Packing date on whole brisket???

[ColoradoScott]

Ok, I've done all the research and am prepared to smoke my first whole beef brisket. Today I just purchased a nice 14.8# whole brisket, rated Prime, from Costco. Now I've read that many insist on leaving it in it's cryovac for ~30 days after the packing date to help it. But the Costco label says that the packing date was today. Is that possible? or do I need to search elsewhere on the cryovac? Also, is refrigerator aging really needed of can I put the big dude on to smoke in the next week? I defer to the expertise here. Thanks

[EdF]

The packing date sounds a bit bogus to me. But you can put that big boy on any time you like! It's already been "wet aged".

[RonB]

My Costco just started carrying full packers about two months ago. I have purchased two and neither had a packing date.

[HouseHomey]

Fill the cooler, season some wings for snacks and load her up. Duty Calls!

[Jerod Broussard]

Figure on the packing date within a few days of the day you laid eyes on it.