Pics of your sticks!!

[Gdaddy]

Most excellent work!

This is a great example for those who have the desire can produce world class cigars right from their finger tips.

I have shied away from the corojo tobacco(as filler) because the description says it's a powerful flavor so I've been fearful to use it. Can you explain how much corojo you use and where is it placed? Just the wrapper? Is there a secret to blending it? What is your take on the flavor profile?

Thanks!!

 

[MarcL]

While I enjoy reviews/descriptions/ratings, I just can't and can relate to them definitively often in some kind of way. ... but the corojos for me are a must. I feel like all the types of leaf are. I like to be versatile with the leaves. mata fina/w stem and Pa oscuro core, piloto entubado and corojo estrujado, backfill tips. 1 inner corojo seco binder with 1 conn valley outer binder, san vicente wrapper, corojo cap.

Of course, as we learn, the sorting of the leaf into classes for assembly are the secrets to it. Then again, petuning I know little about.

 

[MarcL]

 

[Longwaytofall]

I received my order from Don yesterday, and couldn't be happier with his service. I rolled a couple yesterday with medium success, but today I rolled this guy with an ecuador maduro wrapper and it came out looking maybe slightly better than terrible. The draw is better, my first few were way too light. Tastes great!!! Ecuador Maduro wrapper/double binder, and criollo 98 filler.

 

[MarcL]

Well that sounds really nice! looks alright, tastes great you say? your well on your way. that's nice to hear and see. well done to you man!

 

[TravisNTexas]

Looks great! I'm amazed at how good Don's tobacco tastes too I've only rolled a few, then got so busy at work I have not had time. Hoping I can squeeze in some time after I get away from work today.

 

[waikikigun]

Great job.

I received my order from Don yesterday, and couldn't be happier with his service. I rolled a couple yesterday with medium success, but today I rolled this guy with an ecuador maduro wrapper and it came out looking maybe slightly better than terrible. The draw is better, my first few were way too light. Tastes great!!! Ecuador Maduro wrapper/double binder, and criollo 98 filler.
View attachment 17030

 

[Longwaytofall]

Thanks fellas! I am really liking this community, you guys have tons of great info, advice, and encouragement. I'm smoking a nice little maduro puro right now... man this is good stuff.

 

[charlie G.]

Marc you amaze me with your skills all the time. Those are some great looking cigars.

Longway, it looks, and sounds like it's only a Shortway to good cigars for you. Nice job !

 

[michaelparenteau]

Started rolling about 6 weeks ago. I was doing all sorts of things with a very old Karl Hart cigar mold I found on craigslist. It holds 20 sticks and they are really short (like 4 inches). Anyway, it was actually pretty great because I really had no idea what I was doing and was mixing all sorts of stuff together and could put multiple blends in the mold. I would write it down in a journal. Leaf name/count, date rolled, etc. And would do the same on blank paper bands to put around the sticks. Well, after rested long enough to give them a try I would go and score the blends in the journal... if not near the journal, save the band un ripped in my pocket.. or if the cigar was no good, tear the band in a way to remember that it was no good... don't do that one again. But keeping the journal up to date. One thing I noticed was that even though I was recording stuff.. it all sort of started to look the same and well, I didn't have a way to say.. I remember that cigar, it was amazing. Great blend, etc. Or even the opposite. So I started adding bands that i designed to them. Really simple, but different enough to give the sticks an identity that I can visually remember and associate with a certain quality. Ok, enough rambling. Thought I would share because I am pretty proud of where I have ended up after 6 weeks.

Here are some pics:


Lots of different blends all with notes on labels. (older labels)


First box. Rolled a full 20 of a blend that I liked. Gave them a label and called them "Box One" (heh, real creative I know).


Different sticks. One dedicated to my dog that passed on the day I rolled the sticks. One to blend I smoked after taking a 19.8 mile hike. And one for a Nicaragua (almost pure) stick.


Luz Dominicana. Light (not color.. but in the spirit of the "mild" meaning) Dominican puro. The blend is a tasty mild with just a touch of piloto cubano viso in the mix for a bit of depth.

It's been a lot of fun doing all this.

 

[deluxestogie]

Great work. Congratulations.

Bob

 

[webmost]

Started rolling about 6 weeks ago. I was doing all sorts of things with a very old Karl Hart cigar mold I found on craigslist. It holds 20 sticks and they are really short (like 4 inches). Anyway, it was actually pretty great because I really had no idea what I was doing and was mixing all sorts of stuff together and could put multiple blends in the mold. I would write it down in a journal. Leaf name/count, date rolled, etc. And would do the same on blank paper bands to put around the sticks. Well, after rested long enough to give them a try I would go and score the blends in the journal... if not near the journal, save the band un ripped in my pocket.. or if the cigar was no good, tear the band in a way to remember that it was no good... don't do that one again. But keeping the journal up to date. One thing I noticed was that even though I was recording stuff.. it all sort of started to look the same and well, I didn't have a way to say.. I remember that cigar, it was amazing. Great blend, etc. Or even the opposite. So I started adding bands that i designed to them. Really simple, but different enough to give the sticks an identity that I can visually remember and associate with a certain quality. Ok, enough rambling. Thought I would share because I am pretty proud of where I have ended up after 6 weeks.

Here are some pics:

View attachment 17037
Lots of different blends all with notes on labels. (older labels)

View attachment 17035
First box. Rolled a full 20 of a blend that I liked. Gave them a label and called them "Box One" (heh, real creative I know).

View attachment 17036
Different sticks. One dedicated to my dog that passed on the day I rolled the sticks. One to blend I smoked after taking a 19.8 mile hike. And one for a Nicaragua (almost pure) stick.

View attachment 17038
Luz Dominicana. Light (not color.. but in the spirit of the "mild" meaning) Dominican puro. The blend is a tasty mild with just a touch of piloto cubano viso in the mix for a bit of depth.

It's been a lot of fun doing all this.

I like 'em!

 

[MarcL]

thank you charlie. .. , "shortest route is through the heart", looks can be deceiving but, optimistic perspective is helpful.

 

[MarcL]

Started rolling about 6 weeks ago. I was doing all sorts of things with ...

Nicely done! .. this seems like the shortest route? (through the heart)

 

[LewZephyr]

Nice sticks Michael and thanks for sharing the backstory on the bands.
My condolences on your dog.

 

[waikikigun]

Super impressive sticks and bands. What make of printer do you use?

I color code my blends in a spreadsheet. Red equals sucked, green equals good. Yellow means needs work.

Sorry to hear about your dog.

 

[michaelparenteau]

Thanks for all your condolences.

@waikikigun – I have an HP Photosmart 6520. It isn't super great but it works.

 

[waikikigun]

Thanks, Michael.

 

[TravisNTexas]

Very nice work Michael! Impressive for only 6 weeks at it, and I love the bands. How are you securing the bands (glue, tape, ??)?

 

[juan carlos]

I found some avery decals about the right size at staples. they are self adhesive.

avery has a free download for design and print software.

product #15266

took about 10 minutes to create and print these...not bad for the first attempt.