(Probably) the wrong approach to cellaring

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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
21,170
51,209
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
About the only blend I truly regret buying is Balkan Sobranie. I used to smoke it in the 1970's and '80's and loved it. I thought with Germain's making the reboot, how bad could it be? I found out. Now I have a stack of that horrid stuff that I would wish on my worst enemy.

 

judcole

Lifer
Sep 14, 2011
7,491
39,551
Detroit
If I am trying a new-to-me Virginia blend, I will often buy two tins - one to smoke now, one to age. I have never got caught up in the whole idea of buying a whole bunch of something I had never tried,simply because it is hard to find, or the latest internet craze.
I didn't like the reboot of Balkan Sobranie, either, Sable - happily, I had purchased from a vendor that only allowed purchase of two tins.

 

mtwaller

Lifer
Nov 21, 2018
1,447
7,463
35
Atlanta, GA
shanez- very true!
I didn’t realize the remake of Balkan Sobranie was that bad. Maybe one of these days I’ll try it for myself. Never had the original, so I might not mind it as much.

 

samw74

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 28, 2017
567
249
New York , NY
I frequently purchase blends I’ve never tried with the intention of cellaring it then. I base these purchases on their favorability and if I suspect I will like them. For example I just purchased two tins of Doblone D’Oro because it’s similar to other blends I smoke (Director’s Cut and other va/per/burleys) and I’ve read enough reviews to know I will most likely enjoy it. I usually let these blends age for a few years, unless it’s a Burley blend, latakia/balkan or a stoved VA. In actuality I age most of those ‘ready to smoke blends’ too. If I try it and don’t like it, I pack it in a mason jar and revisit it down the road. If I still don’t like it, I usually give it to someone I know who will (or does) enjoy it. Most recently this occurred with Exotic Orange and GLP Fillmore. I also buy blends I’ve never tried anymore due to the uncertainty of the tobacco industry. Between the increased costs (ie inflation), local anti-smoking legislation, reluctance of carriers to ship tobacco products, the impending FDA power/laws and recent changes with the government no longer purchasing excess tobacco crops, I don’t want to wake up one day and be in a McClelland situation. The worst case scenario is you will end up with a cellar of tobacco that will one day be an asset.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
21,170
51,209
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Lots of people really like it (41 four-star reviews on TR), but just because some people like it doesn't mean you will, and vice versa.
It's the lemming effect. How else to explain 4 stars for a blend that tastes like is was topped with dog farts. Stick this mess in another tin with another name on it and see what kind of ratings it gets. I smoked plenty of the real stuff. This ain't it.
There's no qualification to become a reviewer on TR, except that one be sentient enough to create an account. There are a handful of people reviewing there who have shown a real level of knowledge and discernment over the years and their reviews I'll read with respect and interest.

 

64alex

Part of the Furniture Now
May 10, 2016
609
434
My suggestion if you are at the beginning is to buy small amount of multiple blends so you can figure out what you like and then cellaring the ones you like the most. I would not deep cellar something I did not try first. However, as I prefer aged tobacco, new tins I did not smoke before I keep in cellar for 1-2 years before opening the tin.
So I have a box of about 15 opened tins which I rotate in smoking. Then a small box of few blends I had to try for the first time that I keep for 1-2 years cellaring before opening, and finally larger boxes of cellared blends I like the most.
I found than after testing different blends at the beginning of my journey now I tend to stick more and more with the blends I like the most and I have less interest in trying new blends.

 
Oct 7, 2016
2,451
5,214
It's the lemming effect. How else to explain 4 stars for a blend that tastes like is was topped with dog farts. Stick this mess in another tin with another name on it and see what kind of ratings it gets. I smoked plenty of the real stuff. This ain't it.
As one who has also smoked the real “family era” Balkan Sobranie, I agree that the Germain remake ain’t it. But I would give it 3 or 3.5 stars.

 

3rdguy

Lifer
Aug 29, 2017
3,472
7,299
Iowa
I enjoy it as well. Have not had the prior versions so no hang ups here.
I have quite a few in the cellar I have not tried yet. My problem is I smoke a ton of my top 2 blends then have a new one I add to the rotation. Can be awhile until I get through that 3rd tin of new stuff.

 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,649
I have a lot of tobacco for my rate of consumption, though it's not a lot compared to the shelves and rooms full I've seen in Forums members' photos. Different things go wrong. You don't know what it is. You love it now, but later you really don't. You do like it, but seeing so much of it in your cellar, you lose your appetite for it. Does anyone want to think about smoking eight tins of anything, even if they end up smoking it? Much of this is knowing yourself and your habits, and your own psychology. I buy in dibs and dabs, three or four tins or bulk bags at a time, but I still buy more than I smoke over time. Buying stuff can be just for the fun of buying it, waiting for it, opening the box. The reward is when you really use and savor the purchase. You really have to work it out with yourself. It's an exercise.

 

mtwaller

Lifer
Nov 21, 2018
1,447
7,463
35
Atlanta, GA
mso you’re right, buying and waiting for it to come in can be half the fun! I’m buying 3-4 tins at a time right now, which is way more than I smoke of any one blend. I don’t even get to smoke one bowl a day, so my meager stockpiles should last me for a while. If I ever find “the one” that I could smoke all day every day, I’ll stock up deep. Until then, I’ll dip my toes here and there on blends that intrigue me.

 

szconrad

Lurker
Oct 24, 2018
25
1
Opening Night is a great blend! You'll enjoy it...even with just a few months of age!
I also have a blend I haven't tried - C&D Opening Night. I'll have to pop it soon. It's been sitting in my cabinet for six months or so. Also just opened a (previously untried) tin of Molto Dolce this week. Gotta say I really love it! It's the ideal vanilla aromatic. It's fun to keep a few surprises for yourself. Nothing wrong with that, especially with popular blends you know you could trade in the future.

 
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