Oh wow I didn't see that. Thanks!
Pure Tobacco Pipe Blends You Can Make
- Thread starter deluxestogie
- Start date
So I got talking with my facilities manager and got access to the boiler room.
My end of season leaves that were still green went into a plastic garbage bag and cured in that room and they turned out remarkably not trash LOL.
So this year I might try flue curing some Virginia, but I will also try sun curing too.
Thanks for the insight!
Now to make a press. I've made a cider press but that does 5 gallons at a time so I'll need to scale it down a tad
pipenwoods
Member
Hello Everyone, I would like to contribute to this thread with three blends. I searched this site to see if I am repeating recipes but couldn’t find anything . I’ll release one each for the next three Mondays starting today. These three pipe blends are my favorites out of five commercially available today. The three blends are Peterson 965, Kramer’s Father Dempsey and G.L. Pease Quiet Nights. All are exactly (or mostly) described in @deluxstogie’s two books (located in key forum threads) which I will reference.
The first recipe tastes the same (in my opinion) as the current Peterson 965 my mixture. This recipe uses the ratios of “Three Zebras” located in @deluxestogie’s second book. Three Zebras emphasizes Trabzon but the ratios are perfect. I have renamed this specific recipe to “569” or the opposite of commercial tobacco.
569 pipe tobacco:
50% Flue cured Red Virginia Cavendish*
25% Latakia
25% Oriental (15% Samsun, 10% Izmir)
Pressed in my cheap ($4 on temu) stainless steel noodle press for 3 weeks.
Another version with a tad more Latakia taste. To make 20 ounces/grams of 569 is “9” ounces/grams of any cavendish, “6” ounces/grams of Latakia and “5” ounces of any oriental (Izmir).
*I used @chinavoodoo’s pressure cooker recipe(located in key forum threads). Specifically about 2oz (56grams) of whole leaf flue cured red Virginia and 2oz of water in pint canning jars in Instant pot pressure cooker for four hours.
The first recipe tastes the same (in my opinion) as the current Peterson 965 my mixture. This recipe uses the ratios of “Three Zebras” located in @deluxestogie’s second book. Three Zebras emphasizes Trabzon but the ratios are perfect. I have renamed this specific recipe to “569” or the opposite of commercial tobacco.
569 pipe tobacco:
50% Flue cured Red Virginia Cavendish*
25% Latakia
25% Oriental (15% Samsun, 10% Izmir)
Pressed in my cheap ($4 on temu) stainless steel noodle press for 3 weeks.
Another version with a tad more Latakia taste. To make 20 ounces/grams of 569 is “9” ounces/grams of any cavendish, “6” ounces/grams of Latakia and “5” ounces of any oriental (Izmir).
*I used @chinavoodoo’s pressure cooker recipe(located in key forum threads). Specifically about 2oz (56grams) of whole leaf flue cured red Virginia and 2oz of water in pint canning jars in Instant pot pressure cooker for four hours.
Welcome to the forum, @pipenwoods. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. Thanks for the new blend, and the promised, upcoming blends. I believe that pipe blending is all about one's comfort with trying new variations.
Bob
Bob
pipenwoods
Member
Thank you Bob. Not to be blowing smoke anywhere but I really need to thank you and this site. My whole leaf adventure wouldn’t have been possible without it. I had pipes that were with commercial tobacco extremely wet, slurping with goopiness and put aside. Now they all smoke dry with whole leaf tobacco.
All those crazy pipe shapes—with radiators, deep wells, stingers, filters, etc.—are all attempted antidotes to the humectant chemicals (e.g. glycerin, propylene glycol) intentionally added to commercial pipe tobacco.
Bob
Bob
pipenwoods
Member
The second (of three) recipe tastes the same (in my opinion) as Kramer’s Father Dempsey (I believe is currently made by C&D). This recipe which (almost) uses the trusty basic English/Balkan ratios recipe 30% Virginia/30% Latakia/30% Orientals then tweak to taste. After searching and tweaking @deluxstogie’s recipes I found “Warspur” in his first book (and on first page of this thread) then tweaked a tad for retrohale taste match. Again in the spirit of naming the opposite of commercial pipe tobacco I named it “Sister Makepeace”.
Sister Makepeace pipe tobacco:
20% flue cured Red Virginia
20% flue cured Lemon Virginia
25% Latakia
20% Samsun
15% Izmir
Combine, mix and sit in sealed jar (pressed down with your fingers) for 1 week minimum (3 weeks is perfect).
Another version would be add 5% more Latakia and remove 5% Lemon Va. and you have Arango/Stokkebye Balkan Supreme pipe tobacco.
Sister Makepeace pipe tobacco:
20% flue cured Red Virginia
20% flue cured Lemon Virginia
25% Latakia
20% Samsun
15% Izmir
Combine, mix and sit in sealed jar (pressed down with your fingers) for 1 week minimum (3 weeks is perfect).
Another version would be add 5% more Latakia and remove 5% Lemon Va. and you have Arango/Stokkebye Balkan Supreme pipe tobacco.
