Blending

[jwit76]

Good morning. I am hoping for some direction/advice regarding my first attempts at blending. Up until this point, regarding WLT, I've only smoked Don's Yedi-Turkish blend, and now I'm considering buying individual leaf types and having a go at blending, in an attempt to eventually obtain customized smokes.

On Don's site right now there's approx 10 different cigarette leafs available. Out of those options, If I'm looking to buy 5 to start out with, which ones would you recommend? Are there any leafs that could be considered a duplicate, for an example Virginia flue cured "lemon", "bright leaf" and "light", is it desirable to have all 3 or perhaps just one based on what type of taste one is looking for? I know it all comes down to preference, but since I am unsure of what I'm looking for, i'm simply looking to purchase whatever leafs would give me the greatest amount of blending options.

Thanks ahead of time for any thoughts/suggestions. - Josh

 

[FmGrowit]

SAMPLER of 6 types of Cigarette tobaccos

The sampler includes 6 types of cigarette tobacco we currently offer.

Included in this sampler...

1/2 lb. Flue Cured Virginia Bright Leaf

1/2 lb. Flue Cured Virginia Red Leaf

1/2 lb. Flue Cured Virginia "Lemon"

1/2 lb. Dark Air Cured

1/2 lb. Maryland 609

1/2 lb. Genuine Turkish Izmir (2009 crop)

I'll throw in a bottle of casing #1. Just add a note in the special instructions requesting a complimentary bottle of casing per Don's offer.

 

[jwit76]

Thanks Don, I hadn't considered that option. Might be a good way to start.

 

[Knucklehead]

I'd recommend adding some Burley once it is back in stock.

 

[smoker]

This document was somewhat helpful to me. http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/ckq76a99/pdf It is on American blend cigarettes.

 

[jwit76]

Roger that on the Burley. Thanks for passing along the article.

 

[CT Tobaccoman]

jwit76,

Just for an example, my blend contains half flue cured bright. Most of that is Canadian Virginia, about 2/3. The other third of the first half is any other VA flue cured type--I'm going to try the VA Red next, now I am using VA VA flue cured. Maybe the lemon flue cured is close to the Canadian Virginia, the Canadian is a pale yellow--I know that WLT doesn't carry Canadian (maybe they will consider carrying it?) Canadian Virginia would be good for "light" cigarettes, but I mix in enough other stuff that my blend is not light. I used to like Du Mauriere (sp) and other Canadian cigarettes that used to be sold. Benson and Hedges was a big one.

The second half of my blend is a bit over half burley--burley really is a must-- then the rest is oriental and Maryland 609--the 609 being the least amount I use of the various types that I use. It gives a "bite" to it. I put a dash of light fire cured Kentucky too, just a bit.

I haven't tried the casings yet but I think they are probably a good thing since raw tobacco tends to be a bit harsh, even mine with so much flue cured bright in the mix.

Traditionally, the old blends in Lucky Strike, Camel, Chesterfield, etc. contained several types of flue cured "Virginia" bright, what used to be called "red burley" and "white burley," Turkish, probably Izmir, and a bit of Maryland, probably a bit less Maryland than Turkish. Except for "exotic" tobacco like Hungarian and others, the big four that make a good cigarette are flue cured bright, burley, oriental and Maryland. You'll have to experiment with the proportions, but VA flue cured and Burley are the main ingredients. You can make a good cigarette with just those two types.

Have fun,
CT

Thank you, smoker, for the link. Good info!

 

[smoker]

I was under the impression that the lemon flu-cured was Canadian. It was just my assumption. Thanks for setting that straight. I have not used either but it's good to know anyway.

 

[jwit76]

Good info, indeed having fun is an important part of the journey. So for all of you experienced blenders out there, I was thinking of trying the following: flue cured VA red, Maryland and Prilep. I understand that burley is typically a must, but can Maryland act as a substitute occasionally? I also notice many of you like to toast maryland, correct (time and temp)? Finally, any thoughts in using Prilep vs Izmir? If Maryland is not a good substitute, I'll have to do some more digging online for Burnley.

 

[holyRYO]

I think I am the only one who toasts Maryland. 300 f for 80 minutes. Try it, you'll like it. Much prefer over the Burley.

If I was going to pick only two to start, it would be Bright and Prilep. Both are user friendly.

I mostly smoke 1st Priming, Bright, Red, and Toasted Maryland. I can blend about anything with these basics, I can't go wrong with these fab four.

I keep Prilep, Irmir, and Dark Fired on hand. For burley I use Five Brothers and Prince Albert. I can blend everything under the sun when the mood strikes.

In time, try them all.

 

[leverhead]

... Maybe the lemon flue cured is close to the Canadian Virginia,

....... the 609 being the least amount I use of the various types that I use. ...

I've tried the Canadian Virginia a few years ago, it was too much of a mess for me to bother with. The lemon flue-cured is much easier to work with and I like the taste better. Most of the flue-cured I use is home grown, but I use the lemon to "sweaten up" a blend.

I generally use a Maryland and dark air-cured together in a blend, two parts Maryland and one part dark air-cured. The total amount I use in a blend varies, less (10-15%) in the warmer weather and more (20-25%) in the cooler weather.

My Turkish part of the blend tops out at about 25%, it's all or mostly home grown. It's heavy with Ottoman and Bursa, the rest is whatever I feel like smoking this month, currently it's WLT Izmir.

I got away from using Burley and haven't missed it yet.

 

[janetta007]

I think I am the only one who toasts Maryland. 300 f for 80 minutes. Try it, you'll like it. Much prefer over the Burley.

What is meant by toasting? Like in the oven toasting?
janetta

 

[holyRYO]

What is meant by toasting? Like in the oven toasting?
janetta

In the oven. They call it "toasting", more like baking in practice. It's a heat treatment no matter what they call it.

 

[jwit76]

This is just the type of info I was looking for gents, this gives me some ideas to work with. I've already learned some things through working with the Yedi-Turkish blend, for an example from now on I will not be toasting anything other than burley, perhaps some maryland per holyryo suggestion. I've also learned how humidity level affects the throat hit, etc. I know these are some basic understandings, but one step at a time.

 

[jwit76]

When it comes to flavorings applied to shredded leaf, I understand things like coco, licorice, honey, brown sugar, molasses, glycerin, etc. are popular. My question is, how does one process these elements for spraying/atomizing? Do you boil them down?

 

[deluxestogie]

LorAnn essential oils: http://shop.lorannoils.com/templates/group_ProductSelect.aspx?GroupGuid=3

Bob

 

[jwit76]

Ah ha, essential oils, makes sense.

 

[DGBAMA]

Member BigBonner also has some good leaf for sale, PM him, may have a good burley in stock.

Don's Maryland is very good. Milder than burley but a good flavor substitute. It is a thinner leaf, so increases burn rate of the blend a bit too if in good case.

 

[holyRYO]

When it comes to flavorings applied to shredded leaf, I understand things like coco, licorice, honey, brown sugar, molasses, glycerin, etc. are popular. My question is, how does one process these elements for spraying/atomizing? Do you boil them down?

There are a bunch of threads on flavorings, casing, and topping. I have given up on DIY flavorings, too much work and so so results. With whole leaf I need less work, not more. For flavorings I leave it to the professionals by blending in already flavored tobacco like Prince Albert, or suggest WLT's http://wholeleaftobacco.com/Cigarette-Tobacco-Casings_c25.htm.

 

[DGBAMA]

One of my goals in ryo, and now whole leaf, was to get away from additives. If I want to change flavor, I will alter my blend. I do want to try making Cavendish and perique to use as flavor blenders as these are just processing methods and not based on additives.