C&D Tins are not vacuum packed! C&D believes that proper aging requires some air in the tin. Now, as for storing aromatic blends, don't do it for long term. It does depend on the several elements. One is the tobacco elements of the blend. Another is the "sauce" element of the blend. And, finally, the method of storage. Your best bet is to store it in the tin unopened. Personally, I have had great results with my Captain Bob's Blend being stored in the original tin unopened for up to three years. However, I will always fall on the side of this fact - Aromatic blends are intended to be smoked when manufactured. I suggest that you follow that advice for the very best results. There are many factors (as mentioned) that affect the storage process. You might ask why do I feel CBB is fine after three years? Well, it is because the one-pound tin is tightly packed under pressure, with no airspace. I have not noticed any change after three years. Simply put, the same cannot be said about the packaging of other aromatics. Then, there is the sauce itself. Some sauces break down in intensity and actually do change chemical character with time evolution. I know this to be a fact! So, you will have to experiment with aromatics. I would just not recommend buying and storing your favorite aromatic for an extended period of time (years) without consulting either the manufacturer or someone who has actually stored it that long and formed a judgement. Please remember that all tobacco's have flavored casing and/or topping. What determines an aromatic versus a non-aromatic is simply a matter of "DEGREE"! Therefore, my conclusion is to not indefinately store heavy aromatics and expect them to be as good as when purchased. My opinion is that it is more than a fair bet that those aromatics will, indeed, deteriorate.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
