Looking for El Puro Holy Grail

[The-CaptainBlack]

As I understand it, there’s no point in paying for wrapper grade leaf if you’re just gonna stick it in a pipe. The binder and probably lower grades too Will do just as well as the only difference is the binder will have some holes or tears. Not an issue with pipe blends. I’ve bought from whole leaf tobacco several times and only have good things to say. Looks like I may be ordering from leaf only this time as whole leaf is out of the leaves I want recently

Which ones did you buy ?
Any recommendation from what they currently have in stock?
Thank you.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

Which ones did you buy ?
Any recommendation from what they currently have in stock?
Thank you.

The only cigar leaf I’ve bought from them is Paraguay ligero—in an attempt to imitate old school French pipe tobaccos. I usually just get burley, dark air cured, red tips. I’ve also tried their ripe Virginia. All are excellent. As for any difference in quality between wrapper, binder and filler, I got that idea from reading on the whole leaf tobacco sites, and especially from reading the fair trade tobacco forums. I’m sure someone there could give you more info about cigar leaves, the different grades, etc. Those folks know a lot

 

[The-CaptainBlack]

The only cigar leaf I’ve bought from them is Paraguay ligero—in an attempt to imitate old school French pipe tobaccos. I usually just get burley, dark air cured, red tips. I’ve also tried their ripe Virginia. All are excellent. As for any difference in quality between wrapper, binder and filler, I got that idea from reading on the whole leaf tobacco sites, and especially from reading the fair trade tobacco forums. I’m sure someone there could give you more info about cigar leaves, the different grades, etc. Those folks know a lot

That's good advice man.
I have been smoking for years and I know what cigars I like but that is where my knowledge stops.
I need to educate myself.
The idea of buying quality bulk cigar leaves seems much smarter than cutting a premium cigar to blend a cigar forward tobacco blend.

That is my next project.

 

[HeadMisfit]

That's good advice man.
I have been smoking for years and I know what cigars I like but that is where my knowledge stops.
I need to educate myself.
The idea of buying quality bulk cigar leaves seems much smarter than cutting a premium cigar to blend a cigar forward tobacco blend.

That is my next project.

could just get one of the italian made "cigarillo pipes" on pipes and cigars and a box of their over priced cigarillo for those pipes and just figure something out.

Cigar blends can go either way from good or bad far too fast. And untill you figure out the exact part of a cigar that makes you warm and fuzzy, wrapper, binder, filler, what portion of filler, you wont be too happy.

 

[NookersTheCat]

That’s my understanding. The wrapper needs to be pretty and costs more. Maybe some cigar expert here will correct me

Yeah I'm definitely no expert but from what I understand that's sort of right sort of not... I think the binder generally has to be a specific type of leaf that is different for construction purposes... the wrapper leaves are supposedly special and lend alot to a cigars flavor (I'm not a roller so can't try my own customs to compare but this is what I've read numerous places from those who do.) This is why some of the growers that specialize in wrappers like fuente are so revered (growing wrappers for many others than just their own)

Now there definitely are lots of wrapper leaves that don't make the grade for appearance etc which are just used as filler, like you said. But in general it's the wrapper being quoted for the "type" of cigar and its flavor profile.

End of the day though, I'd say with prices like that (again, Grade A wrapper leaves being cheaper per lb than most bulk value pipe blends) who really cares if you're paying a bit more than you could be if it allows you to dial in the exact flavor profile of premium smoke you crave? That's my thought process anyway.

Generally I find most cigar blends I've tried to be like "pipe but with a hint of cigar" so while I haven't tried it personally I figure that 100% wrapper (or maybe cut with just some latakia or DFK like Sig said) would possibly be the best shot at that "all cigar" type flavor...
But again, I freely admit I am no expert and only using logic to deduce things to the best of my research lol

 

[HeadMisfit]

Lol or Middleton cherry mixed in with a shredded swisher sweet may be the ticket.

God i actually liked that for a time

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

C&D has a Chopped Cigar Leaf you can buy and add in yourself to taste

 

[The-CaptainBlack]

Yeah I'm definitely no expert but from what I understand that's sort of right sort of not... I think the binder generally has to be a specific type of leaf that is different for construction purposes... the wrapper leaves are supposedly special and lend alot to a cigars flavor (I'm not a roller so can't try my own customs to compare but this is what I've read numerous places from those who do.) This is why some of the growers that specialize in wrappers like fuente are so revered (growing wrappers for many others than just their own)

Now there definitely are lots of wrapper leaves that don't make the grade for appearance etc which are just used as filler, like you said. But in general it's the wrapper being quoted for the "type" of cigar and its flavor profile.

End of the day though, I'd say with prices like that (again, Grade A wrapper leaves being cheaper per lb than most bulk value pipe blends) who really cares if you're paying a bit more than you could be if it allows you to dial in the exact flavor profile of premium smoke you crave? That's my thought process anyway.

Generally I find most cigar blends I've tried to be like "pipe but with a hint of cigar" so while I haven't tried it personally I figure that 100% wrapper (or maybe cut with just some latakia or DFK like Sig said) would possibly be the best shot at that "all cigar" type flavor...
But again, I freely admit I am no expert and only using logic to deduce things to the best of my research lol

That is sort of kind of the general direction I am planning to go...
It seems to me, at least for some cigars, that the wrapper plays the biggest role.
And like you mentioned... For a pound of premium quality wrapper leaves I will pay less than "the bulk value pipe blends".
Not bad.
And that is enough cigar leaves for many batches, and I can play with a few different amounts of latakia and other ingredients.
I will give a shot and order 1lb of Habano Oscuro Wrapper from Whole Leaf Tobacco.

Maybe someone wants to share ??
Let me know.

 

[NookersTheCat]

Lol or Middleton cherry mixed in with a shredded swisher sweet may be the ticket.

God i actually liked that for a time

Oh don't badmouth the holy Middleton Cherry... them's fightin' words to me

 

[woodsroad]

Cigar+Scissors

 

[NookersTheCat]

Cigar+Scissors

Expensivvvveeeee though

 

[woodsroad]

Expensivvvveeeee though

Cigar butts+scissors.

 

[NookersTheCat]

Cigar butts+scissors.

 

[The-CaptainBlack]

The goods have arrived from whole Leaf Tobacco.
Shipping was very quick, really well packaged.

They even sent me a couple samples.
That is... A lot of cigar tobacco.
Time to play.