Blending
Tobacco blending - tools (e.g. scales), methods, and favorite custom blends.
Sunday, 20-Jan-2008: The new blending category replaces the old blending topic page.
Topics [ new ]
Ramback - Windsail Blend
Posted by Peter Paul on Monday, 31-Mar-2008
One of my favorite blends is a simple blend of 70% Ramback and 30% Windsail. I like these simple, no frills blends. Combining the ultra-light Turkish with the flue cured Gold Leaf produces a good smoke with an interesting flavor. I know the temptation here is to throw another tobacco into the blend, say, a little toasted burley, like Two Timer, but for me it complicates the blend too much. It makes it difficult for me to pick out the individual tobaccos and how they combine to produce a unique and better taste, a taste that is something more than the sum of its parts. Which is really the definition of a good blend. That synergistic combination of varieties of tobaccos, that on their own are good, but leave something to be desired when smoked individually.
Gauloise & Player's Substitutes?
Posted by Alist on Wednesday, 30-Jan-2008
I have a friend visiting from Europe and would like to match her tobacco tastes using syo/ryo/myo tobaccos. Of the European brands, she said she liked Gauloise & Player's. Does anyone have any idea what type of bulk tobacco would be similar? Alternatively, does anyone know what types of tobacco Gauloise & Player's might be, whether Virginia, Halfzware, Turkish, etc?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
[ page | comments (54) - Wednesday, 13-Feb-2008 | top ]
Do You Blend Pipe Tobaccos Into Your Cigs?
Posted by Alist on Sunday, 27-Jan-2008
I recently invested in a half ounce each of Latakia and Perique pipe tobaccos. Any recommendations, advice or warnings on blending pipe tobaccos into cigarette blends?
[ page | comments (5) - Wednesday, 30-Jan-2008 | top ]
Adventures in Blending - American Blend
Posted by KeenanW on Friday, 25-Jan-2008
I wanted to blend a good, affordable smoke for daily use, and so I came up with ingredients that, in theory, ought to produce a rich, American blend cigarette. I thought to use three good tobaccos to produce a blend with roughly the correct proportions for an American smoke- 50% Bright, 35% Burley, 15% Orient:
American Spirit 100% U.S. Grown
I've read that this tobacco is 94% Virginia, which burns at a higher temperature and brings out the flavor in other components, so I started with this.
Bali Red
This tobacco is itself a blend of Virginia and Orient, and so, in theory, this would provide a good deal of Bright and plenty of Orient for my blend, especially since I don't have any Ramback on hand.
Two-Timer from Daughters & Ryan
A sweet, distinctive, 100% Burley tobacco.
For the Virginia base to this blend, I combined one part American Spirit with two parts Bali Red for this reason: Bali is a much smoother and more interesting smoke to my taste. American Spirit, while it may have the proper burn characteristics, is far to harsh, in my opinion, to be smoked alone on a daily basis. Even at proper moisture levels, American Spirit can be harsh and leave a burning feeling in the mouth and back of the throat. So I used the American Spirit sparingly. Why did I use the American Spirit at all? Because I was anxious to see if the burn characteristics would, indeed, bring out the other flavors in the smoke, and, since American Spirit is almost completely Bright, I thought it might contribute some of its own merits to the blend: American Spirit, while it's not a complex smoke, is also not totally lacking in flavor.
Two parts Bali Red provides much of the base for this blend, and it's a rich, wonderful tobacco for blending. It also provides, in theory, an ample orient component.
Last, I used two parts Two-Timer. This Burley is double-toasted and won't diminish the quality of the smoke. In fact, it's so sweet and distinctive that it's bound add a lot to the blend, and, since this is an American blend, a good portion of it should be Burley. You can't go wrong with Two-Timer.
So how did it turn out? First of all, the Two-Timer really shines through in the first part of the cigarette. It's a very bright, modestly sweet smoke, the brightness, to my taste, being contributed from the Bali Red and the sweetness from the Two-Timer. There's also a distinctive spiciness about it, especially toward the end of the cigarette. I think this must be the Bali plus the remnants of harshness from the much-diluted American Spirit. But the spiciness is not unpleasant: it's similar to the spiciness in Dutch recipe tobaccos (just the spiciness: there's no Halfzware flavor here). The tobaccos combine to produce a very distinctive flavor. The "loudest" component is definitely the Two-Timer.
