Favorite Blends to Cellar

[blametony]

Fairly new pipe smoker (switched from cigars) and have been on a buying frenzy. I’ve been picking up 1oz samples of all sorts of blends to try and see where my sweet spot is. So far, I’m drawn to Virginias, VaPers and English blends.

That’s being said, I want to start experimenting with aging/cellaring.

I was curious what blends the community likes to cellar most. I presumed it would be generally non-aromatic and more Virginia-based blends. I’m thinking of starting with some of my favorites like Quiet Nights, Maltese Falcon, Escudo Navy and Capstan Blue.

Would love to hear what the community likes to cellar. Thanks!

 

[The Benedictine]

Anything can be cellared. I cellar what brands I like as you should.

 

[krizzose]

If you’re doing to age blends, then any blends that you like that are Virginia forward.

If you’re doing it to stock up as a hedge against non-availability due to discontinuance, state law changes disallowing delivery from on-line retailers, etc., then any blends that you like.

 

[blametony]

Anything can be cellared. I cellar what brands I like as you should.

Understood. I have read that Aromatics lose their essence over time and are better enjoyed fresh. I’m interested in Blends that improve with age which is what prompted my question. I did try a Capstan yellow from 2013 and was blown away by the difference between it and the current version.

 

[Waning Embers]

I presumed it would be generally non-aromatic

A high percentage of mine was aromatics and straight Orientals. Many cellar to hedge against future cancelation of favorite blends versus aging.

 

[blametony]

A high percentage of mine was aromatics and straight Orientals. Many cellar to hedge against future cancelation of favorite blends versus aging.

I was thinking the same thing. I see so many Blends get discontinued, I'd love to hang on to some like Autumn Evening and BCA.

 

[Waning Embers]

I was thinking the same thing. I see so many Blends get discontinued, I'd love to hang on to some like Autumn Evening and BCA.

Just pack them tight with little to no airspace and they'll last for years.

 

[prairiedruid]

I opened a tin of Quiet Nights with 5 years of age on it earlier this year. I find the latakia has softened a bit from fresh but it still was a very tasty smoke.

 

[blametony]

I opened a tin of Quiet Nights with 5 years of age on it earlier this year. I find the latakia has softened a bit from fresh but it still was a very tasty smoke.

Interesting. So you suggest not aging it? It’s one of my favorite blends.

 

[Sig]

Just like with cigars and wines, not all pipe tobaccos age well.
It has less to do with genre, more to do with the particular blend in my experience.
Some people say Latakia doesn't age well, I disagree. It changes probably more than any other genre. Does it change for the better? Some yes, some no.
I have a bunch of C&D Star Of The East stored. This is a blend made up of 50% Latakia. I personally prefer it with some age. The jar currently open is from 2013, and its fantastic. The Latakia is less sharp, but just as "campfirey" and smokey as newer stuff. I also love Peter Stokkebye Balkan Supreme with age. I love MacBaren Vintage Syrian with age.
And most GL Pease blends with Latakia are great.
Virginia blends definitely change for the better, usually, but not always.
VaPers like Orlik Golden Sliced and PS Luxury Navy Flake age well in my opinion.
I have no experience with aging aromatics because I just started smoking them a couple months ago. But I am liking them, and have way too much stored. So eventually I will have an opinion on aging aromatics.
If you want to just store it for the future, you can always vacuum seal it. But I like seeing where a blend ends up after 5, 10, 20 years.
Once again I've typed too much. If you've read this far, it's your own damn fault!

