Thread: aged pipe tobacco??

Originally Posted by fpessanha

I'm a pipe smoker too. Though, at the moment, I seldom smoke my pipe. I am quite an amateur, but a passionate one nontheless.
This aged tobacco thing got me wondering... what do you need to do to cellar the tobacco, I mean... how do you store it? You keep it in the pouches it comes in when you buy it or is there a more complex process? And what king of cellar would be necessary? A wine cellar will do? Is there any contraption you need to buy or build to age the tobacco?
Please, enlighten me! I am very much interest in this...

Thanks!

I have a link to a site all about aging pipe tobacco, which I think I got off another thread here. I'll put up the actual link when I'm at that puter, but in the mean time, I'll summarize what I remember.

You need to sterilize some containers (glass jars with good seals are recommended), and also dry the tobacco to the point where you'd smoke it or just a tad drier.

Then, you put the tobacco into the clean jars. I forget how tightly you're supposed to pack it, but I do remember there were differing opinions, and it varies with the type/cut as well. Once the tobacco is in the jar, you should tightly close the jar and it is recommended to add an additional seel, such as parafin (sp?) or wax, just for good measure. Then store the jar in a cool dark place and let it work.

They suggest not opening the jar till you want to smoke it, as opening and closing interferes with the aging process and risks exposure to molds. So if you want to taste it as it ages, it's best to use several small jars and smoke a whole jar once it's opened.

They also suggested not mixing tobaccos (unless you make your own blend), and making sure they are in a place where they will not absorb any other scents, from other tobaccos or anything else. But if you use glass and double seal, that shouldn't be a problem.

Here's the link: http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/

I recently opened an 8 oz pack of Esoterica’s Stonehaven. I aged it for a little over two years. What an experience when I opened it! The smell was intoxicatingly enjoyable out of the foil. It is a magnificent smoke! It made want to chew the thick and creamy cloud.

This was my first experience aging a tobacco in its foil bag (as opposed to tins or jars with bulk baccy). It worked out well.

I have been aging tobacco since 2004. With all the blends out there and a little curiosity to experiment different blends: VAPers, Orientals, so many English, Balkans etc., it is not difficult to wait for those blends in the cellar to age for a while.

If I like a new blend, I buy a couple more tins and store them. Then I try something new and, if suitable, do the same.

My current regulars are Esoterica's Stonehaven and Penzance, Schürch's Onyx (bulk), Smokers Haven's 20th Anniversary Mixture, S. Gawith's Cob Plug, GL Pease's Blackpoint, and McClellan's Virginia #24.

I believe that my regulars all age well. At least that is what I want to think. I have them aging in rotations. That is, when I open one, I replace it with a new tin or jar in the cellar. I write on it the date that I cellar it. That way next time I open a tin I open the older date.

I find it a nice hobby. It is like being a mad scientist (on dead botanicals), without the danger of blowing something up.

Hey I have a forum that has Tobacco seed for sale. Also free information on growing your own. If this sounds interesting please visit my site at
http://www.peacefulfields.com/forum/index.php

Originally Posted by peacefulfields

Hey I have a forum that has Tobacco seed for sale. Also free information on growing your own. If this sounds interesting please visit my site at
peacefulfields.com • Index page

Welcome to SRP and thanks for the link. I don't think I'll ever grow my own but the way things are going for us pipe smokers there may be no affordable alternative before too long. Interesting website.

Hey Jimmy, before long, Johnny Law will be bustin' in your doors looking for the tobacco plants and grow lights.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Hey Jimmy, before long, Johnny Law will be bustin' in your doors looking for the tobacco plants and grow lights.

I quit smoking the wacky tabaccy 30 years ago. They don't seem to want to outlaw regular tobacco. Just make it to where you have to be a member of congress or a Wall St banker to afford it .

Smoking young tobacco in any form is, IMO, a total waste. I don't smoke any cigar that isn't a least five years ago. When I purchase cigars I immediately zip-lock them for long-term storage at 65 rh (I smoke at 72-74 rh.) The oldest I have smoked was a 1951, pre-Castro Bolivar Petit Corona Especial. The Punch Exquisito from 1986 is still an amazing cigar. I' m currently smoking 1999-2001 stock. Proper storage and limited air circulation is the key.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

Smoking young tobacco in any form is, IMO, a total waste. I don't smoke any cigar that isn't a least five years ago. When I purchase cigars I immediately zip-lock them for long-term storage at 65 rh (I smoke at 72-74 rh.) The oldest I have smoked was a 1951, pre-Castro Bolivar Petit Corona Especial. The Punch Exquisito from 1986 is still an amazing cigar. I' m currently smoking 1999-2001 stock. Proper storage and limited air circulation is the key.

Back when you could buy a Partagas # 1 for a buck or so I used to smoke cigars. I read Davidoff's book with the chapter on aging cigars. I love the things but I am too cheap to pay what they get for them nowadays.

Is pipe tobacco really that expensive? The house blends at my local shop are $3.10 per ounce (I think that's pretty inexpensive) and I quite like them. Other forum members that I've sent samples too seem to like it too, and I've had repeat buyers.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is pipe tobacco really that expensive? The house blends at my local shop are $3.10 per ounce (I think that's pretty inexpensive) and I quite like them. Other forum members that I've sent samples too seem to like it too, and I've had repeat buyers.

I just re-upped with three 8 ounce cans of GL Pease for $32.55 each and a Gawith & Hoggarth 500 gram packet for $47.78 .