I've heard a fair but about aged tobacco now and I was wondering what kinds of effects aging has on tobacco and also how it is properly carried out so as preserve the tobacco not have some nasty old tobacco that turns out terrible.
Aged tobacco
- Thread starter anachronislad
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I could see someone aging UF. The casing on it is barely noticeable. I've had a tin of it and enjoyed it, but the vitamin-n leans on the stronger side for me.
Sage advice, only I'd add that latakia lasts quite a lot longer than five years! It does lose some punch around the time, but I've had 12-year-old Renaissance and 8-year-old London Mixture that were both still quite rich in latakia. I wouldn't let it go for as long as a VA and the smoky flavor does become muted after awhile, but it certainly doesn't go "over the hill" at 5 years.
Stuff it in a clean, preferably sterilized Mason jar, at normal atmospheric pressure, and forget about it.
Use several small jars so you can sample each over time.
Personally, none of my aging experiments impressed me all that much; and in fact I actually prefer the exuberance of newly tinned tobacco.
The Pease article that rothnh recommended is Saving For A Rainy Day. Check out the comments too, especially for the microbiology of aging, by member kashmir.
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+1 cortez
The key truly is to forget about it. Tampering with your aged blends is never a good idea until you are ready to smoke them.
By the way, the original tin is preferable to a mason jar as long as the seal is not compromised.
(Bulks will obviously require the use of a mason jar)
Small rectangular tins like Penzance or the "Lakeland" tins like Sam Gawith are fairly vulnerable, but if you can't open the tin by applying slight pressure with your hands or if you can't smell anything they may be okay. C&D/McClelland/round European tins are fairly reliable. Use your judgement and if you think they are at risk, then jar them up.
Supposedly every tin you open a tin/jar, the microbiological processes that affect aging are restarted at best and completely ended at worst.
+1 cortez
The key truly is to forget about it. Tampering with your aged blends is never a good idea until you are ready to smoke them.
By the way, the original tin is preferable to a mason jar as long as the seal is not compromised.
(Bulks will obviously require the use of a mason jar)
Small rectangular tins like Penzance or the "Lakeland" tins like Sam Gawith are fairly vulnerable, but if you can't open the tin by applying slight pressure with your hands or if you can't smell anything they may be okay. C&D/McClelland/round European tins are fairly reliable. Use your judgement and if you think they are at risk, then jar them up.
Supposedly every tin you open a tin/jar, the microbiological processes that affect aging are restarted at best and completely ended at worst.
Oh! I just noticed that the OP, anachronislad, joined PM.com just this month. Great! :clap:
That gives me the chance to once again link to The Pipe Tobacco Aging, Storage and Cellaring FAQ.
That gives me the chance to once again link to The Pipe Tobacco Aging, Storage and Cellaring FAQ.
@cortezattic I only wish I had join sooner, I love this place. Everyone on his is fun of great information, not to mention extremely generous and friendly. This is most certainly going to be my new haunt and will stay that way for a very long time.
Also that link is really great, I'm going to be spending a good bit of time with that.
Also that link is really great, I'm going to be spending a good bit of time with that.
The fellas have summed it up pretty well; the only thing I would add is that, if you are jarring bulks for long term aging,or even moving a tin contents to a jar because you aren't going to smoke it quickly, to consider using wide mouth jars, for the simple reason that it is easier to get the tobacco out. :
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Lots of great info and the only thing I would add is that for open tins, grab some type of plastic tupperware like tub that has a good seal. You can store open tins like this for months.
I like to think tobacco is like wine and some years are better than others .That is to say blends have a way of changing percentages based on what is available at the time of manufacturing or blending if you prefer . If you find a blend that knocks your socks off by all means put some away for a later date . Here is one more link . http://www.aspipes.com/FAQ/Cellaring%20FAQ.htm
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