So, before I took my ~8 yr pipe hiatus I got in a few tins which have been languishing in my cellar. One of these was a tall and skinny "pop-top" tin of GLP Barbary Coast dated from Aug 11, 2001. Price sticker indicates $8.75, and I undoubtedly purchased this from the long gone and much lamented Tinder Box in Issaquah, WA where I hung out for a good few years. Recently re-discovered this tin and decided to open it.
While the tin was intact in all respects, the moisture level was not great. While not dry as dust, it was clear that it had dried out beyond acceptable. So I did what I've had great results with in the past - that being to empty the contents into a shallow bowl and then covering it with a white washcloth moistened with water, making sure that the cloth didn't touch the 'baccy.
After a few hrs I checked the moisture level of the 'baccy by feel and decided to give it another treatment with a fresh moistened cloth. This produced an acceptable level of moisture and one in which I prefer - that being on the dry side. Jarred it up and dug in the next day.
Happy to report I was rewarded with a very smokable blend and one I've been enjoying. While I never knew this blend previously, the Burley components are very pronounced and the top note of Brandy is still much in evidence.
And while this might have been more well defined before it dried out, all I can say is that it's still a very enjoyable and satisfying blend. I'll continue to smoke the rest of this on the few bowls remaining, and will consider getting in some fresh to compare.
All to say, what a great GLP blend! Anyone have other stories similar?
8)
Cheers,
RR
While the tin was intact in all respects, the moisture level was not great. While not dry as dust, it was clear that it had dried out beyond acceptable. So I did what I've had great results with in the past - that being to empty the contents into a shallow bowl and then covering it with a white washcloth moistened with water, making sure that the cloth didn't touch the 'baccy.
After a few hrs I checked the moisture level of the 'baccy by feel and decided to give it another treatment with a fresh moistened cloth. This produced an acceptable level of moisture and one in which I prefer - that being on the dry side. Jarred it up and dug in the next day.
Happy to report I was rewarded with a very smokable blend and one I've been enjoying. While I never knew this blend previously, the Burley components are very pronounced and the top note of Brandy is still much in evidence.
And while this might have been more well defined before it dried out, all I can say is that it's still a very enjoyable and satisfying blend. I'll continue to smoke the rest of this on the few bowls remaining, and will consider getting in some fresh to compare.
All to say, what a great GLP blend! Anyone have other stories similar?
8)
Cheers,
RR