Pics of your sticks!!

[mwaller]

Give BigBonner's broadleaf a try sometime. I had never tried broadleaf before he sent me the sample, so I had no particular expectations. It was one of the most pleasant, sweet-tasting cigar leaves I've had. Hints of toasted marshmallow.

 

[mwaller]

I decided I couldn't resist any longer, so it is time to dive into my test rolls with BigBonner cigar leaves... I rolled 4 sticks, each with a single filler. Binder is WLT Dominican Binder; wrapper is WLT CT Shade. First up is Big Havana.
Lightly sweet from start to finish, this offers up some nice coffee notes with grilled herbs and almonds. A slight bitterness creeps in, but nothing too distracting. Might blend well with Corojo for a bit of extra spice.

I should note that it has been dumping rain here is Seattle area, so the weather is not ideal for cigars. Extra humidity has a tendency to foul even the best sticks.

 

[mwaller]

Next up is Lonnie's Havana. Like the Big Havana, it has a subtle sweetness. Lonnie's develops earthier, woodsy flavors with a slight tanginess that is reminiscent of tart cherries. It also has a slightly aromatic quality that I can't quite out my finger on...

Bitter, vegetal notes ramped up in the final third.

 

[mwaller]

Next up - Broadleaf. This leaf is remarkably different from the Havanas. If you want something sweet and spicy, Broadleaf is for you! It offers hints of toasted marshmallows and dark chocolate... with a bit of cayenne in the finish. The burn quality is outstanding, too. On it's own, it's a bit raw and one dimensional, but I think it would really shine in a blend with some Nicaraguan Habano to give it some extra tang and creaminess.

 

[mwaller]

Final review for the evening - Havana 901.
Some bozo decided to wrap this stick too tight, so I had to fight with it a bit. But the challenge was worth it! Strong coffee with touch of cream and sugar? Check! Grilled steak, Check! This leaf was the most complex and refined of the bunch. Much like Stacy's Mom, this has "got it going on!"

Flavors became a bit ashy in the final third. This would blend well with many different leaves. I don't think you could go wrong with it.
Big thank you to BigBonner for giving me to opportunity to sample his goods!

 

[MarcL]

That is amazing. I heard a thing like that was not possible. I see it is. Well done my friend!

 

[mwaller]

That is amazing. I heard a thing like that was not possible. I see it is. Well done my friend!

Um, a thing like what?

 

[MarcL]

Um, a thing like what?

Reviewing in succession that quickly and, discernibly.

 

[MarcL]

Jacking it up...

 

[MarcL]

 

[deluxestogie]

Cigar Filler Blend: a pictorial philosophy

All from WLT.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

What leaf is the really dark one Bob?

 

[deluxestogie]

By the time I had photographed the lovely spectrum of leaf that I had haphazardly selected, I could no longer remember what they were. That real dark one might be a leaf of Habano 2000 from webmost, but I'm not certain.

My original intent was to assert that blending by color is as useful and interesting as blending by variety name and stalk level. (Of course that isn't always the case.)

Bob

 

[GreenDragon]

El Archer! (Yes, I’m a nerd and love the series.)
W: Cuban seed, B: PA obscuro, F: Corillo 98 viso & Dominican seco
smooth, but does sneak up on you!

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Why might cigars come out lumpy? Even using a mold. Tightness seems right. Maybe the moist perique inside causes swelling? Wrap them in paper until they dry?

 

[MarcL]

Why might cigars come out lumpy? Even using a mold. Tightness seems right. Maybe the moist perique inside causes swelling? Wrap them in paper until they dry?

A couple way's to make a lumpy cigar. Besides sorting into size, texture, thickness and body, the idea is to be able to fully control the density through intentional manipulation. Having the standard to start with is the key. We are fortunate to get leaf straight off a bail as rollers. This enables us this preparation.

Consistent filler preparation; To do this, the leaf needs to be in a higher case to get out the wrinkles and crinkles without it breaking up. This enables us the proper assembly needed after the case has been adjusted for assembly.

Over binding; What I’m trying to say by this is basically binding or, pressing to hard/small for the mold size. There could be the proper amount of leaf and just be bound to small for the ring gauge.

Under filled mold; A cigar is going to weigh a correct amount. ("Official" Cigar Weights) Having the doll bound to a correct size that accommodates a proper pressing is a sense that will come through practice.

Drying for the wrapper; Through rotation a fair judgment can be made as to when the wrapper can be applied without compromising the shape. I will first rotate one to two minutes in to get the best jump on the crease. Rotation comes at twenty or more increments there after until ready.

 

[MarcL]

I hope this makes some kind of sense to you.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I hope this makes some kind of sense to you.

Yes, it does. Thank you.

 

[deluxestogie]

WLT Nicaraguan Rosado Wrapper

WLT's new Nicaraguan Rosado wrapper is a delight. It is thinner than the Habano 2000, Corojo Oscuro and Ecuador Maduro, but still much more substantial than Ecuador Shade and CT Shade. There is no tooth, as you can see in the photo. It comes into case rapidly, and offers generous stretch. It's flavor is subtle and smooth, making it compatible with most filler blends. Burn is excellent, producing a well-held, white ash.

I grabbed 3 leaves of WLT's new T-13 magical mystery hybrid spliced reincarnated filler. That turned out to be 5 leaves by the time I had carefully separated them. It is thin and supple, with diminutive veins. To this, I added a single leaf (double the length of the T-13) of WLT Dominican seco. Binder is a double WLT Besuki.

The cigar was rolled free-hand, with a trimmed outer margin of the wrapper. This is all very well behaved leaf, with no stubborn elbows poking out. Had I allowed the wrapper to hydrate for more than 10 minutes, even the moderate vein visible in the photo would vanish.

What is clear from this view of the foot is that there is no thick leaf in the filler blend. While I don't taste the food flavors that others have cited, this cigar's strength and aroma profile could easily pass for a medium-strength Dominican Montecristo stick. Nothing reaches out and grabs at me. It just cruises along, as smooth as butter and as flavorful as a contemplative cigar needs to be.

Bob

 

[GreenDragon]

Wow, that Nicaraguan Rosado does make a beautiful wrapper. Love the color.
I am also partial to WLT's Bezuki - my batch was very easy to work with and makes a great binder or wrapper.