All C&D benefits from even 4-6 months jarred, I think.

One thing I noticed with other VA blends like MacB VA no. 1#, or some of the McClelland VAs, is an initial burst of sweetness, probably from topping. The McC's seemed to have a good bit, and VA 1# is clearly sweetened. This dissipated about the time I suspect natural VA starts to develop a lot.

Personally, as a bitter-burley lover, the woodier, less sweet start to the bowl doesn't bother me with these types of straight-up style VAs. I'm not really sure how it could be worked around, to be honest. Even blends with C&D's Stoved virginia don't strike me as being particularly sweet at the start of the bowl either.