Setting out to achieve a typical American blend cigarette, I think these three particular tobaccos do more than provide something akin to a Marlboro. This is a very flavorful smoke - very aromatic and pleasing. I could definitely use this blend for smoking daily, but it doesn't taste much like a typical American blend.
Keenan
[ page | comments (6) - Saturday, 26-Jan-2008 | top ]
New favorite mix
Posted by DonD on Friday, 18-Jan-2008
I've been en enormous Jester fan for quite a while now, but on the suggestion of one of the forum members, I tried Bali Red. I like the Bali too, but found it to leave me wanting a little more spice and earthiness, which Jester has in spades.
The answer?
I dumped a tin of Bali in my Ultra-techno-tactical storage facility (ziplock freezer bag), mixed it up and PRESTISSIMO! This 50/50 mix has literally not only brought out, but enhanced the best, most subtle characteristics of both of these fine tobaccos. It brings a slightly elevated burn temp to the Jester, which really seems to aid in flavor release. Since the Bali is noticably drier out of the can, than is Jester, there is less drying time and therefore loss of essential oils is minimized.
Many have remarked that while being a great smoke, Jester can tend to be a little too complex to smoke regularly and is often relegated to quiet evening, "contemplative" smoking time. With this mix, you don't find yourself seeking out flavors as with straight Jester, rather, they are all right there for sheer pleasure of a great smoke... everytime, anytime.
I cannot recommend giving this a try more highly.
Enjoy!!
[ page | comments (17) - Friday, 15-Feb-2008 | top ]
Bugler Needs Real Turkish (Copied)
Posted by KL on Thursday, 17-Jan-2008
I was thinking, Bugler needs some real Turkish. The factory Turkish tobacco that Buglers blended with is just too lame or too little for me to taste it, so adding some Ramback Balkan or Ramback Regular (real Turkish) was a natural. The Bugler burned hotter than the Ramback alone and really brought out the Turkish qualities. The improved bugler has a whole new nutty character and you can blend in more than the usual amount with out the fear of it becoming a light or an ultralight from too much Turkish. It held up real nice. I have a hard core Bugler smoking friend that buys the Ramback regular just for this Bugler/Turkish enhancement.
I will try the Cpt. Mike enhancements on the Bugler (below) and see what the Bugler fans think of that.
Quote - Capt. Mike
" Though not an easy task; I used to blend McC V with Bugler 40% McCV to 60% Bugler. The resulting smoke was to me worth the efforts. The other blend was 50-50 with Zig Zag, which was an easier blend to accomplish. I sure wish I could get my hands on a can of McClintock Virginia! The only reason it isn't made anymore is that it was a break even and/or loss situation, because Mr. Stokkebye used only the finest tobacco in his creations! I don't know why they couldn't have raised the price a buck or two? I'd have paid it, no problem! "
Great Source of Virginia (moved)
Posted by KL on Thursday, 17-Jan-2008
I tried a different and great source of Virginia for the usual TBV blend (Turkish-burly-Virginia blend)
This Virginia source burns hot without being harsh (with proper RH) and is very clean, so clean in fact, it's almost tasteless and boring when smoked by it's self, it also has a great nicotine kick.
It's American Spirit Dark Blue (US Grown). Try it.
What a great use for this tobacco.
The blend is very smooth and Full Flavored. It brings out the Turkish tastes so much brighter and louder than any other Virginia I ever used. (normally it's Windsail Platinum for me, which I love) I also use about 25% or more Turkish than with the other combination. (With Windsail that would make too light of a smoke for me)
Because of the great AS coupon deal, I have two 15.29oz cans of it sitting around, not anymore, there going fast now.
Re: Blending a McClintock Red into a McClin
Posted by Kendall Leonard on Wednesday, 28-Nov-2007
What do you think ? Maybe add 50% windsail ? or American Spirit US Grown ? I have lots of McClintock Red, but I love the light, so it would be nice to convert it myself. Any Ideas ?
[ page | comments (25) | top ]
Affordable Digital Scale
Posted by Dash on Thursday, 27-Sep-2007
I picked this up at Big Lots for only $12.00 Weighs in grams and ounces and has a tare function and timer. Increments of 1/10 ounce or 1 gram. 9 volt battery not included.
