That’s the way. Stock up on what you already know you like. Not just grabbing what others say is needed. Happy puffing.
️Cellars & Cellaring? ☕️
- Thread starter Simmerdown☕️
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I don't know how much I have now. Probably in the 225 pound range which is well less than 1/2 of what I had two years ago. It wouldn't be a sacrifice for me to settle on 5 or so blends now. I've been stocking up on Sir John's Flake Virginia and will continue to do so.
Were it not such a PITA, i'd probably sell 75 to 100 lbs of the blends I don't really care about. I only smoke 4 bowls per day at this point so what would be left would last my lifetime. All I care about at this point it's having something to smoke up to the time I pass. If my heirs want to throw what remains of my pipes and tobacco in the trash, doesn't matter to me, I'll be dead.
The only issue I have with having the amount I do is the space it consumes. I'm in a smaller house in Florida than I was in Indiana. However, I'd probably just fill the space with some other junk I don't really need so who cares?
Were it not such a PITA, i'd probably sell 75 to 100 lbs of the blends I don't really care about. I only smoke 4 bowls per day at this point so what would be left would last my lifetime. All I care about at this point it's having something to smoke up to the time I pass. If my heirs want to throw what remains of my pipes and tobacco in the trash, doesn't matter to me, I'll be dead.
The only issue I have with having the amount I do is the space it consumes. I'm in a smaller house in Florida than I was in Indiana. However, I'd probably just fill the space with some other junk I don't really need so who cares?
Some of us cellar and some of us just smoke them when we get them.
Thus is the getting of wisdom.
Your pipes & tobacco collection are well noted. Limited space is an POA. And, you’re absolutely right…who cares about what’s left over when you’re dead.
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I’ve become more of a “smoke them when I get them”…especially with my Victorian Match & my beloved Haunted Bookshop. I do cellar LBF, Opening Night & a couple other VaPer & Virginias. But, not in any obscene quantity. The Bard is right…wisdom allows us to become discerning with our purchases.
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We pipe smokers can turn anything into an obsession. As couple of hundred pound cellar is small potatoes compared to the tonnage amassed by some. We're talking ton cellars.
I thought mine was around 100 lbs, insane to be sure, but not quite as loony seeming over a decade ago, when I ramped up my cellaring in preparation for the tobaccoapalypse.
Before that, I kept a few pounds on hand, and was quite happy sticking with a couple of blends, though I had smoked hundreds of them.
I figure, despite ceasing to purchase a couple of years ago, that I still have well over 100 lbs, just based on the McClelland and Esoterica holdings, compared to the rest of it. I wish I'd bought less, and bought earlier, when the qualities of the tobaccos were much better.
Still, I'm happy I didn't wait, as a lot of great blends have gone the way of the dodo and will not ever be back, unless it's some fraud, a famous name tacked onto a tin of "whatsis".
I thought mine was around 100 lbs, insane to be sure, but not quite as loony seeming over a decade ago, when I ramped up my cellaring in preparation for the tobaccoapalypse.
Before that, I kept a few pounds on hand, and was quite happy sticking with a couple of blends, though I had smoked hundreds of them.
I figure, despite ceasing to purchase a couple of years ago, that I still have well over 100 lbs, just based on the McClelland and Esoterica holdings, compared to the rest of it. I wish I'd bought less, and bought earlier, when the qualities of the tobaccos were much better.
Still, I'm happy I didn't wait, as a lot of great blends have gone the way of the dodo and will not ever be back, unless it's some fraud, a famous name tacked onto a tin of "whatsis".
I am over the 100lb mark. Probably more than I'll ever need unless I live to 130, which is my goal, and why I've decided to buy so much. I've definately slowed down big time though.
I have a pretty good mix of stuff, which I like. I don't like smoking the same thing too often.
I have a pretty good mix of stuff, which I like. I don't like smoking the same thing too often.
Seems reasonable. Some of those guys in the Bible lived to be like 800. You just never know.
