Like wine, quality pipe tobacco can be stored for extended periods of time in order to improve its aesthetic qualities such as aroma, taste and burn quality. This process is called “cellaring”, although it is not necessary to actually store the tobacco in a cellar in order to age it effectively.

The important thing is that the tobacco be placed into something that will remain sealed over a long period of time and that you place that tobacco storage device in an area that is consistently dry and cool. That may be the cellar, or a humidor or wherever you store your tobacco pipes when not in use.

Below, we’re going to take a close look at the issue of cellaring pipe tobacco, including whether there are any tobacco pipe accessories that can be used to facilitate the process.

Why Bother Cellaring Pipe Tobacco?

Taste is subjective, so one person’s aged exquisitely aged pipe tobacco may well be another person’s foul weed. But while there are dissenting opinions, the general consensus among aficionados of tobacco pipes is that cellaring can improve the quality of pipe tobacco, IF it is done correctly.

• Fans of cellaring will wax eloquent about how the process enhances the aroma, refines the taste and helps the tobacco burn smoother and more evenly.
• Many also believe that if you cellar two or more different tobaccos together they will each absorb some of the flavor of the others, producing unique tobacco blends that cannot be achieved any other way.
• And finally, cellaring allows you to stock up on large quantities of tobacco now, while the price is still relatively low, and store it away for the future when pipe tobacco is destined to be much more expensive thanks to punitive taxes, fewer suppliers and such.

What Should You Cellar Your Tobacco In?

Cellaring conjures up romantic images of huge oak barrels of wine tucked away in the dark, cavernous basements of medieval European castles. Unfortunately, when it comes to cellaring pipe tobacco the process is a bit more prosaic and often involves decidedly unromantic items like tupperware and unromantic locations like the pantry. But hey...

While there is a general consensus that cellaring will improve the quality of the tobacco over time there is precious little consensus over what constitutes the ideal storage device. Below are a few of the top contenders.

• Humidors - The humidor is most commonly used to store cigars. Significantly, the reason it's used to store cigars is because it prevents moisture from undermining the quality of the tobacco in the cigars, preserving their flavor indefinitely. The thinking here is that, if a humidor will work with cigar tobacco, why not use it to store pipe tobacco? It's a solid argument and countless people do, in fact, use humidors to cellar their pipe tobacco. (Some even use them to store their tobacco pipes.) Just keep in mind that you'll need to store the humidor itself in a cool, dry place.
• Jars - If the tobacco in question came in an unopened tin, then you have your long-term storage device already and all you have to do is find a cool, dry place to put it. If, however, the tobacco came in a pouch or bag you'll need something better for long-term storage. Mason or Ball jars with screw-on tops or classic wire bale closure systems are ideal. Being glass, however, you will need to be doubly sure they are not left anywhere they might be exposed to direct sunlight. So find a place to store them that is not only cool and dry, but dark.
• Tupperware - Yup, Tupperware. When people think of tobacco pipe accessories their minds don't typically turn to Tupperware. But there are plenty who believe it actually makes an effective cellaring device for pipe tobacco. The problem is, there are questions about whether the plastic will affect the flavor and aroma of the tobacco if it's stored for more than a year or so. Some swear that tobacco stored in Tupperware over several years takes on a chemical taste. Others say that's simply not so. So who to believe? There are equally smart, passionate people on both sides of the argument.

Where Should You Store Your Tobacco For Cellaring?

The cellar is the obvious choice, but not always the best one. Some basements are the dampest place in the house and that just won’t do. The important thing about cellaring is that the environment where you place your Ball jars or humidor or Tupperware must be consistently dry and cool.

If you spend time researching basement alternatives you’ll find most cellaring articles avoid the issue. Instead, they focus on the type of container and leave it at that. But you have to put that container somewhere. If your cellar is cool and dry, great. But if it’s not you may have to get creative. Maybe you have a little-used closet toward the center of the house that’s seemingly always cool and dry. Or you might have to create your own walk-in humidor (x).

The Bottom Line

When it comes to cellaring pipe tobacco the overriding concern is to find airtight containers and a consistently cool and dry place to store them. Remember to label the different containers as well so you know what is what and when you stored it away. To learn more about pipes or to order wholesale tobacco pipes, check out the Paykoc Pipes online store.