My Second Attempt: Home Blending

[smokiespipesmoker123]

Well,

Here goes my second attempt at blending. I'm calling this one "Kintail Navy Plug"

It consists of
2 tbsp Bright VA
2 tbsp Sutliff Matured Red VA
1 tsp Stoved Black VA
1 tsp Green River Black Cavendish

The casing is Tennessee Sorghum and Pussers Navy Rum.

I'll press it for 2 weeks in a 5.5" Pollen Press

 

[sandollars]

Sure looks wet.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

it is... I might have been a bit generous on the casing... but I reckon that will squeeze out... the press was dripping pretty heavily at the outset.

 

[sandollars]

Too bad our computers don't have "Scratch and Sniff" . I would like to smell what you've got going there.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

I think Ill do a 1 week check on Weds and do a sniff... Ill post a pic..and as best a description of aroma as a I can

 

[mso489]

With some age and some drying, it could be good. Give it time, then give us a report.

 

[alexnc]

Sounds yummy! If I try to case something how should I measure in?

 

[prairiedruid]

Just a suggestion; you might want to measure your tobacco ingredients by weight as opposed to volume. Seem to recall seeing videos of Russ and C&D using scales to measure tobacco when blending. This would give you a more accurate and repeatable measurement. Sort of like how bakers weigh flour and other ingredients as opposed to using plastic measuring cups.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

Sounds yummy! If I try to case something how should I measure in?

Honestly I winged it. I mixed enough sorghum into the rum to make it dark and molassesy . I’ll probably get more scientific as I go, I just started trying this

 

[danimalia]

Sounds good!

 

[Worknman]

it is... I might have been a bit generous on the casing... but I reckon that will squeeze out... the press was dripping pretty heavily at the outset.

I can see myself adding the rum...."Ok that should do it. Eh, maybe could use just a tad more (drip drip). That'll do it, nah a little more for good luck. Done now" ?

 

[mikefu]

That looks like good stuff! Be sure to update us. I’ve been making krumble kake/plug out of a mix of Sutliff 515 rc-1 and Sutliff 507-s and couldn't be happier. It’s almost a true plug, and more firm than most C&D plugs I’ve tried. The tangy red and sweet stoved really meld together well with some time and pressure.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

I can see myself adding the rum...."Ok that should do it. Eh, maybe could use just a tad more (drip drip). That'll do it, nah a little more for good luck. Done now" ?

And that’s exactly what I did

 

[trouttimes]

Looks great. I am curious how it taste. I bet one week will not be enough but you are right, a lot of juice will be squeezed out. Keep us informed.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

Well , here tis. 2 weeks in the press, aroma is figgy, molasses and grassy Virginia. I don’t detect the rum but the wife does. I’ll provide the smoke update later on.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

it looks and sounds like it should be a winner.

I hate to say anything, because (as my wife would accuse me) I don't want to sound like I am mansplanning or being a know it all... but, These prepped blending tobaccos were probably already cased before they were processed. So, technically, they are lightly topped.

I only got five pounds of lemon brightleaf from my crop this year. So, I blended it with some of my reds and browns from last year to try to get some body (mouth feel) to the thin smoking lemons. I enjoy it. I don't keep perfect records of amounts blended either, because I feel like making ten or so pounds at a time will be all I will make of that particular blend.
Next year, I will probably grow another variety, to give me more complex leaf to blend again.

What makes a successful blend to you? Do you try to achieve a particular flavor, or make one thing more palatable? What is the goal?

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

I assumed they were cased, although they didnt really smell like anything. IE the Cavendish didnt have that typical vanilla smell, the virginias were all grass and hay. That said.. I assumed it anyway.

Im going to try some growing next year as well. I bought red and bright VA seeds. Smyrna, Burley, and bunch of Orientals. Never grew or processed baccy before, so it should be fun figuring it out, failures too. Lifes for living and learning right?

As far as my blending goals.. I'm just experimenting for S's and G's right now. My first blend I tried an English.. and it needed more Latakia and less Virginias. I reckon as I get further down the road, I'll likely be more scientific, and focus on recreating or modifying things to my liking.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

although they didnt really smell like anything

A good casing should not be obvious at all.

Latakia is the most fun to blend with, IMO. Even not being the biggest latakia fan, attempt making a Balkan, or VaLat blend, or adding it to a heavy oily burley blend is fun.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

I find that the colder it gets I like-a lotta latakia

 

[shanez]

How are you applying the rum? Are you spraying it on or just pouring it?

I've been thinking of adding rum to a couple of tobaccos just for fun. I was thinking of spreading the tobacco out on a plate and misting the the rum on with one of these:

I was just going put it in a ziploc bag after application and let it soak in the dry it a bit and give it a whirl. Should I press it instead?