[War Spur is a loop trail in the Washington-Jefferson National Forest, about 30 miles north of me. It comes off of Minnie-ball Hill, a mile or so beyond Mountain Lake Lodge (site of the filming of Dirty Dancing). As the Appalachian Trail passes along that corridor, hikers find respite at the War Spur shelter. The War Spur trail is along the Eastern Continental Divide, near where it intersects the high ridges of the Appalachians.]
Bob
Bob
pipenwoods
Member
The third recipe (and last of three) tastes the same (in my opinion) as G.L. Pease “Quiet Nights”. This recipe is exact in proportions as @deluxestogie’s “Smiling Toad” in his first book (located in key forum threads) but very slightly tweaked a bit for taste match. In the spirit of naming opposite of commercial blends “noisy days” doesn’t sound inviting so I’ve kept the name “Smiling Toad” since it’s ingredients are so close.
Smiling Toad (Quiet Nights version):
37.5% Latakia
25% flue cured Red Virginia
18.75% Perique
12.5% Samsun
6.25% Izmir
Combine, mix and sit in sealed jar (pressed down with your fingers) for 1 week minimum (3 weeks is perfect).
If anyone tries any of these three recipes, I would like to hear any comments and especially if close to a match.
Smiling Toad (Quiet Nights version):
37.5% Latakia
25% flue cured Red Virginia
18.75% Perique
12.5% Samsun
6.25% Izmir
Combine, mix and sit in sealed jar (pressed down with your fingers) for 1 week minimum (3 weeks is perfect).
If anyone tries any of these three recipes, I would like to hear any comments and especially if close to a match.
I've got a blend to contribute that's almost ready. I've had 6 trials altogether and two more to go. It is a tribute to a popular fishing spot. I don't know what the tobacco laws are, but I'd like to find out how to produce larger amounts of it and sell it at stores around that fishing spot.
Unfortunately, most smoke stores are just vape and under the radar drug stores these days. Difficult to find a good tobacco store anymore except in popular liquor joints.
Unfortunately, most smoke stores are just vape and under the radar drug stores these days. Difficult to find a good tobacco store anymore except in popular liquor joints.
I second this sentiment.
The Story Behind the Blends
Every year my extended family goes fishing at Caddo Lake in Texas (the only naturally formed lake in Texas) where we enjoy getting our lures caught in every tree root the lake has to offer in search of that big bass.
We have been doing this since I was 10. We camp, we enjoy company by a campfire, the adults smoke and drink (not in excess).
Before I took up pipe smoking as a hobby, this was one of two times a year I enjoyed tobacco (mostly Cigars).
Recently I got into processing my own whole Leaf Tobacco.
Several months ago I had the urge to create a tribute balkan blend that encapsulates the rustic wild lake with fond memories. I had the idea that it would be a smooth, earthy, smoky, subtle but complex smoke with a hint of wood, must, and nuttiness on the back end that also had a good nic hit for relaxation during the long hours of fishing while not catching that sometimes occur.
I didn't think I would take on this venture yet... However, I often just take some if my whole Leaf stuff and throw them together with some other stuff to try. I accidentally made a blend that hit this idea right on the nose.
At first, I couldn't remember exactly how I blended this - as it was by site and not by weight, so I had to go through 8 trials before I confirmed the one that worked.
I added some Rustica as a tribute to the Caddo people who the lake was named after. I got to learn details about these people when I took my son to Mission Tejas SP on our way to Caddo Lake. The rustica made it even more enjoyable, herbal, earthy, and complex.
In the process, I uncovered two more complimentary blends that I enjoyed and add to the overall experience of Caddo Lake.
TL;DR
Base Blend
2 parts flue cured virginia
1 part fire cured virginia
1 part Samsun oriental
1 part Rustica
*The first two blends below can be blended in 34-gram increments (34, 68, etc.).
**The last blend below can be blended in 32-gram increments (32, 64, etc.).
Caddo Lake Breakfast Blend
Reminds me of a warm campsite kitchen with fresh breakfast.
Caddo Lake Fishing Blend
A good warm up to the final blend. Sweet earthy herbal notes, woody toasty undertones, balanced orientals lend a slight chocolate-y back end. Does not ruin the final blend but adds to it. An all-day, flavorful smoke that pairs well with the sensations of being on the rustic Caddo Lake.
Caddo Lake Campfire Blend
This one represents THE blend I was looking for. The base blend takes a back step while the orientals take a bit more center stage. This lends the blend to flavors of toasted almond, roasted marshmallow, rustic woodiness. Will leave a great aftertaste for the night.
If I had the funds or business acumen, certificates, etc... I would try and sell this blend to shops in and around Caddo Lake.
Every year my extended family goes fishing at Caddo Lake in Texas (the only naturally formed lake in Texas) where we enjoy getting our lures caught in every tree root the lake has to offer in search of that big bass.
We have been doing this since I was 10. We camp, we enjoy company by a campfire, the adults smoke and drink (not in excess).
Before I took up pipe smoking as a hobby, this was one of two times a year I enjoyed tobacco (mostly Cigars).
Recently I got into processing my own whole Leaf Tobacco.
