Hello folks, Caj here...
I just thought I would post my progress in my pipe tobacco blending experiments. The two blends I chose to start with were " Smiling Toad" and " Delilah " from Bob's generously offered knowledge
in his pipe blending book.
I have included pictures of the process. I show the bags I received from WLT , the initial mix , then I finished stripping the leaves and put them in clean glass jars, that I vacuum sealed.
Really an interesting process. I thoroughly cleaned a electric whole bean coffee grinder and have it dedicated to processing the leaf, my concern was i did not want to turn the leaf into dust, but
the leaf seemed to have enough moisture to prevent this thankfully.
I mixed 1/2 pound of each blend, and let it sit in the jars for four days, today I pressed 4 oz of each into a crumble cake, then vacuum sealed each bag to let the blend further meld together.
I have smoked 3 bowls of the " Toad " WOW and a bowl of the " Delilah " really a different experience smoking a completely uncased tobacco I did not even and any additional H20, the leaf was already in case.
I left the other 4 ounces of each blend to sit in the jars, I think it is pretty fantastic just the way it is, and am sure it will mellow with age.
I find the " Toad" wonderfully spicy without any tongue bite whatsoever really amazing.
I did smoke a tasting bowl of each separate tobacco as well which was a Great experience in itself.
As far as my pressing process goes, I put layer of cooking parchment down, then layer in a bottom of doubled heavy aluminum foil, then another layer of parchment, this provides a great little package that
does not spill and allows easy removal of the cake, with any stray tobacco easily caught on a plate and returned to the jar.
I have included pictures of my process, again I am brand new at this, I have pressed factory bulk blends before, but not raw whole leaf. I did have a couple of leaves all unfolded, while working of the mixing I was surprised how quickly they started to dry out. The leaves and the blends are pretty low case, and I left them so not wanting to invite mold. Does vacuum sealing jars help prevent mold????
I did not press the cakes very long just a hour or so each, but it was quite sufficient to get into a solid cake, I figured vacuum sealing would help to further meld the flavors, and have less risk of mold, I plan to give them six months age at least, although as I said, I find the blends pretty great right out of the gate, it will be interesting to see what the age does for them.... sorry for all the pictures but I thought it would be helpful for someone who is beginning....
any advice appreciated...happy smokes Craig
I just thought I would post my progress in my pipe tobacco blending experiments. The two blends I chose to start with were " Smiling Toad" and " Delilah " from Bob's generously offered knowledge
in his pipe blending book.
I have included pictures of the process. I show the bags I received from WLT , the initial mix , then I finished stripping the leaves and put them in clean glass jars, that I vacuum sealed.
Really an interesting process. I thoroughly cleaned a electric whole bean coffee grinder and have it dedicated to processing the leaf, my concern was i did not want to turn the leaf into dust, but
the leaf seemed to have enough moisture to prevent this thankfully.
I mixed 1/2 pound of each blend, and let it sit in the jars for four days, today I pressed 4 oz of each into a crumble cake, then vacuum sealed each bag to let the blend further meld together.
I have smoked 3 bowls of the " Toad " WOW and a bowl of the " Delilah " really a different experience smoking a completely uncased tobacco I did not even and any additional H20, the leaf was already in case.
I left the other 4 ounces of each blend to sit in the jars, I think it is pretty fantastic just the way it is, and am sure it will mellow with age.
I find the " Toad" wonderfully spicy without any tongue bite whatsoever really amazing.
I did smoke a tasting bowl of each separate tobacco as well which was a Great experience in itself.
As far as my pressing process goes, I put layer of cooking parchment down, then layer in a bottom of doubled heavy aluminum foil, then another layer of parchment, this provides a great little package that
does not spill and allows easy removal of the cake, with any stray tobacco easily caught on a plate and returned to the jar.
I have included pictures of my process, again I am brand new at this, I have pressed factory bulk blends before, but not raw whole leaf. I did have a couple of leaves all unfolded, while working of the mixing I was surprised how quickly they started to dry out. The leaves and the blends are pretty low case, and I left them so not wanting to invite mold. Does vacuum sealing jars help prevent mold????
I did not press the cakes very long just a hour or so each, but it was quite sufficient to get into a solid cake, I figured vacuum sealing would help to further meld the flavors, and have less risk of mold, I plan to give them six months age at least, although as I said, I find the blends pretty great right out of the gate, it will be interesting to see what the age does for them.... sorry for all the pictures but I thought it would be helpful for someone who is beginning....
any advice appreciated...happy smokes Craig
.
