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Post by nedwrecks on May 14, 2018 14:01:58 GMT -5
Hello. I'm a noob to pipe smoking. I currently live in New Zealand where the taxes on tobacco are prohibitively expensive. Apparently importing whole leaf tobacco is taxed at a lower rate here. For example, 50 gram (1.76 oz) tins cost about $100 nzd or $70 usd. The prices are so high in fact that few stores carry anything in stock. So basically there's no Hobbit's weed in middle earth. People talk about "desert island blends" welp, that's where I'm at.
So my question is, what leaves and percentages of them would you recommend for creating a complex but non-biting blend? My ideal blend would be something a little sweet but smooth. Also, how difficult is it to make your own cavendish? I understand cavendish can cool a Virginia down. I've only tried aromatics, straight virginias, and vapers. Never tried an English or Oriental blend, so I can't even say that I know what all the basic types smell like.
Also, has anyone tried using a paper shredder for cutting up tobacco leaves?
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Post by Legend Lover on May 14, 2018 15:15:58 GMT -5
You'll get some good advice here. I'm sorry I can't help with any of that. Hold fire and someone will be along to help.
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jitterbugdude
Junior Member
Posts: 229 
First Name: Randy
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Post by jitterbugdude on May 14, 2018 16:43:58 GMT -5
Making Cavendish is easy (but use a Virginia). If you get on the FairTradeTobacco (FTT) site and search for "pressure cooker" or "pressure canner" there is a very good recipe. I know Whole Leaf Tobacco ships to NZ and they include a customs label on the package explaining what the tax rate is. Your best bet would be to start growing your own. There are quite a few kiwis on the FTT site.
Everybody is different when it comes to what bites them. Try a 40% Virginia and 60% Turkish. I find that 60% Virginia is the upper limit for me for a tobacco that bites.
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Post by slowroll on May 14, 2018 17:45:30 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 18:43:26 GMT -5
Empathy (for those egregious prices) and Encouragement in finding a workaround/solution.
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Post by haebar on May 14, 2018 20:16:18 GMT -5
I used a paper shredder to shred some whole leaf tobacco just last Saturday. The shredder I used is a compact desktop shredder. After spending an hour cleaning the paper bits out of the head and washing the bin, I fed the leaves into the shredder one by one. Some of the pieces were a little too long so I put the tobacco in my blender one handful at a time for a one-second burst at high speed. This is what the final product looks like (KY Fire Cured):  |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,367
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on May 14, 2018 21:01:52 GMT -5
Empathy (for those egregious prices) and Encouragement in finding a workaround/solution. Adam over at smokingpipes moved here from Australia just because it’s so bad there. Same deal as NZ. I’d be only buying whole leaf and become a smuggler for those prices. Be taking lots of US trips and upselling back home. I mean, I didn’t say that. What? |
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Post by nedwrecks on May 15, 2018 3:47:35 GMT -5
With so many varietals on leafonly.com, can anyone make a recommendation seeing as I may end up with a lot of leaf, considering that the minimum order is 1/4 pound? No idea what shipping will be for a pound either. Prices vary wildly with other imports.
I am however excited by the prospect of learning (in isolation) the difference between virginia, perique, burley, latakia, fire and flue cured, etc...
Also, most sites seem geared towards cigarette tobacco. Is there anything I should avoid like the plague? Would it be good to get perique for virginias?
Thanks also for the FTT link. I'll hit them up as well.
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Post by nedwrecks on May 15, 2018 3:54:05 GMT -5
Making Cavendish is easy (but use a Virginia). If you get on the FairTradeTobacco (FTT) site and search for "pressure cooker" or "pressure canner" there is a very good recipe. I know Whole Leaf Tobacco ships to NZ and they include a customs label on the package explaining what the tax rate is. Your best bet would be to start growing your own. There are quite a few kiwis on the FTT site. Everybody is different when it comes to what bites them. Try a 40% Virginia and 60% Turkish. I find that 60% Virginia is the upper limit for me for a tobacco that bites. Thanks dude. We're coming into winter here, so unless it can be grown indoors, I may have to import. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a used pressure cooker. |
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Post by Darin on May 15, 2018 9:48:17 GMT -5
+1 to WLT.com and FTT Forum ... been a member for several years and have learned a ton.
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Post by nedwrecks on May 17, 2018 15:23:50 GMT -5
I have a question. Is the quality of tobacco really THAT terrible at leafonly.com? According to the FTT forum I should only be ordering from WLT.com. I'm interested in leafonly.com because I can order in 1/4 pound quantities and they seem to have more variety. Could it be because WLT.com runs the FTT forum? Should I take it with a pinch of salt?
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Post by slowroll on May 17, 2018 18:18:18 GMT -5
FWIW, I ordered from leafonly just once. I found the 4 tobaccos I received to be very ashy tasting, and they were 4 very different tobaccos. I have never ordered from WLT, so I can't compare. I too was put off by the 1 lb requirement.
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Post by haebar on May 17, 2018 18:24:43 GMT -5
I like doing business with Larry Butcher thetobaccobutcher.com/ in Kentucky. He sells good quality leaf at reasonable prices. Always ask for his most recent price list before ordering as he does not maintain his website very much. Here is his latest one that he sent me last week: Hi John I will be selling live tobacco plants again this year of you grow I have whole leaf tobacco My prices are . All grown on my farm in the USA Burley aged $12 per lb Burley Red Tips $12 per lb Bright leaf $12 per lb Orangey Has more flavor Bright Leaf $12 per lb Light yellow needs burley mixed in and is not pretty leaves but very good and lite Dark air $12 per lb Maryland $15 per lb Long pretty leaves Dark Fire $15 per lb Ct broad leaf $15 per lb Havana $24 per lb PA Wrapper $24 per lb Really good Pa Binder / filler $18 per lb Lieberman cigar rollers $400 Hand made by me . It may take a day or so for me to work these leaves up for packaging My have some color cured green . I like letting it hang a little longer for it to color up a little better but is ok to use now . 2016 Grow. Organic Silver River $24 per LB Yellow twist bud $24 per LB Bursa $28 per LB 1.5" to 9" long Samsun $28 per LB 1.5" to 9" long Florida Sumatra $28 per LB Small Leaf, Some wrapper / binder but great filler Habano Filler Filler only , I have to see what I have that is good I WILL BE ADDING MORE VARIETIES SOON !!!! I have not priced these ( Below ) yet and I still need to strip the leaves from the stalks . It is cured and I need warm moist rain to case up this tobacco to be able to handle it Corojo 99 , Big Havana , Penn Red , Black Mammoth ,Shirey ,Rustica , Nostrano del Berenta, And more These prices do not include shipping . Some are ready now , just may take a while to work these up . Let me know if you need tobacco . Thanks Larry |
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Post by Darin on May 18, 2018 7:40:18 GMT -5
+1 to Larry as well ... good tasting tobacco.
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