Izmir Aging?

[verporchting]

Just bought 1/2 lb of C&D bulk Izmir as a blending component and condiment, but I’m wondering how it ages?

I’ve got plenty of oriental blends that have aged nicely but that’s probably down to the VA base.

Anyone have any experience with aged straight Izmir? I’m asking because I’m starting to acquire some condiment leaf for the future to jazz up blends and/or to play around with my own blends. Wondering if I should keep the amounts down to what I can use in a year or two (knowing supply could become an issue) or whether I should cellar in large quantities?

Any advice or experiences welcome.

Cheers!

 

[sablebrush52]

Just picked up a half pound of it myself. My experience with Orientals is that they age well. They're not the result of an intensive process, like Latakia, so their flavors tend to hold up over the long run. Naught to do with Virginias either. In a nicely aged Oriental blend their flavors come through very well.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I just keep my unblended homegrown in very large thick plastic bags. I'm not worried about it drying out. More-so worried about it being moist, because I don't want mold. I can rehydrate before blending. But, I also won't be waiting to use it for more than three years or so.

For the long haul, I'd just treat it as any other tobacco. Just jar it and wait till you need it. Being by itself in a jar, you won't be worrying about the flavors dissipating into the other blended leaf. But, you may lose a little flavor over a few years.

Maybe at the three year point, just go ahead and blend it.

 

[verporchting]

Great advice gentleman, thank you. I was hoping it would age on its own merits nicely. I’m going to cellar some other orientals as well as I find them.