Cornell & Diehl: Decanting
- Thread starter Oddball
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What I don't understand is, what's the difference in keeping the tobacco in the tin, and in the jar. Why must it has to be moved to a jar to taste better. Don't get me wrong. I agree with your findings. But what I don't understand is what's going on between aired tobacco, and one that's not been. I'm probably guessing some toppings evaporating. But is that all there is? Something might be happening to the tobacco, but what? Aging has stopped the moment the tin's open. Is there different type of aging going on? I used to call it the blend settling or resting. But that's because I didn't understand. I'm really curious, and that's a rare thing for me.
I don't think it's a different type of aging,I just think the "fresh" air helps to open the blend up a bit
That's C&D for ya, and others. Jar for 2 or 3 weeks before I even try it.
So, oxidation. That means the blend will get even better quickly if shaken daily and exposed to air.
That seems dubious. It's more likely that oxygen would cause changes to happen much faster, increasing the aging process, not stopping it. Oxygen is a highly reactive element. When you introduce oxygen, the anaerobic process stops and a different aging process begins. I just opened some six year old Hal of the Wynd, and Old Gowrie. They smell sharp and almost minty. Hard to describe. I don't love the smell. The same blends that have been sitting in jars for 6 years are much darker in colour than the tinned stuff and they smell fruity, sweet and mellow. Like two different blends.
I just put mine in straight from the tin. Most people don't but I'm fine with it.
I don't think I've ever had a C&D tinned blend, just bulk. And yes, they all need a couple weeks minimum in a jar. I remember Haunted Bookshop ("fresh" from the jar at a local purveyor). I was looking forward to that one and good Christ was that mediocre! 2 weeks later, it was so much better. Oriental Silk, my breakfast blend, was much the same. Meh fresh from the bag, but it improves exponentially in glass for a while.
Another finding this morning. It helps mellow casing/topping. That Windjammer that was melting my face a couple weeks ago is chill and smooth.
Along these lines, I've been thinking about tins that are relatively young in age. I wonder if it would be more beneficial to open them right away and put them in a jar instead of keeping tins on the shelf. I wonder if that would somehow improve the aging results??
They will age differently for sure. I think personal preference would dictate whether that's a good or bad thing.
I know that when I open a fresh tin (as in opened in production year) a few weeks in the jar always seem to help it, but I don't let them go far beyond that, because I end up smoking them all.
I know that when I open a fresh tin (as in opened in production year) a few weeks in the jar always seem to help it, but I don't let them go far beyond that, because I end up smoking them all.
Unless you are talking about those square or rectangle tins, I don't see how just changing the containers would benefit the aging process. The tin will have begun already metabolizing the starches and O2, so disrupting that would stop this organic process.
I know that some will heat tins/jars and whatnot. I've done it too. These things do change the tobacco, sometimes better, sometimes not. But, I just go for the good old all natural aging process. Of course, it doesn't bother me if others don't.
It´s been great to follow this thread. As a beginner of sorts (year and a half in the hobby), I always wondered if it was a terrible thing to do just opening a tin and smoking directly out of it for a month or so. Looks like it is ok.
I refuse to smoke anything that isn't crispy dry. I could never accept a pinch from a fresh tin from someone. I'd have to put the bowls worth in my pocket and say "thanks, I'll let you know what I think in a week!"
And that could make things awkward.
And that could make things awkward.
Of course. I make jokes about not opening a tin for five years, and I do for the most part follow this, unless something totally new comes out. but, at this point, I have a huge selection of already aged tobaccos.
Those tins with plastic tops are the best for keeping tobacco moist while smoking out of it for months, longer even. But, these days, I just dry the whole thing right off when I open one. I mean, why just dry it out one pipe at a time. YMMV
Nightcap didn't hit me well out of the gate. The perique was super peppery like a Nicaraguan cigar, something I was moving away from. Someone here said to dump it in a jar, give it a few shakes, then leave it for a few months with a quick shake once a week. WOW! What a difference that made!
I think popping the tin is sort of like removing the cello from a cigar. Cello is surprisingly good at preventing any "aging" or mellowing from taking place, which is why I never smoke cigars straight from the store. I always unwrap and leave them for a month or two, which is transformative.