Ultralight N2P Blend
Posted by Alist on Saturday, 15-Sep-2007
This blend is for ultralight newbies who have purchased several brands as their first steps into SYO, yet found some of them too nasty to smoke. I call it the Nasty to Palatable (N2P) Blend;
1 part Gambler Ultralight
3 parts Farmer's Gold Ultralight
3 parts Rave Ultralight
3 parts Rave Menthol Light
The first two ingredients are nasty, in my opinion, with the Gambler being VERY nasty and the Farmer's Gold being somewhat nasty. (Farmer's Gold ultralight is rather bland and tasteless and leaves an odd aftertaste like lawn clippings, however faint that aftertaste might be.) I don't use Gambler in a proportion greater than 1 part out of 10, since it has a biting aftertaste which I truly don't care for. The Rave ultralight and menthol light are very decent on their own. Their flavors are strong enough to mask the first two ingredients, so the blend ends up making a rather smooth and tasty smoke, while remaining ultralight.
Layering instead of blending.
Posted by Dash on Friday, 07-Sep-2007
Just wondering if anyone else has tried this. I haven't had much luck with blending, especially with tobaccos that are cut differently. I use a supermatic and I'll fill the chamber 1/2 or 1/3 full with one tobacco and then fill it the rest of the way with something totally different. Like 1/3 of Sagamore Virginia, 1/3 Look out Milde, and then 1/3 Norwegian shag. I've come up with some real interesting smokes.
[ page | comments (10) - Tuesday, 29-Jan-2008 | top ]
Noob question
Posted by easymo on Friday, 18-May-2007
I have read that tobacco is very absorbent in terms of surrounding moister,oder, flavors, etc. Is there anything that you could add to a humidor that would make a tobacco less harsh? The reason I ask, is that I also read that the purpose of casings and such was to deal with harshness in part.
If you get a chance try out this blend
Posted by James on Wednesday, 16-May-2007
I find it to be pretty awesome.
1 part Bali Shag - pulled apart
1 part D&R Ramback Gold
1 part D&R Vengeur
1 part D&R Green River Perique
Mix Well
Try a bit more Ramback or Perique to experiment.
For an added flavor try the above with some D&R Two Timer
Full Flavor but Smooth and Spicy
Wintergold + Rowland
Posted by Dan S on Sunday, 29-Apr-2007
if you blend
Wintergold and Rowland
Would it taste like Peppermint Patty?
: )
NY Grrl's current mix
Posted by cheap & chippy chopper on Friday, 27-Apr-2007
8 parts Windsail Platinum
8 parts Ramback
3 parts Wintergold
1 part Rowland
dang, it just rocks. :-)
Hard To Beat Blend
Posted by Smokin n Jokin on Friday, 27-Apr-2007
1 cup Sagamore Virginia
1 cup Windsail Platinum
2/3 cup Two Timer Gold
1/3 cup Ramback Gold
But then I like Virginias.
D&R Blend / Planning Excel Worksheet Availabl
Posted by Michael P on Sunday, 22-Apr-2007
If you'd like to explore possible blends while developing a tobacco order, you might get ideas from an Excel spreadsheet I whipped up for the fun of it. (Yes, I know - get a life ;))
While this is focused on a D&R order, you could easily use it for any tobacco brand(s) you like. Have used it for a L'il Brown order of various Peter Stokkebye tobaccos.
My email is mpeila03@sprintpcs.com if you'd like me to send you a copy of the spreadsheet.
And the winner is.........
Posted by smokin n jokin on Thursday, 18-Jan-2007
Until I get my D&R order anyway.
After trying 24 plus different brands I've settled on the following blend.
8 parts Lanes Golden Virginia
4 parts McClintock light
2 parts Norwegian shag
1 part Turkish Export
There isn't any premade that can even compare to it.
Whatever I end up with it will definately have some Norwegian shag and some kind of turkish blend in it. I've tried all of Stokkabye's tobacco and they are were good but left me a little ho-hum except for Norwegian shag and Turkish export.
2 that I tried
Posted by Craig H on Wednesday, 14-Mar-2007
Thanks to all who have put in blending ideas. Thought I would throw my .02 in!
The two I am enjoying at the moment are...
50% Ramback Gold
25% Rowland Light
25% Windsail Plat.
