The question is are old reeds better?

[Tony Edge]

My very favourite Tenor Saxophone reed (blue label Vandoren).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/learnsax/8430444163/in/photostream/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8430444163_ec9c3fc0ab_k.jpg

Analyse why this tenor saxophone reed is so good and has been used for months. This reed sings, easy blowing good high notes and super low notes down to Bb with a Yamaha number 7 mouthpiece. Over a period of time the reed has been trimmed by about 2mm and has very slight wear at one side near the tip rail.
The markings on the reed Vandoren 2. Paris France superieure.
But does not have a serial number so I guess these are old stock.
The noticeable feature of this reed is the heavy black bark patches.
Observing the grain against the light the grain has a pattern a bit like a mackerel
Sky pattern.
The question is are old reeds better?
Does the bark improve the reed?