Cellar or Smoke?

[hairvise]

Hi all,

I stopped by a tobacco shop here in San Francisco, saw these two tins, and decided on a whim to buy them (I've never tried either):


The Virginia is from April 2016 and the Scottish Mixture is from October 2018. I'm thinking of cracking one open soon--which would you open now and which would you cellar? And why?

 

[kg.legat0]

Two tobaccos with long histories that I personally love. I have only smoked either in a relatively un-aged state but know from these forums and various reviews that time will do great things for them.

My vote? I say smoke that stuff with extreme prejudice now and then stock up on some bulk for aging. Both blends are almost always available just about anywhere, often in bulk. Enjoy!

 

[gamzultovah]

I’d crack the Virginia because, I like Virginia. And that one got some age on it.

 

[bullet08]

Usually I purchase blends for smoke now and cellar. Those I cellar, I would start smoking in 2-3 years. I don't intend to live forever, and I fully expect to finish majority of my stash.

 

[hairvise]

I’d crack the Virginia because, I like Virginia. And that one got some age on it.

I'm tempted to do that, but I'm also wondering that now that we are moving into colder weather (I sadly always smoke outdoors), maybe I hold off the Virginia until the spring?

 

[gamzultovah]

I'm tempted to do that, but I'm also wondering that now that we are moving into colder weather (I sadly always smoke outdoors), maybe I hold off the Virginia until the spring?

Sounds like a plan. A little more age won’t hurt, that’s for sure.

 

[bnichols23]

Sounds like a plan. A little more age won’t hurt, that’s for sure.

Not aytall, no!

 

[snoopy311]

I don’t think you’ll do wrong by either one of those. Good selection.

 

[mso489]

I'd crack the Mixture and cellar the Virginia since Virginias benefit most from aging, and this probably has the greater proportion of Virginia.

 

[hairvise]

I'd crack the Mixture and cellar the Virginia since Virginias benefit most from aging, and this probably has the greater proportion of Virginia.

Pretty sure I'll be doing just that thanks to all of you! Interesting thing--the prices on the tins in the shop were all over the place--the newer tins were definitely priced higher than the aged ones! Still a bit pricy because of CA taxes compared to online, of course.
They were surprised to hear that older tobacco was actually more desirable (maybe I should have kept my mouth shut)!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Smoke both!

What shop?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Meh, crack them both to try, then just throw 'em in a jar.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Careful, if we all agree you should crack both tins, you have to. That’s the risk of asking.

Wait, you’re thinking about opening one tin now, and the other in Spring... what are you going to smoke in between? I mean, one tin lasts me, like... two days.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'd open them both. If you like them, buy more to cellar.

 

[brut666]

Careful, if we all agree you should crack both tins, you have to. That’s the risk of asking.

Wait, you’re thinking about opening one tin now, and the other in Spring... what are you going to smoke in between? I mean, one tin lasts me, like... two days.

Oh to be able to smoke in a tin in two days, joys. Heck, I'd love to be able to finish one in a week ?

 

[brut666]

I'd open them both. If you like them, buy more to cellar.

What Hoosier said ??

 

[hairvise]

Smoke both!

What shop?

California Tobacco shop on Polk. Limited pipe tobacco so I’m not sure that I’d recommend a separate trip to visit, but if you are close by...

 

[hairvise]

Careful, if we all agree you should crack both tins, you have to. That’s the risk of asking.

Wait, you’re thinking about opening one tin now, and the other in Spring... what are you going to smoke in between? I mean, one tin lasts me, like... two days.

No, I’ve got plenty of open tins and samples to try right now, so there’s no “need” to open either. However, who lets need ever get in the way of a good time?

 

[jpmcwjr]

California Tobacco shop on Polk. Limited pipe tobacco so I’m not sure that I’d recommend a separate trip to visit, but if you are close by...

Thanks. Think I'll pass. My little area has three pipe shops, the best one in Carmel, a ten minute drive.

Polk & California- wonder if it's new.

 

[hairvise]

Thanks. Think I'll pass. My little area has three pipe shops, the best one in Carmel, a ten minute drive.

Polk & California- wonder if it's new.

It's been around for a long time--probably better for cigar smokers than for pipe smokers, though I don't know if their quality is the best. More of an all around tobacco store.