Tobacco Aging Question

[Barred-owl]

So I’ve been sampling different Virginia’s and Virginia blends to see what I’m going to like the best. In doing so I’ve tried some that are very irritating to my mouth regardless of how slow, wet, or dry I smoke them. What’s the likelihood that a few years aging will reduce or even possibly eliminate the harshness/mouth irritation issues I’m getting?

 

[ofafeather]

Almost exclusively they will mellow and the flavor will deepen with some age. Depending on how fresh even a few weeks can help. That said, they will always need to be treated with respect and as much as possible smoked smolderingly slow.

 

[Duke of Erinmore]

If you want to try how a tobacco might age, you can bake it for a couple of hours at 90 degrees (Celsius, 194 Fahrenheit). Not exactly the same, but it helps to find out.

 

[JimInks]

Age generally tends to be kind to Virginias, especially bright Virginia, which can be acidic, grassy and floral. With age, both aspects settle down and I find brights to be more palatable. Gold Va. has similar benefits as the bright with age, and both develop a more mature citrus sweetness. Stoved may lose some sweetness if aged a long, long time. Red and brown get deeper in flavor.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Some folks just can't tolerate Virginias.

 

[Barred-owl]

If you want to try how a tobacco might age, you can bake it for a couple of hours at 90 degrees (Celsius, 194 Fahrenheit). Not exactly the same, but it helps to find out.

Cool. Worth a try!

 

[Barred-owl]

Some folks just can't tolerate Virginias.

I have my favorite, Carolina Red Flake and I get along with it great. So maybe that’s what’s fooling me.

 

[Barred-owl]

The irritation is like the roof of my mouth kinda “swells” and and gets like after I bite into a slice of pizza that’s too hot and my tongue just goes numb but slightly stinging. Just hard to describe. I don’t think it’s tongue bite because it subsides very quickly after I stop smoking. Even gives me a little cottonmouth dry mouth feeling like when you drink very strong tea. I believe the term is astringent like effect only very potent.

 

[ofafeather]

I believe the term is astringent like effect only very potent.

That definitely sounds like a chemical rather than heat effect. Try different beverages with it. Start with something acidic. If that doesn’t help gradually move to something more alkaline and see if that helps.