How to Date Esoterica Tobaccos?

[finnian3]

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]

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

 

[finnian3]

Please note, I am not selling these tobaccos.

 

[finnian3]

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.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

This bag of Dorchester has an 8 in the lead of its serial number. That means it was produced in 2018.️

 

[finnian3]

What does a 1 mean? I bought most of my Esoterica at least a few months back.

 

[FurCoat]

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.

 

[Worknman]

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".

 

[newportpipe]

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 ?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Why not use dates like 2021XXXX or XXXX2013.

Because they find the idea of cellaring amusing and said their products were manufactured for immediate use and enjoyment.

 

[newportpipe]

Because they find the idea of cellaring amusing and said their products were manufactured for immediate use and enjoyment.

?

 

[Chasing Embers]

?

A member here got a fairly unfriendly email from them several years ago.

Post in thread 'Stonehaven Tins?' Stonehaven Tins? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/stonehaven-tins.52752/post-35583752


Post in thread 'Drying Tobacco' Drying Tobacco :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/drying-tobacco.65409/post-35847274

 

[Worknman]

Because they find the idea of cellaring amusing and said their products were manufactured for immediate use and enjoyment.

They might find it amusing but whether they like it or not, cellaring is something that pipe smokers do with all brands. Not mention hoarding Esoterica in particular...?

 

[sablebrush52]

Here's when Google is your friend:

Dating Recent Esoterica Bags & Tins :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

A method for dating Esoterica bags and tins was recently summarized by a member of another forum I am on. Apparently, this person contacted Germain for this information, but I have no way of verifying that. I also understand that this only works (if in fact it does work) for relatively recent...

pipesmagazine.com

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

 

[sablebrush52]

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".

 

[Worknman]

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".

They're very British, which is part of their charm I reckon.

 

[FurCoat]

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]

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.

 

[Chasing Embers]

cellaring is something that pipe smokers do with all brands

Users of various tobacco products have been doing the same to avoid rising costs.

 

[3rdguy]

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.