Cigar making

[Ben Brand]

I have just read a very interesting article in the July/ August of Cigar Aficianado about a guy planting and making his own cigars. Go to Cigar Aficianado website, type in The rarest cigar in the world, it should direct you to the article. Enjoy
Ben

 

[FmGrowit]

Here's a link
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/The-Rarest-Cigar-In-The-World_7037

 

[Ben Brand]

Thanks for the link. Interesting what he said about the best cigar tobacco in the world, the Havana 688. Did anybody grow that variety before?

 

[Jitterbugdude]

"rarest in the world" = BS
Unless he has grown a few dozen different Havana varieties how would he know? Besides, he says he contacted the Virgnia Ag Extension service for advice. If he had half a brain he would have contacted the forum members on FTT....

 

[MarcL]

This is a great article. It sounds like a Fair Trade Tobacco love story.

 

[moscca]

This is indeed a great story, strange he didn't mention the flavor of his cigar.

 

[Knucklehead]

His solution for killing hornworms is really scary.

 

[deluxestogie]

This article was published in 2001. It's great writing. Fiction. You can't get 650 robusto cigars (not even 650 petite coronas) out of 50 hornworm damaged plants, even if you do cheat, and use purchased wrappers. Plus, all of his leaf would have to be filler quality. I doubt that the fermentation method he described would work. And, in keeping with Knucks' remark, everyone who smoked one of his fictitious cigars may now be dead, or wish they were.

Consider just how little valid information was available on the subject of tobacco planting, growing, harvesting, curing, processing, etc. 14 years ago. First time grower. No real advice available. Yup! Fiction.

Bob

EDIT: I had an article (non-fiction) on producing cigars at home (I'll grow my own cigars) rejected by Cigar Aficionado in 1992. I forgot to include a box of re-banded premium Dominican sleepers with the manuscript.

 

[Knucklehead]

Consider just how little valid information was available on the subject of tobacco planting, growing, harvesting, curing, processing, etc. 14 years ago. First time grower. No real advice available. Yup! Fiction.
Bob

He mentioned doing a lot of internet research to find his variety. I can't even find it now, 14 years later.

 

[ArizonaDave]

I read that story before, and it almost kept me from even trying to grow my own, then I met you guys and Mad Oshea, who kindly donated some starter seed. Now I don't care how this guy's story went, I'm having fun with my 1st grow. I'm doing it to see if I can supplement my WLT purchases to give me an even greater variety for blending.
Of course, I haven't yet gotten to the point of harvesting and curing yet, but it sounds like a fun challenge!
Next year, I'd like to add a couple more varieties, probably based on what you guys think would work.