former glory. It ended up being ok, but that's all. I think I'll just have to wait till my cellar is old enough to really be able to enjoy some nicely aged Virginia, should I live that long. I'm through thinking that rehydration will restore it to anything better than just ok. Thanks for sharing

 

[hawky454]

Thanks for sharing. You should have done some back n’ forth with the Penzance! Get those flavors to really POP!
The oldest VA I’ve had was some Escudo from 99 and it pretty much tasted like... Escudo really. I’ve personally never witnessed a magical transformation that I hear so much about but I believe it happens, my day will come eventually (I hope!).

 

[hawky454]

I thought about starting a new thread for this question but it may have been covered already although I couldn't find it by searching. This is a Virginia so why not more plume? The Virginias in both my Penzance and especially Stonehaven promote quick plume growth. I am assuming this has to do with treatments that the tobacco went through? I know it is the sugars in the Virginias that promote the plume so just curious why this capstan didn't have more than it did. I recall my aged SG Navy Flake having a decent amount. Just curious and this is still a beautiful flake.

I think there is so much more to factor in than just sugar content. I have a large supply of Stonehaven from 2012 that barely has any plume. A friend of mine that lives in another state has some Stonehaven from 2013 that is just covered in beautiful crystals. I really think it depends on the environment. My SH tastes amazing and is as moist as the day I jarred it so it has not been compromised. However my GH&Co VA’s like Best Brown 2 are just covered it crystals. It’s weird how all that works. I don’t think that necessarily determines how well it’s aged.

 

[tobaccojoe]

Thanks for sharing, npod! A gorgeous tobacco with impressive age on it. Cheers!

 

[midwestpipesmoker70]

@hawky454 That is very strange indeed. All of my Stonehaven has formed plume within a year. I have a few unopened bags so it will be interesting to see when I open them if and how much plume exists.