Also I may have got the next idea or the blend from ryo mag...(read so much I can't remember).
50% Ramback Gold
50% Ryback Gold
I found both of these very good tasting but the Ramback Gold and Ryback Gold I thought was awesome. My wife has been smoking it also and she just keeps talking how great it is. (both of us are ex marl / winston light smokers) It is a little hard to get these two blended but I think it is well worth it.
The best to all!
BLENDING 101
Posted by Clarence Walker on Tuesday, 13-Mar-2007
As in so many areas of our lives today, even in the tobaccos we smoke there is a considerable amount of mis-information and misunderstanding. Even worse, what most consumers would assume to be tobacco may well be tobacco stems that have been shredded and expanded, as well as any of countless hundreds of chemicals and other adulterants added to promote burning, maintain moisture, or add whatever side affects may be desired for taste, such as the use of ammonia for "kick". Not too surprisingly, some even add nicotene. In most industries there used to be severe penalties for articially meddling with natural ingredients such as in the laws in Europe that prohibited anything other than water, barley, hops and malt in good beers or cutting flour with anything other than wheat flour. Back then, one was subject to losing a hand if they were caught with sawdust in their flour. Is sawdust too dissimilar from some of the tailings, sweepings and expanded tobacco in some of today's cigarettes?
The very name English blend derived from the prohibition of anything other than pure tobaccos in pipe tobaccos. Personally, I believe that we could learn a lot from some of these past demands for quality. A least smokers of yesteryear knew what they were smoking. Imagine a truth in labeling law that required the listing of the real ingredients in commercially made cigarettes!
However, even in the realm of custom made blends few understand what is really in those pouches. If we did have more of an understanding of the basic component, we would be better able to consistently blend flavorful, aromatic smokes. For example where is that "Virginia" tobacco coming from?
The following will give a rough idea of just how many states produce "Virginia":
State Acres 1,000 lbs.
Burley
Kentucky 185,000 419,950
Tennessee 46,000 94,760
Virginia 11,000 22,605
Ohio 9,700 18,915
North Carolina 8,200 17,999
Indiana 6,400 13,440
Missouri 2,600 5,928
West Virginia 1,700 2,720
Total 270,600 596,317
Flue-cured
North Carolina 276,000 621,640
South Carolina 51,000 109,905
Georgia 43,000 103,845
Virginia 40,000 84,800
Florida 6,900 19,044
Total 416,900 939,234
Flue-cured and burley
United States 687,500 1,535,551
Source: Crop Production, 1990 Summary, USDA/NASS, January 1991.
Even the fine tobaccos produced inthe state of Virginia may be bright leaf, burley, fire cured or sun cured, four distinct types. This, of course, assumes that one knows that even the variety that produces this bright leaf may lead to red, black, dark, lemon, orange or orange-red and that doesn't even address other casings or cuts that lead to Cavendish. In truth, the tobacco companies actually obtain bright leaf tobacco from Africa, China, South America, India and elsewhere.
But, what about hte other incredible styles such as the Turkish or Balkan blends that add so much to your smokes. Even among those you have Xanthi, Komotini, Drama, Serrus, Samsun, Izmir, Latakia and others. While we're at it, don't forget the Perique, one of the most delicious of the "spice"tobaccos. So, what's in your pouch?
So often today we are combining proprietary, prepackaged, premixed blends that very few actually know what they are smoking. Real blenders do. Next time you are preparing to develop your own blend consider statring with the basics, the actual tobacco varieties themselves, and then taste each one, savor its flavor, enjoy its unique aroma, actually learn the characteristics of that unique variety. Is it hot on the tongue, does it dry the mouth, is there a residual sweetness, is it harsh and cloying, will it drive others from the room? After you have smoked that specific variety, what is the residual impression after a few minutes?
Blending fine tobaccos is not too dissimilar from tasting fine wines or creating a new microbrewed beer. Once you have familiaried yourself with each unique variety of tobacco and remembered those impressions, you will be far better able to consider them as ablend while savoring the characteristics of each.
