Pics of your Sticks II

[waikikigun]

Maybe there's someone here with the science chops to have an idea whether such a process might affect the enzymatic action or whether this is purely a mingling of flavor/aroma molecules through thermodynamics or other physical processes. I ain't that person, that's for sure.

 

[Raodwarior]

Luis is a bit of a tinkerer so would this doesn't surprise me. Also, with his time in tobacco it is most likely one of those thinks that's works but you still scratch your head on.

 

[deluxestogie]

If you wet a leaf, of course it will develop ice crystals in the freezer. The oxidase and peroxidase enzymes function as temperature dependent catalysts. Below about 60ºF, the oxidation reactions pretty much cease. So there can be no "aging" in the freezer. It may be that by cryo-damage, these enzymes leak out of the cells to affect the leaf after thawing and warming--in a manner similar to the enzyme leakage from cellular damage caused by pressing leaf.

Bob

 

[waikikigun]

If it's mostly in the thawing and warming, which it intuitively seems to be, I wonder if it really makes a difference whether one freezes it for a week or a day or two (or however long it takes to get it to "frozen.")

 

[webmost]

If you wet a leaf, of course it will develop ice crystals in the freezer. The oxidase and peroxidase enzymes function as temperature dependent catalysts. Below about 60ºF, the oxidation reactions pretty much cease. So there can be no "aging" in the freezer. It may be that by cryo-damage, these enzymes leak out of the cells to affect the leaf after thawing and warming--in a manner similar to the enzyme leakage from cellular damage caused by pressing leaf.

Bob

Aw, now yer jess showin off yer chemistry there, Bob. Leaky leaves. Same thing that ruins frozen food ages frozen gars. Makes sense to me.

 

[deluxestogie]

We color-cure it, ferment it, squish it, steam it, dashboard-cure it, toast it, kiln it, flue-cure it, sun-cure it, tuck it away for ages. Why not freeze it? Then, there are also the numerous non-tobacco flavorants and modifiers that can be applied to it.

Regardless of the methods, secret ingredients and incantations you use to finish your tobacco, it all comes down to what you like.

Bob

 

[waikikigun]

My motivation is strictly to speed up the blending experimentation process. I'm happy to let something sit around for 6 months if I know it won't suck in six months; and if this process will help me increase my odds in that regard, then yeah. Knowing how it works would be cool, though. Any kind of knowledge increases the pleasure of the whole hobby.

 

[waikikigun]

Rolled a fresh batch this morning. A couple of these will go into the freezer...

http://blisscigar.tumblr.com/post/118620884991/this-mornings-produce-pindad-two-papas

 

[ArizonaDave]

Kills beetles and their eggs

Yes, this is the correct answer! Not sure about the rest; please refer to our resident Scientist, Bob!

I know someone in another State who had quite a few store bought cigars ruined by not freezing. On another note, I've never had a problem in my Rum/Vanilla humidor. Actually none in ANY humidor, but why chance it?

 

[dvick003]

Haven't been on here in a while. Here are a few I rolled this afternoon with the Habana 2000 wrapper.

 

[deluxestogie]

Nice rolling, DVick. The head and foot get cut off, so they don't matter.

Bob

 

[buck]

Would the shaggy foot make it more difficult to get a good burn ? I tried that on one stick and the burn was off and had to keep retouching it until it burnt past the shaggy part plus the ash kept falling off.

<< edit And your sticks look very good >>

 

[deluxestogie]

For natural, free-range, sustainably rolled cigars with a shaggy rooster-tail, I cut the foot at the point where it begins to feel solid. I haven't noticed that an uncut foot affects the burn, once the body of the cigar gets going, but it does seem to easily drop random, glowing ashes.

For a gift cigar, the wild and shaggy foot is proof of artisanal homemadeness, in an otherwise perfect stick. The recipient may need to be instructed on how to clip the foot. As a teaching moment, it can be pointed out that all cigars are born that way, before being circumcised.

Bob

 

[waikikigun]

@dvick003 Nice job. I just smoked cigar I rolled with that wrapper 6 weeks ago and it was great.

Haven't been on here in a while. Here are a few I rolled this afternoon with the Habana 2000 wrapper.View attachment 15496

 

[ArizonaDave]

Haven't been on here in a while. Here are a few I rolled this afternoon with the Habana 2000 wrapper.View attachment 15496

Dang, they look good! That's one of my favorite wrappers, great taste, and nice and stretchy. They should be back in stock next week along with a slew of other Tobaccos. Including Criollo Liguero.

 

[leverhead]

... As a teaching moment, it can be pointed out that all cigars are born that way, before being circumcised.

Bob

LOL! I like that one.

 

[LewZephyr]

Nice sticks there DVick.

For natural, free-range, sustainably rolled cigars with a shaggy rooster-tail, I cut the foot at the point where it begins to feel solid. I haven't noticed that an uncut foot affects the burn, once the body of the cigar gets going, but it does seem to easily drop random, glowing ashes.

For a gift cigar, the wild and shaggy foot is proof of artisanal homemadeness, in an otherwise perfect stick. The recipient may need to be instructed on how to clip the foot. As a teaching moment, it can be pointed out that all cigars are born that way, before being circumcised.

Bob

Thank you for your whimsical wordiness. You have a penchant for painting a picture with words.

 

[dvick003]

Thanks everyone. I have been super busy but I am finally getting the hang of this rolling. These are 7 X 52-54ish. Bob is right... All cigars start the way mine look but I like the shaggy foot. For some reason, it never really gives me burn problems. Plus, I think it looks kinda cool...

AZDave: I have been waiting to hear those words. I am almost out of materials...

Dvick003

 

[webmost]

As a teaching moment, it can be pointed out that all cigars are born that way, before being circumcised.

Bob

The Uppowoc Perfecto comes neat from the mold without clipping.

 

[deluxestogie]

The Uppowoc Perfecto comes neat from the mold without clipping.

Sorry. I forgot about test tube babies.

Bob