Do what you like but with learning how to blend with whole leaf tobacco and by that i mean WLT tobacco, I would suggest not soaking them in anything just yet...Do that stuff to the store bought stogies that have no taste . You'll be rolling way better than you can buy , trust me. Since I started rolling ,I haven't bought one in a year. I've had some given to me ,but they usually fall a little flat. Plus , that Makers Mark belongs in a short glass along with a cigar...neat.
Find the post folder marked "members blends" and start there . Watch as many of the rolling videos as you can, I like the ones made right in the real tabacalarias by real torcedors . Those people roll day in and day out and have a "groove" they get into . You only need a couple simple tools to roll. You can use anything from a pizza cutter , a kulu like some have or a chaveta . Cut the foot with scissors, cable cutters, or a tuck cutter or its ok if you want to leave it as a shaggy foot , why waste any. Get the feel for rolling first so you get a nicely constructed stick that draws well . Nevermind appearance for now., we'll get to that later. Roll one, only one. Don't put wrap it until you get one that draws well with no soft spots or hard spots. Then lets talk about blending...You need that stick to burn right so you need varieties that will do that for you. You need the varieties to play nice together so you get good flavor too. Try your hand at applying a wrapper so it doesn't rip or wrinkle. Working the head of the cigar...pigtail it if you can't get a cap right right away. Pigtails look cool anyway. I still have trouble with a cap but I'm improving, theres a feel to it . When you get it right , you'll know it right away.
Get to rolling, post pics of what you've done and don't ever be afraid to ask anything. We all have been where you are . I've learned a ton of stuff in here . These guys are all top notch and willing to help. Don't be surprised if you become addicted ....and by the way ,I'm not exactly sure where you are in Wheaton or have the yard space but tobacco grows very nicely in Will County. I'm just down in Joliet , so I'm not far if you need a look at what I'm doing.
Great time to take a little chunk of the day out to get in the zone and appreciate these even more. I humbly thank you in advance for all your help and suggestions on getting the most of the experience!