Latakia
Posted by Clarence W. Walker on Tuesday, 13-Mar-2007
Anyone else experimenting with adding a small amount of Latakia to your blends. I have found that it adds an incredible new dimension and depth. Top this in in English style blend with just a tiny spitz of Cognac and let it meld for a few days to enjoy a delicious smoke.
try this mix
Posted by adam on Monday, 12-Feb-2007
i mixed 5 parts windsail platinum with 4 parts two timer to 3 parts ramback its really tastes good give it a try. this is a really good web site ive learned alot just figured i would share.
Cheap scales for blending tobacco
Posted by Kerry on Wednesday, 08-Feb-2006
I have read the article(s) in RYOmag about nifty (and expensive) digital scales he recommended for use in blending tobacco. Of course, like so many of you I am sure, I balked at spending so much money on scales that cost so much even if they are capable of weighing within 1/10 of a gram accuracy. I mean, if my personal blend is off by a whole gram one way or the other, is that going to make THAT much difference? No!
About a month ago I was perusing the local Deal's which sells "cheap" merchandise for $1 or less. I found two spring based scales for the kitchen. One was a table top model similar to cheap mail scales and the other was designed to be a hanging scale. Both scales were adjustable for "zeroing out" and had markings for both grams and ounces. While in the store I tested both scales using other products in the store to test accuracy from fractions of an ounce up to one pound. Needless to say, neither scale was exceptionally precise, but the one designed as a hanging scale was pretty close on all weights I tried.
So, I took the risk and spent the $1 plus tax and bought it.
Long story short, it has made a big difference for me in obtaining consistent blends for my 1-1-1 blend of Ramback, Windsail Platinum and Two-Timer. Now my three bags empty out at the same time and the taste and quality of the blend is very consistent. Just wanted to let y'all know that you don't have to be accurate to the tune of a $100 plus digital scale. A very cheap kitchen or postal scale can be very useful and save a lot of money!
Kerry
Cocksail Platinum
Posted by Roger Miller on Sunday, 16-Apr-2006
Just blended Cockstrong+Windsail platinum(50/50).Very Good.May Be my new blend.The Cockstrong+S.J.was interesting.The C/S is pretty potent by itself,but using it as a blender with about any of the D&R tobaccos has been awesome!Anyone else use C/S in their blends?I'll keep a can of C/S in my stash at all times,in case anything ever gets boring!
Ramback gold blending mate
Posted by rom on Saturday, 11-Mar-2006
Thinking of ordering some Ramback gold, and from what I've read I'm afraid it might be a little light for me. Whats good to bring this blend up in strength and still have it taste good?
I usually mix a little halfzware in my blends to give them some "bottom", would that work tastewise with Ramback Gold, or should I try Cockstrong or Two Timer or what?
blending with hand mixer
Posted by william phillips on Monday, 26-Dec-2005
I have been blending 1 part Mclintock 1 part southern cross full flavor for some time using the old tried and true method. is there a better and easyier way you bet! iv been using a Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer this past week with unbelivable results.use on the slowest speed and aprox one quater LB of tabacco, blends in about a minute.Just had to share my find with this great fourm
Rowland + Ramback Gold = Wow
Posted by V.B. on Saturday, 12-Nov-2005
On impulse, I blended Rowland and Ramback Gold about 50/50 (I don't have scales). The result was even more attractive than Rowland blended with pure virginia (e.g., Bali Golden or Danish Export). The Turkish aroma/flavor together with the natural sweetness of high grade Windsail from Ramback Gold mixed with (and reduced) the cocoa flavor of Rowland, yielding an extremely well-integrated 'bouquet': distinctly 'American', yet also richer and subtly more 'exotic' than what I could ever get from mass-produced cigarettes. I can't say if this blend is close to Camel - I haven't smoked that brand more than just a few times many years ago (was too strong for me). But I found it irresistably flavorful, smoother than straight Rowland and more satisfying/richer than Ramback Gold on its own.
A Great Tobacco Blending Resource!!!
Posted by Mikey on Wednesday, 01-Mar-2006
Hey, am new to MYO, and as like Oriental and Latakia-spiced experience, found myself looking at the pipe tobacco resources on web to see good possible 'kickers' for D&R's Ramgate (Turkish blend) and Windsail Platinum (bright, flue-cured Virginia) based offerings.
Check out tobaccoblending.com, get into their advanced search engine, select CUTS: Ribbon, Shag and RECOMMENDATION: Recommended, Highly Recommended. Often you'll get complete breakdowns of tobaccos as well as a resource for highly recommended shags and ribbon-cuts you can blend with your ciggy tobacco.
