This question is for GL Pease (or anyone else who wants to chime in) related to aging. I'm lucky enough to find myself in a dilemma vis a vis some recent purchases, but would really like some advice so that I get the most bang for my buck:
I recently scored three tins of Renaissance, one of them from 2000 and two from 2003. My question is this: Which should I open first? I'm tempted to open the oldest one first, but the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to let it sit until at least the 10-year mark. It's most of the way there already, and that would allow me to open one of the 2003 tins now and cellar the other. In any case, the plan is to smoke only 5 to 6 bowls and then jar the remainder in two small canning jars that should comfortably hold at most an ounce each. I'm hoping to stretch these tins out for a few years by only dipping into them on special occasions.
This is the first time I've had quality tobaccos with this kind of age on them. I'm curious as to whether Renaissance is the kind of blend that would improve measurably over the next three (or five, or ten) years or whether it's probably already hit its "peak"? I also picked up a tin of 2000 Samarra and two 2004 Mephisto tins, and I have the same basic question pertaining to them.
Any advice here would be appreciated!
I recently scored three tins of Renaissance, one of them from 2000 and two from 2003. My question is this: Which should I open first? I'm tempted to open the oldest one first, but the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to let it sit until at least the 10-year mark. It's most of the way there already, and that would allow me to open one of the 2003 tins now and cellar the other. In any case, the plan is to smoke only 5 to 6 bowls and then jar the remainder in two small canning jars that should comfortably hold at most an ounce each. I'm hoping to stretch these tins out for a few years by only dipping into them on special occasions.
This is the first time I've had quality tobaccos with this kind of age on them. I'm curious as to whether Renaissance is the kind of blend that would improve measurably over the next three (or five, or ten) years or whether it's probably already hit its "peak"? I also picked up a tin of 2000 Samarra and two 2004 Mephisto tins, and I have the same basic question pertaining to them.
Any advice here would be appreciated!