Several months ago I had the urge to create a tribute balkan blend that encapsulates the rustic wild lake with fond memories. I had the idea that it would be a smooth, earthy, smoky, subtle but complex smoke with a hint of wood, must, and nuttiness on the back end that also had a good nic hit for relaxation during the long hours of fishing while not catching that sometimes occur.
I didn't think I would take on this venture yet... However, I often just take some if my whole Leaf stuff and throw them together with some other stuff to try. I accidentally made a blend that hit this idea right on the nose.
At first, I couldn't remember exactly how I blended this - as it was by site and not by weight, so I had to go through 8 trials before I confirmed the one that worked.
I added some Rustica as a tribute to the Caddo people who the lake was named after. I got to learn details about these people when I took my son to Mission Tejas SP on our way to Caddo Lake. The rustica made it even more enjoyable, herbal, earthy, and complex.
In the process, I uncovered two more complimentary blends that I enjoyed and add to the overall experience of Caddo Lake.
TL;DR
Base Blend
2 parts flue cured virginia
1 part fire cured virginia
1 part Samsun oriental
1 part Rustica
*The first two blends below can be blended in 34-gram increments (34, 68, etc.).
**The last blend below can be blended in 32-gram increments (32, 64, etc.).
Caddo Lake Breakfast Blend
Reminds me of a warm campsite kitchen with fresh breakfast.
| Parts | |
| Base Blend | 8.5 |
| Burley | 2.5 |
| Smyrna Oriental | 3.5 |
| Latakia | 1.5 |
Caddo Lake Fishing Blend
A good warm up to the final blend. Sweet earthy herbal notes, woody toasty undertones, balanced orientals lend a slight chocolate-y back end. Does not ruin the final blend but adds to it. An all-day, flavorful smoke that pairs well with the sensations of being on the rustic Caddo Lake.
| Parts | |
| Base Blend | 8.5 |
| Burley | 2.5 |
| Smyrna Oriental | 3 |
| Latakia | 2 |
Caddo Lake Campfire Blend
This one represents THE blend I was looking for. The base blend takes a back step while the orientals take a bit more center stage. This lends the blend to flavors of toasted almond, roasted marshmallow, rustic woodiness. Will leave a great aftertaste for the night.
| Parts | |
| Base Blend | 8 |
| Burley | 2.5 |
| Smyrna Oriental | 3.5 |
| Latakia | 2 |
If I had the funds or business acumen, certificates, etc... I would try and sell this blend to shops in and around Caddo Lake.
Tweaking things a bit more... While I thought I was just going to maybe discover a replacement for the "Campfire Blend", I instead uncovered another blend... It's so weird how slight changes make big differences in blends where there are a lot of different tobaccos in play.
Caddo Lake, Texas Blend
Upon blending, I immediately noticed a change in the smell of the tobacco compared to the other blends, but I couldn't put my finger on it. So, I asked my wife, who is not a smoker and only occassionally will join me while I smoke, what it smelled like. She thought for a second, "like leather and campfire smoke." That was IT! I knew it was familiar. So, I proceeded to smoke the blend and sure enough, it tasted like rustic leather and a campfire smells. Smoother than the other blends. It had less quality aftertaste as the others, but more up front enjoyment than the others.
Tobacco Parts
Base Blend 8
Burley 2.5
Smyrna Oriental 3
Latakia 2.5
crasch
Member
I've been very much enjoying the following blend lately. A quick search through this thread and Bob's books does not seem to turn up anything similar (apologies if I've missed something), so I thought it's worth sharing here. Translated to the customary parts-per-16:
8 Burley (kilned)
3.25 Burley tip Cavendish
3.25 Perique
1.5 Latakia
The Burley takes center stage. It is enriched by the Cavendish, seasoned by the perique, and perfumed by a small amount of Latakia. Uncomplicated without being boring, an absolute pleasure to smoke. Today I made another batch that used up my last bit of Burley tip Cavendish.
8 Burley (kilned)
3.25 Burley tip Cavendish
3.25 Perique
1.5 Latakia
The Burley takes center stage. It is enriched by the Cavendish, seasoned by the perique, and perfumed by a small amount of Latakia. Uncomplicated without being boring, an absolute pleasure to smoke. Today I made another batch that used up my last bit of Burley tip Cavendish.
1 pt Light Fire Cured
1 pt VA RIpe
20 pt Dark Air Cure
It's awesome on it's own. Makes a Fanstastic twist.
I pressed for a few days,
baked in the oven at F265 for about 2 hours (till it dried out and "rose" like a biscuit),
moistened in a freezer bag for a couple days,
pressed again for a week,
then set it aside for a couple weeks
Delicious! Sweet, real strong, with some mellow smokiness (but not spicy).
1 pt VA RIpe
20 pt Dark Air Cure
It's awesome on it's own. Makes a Fanstastic twist.
I pressed for a few days,
baked in the oven at F265 for about 2 hours (till it dried out and "rose" like a biscuit),
moistened in a freezer bag for a couple days,
pressed again for a week,
then set it aside for a couple weeks
Delicious! Sweet, real strong, with some mellow smokiness (but not spicy).
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