So far, the manufacturers that seem to stand out consistently in offering likely 'spicy' blenders for the above D&R stuff are McClelland, Uhle's, GL Pease, Paul Olsen, Peter Stokkebye and Cornell & Diehl.
BTW, several burley-based tobaccos, e.g. Peretti, with interesting 'spices' (10% or less Syrian Latakia, Cyprian Latakia, Perique, Black Cavendish) for you Burley Lovers and Blenders.
Thanks for this site; very educational!
A Couple Of Blends Using D&R
Posted by MAJ on Saturday, 11-Feb-2006
This is a variation of a blend I saw on RYO Magazine, http://www.ryomagazine.com.
All the the tobaccos are from D&R, http://cigarettetobacco.com.
50% Vengeur
25% Ryback
25% Ramback
The Vengeur has enough burley, etc. to give the blend an American taste, but you can still taste the Fire-Cured from the Ryback and Turkish from the Ramback. The Ryback is a pain to blend, but it was worth it.
With the new blends from D&R mixed with Mark Ryan's new Windsail Platinum, I am now smoking this blend.
34% Vengeur Platinum
34% Ryback Gold
32% Ramback Gold
This contains about 40% Windsail Platinum already mixed in with the three tobaccos. It is much lighter with a sweeter taste due to the Windsal Platinum.
Current Favourite Blend
Posted by JD on Friday, 04-Nov-2005
After mixing and matching a bit, I finally settled on (at least for the past week) this blend:
40% Windsail Platinum
20% Two-Timer
15% Ramback
25% Penhooker Light
I blend the first three together first since they have a similar cut, then lightly toss with the Penhooker Light (a thicker, more coarse cut...sounds like I'm making a salad.) I like to blend a carton's worth at a time and keep it sealed at a *slightly* elevated moisture level for about a week and a half or two weeks before drying and stuffing into El Rey Lights (that's about how long it takes me to go through a carton). The flavours and aromas seem to meld together nicely this way, and it beats the snot outta the Marlboro Lights I wasted far too many years smoking. ;-)
Blending question
Posted by V.B. on Sunday, 16-Oct-2005
I'd like to blend a couple of MYO tobaccos (say 3 oz of each) and I wonder what's the best way to do it. I don't want to end up with 6 oz of shake by having the long cut tobacco crumbled in the process.
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Jay Jennings on Friday, 03-Jun-2005
I am new to custom blending. I know i like clove cigs, but was unable to find ryo clove blends (i've searched the internet and hassled my local tobacco shop). Can anyone give me a detailed recipe for making my own clove blends. I am especially curious about what kind of clove to buy and what to do to the clove before blending it with the tobacco. any help would be much appreciated!
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Ken on Monday, 02-May-2005
Someone asked about a menthol blend in one of the other forums. I thought I'd share a couple I've come up with it.
I am still pretty new to this, but I started doing MYO I set out to try and get something that tastes like a Salem from a couple of decades ago. I don't think I have done that yet, but here is what I am smoking now:
-8 parts McClintock menthol
-2 parts McClintock Red
-1 part Bali Red
-1 part McClintock Virginia
I inject into Zen light tubes. The cigarettes are pretty strong, but the menthol is tamed down a bit from straight out of the can menthol.
Another one I have been playing with this week has some promise:
-4 parts D&R Wingate
-3 parts McClintock Virginia
-3 parts Bali Red
The Wingate is pretty powerful stuff, so with the menthol being only 40% of the blend it still has a full menthol blast.
I've been using mostly light tubes because even though I like a strong cigarette, full flavor tubes can get a little overwhelming.
I also have a can of Kite and a bag of H&R menthol that I have not been able to do much with. If anyone has some ideas on how to make these smokable I'd like to know.
Re: Blending
Posted by Tim Aydt on Saturday, 02-Apr-2005
It really helps to have a scales to measure out tobacco. A large mixing bowl is required. Once you have measured out the amounts of tobacco you wish to blend, dump it into the bowl and begin by pulling apart any clumps. If you are blending a shag, you will want to pay special effort to pull all the shag apart and not let it clump together again. Mix it by hand like you were mixing flour and sugar together. Keep mixing until you have a homogenous mixture. I then sift out the powdery tobacco with a wire mesh colander. The powdery stuff has a tendency to jam up your machine and make cigs hard to draw through. When that's done you are ready to stuff.
