It mainly smooths out over time. I have some that is approximately five years old that I just popped, and it is smoother, perhaps a tad sweeter, and the chocolate flavor is a little less pronounced than with the fresh. I actually prefer Bobs Chocolate Flake to age and prefer aged over fresh over fresh, as it seems to grow richer in depth of flavor and the Lakeland essence grows weaker with age. But either way, they are great smokes, both worthy of cellar space.