Phew .. strong ... hot

[vorgath]

Still playing around with the mix
Started out as 40% chopped cigar leaf, 40% latakia, maybe 20% nougat flavored tobacco. OK in reality it was probably more 45/45/10 mix. Drenched it in some liqueur, let it dry out.
First attempt ... whoa ... nicotine overdose :lol: and that comes from someone who smokes cigarettes.
Second attempt, I did add quite a bit of some cheap burley/Virginia something mix, put some liqueur in the tin can, let it sit, then let it dry (wrapped paper towels, to absorb the liquid). Not quite as strong this time. A lot harder to light this time though, but could be because I packed the pipe wrong (used a corn cob, straight stem, both times .. and it got HOT both times, but second time there was quite some issues getting it started)
Flavor ? Not quite what I expected, I think I need to try a different pipe than a straight corncob one, the mixture smells beautifully, but it just burning hot once it gets going.
Would a briar pipe help out a bit ?

 

[crashthegrey]

You won't know until you try it. Tobacco is mesmerizing and interesting. My gut instinct, no. But give it a whirl.

 

[vorgath]

Yeah, because shouldn't a corncob one smoke cooler by default ?
I may have to let the tobacco mix sit for a few days, blend together, and be more careful when I load the pipe, seems like some pieces of tobacco are long chunks.

 

[crashthegrey]

I don't buy that corncobs smoke cooler, it just seems you may have a hot burning tobacco. How dry is it?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Drenched it in some liqueur

What amazes me about tobacco is how it reacts with different types of alcohol. It doesn't take on a predictable aroma. It takes on something entirely different. More than just adding the flavors of rum or vodka or whisky, it seems to transform the tobacco into another flavor altogether.

 

[mso489]

In fairness to the professional blenders, many/most of them will spend a year or more perfecting a blend, and go through scores of trial batches before they consider something ready for the market. So the fact that you or I, without training, won't usually come up with anything wonderful is less disheartening. It is fun to mix around, and sometimes I do get a mighty fine smoke, even though I'll never be ready for prime time as a blender.

 

[crashthegrey]

It is certainly fun to play, but yes, the test batches are insane compared to what we do at home.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

the professional blenders, many/most of them will spend a year or more perfecting a blend

I think that the main difference between what they do, and we do, is that they have to make a blend that can be mixed 500 lbs at a time. A percentage point off here and there at such a high volume can throw a product off significantly.
Whereas, when I cook or blend, I just want a great meal or a great smoke, so I may not use a recipe at all. I will just throw together something using stuff I happen to have in the kitchen or in my cellar. I have no need to reproduce anything, because I know that the next time I blend or cook something I will again just use what is on hand.

 

[crashthegrey]

I am a mean cook, but I get the impression that you are a far better blender than I.

 

[vorgath]

Hmmmm I'll try it again, I smelled the pipe and it doesn't smell as well .. nice as my other ones. Have I smoked it THAT much ? No, have I cleaned it once, yes, salt and alcohol.
So, we'll see .. whether it's my lousy blending skills :lol: or improperly packing the pipe or whatever

 

[dottiewarden]

Everyone has to start somewhere. Best of luck on your future endeavors.

 

[vorgath]

Uhmmmm sooooo :lol: might be the alcohol that I used, it's herb based :laughat:

 

[krizzose]

I’ve been blending a lot lately, and my success rate indicates a competence level of Sucks to Just Not Very Good. I think I’ve come up with about 4 real winners out 30 or so attempts. It’s a lot fun, though, so just keep experimenting.
About the only practical knowledge I think I can pass on is that, for almost any style of blend you’re making, some medium bodied straight burley and/or unflavored black cavendish are your friends. The former more so than the latter.

 

[vorgath]

I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks.

 

[jaygreen55]

Instead of drenching it with the liquer try spraying it with a fine mist and it will dry quicker with a much more subtle flavor

 

[mikefu]

This is what my wife says when I fart in bed.

 

[ophiuchus]

Uhmmmm sooooo :lol: might be the alcohol that I used, it's herb based :laughat:

Are you crazy?!?
:lol: -Just kidding. Sounds like fun. Keep us updated.

 

[vorgath]

hahahaha well it said Amaro or something on the bottle, so I figured maybe it's an Amaretto knock off ... nope hahahahaha
And yes next time I'll definitely spray port wine, sherry, cognac whatever I pick, in a mist .. and do it several times if needed rather than drenching it

 

[cosmicfolklore]

one of my favorite casings that is subtle, but yet makes a remarkable impact is a honey rum. I will put a quarter cup of dark spiced rum in a stainless sauce pan, and then drizzle a few tables spoons of some of the best honey available into it, and heat it and stir till it is completely infused. I mist it sparingly onto a medium to strong burley, and then let it dry before blending in some Virginias. It makes the burley less throaty and adds a zesty bit of subtle spiciness to the blend.
If you are going to mist it onto a darker cigar leaf (like a maduro), then add a few drop of coconut extract into the honey rum mix, and it seems to make the cigar-leaf more smokey, and it seems to make it play better with the accompanying blended leaves.

 

[vorgath]

Coconut extract ? hmmm sounds delicious, could I add a few drops of virgin coconut oil .. or ?