Favorite Blends to Cellar

[smudgersmissingleg]

Both Gawith Ennerdale Flake and Rum Flake get better with age, in my opinion.

Not everything changes. I smoked some 5 year old Revor Plug recently and it tasted the same as the fresh stuff.

 

[blametony]

Being a fan of Virginia's and VaPers, I figured I try to age some on my own and to pick up some already aged. I've already bought a few here in the Forum and picked up a couple on TinBids and PipeStud. So far, I've really enjoyed what I've tasted in those. If anyone has any suggestions as to where else I can pickup aged tins, I'd love to know.

 

[sablebrush52]

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

Latakia will fade soften with age, but I don't find that an issue. I like that the Lat is less assertive, allowing the other players, like the orientals, to have more prominence. It just come down to what you prefer.

Keep in mind that not everything "improves" with age. Blends change, to a greater or lesser extent, and whether that change is an improvement is for you to decide.

As for particular blends, keep sampling and put some away that you particularly like. Also keep in mind that your taste may change over the years, so having some variety of blend types is beneficial.

I never cellared deliberately to age, because aging is an inexact process. I bought so that I could continue to enjoy blends that I liked before they disappeared or were altered without warning.

 

[BingBong]

I don't know how Penzance ages, but Germain's Special Latakia Flake, while quite va/oriental forward when fresh becomes a lat bomb with some years on it, bucking the trend. I have a packed jar of it and a lot of patience - after smoking 5+ year old, I know what awaits.

 

[Day2Day]

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.

I'm just learning about cellaring, and I'm a Virginia fan, how long do you recommend aging Perique for the spicy pepper to fade? I don't mind a little spice but some I've tried and liked a little seem a little too peppery for my taste. Just a thought that if I like them a little as is I might like them a lot with a little less pepper.

 

[Peter Turbo]

I don't know how Penzance ages, but Germain's Special Latakia Flake, while quite va/oriental forward when fresh becomes a lat bomb with some years on it, bucking the trend. I have a packed jar of it and a lot of patience - after smoking 5+ year old, I know what awaits.

I have some Penzance from 2015 and much prefer it fresh. I think its way past its prime at this point imo.

 

[Sobrbiker]

As a newish pipester, I was jealous of those with amazing age.
Over time I’ve learned that most VAs “peak” somewhere around 3-5yrs, so the only ones I get jealous of now are “unobtainium” blends like McClellands, etc.
As I’m amassing some depth in my meager hoard, I just usually follow the “first in, first out” principle smoking the oldest first. I may set aside a tin out of that rotation for further age if it’s closer to the 5yr mark.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'm just learning about cellaring, and I'm a Virginia fan, how long do you recommend aging Perique for the spicy pepper to fade? I don't mind a little spice but some I've tried and liked a little seem a little too peppery for my taste. Just a thought that if I like them a little as is I might like them a lot with a little less pepper.

The longer the better. At least 5 years. Some take longer.

 

[blametony]

Spot on with the B&M advice about finding buried treasure. Went to a B&M about an hour from home and scored 2 tins of Quiet Nights (8/19 & 1/20) and 2 tins of Penny Farthing (6/19).