Buying and Blending Tobacco from LeafOnly

[jdlander]

Has anyone ever bought tobacco leaf from LeafOnly and tried to make your own blends from it?

You can get a whole pound of various types of tobacco leaf for about $20. I suppose then you have to cut it, blend it, and maybe ferment it, etc.

This sounds like a fun hobby to me, and also a relatively cheap way to get multiple pounds of tobacco (if I can make a good blend).

Has anyone tried it? If so, what did you do and what were your results?

 

[Sigmund]

Its worth trying but do so understanding that a heck of a lot of blends that smokers consider straight tobacco have numerous toppings. You will be getting leaf only.

It might be fun or it might suck

You already live in the nation of practically free bulk tobacco. Id do it iut of interest, not cost savings

 

[dogparkpiper]

I enjoy wholeaf.com. But thats just because that’s what I’ve used.

It opens the door to a whole different world. However, when I go back to smoking a wonderful blend by C&D or G. L. Pease I remember why I pay more for it. Blends that we love are put together by true masters.

 

[anotherbob]

it's another thing to try. And it can give a real appreciation for the blenders art. Especially after you get a perfect blend and can never ever hit that same sweet spot again.
But it can also be great for experiments with how things like cut or changes in component percentages can radically change the smoking experience.
One attitude towards trying new things is at worst you might learn something.
And finally you'll never have a real answer to your question without putting to the test of trying it. A few people do what you're talking about and enjoy it but far more people have tried it and said they prefer the commercial blends but still smoke their own leaf only blends. A few very rare souls actually prefer it better then anything they can buy. So try it and tell us about your experience and if nothing else you'll get responses and reactions galore.

 

[mortonbriar]

Yes, if you are that way inclined it is a lot of fun and very satisfying.

It is also educational from a taste perception angle.

Taking a whole leaf and processing a bowl of tobacco from just the one (or a few) leaf gives a very distinct idea about what a particular variety is bringing to a blend.

In my experience, when you have smoked quite a bit of whole leaf/home grown it can open up the flavour profile of leaf in commercial blends that were previously enjoyed with less awareness of flavour profile/depth. I think it is a training of the taste buds? Not really sure how it works...


Also using whole leaf to make a REAL plug is fun!

 

[makhorkasmoker]

I smoke pretty much exclusively whole leaf. I buy mine from Whole Leaf Tobacco. Although the price is nice, my main reason is that commercial blenders do not sell unadulterated Kentucky Burley or Dark Air Cured, which are the 2 tobaccos I smoke. The only drawbacks for me are that I have to cut the leaves myself , and it’s important to keep an eye on moisture levels or mold can become a problem. But neither is a big deal .

 

[jdlander]

it’s important to keep an eye on moisture levels or mold can become a problem. But neither is a big deal .

How do you keep an eye on this?

And if the leaves are too moist, do you just let them sit out for a day or two?

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

I’ve really been enjoying experimenting with both LO and WLT. I’m also more and more convinced that starting with aged leaf is what makes a lot of difference. So it’s become a game of patience!

 

[makhorkasmoker]

How do you keep an eye on this?

And if the leaves are too moist, do you just let them sit out for a day or two?

When the tobacco arrives, I open the bags, and sometimes take the leaves out of the bags , depending on how moist they are. I let them air out. When the leaves are dry, but not to the crumbly point, I put them back in the bags and close the bags. Then I check on them every now and then—after a few days, a week.if I see mold developing along the ribs, I dry them some more. The mold always starts on the ribs. If there is any, that’s no big deal because I don’t smoke the ribs. It does not affect the quality of the smokable part of the leaf. Once I’m sure there’s no mold developing, I let them be. They keep a long time and improve with age.

I have to be careful because I live in Florida where it can be humid even in an air conditioned house. But it’s no big deal once you work out a routine

 

[mortonbriar]

I go ahead and cut the central rib out right away, and jar up the leaf that way.

 

[nukesimi]

I bought a ton of the stuff. Tobacco Beatles everywhere.

 

[OzPiper]

I bought a ton of the stuff. Tobacco Beatles everywhere.
View attachment 407916

Put it in the freezer for 24-48 hours

 

[AJL67]

I used to blend, really got into it deep, but then I was told that my blend Aca and my blend 127b were exactly like Stonehaven and Penzance so basically I stopped because I don’t wanna do something somebody already did that’s no fun. It’s like a cover band so I used to do it, but I kinda got out of it cause I don’t wanna just repeat other people‘s blends.

 

[dottlejockey]

I used to blend, really got into it deep, but then I was told that my blend Aca and my blend 127b were exactly like Stonehaven and Penzance so basically I stopped because I don’t wanna do something somebody already did that’s no fun. It’s like a cover band so I used to do it, but I kinda got out of it cause I don’t wanna just repeat other people‘s blends.

If you're blends are good enough to qualify as Stonehaven or Penzance matches, there's a nice vacuum in the market that could be filled. Otherwise, tweak them into something unique.

Always thought this would be a fun undertaking, myself, but alas...too many blends and open jars as it is.

 

[skydog]

I have bought from wholeleaftobacco.com because I'd read some less than stellar reviews of LeafOnly. Have been really impressed with the WholeLeaf quality and their forum fairtradetobacco.com has a lot of good info as well.

 

[Gerald Boone]

Has anyone ever bought tobacco leaf from LeafOnly and tried to make your own blends from it?

You can get a whole pound of various types of tobacco leaf for about $20. I suppose then you have to cut it, blend it, and maybe ferment it, etc.

This sounds like a fun hobby to me, and also a relatively cheap way to get multiple pounds of tobacco (if I can make a good blend).

Has anyone tried it? If so, what did you do and what were your results?

My experience with Leaf Only has been positive. I received they shipment promptly and have no complaints in terms of service. One thing I didn't like was the tobacco shredder I paid $40 for; it broke. If you get the $40 shredder you really have to follow their advice to make certain the leaf is thoroughly dry; you can't fix the shredder with JB weld I tried. I found heavy scissors work better. I currently am aging the perique I bought from them. I am ambivalent concerning the quality of the perique but burly or Virginias, ect may be another story. In short I would recommend Leaf Only. There is a lot of joy to be had in processing your own tobacco. Cost wise I did get my tobacco with the stems so about 15% of the tobacco is wasted unless you want to include the stems; again other tobacco may come without the stems; I am anxious to find out.

 

[Gerald Boone]

I have bought from wholeleaftobacco.com because I'd read some less than stellar reviews of LeafOnly. Have been really impressed with the WholeLeaf quality and their forum fairtradetobacco.com has a lot of good info as well.

Thank you checking wholeleaftobacco.com out.