March 2015 blend experiment

[Ozark Wizard]

Spring has sprung (at last) here in the Ozarks, and I got my hands on some Maduro leaf and an associate provided some dark fired Kentucky for me to play with. So I thought, why not try something with a punch, right?

So I chopped up the cigar leaf kinda large, and threw some of that in a bowl with an equal portion of the dark fired, then four parts red VA Cavendish (ketchup, for those of you whom focus on that smell), three parts bright VA from Canada for a citrus touch to even out the heaviness, and in case it was short on nicotine, one part Perique, finely chopped. Gave it a bit of distilled water, warmed it slightly and put it in the press for the night.

Either I'll have a wad of poop, a pesticide, a head swimming bowl of Hell, or a new blend needing a proper name. I'll know in the morning......

Wish me luck!

 

[DireWolf]

Pics?

 

[Ozark Wizard]

Pics?

I'll post some in the morning when I pull it out. If we had 'smell-o-vision' I'd post that too...

alas.........

 

[Ozark Wizard]

24 hours in light pressure (not making a cake). Put it in a test pipe and after the first cup of coffee and then a glass of water to cleans the palette, lit up....

First, the smell. Broke the seal and was greeted by the scent of BBQ potato chips. Sweet, tangy, Heinz 57 (ketchup for the Bohemians, ((you know who you are(((smirk))), you rascal)), but smoky) and something like pepper. Not offensive.

Then I lit the pipe. There was no dry time between rubbing out and loading, and lighting. Well, maybe a couple of minutes....

One light was all it took, burned clean through to ash with minor dottle and no moisture to speak of. Pipe cleaner came out rather dry. A moderate to heavy smoke volume.

Flavour was pretty much how it smelled. I got the flashback of a prime rib with a heavy rub about medium rare to rare. I can still taste it, and I'm halfway through my second cup of Joe. Brisket now. Ever so lightly sweet.

No real citrusy action noticeable from the VAs, and the initial smoke strength of the dark fired Kentucky smell is gone. I was concerned about the cigar leaf blowing things out, as I tried it solo and gagged. Not a big stogie fan, sorry gentlemen...

All in all, pretty pleased with the results. Might tweak the recipe a bit by adding a little more of the dark fired. Or maybe just drop a bit of Latakia in for a heavier smokiness, but I was working towards a blend One could stay in the North Americas to find the leaf. Keep it regional, the next few tests will be by global positions as well, part of a series I guess.

Playing around.......

 

[user 3779]

Very interesting experiment! I am very curious on blending tobaccos. I have not yet done much with it yet. Just some research and some mixing of already established blends with others to try and enhance one part of the experience or another. Appreciate your detailed break down of what you put in it and why. As well as the test results. Sounds like a pleasing outcome to me, enjoy! Gonzo

 

[DireWolf]

Out of curiosity, what do you think would have happened if you added more pressure?

Also - is the water to subject the ribbon to moisture alone, to help meld flavors, or do something else?

 

[RobJ]

Very cool, thanks for posting. That's a really good looking blend.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

Out of curiosity, what do you think would have happened if you added more pressure?

Also - is the water to subject the ribbon to moisture alone, to help meld flavors, or do something else?

This time I added the water due to how dry the cigar and Kentucky leaves were, and my first go at chopping ended up with dust. Too dry to manage, and I figured since I was pressing, I better bring them back to 'case' so I didn't end up making snuff...:lol!: