Rolling a Cigar from scraps

[dondford]

Ran across this video from Rick Taylor, some of y'all may have seen it already. A good way to use all the scraps we accumulate. I am a newbie roller but I have rolled 10-12 using this method and it works well. Enjoy

Don

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOgSzsaVw5A

 

[charlie G.]

Don I found it best if I'm going to roll a cigar using scraps it's best to keep the scraps of leaves separated by types of leaves.
I have tried rolling with unknown mixed scraps and found the flavor distasteful to me. So now If I'm going to roll a few scarp filler cigars I will keep the varieties of scraps separated so I know what varieties I'm using that will make up the flavor profile of that cigar. That is just my system.

 

[Knucklehead]

A couple of good threads on rolling with scraps:

http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/2859-Rolling-with-scraps-or-making-small-cigars

http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/3385-Rolling-a-Nice-Cigar-from-Short-Scrap

 

[Smokin Harley]

I only watched the first few minutes and already I thought he was doing it wrong...he alternated the leaf tips and rolled 90* to the ribs and started from the stem end...if you were to watch the rolling videos from the tabacleria in Nicaragua the correct way to roll is told to keep the farthest tips (where the flavor is) at the foot of the cigar and rolling is always parallel to the leaf ribs. and whats with the rolling it in newspaper ??

 

[dondford]

+1 Charlie G. I started separating my scraps early on; more trouble but it just made sense. The cigar below was rolled using the method in the video and by using scraps separated by type it is basically the blend I have been rolling, only short filler. Yeah, I know the cap is mis-matched but I was just practicing.

 

[dondford]

"I only watched the first few minutes and already I thought he was doing it wrong."

It's my understanding that when rolling with long filler it's important to keep the tips of the leaf aligned to the foot of the cigar for maximum taste and keeping the veins parallel to the roll is important for appearance purposes, but I don't think keeping the tips aligned is much of a issue (or even possible) when rolling mixed scraps.

Do you have an alternative method or video you would like to share?

Don

 

[dondford]

"and whats with the rolling it in newspaper ??"

Using the paper strips is a well known trick when rolling free-hand without a mold. It really helps in keeping the construction well formed and tight and the twist at the top forms a decent round head if you to apply a wrapper. Arizona Dave suggested one square of paper towel folded in half lengthwise instead of the newspaper strips; I have gone to that method and like it better. The cigar shown in my earlier post used AZD's paper towel method.

Don

 

[webmost]

Do you guys really get a lot of scraps? How? Why?

I get virtually no scraps, except for wrapper. There's the inner wrapper near the midrib, and it has big veins. I cut that out. That leaves the outer strip of wrapper. Then there's the upper end of the wrapper leaf, where I cut it off because I have already wrapped the cigar up to the head. So I have the middle portion and the upper leaf outer portion.

A half leaf of binder -- I use all of that.

Filler gets laid to the right length -- no waste to speak of there. I may pinch out a bit at the tapered foot -- but rarely, and not much.

Where does all this filler scrap come from? Are you having trouble trying to lay up your bunch to the right length with the proper firmness at each end? I would think that would be the prob to solve -- not how to make scrap sticks.

In fact, I'm about to tackle a batch of wrapper scrap next off. All habano. Throw in one half leaf of mata or criollo in the center, entubado your wrapper scrap, and that makes one damntasty of a cigar, I can tell you that. The biggest prob I have is that this wrapper leaf being so thin and uncrinkled means it wants to lay too tight and not draw right.

But what do I know. Maybe that's another advantage to rolling small perfectos, is no waste.

 

[dondford]

I'm a newbie, still learning so I generated more scraps than an experienced roller. Even the best roller will accumulate scraps over time and it's good to have a use for it. OTOH, you can buy scraps dirt cheap and I would think it would be a good source of super cheap "yard 'gars". IMHO, it's always good to have these alternative methods of rolling in your arsenal.

D

 

[buck]

I generate lots of scrap. I usually end up cutting off about an inch off the foot or head to remove soft spots or uneven areas.
Lately I've just been leaving the footer as is and not worry about head or foot being the same diameter.
I need to improve all that and slowly making progress.

I would say after 4 -5 sticks I have enough scrap to roll 1 loose filler. At this point there is no way I can separate the types of filler.

 

[Knucklehead]

and keeping the veins parallel to the roll is important for appearance purposes
Don

I think keeping the veins parallel to the roll is for burning purposes. The thick veins can act as a firewall if rolled around the cigar.

 

[ArizonaDave]

Don I found it best if I'm going to roll a cigar using scraps it's best to keep the scraps of leaves separated by types of leaves.
I have tried rolling with unknown mixed scraps and found the flavor distasteful to me. So now If I'm going to roll a few scarp filler cigars I will keep the varieties of scraps separated so I know what varieties I'm using that will make up the flavor profile of that cigar. That is just my system.

This IS the best way to keep your scraps for scrap blending, so the flavor is consistent. The only thing I'd add to this is I do have a labeled scrap jars when I'm rolling a consistent blend I like my favorite "go to" cigar. I'll put my blend # on it, like "Blend #17" has one, so does others. Charlie's method is one I have used, especially for "experimental" Cigars, and you know we all love to experiment a lot.

 

[ArizonaDave]

Do you guys really get a lot of scraps? How? Why?

I get virtually no scraps, except for wrapper. There's the inner wrapper near the midrib, and it has big veins. I cut that out. That leaves the outer strip of wrapper. Then there's the upper end of the wrapper leaf, where I cut it off because I have already wrapped the cigar up to the head. So I have the middle portion and the upper leaf outer portion.

