Maryland tips?
- Thread starter NWgrower
- Start date
All of the commercial Maryland tobacco that I've seen (growing in Maryland) was topped at about 14 leaves, in order to maximize yield per leaf, and minimize handling labor. That was decades ago. Nonetheless, I've never seen any Maryland tobacco listed as "tips" for sale.
Bob
Bob
Very interesting Bob. So if/when I do grow my own, I imagine I’ll be able to try them.
Can I ask how you’ve processed your own homegrown Maryland?
I’m aware it’s generally stock cut/air cured. is that what you’ve done? I’ve always loved it in my various pipe blends. I’ve been using whole leaf to make pipe tobacco for over a decade. Made rope, plugs, flake etc. and I nearly always end up including it.
Just the other day, after reading more here, I was inspired to incorporate it into my recent cigars, for the first time. I made a half dozen using Maryland as a binder. What are your thoughts on it in cigars? Does it work equally well as Wrapper/filler/binder?
Can I ask how you’ve processed your own homegrown Maryland?
I’m aware it’s generally stock cut/air cured. is that what you’ve done? I’ve always loved it in my various pipe blends. I’ve been using whole leaf to make pipe tobacco for over a decade. Made rope, plugs, flake etc. and I nearly always end up including it.
Just the other day, after reading more here, I was inspired to incorporate it into my recent cigars, for the first time. I made a half dozen using Maryland as a binder. What are your thoughts on it in cigars? Does it work equally well as Wrapper/filler/binder?
I stalk-cut, and stalk-cure my Maryland in my shed. I use is primarily for pipe blending. Maryland varieties are particularly hygroscopic (more so than burley), and are valued commercially for their capacity to absorb and hold flavorants and casings.
The first cigar I rolled myself, in 1972, was from a "trash" leaf that I picked up from the dirt in a large tobacco field in Maryland. (I had been talking to the grower, who was harvesting the leaf.) I seldom used Maryland in cigars.
Bob
The first cigar I rolled myself, in 1972, was from a "trash" leaf that I picked up from the dirt in a large tobacco field in Maryland. (I had been talking to the grower, who was harvesting the leaf.) I seldom used Maryland in cigars.
Bob
GreenDragon
Moderator
I tend to think of Maryland as Burley's less obnoxious little brother when I'm working on a pipe blend. That said, I don't think that it would bring much to a cigar other than to tone down a particularly strong tasting blend. Additionally, using too much might make the cigar too "wet" to smoke for long. I have been known to sneak in a 1/4 leaf of Virginia into a cigar to accentuate chocolate/darker notes with a little sweetness. Experiment and have fun!
