Pics of your sticks!!

[Gdaddy]

I haven't tried a lot of variety yet - most of the RYOs that I've smoked have been from the medium cigar sampler from the other leaf tobacco site - Dominican ligero, Nicaraguan seco, and CT broadleaf binder and wrapper. This plus some Paraguay viso is nice. I've changed over to Aleman binder and Ecuador shade and maduro wrappers which really improved the flavor and appearance.

My more recent batches contain some sumatra and cameroon fillers but I haven't tried them yet - still resting. I did try one each of all-sumatra and all-cameroon filler; this was mainly to calibrate my palate to what these leaves add. They were good but I think they will be better blended. Actually I might do a few more all-sumatras. That one had a rather exotic spicy/leathery flavor.

To be honest, I haven't paid as much attention to blending as to nailing down the mechanics of rolling.

I couldn't get a handle on the Sumatra so put it aside for a while. Was using it as filler and didn't like it as wrapper. Funny you should post this now as I just rolled one using two half leaves of Sumatra as the binder, Piloto viso and Nic seco filler with a half leaf Dom ligero and half Nic ligero. I'll see how it goes in a week or two.

Since you've been working on your mechanics have you gotten down the triple cap yet?

 

[ArizonaDave]

AZDave, no wrapper you say, they look great as is.

They are rolled with Seco tobaccos except for the lighter ones, which are a sample Don sent me of Havana 2000. Great Leaf!

 

[ArizonaDave]

Gdaddy,
Try some Sumatra in a blend with the Piloto Viso or Seco. Let me know how it is!

 

[Bruck]

Gdaddy,
Try some Sumatra in a blend with the Piloto Viso or Seco. Let me know how it is!

I'm smoking a stick with a leaf of sumatra thrown in right now - it really adds some personality. But it's wrapped in maduro (endlessly experimenting these days) and the maduro is kind of fighting with the sumatra. I made the same one w/ a shade wrapper which I'll try later.

 

[Bruck]

I couldn't get a handle on the Sumatra so put it aside for a while. Was using it as filler and didn't like it as wrapper. Funny you should post this now as I just rolled one using two half leaves of Sumatra as the binder, Piloto viso and Nic seco filler with a half leaf Dom ligero and half Nic ligero. I'll see how it goes in a week or two.

Since you've been working on your mechanics have you gotten down the triple cap yet?

Haven't tried the triple cap yet but will attempt it with the next batch - that vid you showed me was excellent. She made it look easy, which I'm sure it isn't, but at least now I get the concept.

Re sumatra - I tried an all-sumatra filler cigar w/ the Aleman binder and Ecuador shade wrapper, and it was pretty good. Different to be sure, but good.

I have a few sticks with some sumatra in it, but based on my experience so far, I'm thinking of using more of it or none at all. Its flavor is very distinctive and it doesn't necessarily complement the sweeter-flavored central American leaves that I've been using.

 

[MarcL]

... - that vid you showed me was excellent. She made it look easy, which I'm sure it isn't, but at least now I get the concept. ...

did we or, can we see it?

 

[Gdaddy]

Gdaddy,
Try some Sumatra in a blend with the Piloto Viso or Seco. Let me know how it is!

Already got one rolled where I used the Sumatra as a binder instead of filler. Will let you know.

 

[Gdaddy]

did we or, can we see it?

You probably saw it...

http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/4197-Rolling-Habanos

 

[MarcL]

yes thnx.. i thought maybe that was da 1...

 

[Gdaddy]

Haven't tried the triple cap yet but will attempt it with the next batch - that vid you showed me was excellent. She made it look easy, which I'm sure it isn't, but at least now I get the concept.

Re sumatra - I tried an all-sumatra filler cigar w/ the Aleman binder and Ecuador shade wrapper, and it was pretty good. Different to be sure, but good.

I have a few sticks with some sumatra in it, but based on my experience so far, I'm thinking of using more of it or none at all. Its flavor is very distinctive and it doesn't necessarily complement the sweeter-flavored central American leaves that I've been using.

Watch the video it's really not hard at all.

Step 1. when you roll up the wrapper a natural end of the wrap is a pig tail. I spin a little glue on the threads of the pig tail. Then she cuts off the pig tail leaving a tiny stub and simply tuck it in the end of the cigar.

Step2. cut out a flag. Make sure it's rounded slightly like she does. I avoid veins on this. The flag needs to be rounded slightly so it follows the contour of the cigar as you wrap it around and then the seem naturally extends to the top. Spread glue on it and wrap it around like a band aid. Gently twist into a tiny pig tail and tuck that into the end also or just lay it over in flaps and tuck them in with your finger nail.

Step 3 Make the cap.

You already know step 1 and step 3. Believe me step 2 isn't difficult. It does add a little more time but I like the finished look.

 

[ArizonaDave]

I'm smoking a stick with a leaf of sumatra thrown in right now - it really adds some personality. But it's wrapped in maduro (endlessly experimenting these days) and the maduro is kind of fighting with the sumatra. I made the same one w/ a shade wrapper which I'll try later.