 

[RDM024]

One of my favorite to age and is really good with 3 years is C&D Chenet cake I can’t wait to see what more time does. I find blends with perique age very good and get better with time

 

[blametony]

Just like with cigars and wines, not all pipe tobaccos age well.
It has less to do with genre, more to do with the particular blend in my experience.
Some people say Latakia doesn't age well, I disagree. It changes probably more than any other genre. Does it change for the better? Some yes, some no.
I have a bunch of C&D Star Of The East stored. This is a blend made up of 50% Latakia. I personally prefer it with some age. The jar currently open is from 2013, and its fantastic. The Latakia is less sharp, but just as "campfirey" and smokey as newer stuff. I also love Peter Stokkebye Balkan Supreme with age. I love MacBaren Vintage Syrian with age.
And most GL Pease blends with Latakia are great.
Virginia blends definitely change for the better, usually, but not always.
VaPers like Orlik Golden Sliced and PS Luxury Navy Flake age well in my opinion.
I have no experience with aging aromatics because I just started smoking them a couple months ago. But I am liking them, and have way too much stored. So eventually I will have an opinion on aging aromatics.
If you want to just store it for the future, you can always vacuum seal it. But I like seeing where a blend ends up after 5, 10, 20 years.
Once again I've typed too much. If you've read this far, it's your own damn fault!

Your wine analogy is interesting. I’m an avid wine drinker and have a large collection. Very true that not all wines improve with age. Some lose their character over time while some improve tremendously. Never thought of it that way. I know there are some in the YTPC who think all blends improve with at least some age but maybe not.

 

[Sig]

Your wine analogy is interesting. I’m an avid wine drinker and have a large collection. Very true that not all wines improve with age. Some lose their character over time while some improve tremendously. Never thought of it that way. I know there are some in the YTPC who think all blends improve with at least some age but maybe not.

Its kinda a nuanced thing.
Some people like a blend with age, while other people prefer the same blend fresh.
I don't drink wine, but my wifes aunt and uncle are wine snobs.
When they bought their house, they spent $30,000 to build a climate controlled wine cellar.

 

[prairiedruid]

I'm not saying aging Quiet Nights is bad. I'm just telling you my opinion on fresh versus aged. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a punchy latakia blend and sometimes I like a latakia blend that the components have mellowed into a more harmonious flavor. Blends do change with age but it is up to the individual smoker if the aging improves the blend.

 

[fireground_piper]

My favorite things to stock up on are my favorite things to smoke. I just hope they are still good to go by time I get to them. The risk you take! Flavored or not.

 

[Gerald Boone]

Fairly new pipe smoker (switched from cigars) and have been on a buying frenzy. I’ve been picking up 1oz samples of all sorts of blends to try and see where my sweet spot is. So far, I’m drawn to Virginias, VaPers and English blends.

That’s being said, I want to start experimenting with aging/cellaring.

I was curious what blends the community likes to cellar most. I presumed it would be generally non-aromatic and more Virginia-based blends. I’m thinking of starting with some of my favorites like Quiet Nights, Maltese Falcon, Escudo Navy and Capstan Blue.

Would love to hear what the community likes to cellar. Thanks!

I currently have wet leaf perique stored air tight and compressed; hoping it continues to ferment.

 

[bootlegpipes]

I think the common opinion is that Virginias age well and Latakia mellows out, at time maybe too much.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I smoke straight Virginias almost exclusively. That's what I like, that's what is mostly in my cellar. I think Virginias benefit from aging more than any blend. But blends with Perique can see significant improvements if you prefer sweet, fruity fig to spicy pepper.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Generally speaking, I age everything but aromatics.

 

[Jwebb90]

I think aging blends is fun but can also be a tad bit overrated. I’ve had some truly blissful moments with 10 plus year old VA’s, as well as some pretty lackluster experiences. I’m currently trying to smoke the older blends in my cellar before they all lose too much of a step.

I have a large stash of tobaccos not so much because I am eager for it all to age but I am all too aware that blends disappear and the cost of tobacco only goes up.

Also, I’ve really come to appreciate and enjoy fresh tobacco. It may be a bit of a hot take but I actually really enjoy fresh C&D blends, particularly their VA’s. A fresh bulk delivery of Yorktown just checks all the boxes for me personally.