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Dan K on Sunday, 16-Jan-2005
This may sound really stupid but I like it. I use Lookout Halfzware tobacco. I add to this Timberwolf dip snuff which I dry out on a coffee warmer. The mint and peach flavor I use in a very small quantity in roll your own. I thought it would be really crappy but its not.
Using your own ingredients
Posted by Amanda on Wednesday, 24-Nov-2004
Well, I had this idea of coming up with your own kind of cigarette that doesn't include nicotine or tobacco. Like using pieces of fruit herbs & candies along with juices. But it would taste good and it wouldn't be so harmful to your health. But my question is, what kind of paper can you use at home to make it with instead of the rolling paper you buy? Also, what do you think about this idea? Thanks!!
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Dave S on Wednesday, 11-Aug-2004
Hi Gang
I made a good blend this evening........
1 part Ramback
1 part Bali Blue
2 Parts McClintock Light
2 Parts Cockstrong
Injected into a very cool looking Vera Cruz Nocturne tube....(I'm burning one now)I find any tobacco is good in the Vera Cruz! The Ramback gives my blend that turkish flavor. The Bali Blue gives the blend that smokey taste that I enjoy in a blend. The McClintock which I don't care for alone, is very good for blending. The Cockstrong gives my blend the kick that I crave!
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Tim on Tuesday, 27-Jul-2004
A little history. I was a long time Drum user back when it was imported. When it was no longer to be found on the shelves (in fact if you found some it was usually pretty old=nasty), I experimented with everything and usually found the alternative Dutch shags to be 'reasonable' substitutes...especially Bali Blue. Because we live in a society (the US) where rolling your own in public can be misconstrued as something else (I was told to leave a bar once because of what it appeared to the manager I was doing), I started the habit of rolling my own at home and smoking Camel straights on the road (anywhere outside of home). Out of curiosity (or boredom) I took apart a Camel straight and found the tobacco to be of extraordinarily high quality...quite different than any other Camel 'filtered' brand. In fact if you re-roll it with some quality papers by itself it is perhaps the finest single blend I can think of (per my taste of course). The tubes that RJR uses must be crap. Add some Bali Blue or any other HZware shag at varying proportions and you get equally varying (and quite good) mixtures. Sometimes Camel straights are quite stale so one needs (after testing) to rehydrate them (a slice of apple in an airtight container for 24hrs will do the trick). I don't know what the exact blend is that RJR uses but I've tried every permutation of Turkish blends out there on the market and nothing comes close.
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by Jennifer on Friday, 16-Jul-2004
I placed an order with lil brown. My usual smoke H&R regular along with some H&R light and a pouch of butterly mild shag. The H&R light and the butterfly make a nice combo. In my plastic injector I placed a layer of H&R light and a little butterly on top of that, then another layer of H&R light. I injected that in a zen full flavor tube. Its quite nice. Alone the butterfly is to strong for my tastes. With the H&R I still get the flavor of the butterfly in a much smother and milder smoke. Its nice to have something a little differant every now and then.
Re: Custom Blends
Posted by dave s on Friday, 09-Jul-2004
Hello All.....
I have a can of McClintock light. It's good tasting tobacco however, it seems to burn hot and tickle the back of my througt. Would using 10% to 20% turkish mello out the smoke? Mayby I could just mix it with some other tobacco. I have a bag of Cockstrong on the way. Perhaps I'll try 50/50 Cockstrong/McClintock. Localy I can get the Sampson Turkish tobacco, Has anyone tried that?
Menthol Customs
Posted by Tim_Mc on Wednesday, 16-Jun-2004
So... anyone have any good "recipes" for a top notch mentholated cigarette? I've got a new girlfriend that smokes menthols mostly, I would love to show her what SYO can do for her too.
Personal Blends and a Tip
Posted by Kurt Wall on Sunday, 09-May-2004
First, the tip: To get the true flavor from a blend of your favorite tobaccos, create the blend and then place it in a small container for one or two days to allow the various flavors to marry and mingle. If you don't allow the blend to mature this way, you end up tasting the individual components, rather than the blend. I've also found adding moisture during the marrying process and packing the blends into a tight container enhances the blend's flavor and enables the blended flavor to be more complete.
