Tried My Hand at Blending Today

[fyfol]

I think P&C has a bigger selection than SPC but both retailers carry the blending series of McClelland etc. Might be worth a look. Many other online retailers of course.
Also, leafonly sells tobacco leaves unprocessed, if you want to start from "scratch".

 

[michaelmirza]

Hawke, those are excellent ideas as well. Really appreciate it!
Carver, I think fyfol is spot on. Some of the components we were using were from McClelland's blender series, and others were just bulk from a local tobacconist. I don't think I'm ready yet for unprocessed leaf but if I was, LeafOnly is indeed where I'd head.

 

[hawke]

Youre welcome Michael, LeafOnly looks like a great site! Glad that came up here. A great way to sample pure version of different types!

 

[michaelmirza]

That's awesome Michael! Will you be posting a follow up once you actually smoke it? In case it's the greatest tobacco you've tried, have you considered any names for your blend?

Thanks for asking that, gogosamgo! I tried it on Friday. Before doing, I let it air-dry for about 12 hours because it was very moist from the rum added. My thoughts: really, really tasty! I don't think I necessarily struck gold; I just think rum + latakia are a nice mix. Burned pretty well so I'm glad I dried it first.
I like when my hobbies overlap so I decided that every blend I ever make will be named with a reference to the Legend of Zelda video game series. For this one, since I added rum, I thought of the game Wind Waker, which is pirate-themed in its scope. Specifically I decided to name my blend Windfall Island, which is a place you visit early in the game and where you meet pirates and get your bearings before heading out to bigger adventures. Seemed fitting enough! Nerdy corresponding imagery of the island below.

 

[hawke]

Cool Stuff! I wanta taste it!

 

[michaelmirza]

Cool Stuff! I wanta taste it!

Consider it done! It'll be a nice trade for your Indian Moon. PM me your address or I'll use the return label from yours. I doubt mine will match your caliber though!

 

[hawke]

A better press Michael. I used a c-clamp a time or two, but for my purposes this new mod on a little press is doing quite well. The tin can is open on both ends making a tube. A mason jar lid with cover will slide tightly in at the bottom. Square wood block below that and wood block inside pressing down. I can put more pressure which makes tighter cakes. They will stay together for aging better this way.

 

[hawke]

Out of the press(16-18 hours) The 1 ounce cake is the diameter of the soup can and about 1/2 inch thick.