Anybody roll their own?
First_Warrior
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in Cigar 101
I am starting to roll cigars. Anybody else roll? I am learning a lot about tobacco by getting my hands on the various leafs that make up a blend. There is always something more to learn.
2
Comments
Now and then, yes. Mostly perfectos.
I am thinking a review is in order as well:)
-Jay
-- Winston Churchill
"LET'S GO FRANCIS" Peter
Commence ignition in t-minus...
Will post something tomorrow. Damn fine stick, Webby!
-Jay
-- Winston Churchill
"LET'S GO FRANCIS" Peter
I need to get to this and I will add it tonight when I get home
-Jay
9-9-15
Uppowoc Perfecto - Rolled by Webmost
Paired with ice water, a home brew American light (turned out a bit on the sour side, TBH), and rice crackers
Pre light smell - very light
Pre light taste - mild
Cut with xikar guillotine - draw is very open
Toasted with X1
First notion is that this stick produces tons of smoke. Strength is mild-medium and flavors are subtle; leather, cedar and something else very pleasing on the palete.
Fantastic even burn. Wrapper has some toothiness to it, very pretty. More nuances; honey tones coming through now.
This one likes to rest for 2 minutes between draws. It is loose, so it cools down fast.
I cut too far down the cap and the wrapper is coming unwound a bit (darn it, my fault!).
First ash fall at end of 1st third--admittedly I move my sticks about too much--I am not gentle with them, moving them back and forth from their rest. I have yet to have a super long undisturbed ash.
This thing is a smoke bomb!
Wrapper is on the dry side. I should have let this one rest, but I was too amped up to wait. 4 weeks and I think these will be just fine.
Now getting tree nut flavors, hazelnut? Very pleasing!
I pushed the stick to see if I could make it harsh; 8-10 pulls to try and draw out the spice. I succeeded, but it is not peppery, instead I get a richer tobacco flavor, detectable in the back of my mouth.
1-2 min is perfect rest time as the Uppowoc breathes so freely. 4 min I expect it will go out. No re lights yet and excellent burn.
The last stick which breathed this freely did not produce near the amount of smoke. Interesting.
Second ashing at end of 2nd third.
Starting to feel it in my belly and head. Damn subtle stick snuck up on me! It is sly; advanced in its nuances. Nice to have one that does not simply drub me and be done with it.
Cedar is back now, strong in final 3rd.
The beer does not pair well, nor the crackers. This stick would pair well with plain jerky and ice water, IMHO.
Dammit, my low cut on the cap has come back to haunt me. Three draws into the final third and the wrapper popped. Sad to let this one go!
Good job Webmost! I am gonna control myself and let the other four rest.
Smoke time, :55. Zero burn issues or delights needed. Loving this stick!
-Jay
-- Winston Churchill
"LET'S GO FRANCIS" Peter
Yeah, I like to box them dry, tho. We have such rainy weather here. I keep them at 60 -- 65 max.
"This stick would pair well with plain jerky and ice water, IMHO. "
HAH! Funny you should say that. Just yesterday I burnt a Scrappowoc (made from scraps, so who knows the blend) with Modelo Especial and plain beef jerky.
The truly surprising thing about rolling your own is that you really can get yourself a decent smoke outta the deal, no matter what they look like. It's good, too, that they don't cost much to make. On down the road, it's good when you can make a blend to suit yourself, and stash them away for four or six months, and enjoy them. But the bestest best best thing about it is how the experience of dabbling your hands in fine tobacco leaves turns out to be even better than smoking them. The oils come through your hands; the aroma fills your head; the whole job is delightful.
Could you steer me to a commercial example which uses Mataloto?
I may be mistaken, but I understood Criollo to be more commonly used in commercial sticks.
Can you educate me a bit here?
Thank you!
Jay
I really have zero recollection what all I sent you, to tell you the truth. I spose I ought to label them; but then... Neighbor came strolling across the street last night looking to cadge some more home rolled. Asked him which ones he liked that I gave him last time. He said "It was darker, and it had a label on it." Encouraged, I asked what the label said. "I don't know. I threw it out," he replied. So much for labels.
I scored a couple hands of ultra wonderful CT shade this week from FX Smith's Sons. Lookit this color:
Mouth watering. Far and away head and shoulders best looking and smelling shade I have seen. Huge, delicate, mild leaves. Great aroma reminds me of the Amish fields it came from. This is what they use for their Smithdale Shade and Tuscorora Shade. So mild it should let the full filler flavors frolic. Going to get a molar yanked today. Once it's healed, my flavor buds should be back in good order. Then I will work up a new batch using this stuff. Should be ready to smoke around Thanksgiving, and in fine working order around Christmas. Remind me to send you some.
I hate to let this tooth go. It's been a fine tooth. Boon companion. Prolly chawed through a couple herds of steak for me, not to speak of several sounders of sausage and a passel of pork roast. The corn nuts alone that this tooth has crushed would prolly stew up enough ethanol to adulterate a tank truck of gasoline.
I feel like a crippled bomber returning from a mission, jettisoning parts in hopes of remaining aloft until I reach the airfield.
Well, that's neither here nor there.
See some rolling vids at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Nh_bRHgFFIvaAHVrAxrrw/videos
Scored another cooler. Gonna fill it up. Happy happy happy.
I'm going to smoke two of the four you sent Friday evening, with my buddy Nathan.
I sure am learning a lot about tobacco, rolling,and blending.