How to Date Esoterica Tobaccos?

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finnian3

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 12, 2015
158
239
Illinois
Does anyone know how to date Esoterica tobaccos? I am growing my seller and would like to know production dates if possible.

If I can't place a date on the tobacco then I will have to list out the date I bought it. This would be less than desirable as some of these bags are seriously old or at least look older.
 

BROBS

Lifer
Nov 13, 2019
11,765
40,026
IA
Does anyone know how to date Esoterica tobaccos? I am growing my seller and would like to know production dates if possible.

If I can't place a date on the tobacco then I will have to list out the date I bought it. This would be less than desirable as some of these bags are seriously old or at least look older.
There should be a number on the bag. The first digit is usually the last number of the year
 
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finnian3

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 12, 2015
158
239
Illinois
Well then 1st number is a 1, so what does that mean? It can't be 2021 seeing as I just some of these blends and the vendor had them for a few months already.
 

Worknman

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 23, 2019
968
2,819
I don't remember what the numbers mean but the year code changed in 2016 to an alpha. So 2016 is A, 2020 is E and so on. If your tins fall in this 5 year range than you can at least pin down the year. The bag pictured above is from 2018. Hope this helps.
Sorry to revive an old thread but Im still confused about dating Esoterica. I used to think this method worked but apparently there's some overlap in the years. I have 2 "D" tins, one is 2019 and the other is 2020. I also some E tins, the one in the pic to the right is 2020 and all of the tins Ive bought in 2021 have an "E".
20210626_175716.jpg
 
Last edited:
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newportpipe

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 7, 2011
216
303
Newport Beach, CA
Sorry to revive an old thread but Im still confused about dating Esoterica. I used to think this method worked but apparently there's some overlap in the years. I have 2 "D" tins, one is 2019 and the other is 2020. I also some E tins, the one in the pic to the right is 2020 and all of the tins Ive bought in 2021 have an "E".
View attachment 86192
I’m with you. Why not use dates like 2021XXXX or XXXX2013.

Instead we get Q459Z#:54 which is supposed to mean 2016.

Edit: According to the dictionary, esoteric is defined as:

“intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.”

Mission accomplished ?
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
19,621
44,832
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Here's when Google is your friend:

The "1" started in 2020.
There are also videos on this on youtube.
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
19,621
44,832
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
They might find it amusing but whether they like it or not, cellaring is something that pipe smokers do with all brands.
They find it amusing because they already aged the tobacco to what they consider a peak balance to represent their blend before releasing it.

They referred to additional aging as "fapping about".
 

FurCoat

Lifer
Sep 21, 2020
8,764
78,502
North Carolina
Sorry to revive an old thread but Im still confused about dating Esoterica. I used to think this method worked but apparently there's some overlap in the years. I have 2 "D" tins, one is 2019 and the other is 2020. I also some E tins, the one in the pic to the right is 2020 and all of the tins Ive bought in 2021 have an "E".
View attachment 86192
I don't think the year of purchase is a factor. The stuff probably sits in a warehouse until they see fit to release it to us peasants.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,343
Not mention hoarding Esoterica in particular...
Meh. I mixed a pound of Penzance with 1-Q, Split up and gave away two pounds of it to forum members that hadn't tried it two years ago, and traded my last bag to Pipestud for some Murray's Three Year Matured Virginia. Compared to what's available today, Esoterica has fallen to mediocre.
 
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3rdguy

Lifer
Aug 29, 2017
3,472
7,293
Iowa
E is 2020. All of the latest drop (2021) were E to my knowledge. I assume they are still clearing out product they were not able to ship last year because of the pandemic.
 
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