|
|
Post by Plainsman on Mar 9, 2024 13:43:31 GMT -5
I’ve been dabbling, the tiniest bit, with “mixes”— I dare not call them blends. All with Z92 as the base. Some latakia, Edward G. Robinson, and Peterson Nightcap. So far. No big hurrahs yet, but the latakia is leading right now. I’m sure some more expert at this have some triumphs to share. Hoping anyway…
|
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Mar 9, 2024 13:54:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I've made a few. There are only a couple I really like enough to make on a regular basis. Need to do some tweaking on the latest.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Mar 9, 2024 14:23:42 GMT -5
I like a mix of 80% Crooner to 20% Sutliff 507c, it been a regular for me for a while. I am currently experimenting with some recipes from the ground up so to speak, but it’s a little early to give any thoughts.
|
|
jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
|
Post by jonmc75 on Mar 9, 2024 18:34:26 GMT -5
I've only done one so far, discovered kinda by accident, I had enough Peterson 3P's left, jarred up, for half a bowl, so I added the same again of Dunhill/Peterson flake, rubbed out together, to make up the rest, really, really nice, I still enjoy both separately, but mixed half n half, is regularly one of my favourite smokes.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Mar 10, 2024 20:21:56 GMT -5
Since my previous comment I have finished my first blend from the ground up and it turned out great. Although I can’t take credit for the recipe, it’s comprised primarily of Prelip, Virginia, Dark Air Cured, Perique and Red Tip Burley. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be making more of it, it’s all I’ve been smoking since I took it out of the mold, cut flakes off and broke them up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Mar 10, 2024 20:39:24 GMT -5
Since my previous comment I have finished my first blend from the ground up and it turned out great. Although I can’t take credit for the recipe, it’s comprised primarily of Prelip, Virginia, Dark Air Cured, Perique and Red Tip Burley. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be making more of it, it’s all I’ve been smoking since I took it out of the mold, cut flakes off and broke them up. Did you take whole leaves or leaf parts and press them into a plug? What did you use to press the tobacco? Apologies if this was already discussed. I've pressed some cakes using ribbon-cut and broken Flake tobaccos. Nowhere near the pressure needed to form a plug. |
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Mar 10, 2024 21:12:07 GMT -5
Since my previous comment I have finished my first blend from the ground up and it turned out great. Although I can’t take credit for the recipe, it’s comprised primarily of Prelip, Virginia, Dark Air Cured, Perique and Red Tip Burley. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be making more of it, it’s all I’ve been smoking since I took it out of the mold, cut flakes off and broke them up. Did you take whole leaves or leaf parts and press them into a plug? What did you use to press the tobacco? Apologies if this was already discussed. I've pressed some cakes using ribbon-cut and broken Flake tobaccos. Nowhere near the pressure needed to form a plug. Hey Pete, no I haven’t discussed that yet. I remember when you were talking about pressing cakes a while back too. This is my setup, I actually have two sets of this. The molds create a 1 1/2 inch block up to about 2 1/2 inches thick if you want, depending on how much tobacco is put in. I’ve found 20 grams makes a good sample size block, about 3/4” thick. I bought the molds (there are multiple sizes available) on Amazon. They are machined, anodized aluminum and sold for the purpose of pressing hash I believe, but the mechanics are the same concept. $23 each if I remember correctly. Then I’m using the clamp shown. It provides more than sufficient pressure to form a plug. Not that much pressure is needed if you’re working with a smaller surface area. 35 psi is all that’s needed for a plug. Obviously when they are pressing single 20 pound blocks in a commercial setting, some serious hydraulics are needed. The clamps I have can actually exceed the pressure needed. The plug shown is a combination of whole leaf and ribbon, the Prelip and Perique were Sutliff blending tobacco’s, the rest were leaf. I have had incredible success with pressing cakes with this setup btw. I fill the mold, press it down, remove it and bag the mold to prevent drying while it’s pressing, put it back in the clamp and tighten it down (a little trial and error for me to get the right amount without overdoing it, tightened completely and then about a half squeeze more on the handle is what’s been working for me) then I wrap a heating pad around it and put it in a box to stay warm (holds 90 degrees for me according to my thermometer) for three days. That’s how I made the plug in my picture.   |
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Mar 10, 2024 21:54:23 GMT -5
Thanks, Ted. Similar setup here. Never went beyond a cake myself. I'll have to review my process.
|
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Mar 10, 2024 22:06:59 GMT -5
I have never had very good success at mixing tobaccos, even staying in the same genre’s.
I did have one… aged Orlik Golden Sliced, added some aged St. James Perique, that was good, but a one off.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Mar 11, 2024 9:23:31 GMT -5
I have never had very good success at mixing tobaccos, even staying in the same genre’s. I did have one… aged Orlik Golden Sliced, added some aged St. James Perique, that was good, but a one off. I like to add a pinch of Blood Red Moon to an average English or other uninspired blend. It will make it come alive. |
|
|
|
Post by Darin on Mar 11, 2024 10:34:04 GMT -5
A copy & paste from my 2020 thread ...