Personal Blend #1:
1 part Midnight Special
1 part D&R Ramback Turkish
The Midnight Special is a fairly neutral tasting tobacco that burns more readily and evenly than Ramback, whereas Ramback has a full but extremely mild flavor. Together, they taste great, the Ramback imparting a mouth-filling flavor that smooths out the potentially harsh Midnight Special. A very satiny smoke.
Personal Blend #2:
6 parts D&R G.R. Rimboche (Green River Acadian Perique)
4 parts D&R Ramback Turkish
I've written in the Tobacco section about the virtues of S.J. Rimboche (Saint James Parrish Perique). The Green River Perique is comparable. What I like about this blend is that the rich, complex flavor of the Perique blend nicely complements and brings out the subtle flavor of the Ramback. The aroma is delightful. Like my first blend, the fine cut G.R. Rimboche burns better than the Ramback, allowing you to taste the Ramback's undeniable Turkish flavor without having to smoke so hard or getting the stick so hot.
What I'm smoking this week
Posted by Puffaddict on Tuesday, 06-Apr-2004
I started blending bali shag turkish with drum about 50-50 at first and it was a pretty good smoke. Then expermented with adding some bali shag golden shag and it was a pretty good smoke too :)
After a trip to a local tobacco store I blended the following and think I might stick with it a while.
5 parts bali shag turkish
1 part galoises hand rolling tobacco
3 parts drum
2 parts bali shag golden shag
The galoises is for me too strong to smoke alone but adds some strength and character to the blend that might otherwise be missing. All of the blends Ive expermented with so far have been about half bali shag turkish and after trying that tobacco, though its too mild for me to smoke by itself, its become an indespensible part of the blends I make for myself.
I like the blend above well enough that I think I'll stick with it awhile.
Blending question, bulk tobacco
Posted by Puffaddict on Monday, 29-Mar-2004
A blending question for you all.
I recently blended about 1 part durm, 1 part bali shag golden shag and 2 parts bali shag turkish blend. It was by far and away the best cigarette I ever smoked.
Ive decided to try to duplicate this flavor with some less expensive / bulk tobacco and want opinions on how that might be done.
What tobaccos would make good substitutes for the above?
I was thinking D&R Three Sails instead of the golden shag and D&R Rambeck instead of the turkish blend.
Opinions?
My Wife's Blend
Posted by Tim Aydt on Friday, 03-Oct-2003
I finally found a blend that my wife likes better than the WindSail Light straight.
1 part LookOut Vanilla Shag
3 parts WindSail Light
The combination is smoother than either one is separately. The LookOut Vanilla Shag adds just a hint of vanilla flavor.
My third blend
Posted by Tim Aydt on Friday, 26-Sep-2003
Unable to find tins of Bali Turkish Shag locally I thought I'd try the Ramsback Turkish as a cost saving alternative, my mistake.
6 parts Stoker's Number 2 Light
1 part Drum
1 part Ramsback Turkish
Ramsback has a stronger taste, but it is much easier to blend. Different from the Bali, not as pleasant to smoke.
My second blend
Posted by Tim Aydt on Friday, 26-Sep-2006
This was an attempt to get a smoother smoke than my first blend and use up the Gambler light I had on hand.
4 parts Stoker's Number 2 light
2 parts Gambler light
1 part Drum
1 part Bali Turkish Shag
Observations:
Smoother, not as strong. This time I tore the shags into much smaller pieces, making it much easier to blend it all together.
My first blend
Posted by Tim Aydt on Friday, 26-Sep-2003
This blend was based on directions found in RYO Magazine. www.ryomagazine.com
4 parts Stoker's Number 2 light
1 part Drum
1 part Bali Shag Turkish
Observations:
Good flavor. Have trouble getting a homogeneous blend, because the Drum and the Bali Shag tend to clump together, causing a non-uniform flavor across a group of cigarettes made at the same time.
Ramback and Value Brand
Posted by Dave Lers on Friday, 26-Sep-2003
I prefer light tobaccos and Ramback is just to strong for me. Using 3 parts VB to 1 part Ramback was still very much Ramback...Think I'll try just a bit of Ramback with H&R light.