I'm getting Sumatra and a Habano 2000 wrapper (lighter than Conn. Shade, but with distinct Habano light flavor). Also have a little dominican left. Dominican can be added up to ⅓ filler, or use in place of Sumatran. Sometimes adding a tart to the taste tobacco like Piloto Cubano make a nice contrast to a sweeter leaf.
Try this:

Habano 2000 Wrapper
Sumatran binder (or Dominican Seco)
⅓ Filler of Piloto Cubano Seco
⅔ Filler of Nic. Habano Seco (or ⅓ Habano, ⅓ Dominican OR ⅓ Sumatra)
½ leaf of Dominican Liguero
¼ leaf of Brazillian Mata Fina

Believe it or not, this smokes creamy sweet.

 

[Gdaddy]

I'm getting Sumatra and a Habano 2000 wrapper (lighter than Conn. Shade, but with distinct Habano light flavor). Also have a little dominican left. Dominican can be added up to ⅓ filler, or use in place of Sumatran. Sometimes adding a tart to the taste tobacco like Piloto Cubano make a nice contrast to a sweeter leaf.
Try this:

Habano 2000 Wrapper
Sumatran binder (or Dominican Seco)
⅓ Filler of Piloto Cubano Seco
⅔ Filler of Nic. Habano Seco (or ⅓ Habano, ⅓ Dominican OR ⅓ Sumatra)
½ leaf of Dominican Liguero
¼ leaf of Brazillian Mata Fina

Believe it or not, this smokes creamy sweet.

Thanks Dave I'll roll that up tomorrow and get it in the humi for next week.

 

[Bruck]

I'm getting Sumatra and a Habano 2000 wrapper (lighter than Conn. Shade, but with distinct Habano light flavor). Also have a little dominican left. Dominican can be added up to ⅓ filler, or use in place of Sumatran. Sometimes adding a tart to the taste tobacco like Piloto Cubano make a nice contrast to a sweeter leaf.
Try this:

Habano 2000 Wrapper
Sumatran binder (or Dominican Seco)
⅓ Filler of Piloto Cubano Seco
⅔ Filler of Nic. Habano Seco (or ⅓ Habano, ⅓ Dominican OR ⅓ Sumatra)
½ leaf of Dominican Liguero
¼ leaf of Brazillian Mata Fina

Believe it or not, this smokes creamy sweet.

Interesting - of course I don't have all of those tobaccos on hand - my tobacco library is somewhat limited at this point

 

[ArizonaDave]

Interesting - of course I don't have all of those tobaccos on hand - my tobacco library is somewhat limited at this point

What do you have on hand? Maybe I've tried it? If you don't have Piloto Cubano Seco, That one I'd recommend. It seems to bounce off flavors nicely, or mellows out a blend if too strong. I think it'll play off of your Sumatra nicely.

 

[Indianamac]

It's nice to see all the different blends on this thread. Some sound like good ones to try. I would like to see more pictures of these sticks that you all are roll'n. Friday night, I rolled up 4 of a new blend myself. Three of them are already burnt up but here is the lasy one. My blend:

Mata Fina-filler (3) leaves

Nic. Ligero-filler (2) leaves

Alman Ligero-filler (2) leaves

Dominican binder (1) leaf

PA Oscuro Maduro wrapper (1/2) leaf

No cap, just rolled'em and let'em dry a bit, then burned'em!!




As you can see. These were roughly rolled and not capped. These were a "hurry up" job and quite frankly, I can say they don't smoke any better or worse than the ones I have trimed and capped. I like the rustic look and so do others who have seen and smoked these sticks. Just goes to show that a good smoke doesn't have to be pretty!!!!


Do you have ugly sticks too?? If so, let's see some Pics of your sticks!!

 

[deluxestogie]

I have rolled pretty. I have rolled ugly. I completely agree that, so long as they are well packed and draw well, there is no difference between the two. I trim the wrapper only if it's so ruffled at the margin that it will burn funny.

I have a handy cap cutter that I never use. I have pectin that I never use (except for gift cigars). Although I frequently practice rolling a perfecto foot (still not there), I'm not aiming for a work of art. Roll 'em and smoke 'em. That's my path.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

Ugly Sticks? My cigars look like the stick I was beat with to get so ugly. I'll post some tonight anyway, just don't get hit with one! My sticks come directly from the ugly tree.

However, I can proudly say they do smoke like an asphalt factory on fire.

 

[Brooksy]

Mine look just like yours. As long as they smoke good I'm not particular how they look.

 

[Gdaddy]

It's nice to see all the different blends on this thread. Some sound like good ones to try. I would like to see more pictures of these sticks that you all are roll'n. Friday night, I rolled up 4 of a new blend myself. Three of them are already burnt up but here is the lasy one. My blend:

Mata Fina-filler (3) leaves

Nic. Ligero-filler (2) leaves

Alman Ligero-filler (2) leaves

Dominican binder (1) leaf

PA Oscuro Maduro wrapper (1/2) leaf

No cap, just rolled'em and let'em dry a bit, then burned'em!!

As you can see. These were roughly rolled and not capped. These were a "hurry up" job and quite frankly, I can say they don't smoke any better or worse than the ones I have trimed and capped. I like the rustic look and so do others who have seen and smoked these sticks. Just goes to show that a good smoke doesn't have to be pretty!!!!


Do you have ugly sticks too?? If so, let's see some Pics of your sticks!!

Man, that is a nice cigar cutter. Where did you find that?

 

[Indianamac]

Thanks Gdaddy!

Got that baby from Ebay via Pennsylvania.