Advice Needed: Moving Aged 5100 to Jars

[flat4driven]

I've recently rediscovered a small stash of 5100 that I forgot about. Back when I started dabbling in this hobby, I put ~8oz of 5100 into a swing-top jar and set it aside. Now that I've come across it again, and with the discontinuation of this blend, I'd like to move it to smaller half-pint mason jars so I can extend the aging process while still being able to enjoy some of it in the meantime.

If I open this jar and split into smaller jars, will I ruin the aging that's already taken place? Should I just leave it alone for another few years and worry about it then? I'm mostly concerned about the seal on this jar holding up in the long haul.

I haven't opened it yet, but by shaking the jar, the tobacco seems to still be moist and in great shape.

I appreciate any advice that I could get!

For reference, the container in question:

 

[briarbuck]

Nice find!

Unless you have one of these, i'd keep it sealed until you are ready to smoke it (but that's me).

 

[davidsaulmarshall]

That's a hell of a find. I remember reading something from Greg Pease wherein he said that once you break the seal, the environment inside the container changes irreversibly. If the seal seems to be holding up (and it sounds like it has over the past 11 years), I wouldn't touch it unless you really want to smoke it.

On that last point, it is probably ready to smoke. Conventional wisdom has it that each year you wait now (or past the 7-10 year mark) will only marginally change the smoke. The real magic comes between 3-7 years. I'd say smoke it now and let us know what you think of 11-year old 5100!

 

[BROBS]

I think if you put some in a jar and sealed it right away it would be fine. But what do I know?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yehhhh, at this point, the greatest change has already occurred. Now, it's just riding the clock till you smoke it, unless you are waiting another ten years.

You can switch to smaller jars, but I am a firm believer that once you disturb the inner environment of that jar, your results are going to be unpredictable.
When I see big jars full of aging tobacco, I just facepalm, because once you pop an aged jar, you just have a window of a month to a few weeks to enjoy that blend with it's sweetness and enhanced natural flavors, till it just looses all of that and become bland.

 

[mso489]

I've heard once you open the jar, you've stopped the clock, but that sounds a little dogmatic. If you want to be a purist and have a rare treat some years from now, just keep aging it, but if you are ready to use some, I'd re-jar it as needed and take your chances. You don't want to be like the people who age a fine wine so long it turns to vinegar. Your 5100 is the best Virginia I know, and you sure want to smoke it.

 

[Sonorisis]

I do not wish to be a Debbie Downer, but my experience with bale top jars has been poor -- at best. I've never had one hold a good seal. YMMV.

None-the-less, I would transfer the tobacco at this time -- if only to check its condition. I wouldn't be too concerned about "aging" since it's already more than a decade old.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Transfer to Balls...6oz to put up, 2oz to enjoy now. If you re-jar it will continue to age...just on a different level. 11 yrs is pretty good time for Virginias!?

 

[SpookedPiper]

So only small jars and mylar bags atleast 5-7mil!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I suspect that jar has gotten the majority of the benefits of aging. Transfer it to smaller mason jars to maintain the condition of the tobacco and to allow you to enjoy it in smaller quantities over time. For once, I do not agree with Cosmic. And that doesn't mean he is wrong, it just means I disagree. I do not believe opening that jar will cause all the tobacco to turn to "shit dust" in the next 3 months.

 

[flat4driven]

Thanks for all of the quick responses! To those that mentioned that it's not best practice to use a larger jar for aging - I agree. I jarred this when I was just getting into pipe smoking, and did not think that for into the process. It certainly wasn't intended to be stored for 10+ years.

Sounds like I'll be moving this to smaller mason jars. I'm sure I'll sneak a bowl of it in the process!

 

[cigrmaster]

That type of jar holds a seal fine it is the rubber gasket that fails. If you are going to use jars like that make sure they have silicone gaskets as those last a real long time.

 

[sandollars]

I do not wish to be a Debbie Downer, but my experience with bale top jars has been poor -- at best. I've never had one hold a good seal.

Yes. It is most definitely RUINED. As a favor to you, please send it to me and I will dispose of it for you.

Free of charge, of course.

 

[jpmcwjr]

One bowl now?? I'd smoke a whole bunch now. And, yes, you can repack the rest into smaller jars and open each one a year apart, or whatever time frame you choose.

You've certainly ruined nothing, and, above all:

Enjoy!

 

[gervais]

Yehhhh, at this point, the greatest change has already occurred. Now, it's just riding the clock till you smoke it, unless you are waiting another ten years.

You can switch to smaller jars, but I am a firm believer that once you disturb the inner environment of that jar, your results are going to be unpredictable.
When I see big jars full of aging tobacco, I just facepalm, because once you pop an aged jar, you just have a window of a month to a few weeks to enjoy that blend with it's sweetness and enhanced natural flavors, till it just looses all of that and become bland.

Even if you seal it back up right away?!?

 

[BROBS]

That type of jar holds a seal fine it is the rubber gasket that fails. If you are going to use jars like that make sure they have silicone gaskets as those last a real long time.

like after 40 years maybe? I have found the silicone gasket bale top jars to never seal properly.
the Bormioli Rocco jars are made for canning.

 

[americaman]

When I see big jars full of aging tobacco, I just facepalm, because once you pop an aged jar, you just have a window of a month to a few weeks to enjoy that blend with it's sweetness and enhanced natural flavors, till it just looses all of that and become bland.

Wait, what? I mean, maybe it won’t age the same way once you pop the seal, but if you reseal it, why would it go bland?

 

[tkcolo]

I had an open tin in jar like that that totally dried out in a year. I'd transfer it, because you'll probably have to rehydrate. Hopefully it's good though. Maybe I just had bad luck.

 

[cshubhra]

My anecdotal evidence

I opened a 8 ounce tin of Blackhouse from Nov 2011, back in August 2019. I divided it into two mason jars. One Mason Jar I smoked Aug-2019 to Oct-2019.It was fantastic but the Latakia was starting to fade, by the time I finished the jar.
I opened the second jar recently. Latakia note has faded from the tin note, and I could not taste the Latakia for the first few puffs. However as the bowl progresses, Latakia taste comes back, and by the end of the bowl it tasted fantastic as it should.

 

[BROBS]

My anecdotal evidence

I opened a 8 ounce tin of Blackhouse from Nov 2011, back in August 2019. I divided it into two mason jars. One Mason Jar I smoked Aug-2019 to Oct-2019.It was fantastic but the Latakia was starting to fade, by the time I finished the jar.
I opened the second jar recently. Latakia note has faded from the tin note, and I could not taste the Latakia for the first few puffs. However as the bowl progresses, Latakia taste comes back, and by the end of the bowl it tasted fantastic as it should.

But how will the last part of this be in 3 months?