Pics of your Sticks II

[charlie G.]

Great job Roller ! After 8 months my cigars don't look as nice. Keep rolling and posting your work.

 

[waikikigun]

Rolled a five-pack of lonsdales this morning:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/117960425886/fruits-of-this-mornings-labors-five-7x38

 

[Knucklehead]

Rolled a five-pack of lonsdales this morning:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/117960425886/fruits-of-this-mornings-labors-five-7x38

The Lonsdale is one of my favorite sizes of cigar. Very nice.

 

[waikikigun]

@ Knicklehead

Thanks. I think it's my favorite size.

 

[DGBAMA]

Rolled a five-pack of lonsdales this morning:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/117960425886/fruits-of-this-mornings-labors-five-7x38

Well done. I find long and thin a tough combination to roll.

 

[waikikigun]

Thanks, DGBAMA. I found it difficult too. So I watched videos with the specific intention of solving that problem and noticed something that helped a lot. They stagger base leaves in their hand to fake a taller leaf, and then lay their tubes into that. And have an extra bit of binder ready in case you need to extend your binder.

 

[CORoller55]

Theyre smoking nicely so far, the burn is really even. Ive got some stogies that I havent touched for a couple months, so Ill have to burn a couple and let you guys know how the extended rest has improved the flavor!

Im happy with those sticks considering they were wrapped with CT Maduro, which Ill mention again, is a pain to work with! If I had some Ecuador Shade or Habano 2000 Im sure they could be even better...

Now, Ive just got to figure out those darned perfectos!

 

[LewZephyr]

Rolled a five-pack of lonsdales this morning:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/117960425886/fruits-of-this-mornings-labors-five-7x38

2nd one from the left looks the prettiest... but the last on right is calling my name.
Nice sticks.

Ill agree, I like the Lonsdale size / length, but for my rolling skill and gear I roll more in the robusto range.

 

[waikikigun]

Yeah, I'm starting to get a clue that cigar makers like to use the pretty wrappers, the Ecuador shades and such, because they are so common but in my opinion not unquestionably the best for every blend. It's kind of too bad though that these raunchy-looking wrappers taste so good. I wish I had some press gismo to smooth some of them out. I know the pros are ironing out some of their stuff. Gotta be.

Here's a batch from today:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/118142379431/vz23-blend-may-4-2015-these-guys-are-a

 

[Gdaddy]

Yeah, I'm starting to get a clue that cigar makers like to use the pretty wrappers, the Ecuador shades and such, because they are so common but in my opinion not unquestionably the best for every blend. It's kind of too bad though that these raunchy-looking wrappers taste so good. I wish I had some press gismo to smooth some of them out. I know the pros are ironing out some of their stuff. Gotta be.

Here's a batch from today:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/118142379431/vz23-blend-may-4-2015-these-guys-are-a

I saw a video of Rocky Patel putting the finished cigars back in the molds for box pressing where they stayed for a day or two. So, I tried it and it really irons out the wrinkles if you want a really perfect looking cigar. I leave them in the mold over night and they're smooth as can be in the morning.

 

[waikikigun]

Thanks, Gdaddy. I will try that with a batch tonight. Was afraid they'd get pinched.

 

[waikikigun]

So I'm trying the ol' freeze-your-sticks trick:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/118319521441/this-is-ten-of-my-cigar-blends-two-ziplock-bags

 

[ArizonaDave]

So I'm trying the ol' freeze-your-sticks trick:

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/118319521441/this-is-ten-of-my-cigar-blends-two-ziplock-bags

Very nice sticks waikiki, yes, I also am a firm believer in freezing Cigars as you have described, and then adding them to the humidor. Most of WLT's tobaccos are aged 4+ years, but not cedar aged. Now the natural oils of blended tobaccos can benefit greatly in this process. Also, if the exposure to leaf is combined with a sweetening agent such as Cognac, or Rum/Vanilla, it can add to the smoothness of a smoke (think La Aurora cigars aging in Rum oak barrels). Some people like Gdaddy have had success with a citric acid, but I haven't tried that method yet. Habanos are great infused with Burbon.

Some prefer the natural flavor. All the methods can work, depending on your personal tastes. Have fun, and great job!

Oh, one of these days, I'll have to make a video showing how I repair small holes in Wrapper using a color matched patch that makes the wrapper look normal.

 

[waikikigun]

Thanks ArizonaDave.

I was wondering, about this freezing method, do I thaw in a dry box after the freeze before the humi, or do I go straight from the freezer to the humi?

I admit I've been using various additives to my spray bottle, typically of the rum-vanilla variety, and have even been dabbling in Gdaddy-style "petuning," with rum, vanilla, valerian, glycerin, cinnamon, clove, etc. I've found the green coffee infusion of Bentley #1 has seemed to work pretty well so far. But I'll be able to know better/quicker with this freezing system.

I could have used some patching skills with this "MAC-10" roll, that's for sure. Those PA leaves were messed up.

 

[Ben Brand]

Just asking!! Why do you freeze the cigars? Whats the benefit of freezing a cigar?
The citric soda, is it the citric soda that people drink when they have a urinary problem? Like white powdery stuff.
Ben

 

[webmost]

Kills beetles and their eggs

 

[LewZephyr]

I think AZD and WKG are doing it for another reason.
I do agree that it kills the beetles and eggs of course.

From what I thought I understood from their above posts that it ushers the ageing process?
Any insight AZD / WKG?

Thanks.

 

[waikikigun]

Yeah. Here's what I was told in an email from another home roller:

"Here's a good trick that Luis at La Tradicion, taught me. Freeze your blend samples for a week in a ziplock bag. Then thaw and let them sit in a humidor for 2-5 days to get to a proper smoking RH. At this point it will taste almost identical to letting them marry for 6 months. I have let some sit for 6 months and compared to the freeze 9-14 day marry, and can not tell the difference. He says the water crystallizing inside the leaves, and then turning back to liquid and being pulled through the tobacco in the humidor is the best way to quick age them. And I AGREE!"

 

[deluxestogie]

It's unclear from that quote if the recommended treatment is intended to accelerate the melding of a blend of different leaf, or to accelerate the enzymatic oxidation that occurs during aging and fermenting.

I have never noticed any particular change in properly cured and aged leaf (as well as fermented leaf) from simply freezing it.

Bob

EDIT: So far as I can determine, freezing cured leaf does not result in ice crystals forming.

 

[webmost]

So far as I can determine, freezing cured leaf does not result in ice crystals forming.

How could it not? You dampened the wrapper; you stuck it in a ziplock; now you freeze it.

I dunno. I'd just let them set.