I've always wondered about this, but as I smoke VA's 99% of the time, it hasn't been an issue.
Do Any Types Of Leaf Deteriorate With Aging?
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I’ve been told Latakia can lose some of its smoky punch over time.
Given enough time, all tobaccos deteriorate. From my experience, the longevity king is burley.
As has been noted, Latakia loses its punch over time. I actually prefer Latakia when it's mellowed down some.
As has been noted, Latakia loses its punch over time. I actually prefer Latakia when it's mellowed down some.
I have latakia from 1997 and it's as pungent as ever, so I believe this is an urban legend.
Aging doesn't necessarily mean improvement. It's all relative to your taste. Statistically Virginia's seem to be prone candidates for changing but not necessarily improving.
Leaf changes with age I think is a better way of saying rather than deteriorate. I have found the flavour of latakia usually softens after 5 years. I haven't smoked any latakia blends with more than 15 years of age but have heard it fades alot by 20 years. Vapers can become sweeter, more pruney, and less peppery for 10-20 years; the most change I've found occurs after 1-3 years. With burley I've smoked 20+ old stuff from my dad and it tastes the same as fresh if it was sealed correctly.
I don't consider this anything about G.L. Pease, but I had a tin of Westminster that lost its Lat about a week after I opened it. It just disappeared. I fixed it up by blending with other condiments, and finished up the tin. Burley is uncommonly sturdy. Sooner or later, smoking tobacco blends turn to dust, like people, but in many cases it takes a long time, decades, depending on storage. It may be in certain climates and conditions, a blend could last for some extended unusual time, a century or several, perhaps, like the seeds buried with mummies that germinate.
Trying some blends that I’ve had cellared, I’m wondering if it even changes at all. I started out building a cellar like most on here, all wide eyes And bushy tailed, sold hook line and sinker.
Of course, others stateover and over that everything doesn’t age, and some don’t age well. But, the forum is majority wide eyes hook line and sinker folks. So, for everyone who states likewise to cellaring, there’s 20 others zombified stating the opposite.
I’m not saying all. And, I’m not saying none. It’s just really hard to tell. Formulas change in blends. And, it is absolutely WRONG to make blanket statements, like Virginias do this, or burleys do that... that is just wrong. Because not all Virginias are the same, and not all companies treat them the same.
I’ve even been wondering whether some companies have changed antimicrobials to the point of stopping the aging process.
My oldest blends that I bought old already seem to show signs of age. But most are about seven years, and as good as fresh. I mean at my age, trying to age 20+ years means that I will be dead before they come to age. And, you cannot even bank that.
Of course, others stateover and over that everything doesn’t age, and some don’t age well. But, the forum is majority wide eyes hook line and sinker folks. So, for everyone who states likewise to cellaring, there’s 20 others zombified stating the opposite.
I’m not saying all. And, I’m not saying none. It’s just really hard to tell. Formulas change in blends. And, it is absolutely WRONG to make blanket statements, like Virginias do this, or burleys do that... that is just wrong. Because not all Virginias are the same, and not all companies treat them the same.
I’ve even been wondering whether some companies have changed antimicrobials to the point of stopping the aging process.
My oldest blends that I bought old already seem to show signs of age. But most are about seven years, and as good as fresh. I mean at my age, trying to age 20+ years means that I will be dead before they come to age. And, you cannot even bank that.
I don't think deteriorate is the appropriate term. The aging phenomenon is subjective. I've seen a lot of Latakia get milder. But I recently smoked some 20 year old Bombay Extra where the Latakia was quite rich and strong.
I for one like how Virginia's age. The rough edges seem to go away and there's more sweetness. Not everyone likes that though. Earlier in the year, I smoked some 40 year old Mac Baren Virginia that was kick ass rich and full.
I primarily built my cellar to sure I have tobacco to smoke till I pass. Aging was secondary.
I for one like how Virginia's age. The rough edges seem to go away and there's more sweetness. Not everyone likes that though. Earlier in the year, I smoked some 40 year old Mac Baren Virginia that was kick ass rich and full.
I primarily built my cellar to sure I have tobacco to smoke till I pass. Aging was secondary.
+1 on the “I’m stocking, not aging” strategy. The oldest stuff I have is 13-15 years old, and while I see some differences, I’m totally ok with no change occurring. I want tobacco 50 years from now when it’s $200 a tin and hard to come by.
Exactly. One day tobacco will be either too expensive or unattainable. When that day comes, I will be ready
Thanks for the sharing. I'm a va/per guy 99% of the time and they seem to like a little time in the cellar. Being over 70 I'm not as concerned about the long term but I'll be one angry old bastard if everything vanishes due to the nannies!
Specific to latakia. It seems lat mellows after few days from opening the tin. I can understand vacuumed tin not changing over time, but what keeps lat stable in tins like from GLP and C&D?
This ^^^
Although I will admit I notice positive changes in particular blends, an example being SG St. James Flake after about 8 years, others seem to change very little over the long term taste wise, other than shedding excess moisture.
Is this whole leaf or blend? Assuming the former, and the widespread view that it does deteriorate, I've wondered if perhaps the gunk a lot manufacturers add contributes to this. I've got some of that '97 produce and also find it pretty strong.
We have the same stuff. I believe they are wrong. I think the belief is widespread because of groupthink, and rhinoceritis.
No truer statement can be made! I agree
You might think differently if you'd smoked some of the 70 to 100 year old blends I've tried. Zombie vomit would be a good description.
"Aging" is at its essence an oxidation process - your whole leaf latakia will retain it's characteristics exponentially longer than a plug which itself is exponentially longer than a flake and furthermore a blended mixture.
I don't doubt your '97 whole leaves are developing just into its prime, but a '97 blended mixture like Nightcap will more than likely be flat.
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