Too Much Tobacco. What Should I Smoke First?

[jdlander]

I'm relatively new to pipe smoking. Maybe 4 months into it.

Initially, I loved it so much, I went a little hog wild and bought a wide variety of tins to try. I wanted to experience it all. I bought English blends, Burleys, VaPers, Aromatics, Codgers, and almost anything that sounded good. I even bought twelve different "blending" tobaccos so that I could learn the differences.

I recently decided to do a little math, and Google told me that a 2oz tin has roughly 20 bowls of tobacco in it. In the past 4 months, I've purchased nearly 70 tins.... which comes to about 1400 bowls of tobacco. I only smoke about 2 bowls a day, so I have roughly 2 years worth of tobacco in my cellar.

Thankfully, lots of tinned tobacco ages well... but I've heard that some tobacco does not ... like Aromatics?

Does that mean I should smoke through my Aromatics first? The problem with this, of course, is that I've heard that for new pipe smokers, Aromatics are the hardest to smoke. (I am discovering this to be true. Lots of tongue bite and relighting).

Right now, I have about 9 tins open, and it seems like it is taking me FOREVER to get through them. I'm so eager to go on and try other tins, but I don't want to open more until I get through most of these 9. But even these 9 tins contain 180 bowls, or 3 months worth of smoking.

So what is your recommendation? (Aside from not buying any more tobacco for a while.)

Maybe I should just start smoking about 10 bowls a day?

 

[Briarcutter]

Mason jars are your friend! A small price to pay for reliable storage. Bowls per tin varies greatly.

 

[WirelessSmoke]

I'm a newer pipe smoker myself, but it sounds like a pretty good "problem" to have.

As mentioned above by @Briarcutter mason jars are great. All my opened tins now go right into a clean mason jar.

 

[Piping Abe]

Aromatics will be fine in the tin if theyre sealed. When opened, store then packed tight in a mason jar. As for what to smoke, smoke whatever sounds good. Maybe start with Virginia’s, see what you like then move to English, then Burley, then Aromatics. Whatever you want to do. You could die tomorrow. You never know. Just enjoy the jouney

 

[FurCoat]

Don't go too hog wild. I was up to 50 blends in rotation. I'm down to 18 and im trying not to open anything new. Although I did break out some English as non was in rotation. To answer your question, smoke more.

 

[badbriar]

Not to worry. You cannot possibly go through that much any time soon. You will be really happy when you see those new tins have some age on them down the road! When you figure out your preferences and tastes, you can sell or trade what you don't fancy. I did the same and still have many tins with 10 - 12 years on them.
You done good!

 

[Briarcutter]

Remember also, it isn't going to get any cheaper

 

[jdlander]

Mason jars are your friend! A small price to pay for reliable storage. Bowls per tin varies greatly.

Is it enough to just screw the mason jar lid on real tight, or do I actually need to vacuum seal the jar?

 

[jdlander]

Remember also, it isn't going to get any cheaper

OH! So you're saying buy MORE? ;D

 

[Briarcutter]

Is it enough to just screw the mason jar lid on real tight, or do I actually need to vacuum seal the jar?

Yes, hand tight is fine. Just be make sure you don't have any tobacco on the rim of the jar or the seal. Wipe it all off before you screw it down tight. Once you seal it down with tobacco on the lid, it's real hard to get off that rubber seal. And yes, buy more tobacco, it's an investment. I remember buying 759 at the smoke shop for $5 tin, looks up what that's going for today!

 

[WirelessSmoke]

OH! So you're saying buy MORE? ;D

Of all the possible answers, it seems you came up with the best one yourself, in my opinion anyway.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thankfully, lots of tinned tobacco ages well... but I've heard that some tobacco does not ... like Aromatics?

People get too bent out of shape over that thinking and word it wrong. Blenders usually don't take into account the idea of cellaring and make their blends to be enjoyed when purchased. Aging changes many tobaccos both for the better and the worst. Aromatics when sealed rarely change at all.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is it enough to just screw the mason jar lid on real tight, or do I actually need to vacuum seal the jar?

As fermentation occurs in a jar it will seal itself.

 

[Auxsender]

OH! So you're saying buy MORE? ;D

Of course buy more.
This is the pipeenablermagazine.com forum after all.

For real, you don’t have all that much.
If you have bulk blends, jar em up immediately.
If you have tins, only open a few you REALLY want to try. Put the contents of the open tins into jars.

Only vacuum seal if you feel you want to.
I think most of us do not vacuum seal and instead only screw the lids on tightly and forget about it for a while.

The best way to store tobacco long term is in its original tin.

 

[Briarcutter]

The best way to store tobacco long term is in its original tin.

Sealed,that is.

 

[Steddy]

It’s probably going to bother you to not try more blends and it’s probably going to bother you having so many open jars. This is where it becomes important to enjoy yourself.

This is where I’m at three years in.

 

[bullet08]

If you know how to comfortably smoke your pipe already, go with whatever you like. If you are still getting use to pipe smoking, go with Latakia or codger blends. If you are super comfortable and feel like a seasoned pipe smoker, load up with aromatic and have a good time.

 

[huntertrw]

Please, please, please don't subject yourself to the unmitigated stress of trying to determine which tobacco to smoke first, as the result can be simply DEBILITATING! Your best and safest course of action is to box-up all of that tempting, confusing, darned old tobacco and send it to me. I will make certain that it never, never, never again poses this problem. Further, I am offering this vital service to you, as a public service, at no charge .

 

[kcghost]

You certainly have a lot of tobaccos. I've been smoking for over 50 years, and I have on 6 blends on hand. I'm probably short of supply when compared to other people but I'm happy. Some of the people here have 50 or more open tins. Chose the style that best suits you and go with it.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Don't rush to smoke anything up, just enjoy each bowl.