Aged Tobacco-Color Change

[quietlife]

Hi guys!
I apologize if this is a simple/dumb question that's common knowledge.
I was wondering if aged tobacco changes color...ie. gets much darker? I would assume that it does, but haven't seen it talked about very much.
I just bought some 2018 McClelland 5100 from a guy, and I have about 3-4oz left of 5100 from 2004. They look really really different. Mainly the 2004 is way deeper and darker (nearly black) in color, while the 2018 looks more like Sutliff 515 RC- (Maybe a couple shades darker than that.)
Either way they both are good, however the 2004 is a lot better to me.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yes, some tobaccos change color more than others. I don't notice a considerable difference in color on most burleys, maybe not all. But 5100 (or RedCake as we used to call it) was fairly bright red when fresh.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

My cellared tobacco has gotten much darker. I had some near 20 year old 5100 that was nearly black.

 

[briarbuck]

I notice the most color change in the 24 hours after you pop an old tin. I have opened 25 year old XC and it's blood red immediately after opening, turning darker in the first day or so.

 

[alexnc]

I’m down to my last ounce of 5100, it’s 7 years old. It’s gotten dark, doesn’t look anything like it did fresh.