I have a few ounces stored. Got a couple pounds of my favorites on the way. I usually smoke it as fast as I order lol
Man...I really need to take inventory of what I have. Last time I checked I thought I had a lot and since then, I've at least doubled that. I gotta stop buying tobacco. But those damn 20% off sales and small batches (just the ones I like or the ones right up my alley)...they get me every time. At the rate I'm smoking, I'm probably set for 50+ years.
My thoughts on cellaring:
Tobacco will never be as cheap and as available as it is right now. And some tobaccos improve over time if stored properly.
But packaged poorly or stored poorly, tobacco will degrade. And tobacco, like wine, can be stored for too long.
Plus, tastes can change.
I've built a cellar, larger than some and smaller than many. I'm happy that I have. But I'm lucky in one particular way: These days my tastes are widely varied. As my tastes changed over the years I cellared what I liked and kept what I "outgrew." Today I like all of it.
I do regret that I didn't cellar much Syrian Latakia*, and that I didn't buy more McClellend tobacco when it was available. But I'm thrilled that I have lots of stuff to choose from and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
* I'm certain that C&D Byzantium was made with Syrian Latakia when it was available. I used to buy pounds of that blend and smoke through it so quickly. And then it changed significantly. And I had precisely none of it cellared. Still stings.
Tobacco will never be as cheap and as available as it is right now. And some tobaccos improve over time if stored properly.
But packaged poorly or stored poorly, tobacco will degrade. And tobacco, like wine, can be stored for too long.
Plus, tastes can change.
I've built a cellar, larger than some and smaller than many. I'm happy that I have. But I'm lucky in one particular way: These days my tastes are widely varied. As my tastes changed over the years I cellared what I liked and kept what I "outgrew." Today I like all of it.
I do regret that I didn't cellar much Syrian Latakia*, and that I didn't buy more McClellend tobacco when it was available. But I'm thrilled that I have lots of stuff to choose from and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
* I'm certain that C&D Byzantium was made with Syrian Latakia when it was available. I used to buy pounds of that blend and smoke through it so quickly. And then it changed significantly. And I had precisely none of it cellared. Still stings.
I hear ya. I wish I’d put back more RDF…now it’s hard to find or too expensive to bother. That’s the one for me.
️You gotta aim high brother!Glad someone around here knows what he’s up to.
There was a time, I was cellaring anything that was limited. Then realized, one bowl a day, I won't smoke all that I already have. Then had little discussion about smoking and my brain after I had a nasty stroke I didn't know about with a neurosurgeon. I didn't like him, so I got rid of him and found different neurosurgeon. It seems the new one is more reasonable.
Anyway. What was I talking about?
Anyway. What was I talking about?
Seems many good blends hit the shelves regularly enough, I don't think it's the end of the world in that regard. But pipe tobacco is like wine (sorta) and some vintages will be different. It's a hobby, and I still buy because I'm interested not because I think it will no longer be available. However, I've seen the trends of price increases and that's one good reason to stock up on the ones you like that have not gone into the stratosphere.
I maintain my cellar at the current level, by buying 2-3 times a year. In fact in 2023 I bought twice : In February and In November.
My pipe smoking has increased slightly after giving up cigarettes, but still my cellar should last 10 years at its current size, or till infinity since I maintain the size.
Tobacco will not be cheaper in the future: that is true. However instead of buying tobacco if you invest properly, you can buy more tobacco in the future. In fact with some data points from when late Harris built his cellar, I showed in a previous post a couple of years ago, S&P500 has given better returns.
There are a couple of good reasons to cellar, but buying it cheaper is not it.
My pipe smoking has increased slightly after giving up cigarettes, but still my cellar should last 10 years at its current size, or till infinity since I maintain the size.
Tobacco will not be cheaper in the future: that is true. However instead of buying tobacco if you invest properly, you can buy more tobacco in the future. In fact with some data points from when late Harris built his cellar, I showed in a previous post a couple of years ago, S&P500 has given better returns.
There are a couple of good reasons to cellar, but buying it cheaper is not it.
Have you seen the prices even moderately aged blends are getting on tobacco auctions sites? I'm half joking, but tobacco could be seen as a legitimate investment with those types of returns!
We don't need that kind of negativity here!