Burley Legal:
1 pound Natural Burley, cased in a light molasses / cocoa and toasted
1 pound Red FCV
1 pound Prilep
1/2 pound Light Fire Cured Virginia
1/4 pound Red Tips Burley (added after the press)
All selected leaves were equally divided into 3 piles which were then stacked on each other and placed in the press.
For this application, I did a light pressing with the plan to cube cut upon completion.
After a week in the press, it was removed and cube cut then placed into a large mixing bowl.
To this mixture, I'll add the 1/4 pound of Red Tips that were previously pressed and cubed.
Smoking notes:
Natural Burley and Virginia is well-balanced, nutty and not too sweet.
Prilep is present throughout as a mild spice with occasional floral tones.
Light Fire Cured Virginia adds mostly a smoky bag note and a bit of depth and woodiness to the smoke.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Mar 11, 2024 13:07:33 GMT -5
A copy & paste from my 2020 thread ... Burley Legal: 1 pound Natural Burley, cased in a light molasses / cocoa and toasted 1 pound Red FCV 1 pound Prilep 1/2 pound Light Fire Cured Virginia 1/4 pound Red Tips Burley (added after the press) All selected leaves were equally divided into 3 piles which were then stacked on each other and placed in the press. For this application, I did a light pressing with the plan to cube cut upon completion. After a week in the press, it was removed and cube cut then placed into a large mixing bowl. To this mixture, I'll add the 1/4 pound of Red Tips that were previously pressed and cubed. Smoking notes: Natural Burley and Virginia is well-balanced, nutty and not too sweet. Prilep is present throughout as a mild spice with occasional floral tones. Light Fire Cured Virginia adds mostly a smoky bag note and a bit of depth and woodiness to the smoke. Sounds really good, I’m going to make a test batch of that to try out. |
|
|
|
Post by Darin on Mar 11, 2024 16:23:21 GMT -5
I'll be curious to hear how it goes! 👍
Time seems to be one of the biggest factors, especially with whole-leaf. My blend really came in to it's own after a few years jarred.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbocat on Mar 11, 2024 16:45:44 GMT -5
I'll be curious to hear how it goes! 👍 Time seems to be one of the biggest factors, especially with whole-leaf. My blend really came in to it's own after a few years jarred. I’m only on my second whole leaf blend, but in both cases I’ve been smoking them right out of the press because they turned out really good. Exmoor is the one I’ve been smoking since yesterday and I’m clear I’m going to need to make bigger batches so I don’t smoke it up before it has a chance to age. In both I’ve made I can tell that some age could be a really beautiful thing. |
|
booknpipe
Junior Member
Posts: 132
Favorite Tobacco: Burley
Location:
|
Post by booknpipe on Apr 15, 2024 23:01:10 GMT -5
Recently hit on this one; equal parts C&D Pegasus, Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey, and Admirals Choice Natural Cavendish. I've been enjoying it!
|
|
|
|
Post by briarpipenyc on Apr 16, 2024 10:26:40 GMT -5
For me, the most successful homemade mixtures started with a professionally, balanced, bulk-blends as a "base". A blend that hopefully, will always be commercially available and easy to find. Old-school, and match-blends are usually very economical, consistent from year-to-year, and almost always can be improved with the addition of some special, condimental-type tobaccos, e.g. Latakia, Perique, Cigar-Leaf, Dark Fired...etc. Adding small quantities of these kind of tobaccos can give base blends a special nuance, enhanced flavors, and more interesting smoking experience. A very little amount of Cigar-Leaf, can perk up any blend with creaminess, smoke volume, and subtle flavors without changing the original blend's flavor profile in a major way, depending, of course, on how much you add and the strength of the Cigar Leaf..
My most successful triumph, started out with a "base" of Lane Ltd-"HGL"/Captain Black-original, but with some Latakia added. I love this aromatic-Englishy, easy-to-smoke-all-day blend. It's always available in bulk. But, I added some 'Cigar-Leaf', 'Toasted, Cubed Burley', and 'Luxury Bull's Eye Flake' to the original HGL base. I let it sit a few weeksi n a zip-lock bag just to let the tobacco flavors develop, and smooth out.
I was very happy with this conglomeration of different tobaccos. The small amount of Latakia, and the sweet Virginias, the Perique, and Cigar Leaf fit me like a glove! I've now been easy-smoking this hybrid blend for years, and it never gets old...for me. I've shared it with others and they also liked it. This mix also has a great aroma, and makes clouds of thick, creamy smoke, from the Cigar Leaf.
I also mixed 50-50 Wilke's "High Hat" and Luxury Bull's-Eye Flake (by weight) Another winner!
BTW, I wrote down ALL my experimental mixture recipes in a notebook, with some critiques. When you hit pay-dirt it's easy to remake the mixture if you have the recipe written down.
Have fun experimenting.
|
|