A half leaf of binder -- I use all of that.

Filler gets laid to the right length -- no waste to speak of there. I may pinch out a bit at the tapered foot -- but rarely, and not much.

Where does all this filler scrap come from? Are you having trouble trying to lay up your bunch to the right length with the proper firmness at each end? I would think that would be the prob to solve -- not how to make scrap sticks.

In fact, I'm about to tackle a batch of wrapper scrap next off. All habano. Throw in one half leaf of mata or criollo in the center, entubado your wrapper scrap, and that makes one damntasty of a cigar, I can tell you that. The biggest prob I have is that this wrapper leaf being so thin and uncrinkled means it wants to lay too tight and not draw right.

But what do I know. Maybe that's another advantage to rolling small perfectos, is no waste.

Most scraps are from trimming a true entubado from experimental cigars. Although, the Traditional Entubado method generates a little less scraps, where the frog legged stem is left in, but the ends pulled off and put at the foot to compensate for the smaller leaf tip area. The scraps are great with smaller cigars and blending down the road.

I use that same blend as my every day smoke that you use webmost!!! I personally LOVED how the old Aleman blended with the Mata Fina and Nic. Habano fillers.

Yes, it is possible to have no waste, but the "scraps" of that particular blend need to be on the OUTSIDE of the Entubado straws to keep the perfect draw.

Starting out, it IS ok to have scraps, but even more beneficial if sorted for future smokes. Eventually, they will eliminate most scraps once they settle in to a blend or blends they really really like. BOTH can be beneficial. No one is either right or wrong when rolling their own.

This is part of the fun of rolling your own.

 

[dondford]

"I use that same blend as my every day smoke that you use webmost!!!"

Please share that blend with us.

Don

 

[Smokin Harley]

"I only watched the first few minutes and already I thought he was doing it wrong."

It's my understanding that when rolling with long filler it's important to keep the tips of the leaf aligned to the foot of the cigar for maximum taste and keeping the veins parallel to the roll is important for appearance purposes, but I don't think keeping the tips aligned is much of a issue (or even possible) when rolling mixed scraps.

Do you have an alternative method or video you would like to share?

Don

I get scraps from mostly the foot end cutting the bound cigar to length, I save that to a bag along with wrapper scrap or cut offs until I have a small handful of short filler. I then make "cuban sandwich" hybrid style sticks, a couple entubado leaf and the scrap around it before binding, makes a nice tasty stick and the scrap disappears as I go. The draw isnt quite as free as all entubado but its not one I pop my ears while drawing either.

 

[Smokin Harley]

"and whats with the rolling it in newspaper ??"

Using the paper strips is a well known trick when rolling free-hand without a mold. It really helps in keeping the construction well formed and tight and the twist at the top forms a decent round head if you to apply a wrapper. Arizona Dave suggested one square of paper towel folded in half lengthwise instead of the newspaper strips; I have gone to that method and like it better. The cigar shown in my earlier post used AZD's paper towel method.Don

Now THAT, I'll have to try . I've been thinking of trying my hand at making a 6 x 60 mould until I happen across one someday but if I can get the same or similar results from newspaper wrapping ,heck i'll give it a whirl.

 

[dondford]

I like large ring cigars, I smoke a bunch of 54 ring sticks. I'm amazed how many cigar companies are offering 6 x 60 cigars recently. I have a couple of boxes aging and have tried a few but the jury's still out for me. The first cigar I rolled using the scrap method sorta got away from me and that sucker is 75ish ring. Can't bring myself to smoke that thing.

D

 

[Smokin Harley]

I like large ring cigars, I smoke a bunch of 54 ring sticks. I'm amazed how many cigar companies are offering 6 x 60 cigars recently. I have a couple of boxes aging and have tried a few but the jury's still out for me. The first cigar I rolled using the scrap method sorta got away from me and that sucker is 75ish ring. Can't bring myself to smoke that thing.

D

I like a big ring too. I like a 54-66 in the shorter sticks like Nubs(4x66), Diesels arent terrible. I want to say theres a Cuba Libre thats a stubby stick too.... Wife and I were out yesterday for the Christmas alcohol gift run and lunch afterwards...Binny's is a chicagoland area alcohol store that has damn near anything you can think of plus one corner of the store is a walk in humidor which I went in to sniff and poke around while she was gathering gifts...My memory is for shit but there was a couple boxes on the lowest shelf that were 80 rings ...omg, one day I am going to buy one and see how long it takes to smoke. I think Id better plan an entire day just in case I pass out .
I rolled a 60 out of my stock , free hand . Letting it set a while and maybe drag it out this summer for a front porch session.

 

[Chris A]

My tastes seem to go the other direction. I smoked a cigar last weekend out of scraps from all my tobaccos , then wrapped in the old bezuki. I thought it was fabulous. For me, no need to separate scraps. I liked it so much I then rolled several using seven tobaccos in the filler blend. Guess I like the kitchen sink blends.

 

[Smokin Harley]

sometimes I think its the random unplanned scrap blend that ends up being a head above the rest...not sure what it is , its the same tobacco , maybe its a faster marriage of flavors since its smaller leaf bits. If you havent tried rolling a cuban sandwich , give it a try . What they do though is give the short filler a chop like watching someone making a philly cheesesteak. Then they roll it in to the center of a few entubado leaves (now think of it as an italian beef with a italian sausage "combo",same concept ), double bind and wrap . As I type it just hit me ...you could probably sub in some pipe tobacco chop for a more aromatic stick. Hmmm, just gave myself an idea to try for a rolling session .