Mixing It Up?

[oldjazzlover]

I was just wondering, if any of you have fun experimenting like I do? I have fun at times or just seem to get the urge to mix up and experiment with some of the tobaccos in my stash and see what this would taste like with that. I've just got done with a bowl of half Blender's Gold Rich Vanilla and half PA just to see how it would be. I really liked it. Before I moved down here, I used to love going to Pipes and Pleasures (My favorite tobacco shop! :D) Where they let you fill you own bags, they weigh and price them at the register. I used to love going there to meet Paul and mix and match some of their house blends, he used to have fun with it to and would always give his suggestions on what he had tried while working! I really miss that place! :crying: I can't wait to go back later this spring, I hope the airport doesn't have to much of a problem with my pocket scale. They don't ever seem to understand it for tobacco. "The kind you can still buy in the store, for now anyways."

 

[bowhatchie]

i mix a few at times... I like mixing Autumn Evening with 1Q or Savannah..

 

[hobie1dog]

I do 50/50 mixes all the time

 

[cortezattic]

My attempts are almost always expensive failures. Check out Russ Ouellette's Blending Theory and

Bob Tate's excellent 3 part Interview with Master Blender Russ Ouellette -- articles from about a year ago.
To me, experimenting with blending tobaccos leads to a greater appreciation of the blender's art, and develops one's tasting skills.

Although I've never come up with anything good it has furthered my personal development.

 

[classicgeek]

If you've got a couple of blends that aren't working for you, what have you got to lose? Alternately, if there's something you like the taste of, but maybe it's too sweet / whatever, try mixing in some bulk blending burley or similar. I was doing that for a while, with McClelland's Vanilla Cavendish and McClelland burley. It made for a good smoke. Not sure if I'll ever try mixing polar opposites, like 1Q and Froggy, but never say never.
Simon

 

[collin]

The only "mix" I tried was adding Latakia to some Really Crappy Blend in an attempt to save the stuff from the trash can,...and as I was warned by fellow posters the result was no less than a total waste of decent Latakia.
The RCA got dumped anyhow.
A blend of two tobaccos you like might be interesting. Perhaps fun!

 

[bubbadreier]

I try but only when I have one or two bowls left of the two blends... Usually it turns out okay, but one is great! 50/50 BCA and 1Q! That one is awesome!

 

[kcvet67]

I love to experiment with different combinations, guess I'm a closet alchemist. ::

 

[pstlpkr]

KC let us know if you create some gold.
About as adventurous as I get is to add a pinch of Perique or Latakia to a blend.... just cuz I wanna.

 

[yoru]

I do, the person that received my mystery pass would be the only person that could comment on that other than myself as to whether I do any good at it.
I personally think I do, but hey that's just me. . . of course the whole concept of mixing is purely just for you.

 

[forsooth]

Extreme mixing: I just got some tobacco from pipesandcigars.com, and my order included 1 lb. of "Best of the Rest." Haven't tried any yet. We shall see what we shall see...

 

[oldjazzlover]

I've seen some of the spots that offer "The baest of the rest", I just haven't been that sure if I want to take that leap yet. Let me know how it is, although I understand that your batch could be completely different from mine because it's ever changing as to what goes in and how much of this or that is in it. But still let me know I love my tobacco's all different kinds. Especially my oh so naturally sweet virginnas!

 

[romeowood]

I'm in the "closet alchemist" camp, as kcvet so succinctly puts it. I recently ordered a half pound of Sterling's Sweet Briar mainly for that purpose--I find that a pinch of it adds just the right touch to many of my tobaccos, both for burning and flavor. I also have a jar in which I keep the scraps from packing my bowls and so have a 'floor blend' that I'll smoke when it gets to be about a bowl's worth--the results are sometimes bland, sometimes painful, and sometimes quite enjoyable.

 

[sumusfumus]

Recently tried blending some left over tobaccos together and came up with a great hybrid blend....
"Pleasant Moments"
Base(by weight):

1 ounce mild cigar leaf shredded

1 ounce Stokkebye's "Cube Cut Burley #41"

1 ounce match-"Elizabethan"
Mix these tobaccos well. To this base, add by volume measure): e.g. 1 cup base + 1 cup "HGL"

1 part base blend + 1 part Lane Ltd. "HGL" (or) "RPL-6"
This produces a very smooth, creamy, mild-medium blend with a tiny amounts of Latakia and Perique from "Elizabethan" and "HGL"- for some added interest. Burns sweetly from top to bottom of bowl, with a great toasty fragrance. No bite. Both smokers and smellers will love the mix.
With RLP-6 the blend is smooth creamy, and sweet, w/some toasty oats, but not cloying like straight RLP-6....

With "HGL" the blend smokes creamy, and not too sweet, but with added exotic aromas and flavors from the tiny amount of Latakia.
Frank

 

[Chasing Embers]

I like 50/50 ODF and Black XX Twist.

 

[mso489]

Potential mixes are infinite. I suspect we'll all do more of this if the selection of new professional blends narrows. As it is, I often mix two blends or spice a blend with a condiment tobacco for a new experience. I am surprised at how often this results in a really good smoke, though for some reason I seldom make notes on these recipes. My advice is to not overdo, keep it to two or three components. An old standby is burley and Virginia in equal parts (to taste) and a hefty pinch of unflavored Cavendish -- add Latakia and Perique as you must. But the possibilities are endless. Keep some cigar leaf and a few Virginia and burley single-leaf tobaccos around, maybe some Turkish or other Oriental. No two smokes the same with mixes, with my approach.

 

[deathmetal]

Currently smoking Matured Virginia #24 with a thick wad of Five Brothers. Fairly delicious, but also, my preferred method for handling Virginia flakes, which feel too sweet without some Burley as a backdrop and foundation.

 

[sumusfumus]

Love reading through all the "blending-your-own-mixture" type threads, for the endless ideas, and possibilities.
My approach is to take a favorite, professional blend, and try to tweak it with a small amount of condiment tobaccos...but I also write and critique everything that I try so I can duplicate any hybrid-blend triumphs.
I posted the tobaccos needed for mixing "Pleasant Moments" and it was "discovered" by mixing a few left over tobacco blends that I had laying around. It turned out to be a delight, for me.
mso489: ...."I suspect we'll all do more of this if the selection of new professional blends narrows"....
Suggestion for home-blenders.....Write down and weigh tobacco blending recipes so they can be duplicated by others.
Frank

 

[brightleaf]

25% McClleland 5100

25% Mac Baren Virginia No. 1

25% McClelland Dark Star

15% Samuel Gawith Lakeland Dark

10% Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky

 

[wasnsfisher]

50% CH/30% PA/ 20% Walnut