Whole Leaf Cigar Blends

[Brooksy]

3 leaves piloto cubano seco
1/2 leaf dominican ligero
4 to 6 leaves prilep (these are little leaves)
1 leaf cut in half cameroon binder
sumatra wrapper

makes about a 3/4 to 7/8 diameter x 6" long cigar. Smokes mild and aromatic, no bite, even down to the last 1/2"!

 

[DonH]

3 leaves piloto cubano seco
1/2 leaf dominican ligero
4 to 6 leaves prilep (these are little leaves)
1 leaf cut in half cameroon binder
sumatra wrapper

makes about a 3/4 to 7/8 diameter x 6" long cigar. Smokes mild and aromatic, no bite, even down to the last 1/2"!

This one looks really good. I'll have to try adding Prilep to a cigar.

 

[deluxestogie]

This is my attempt at creating "categorical" cigar kits.

Creamy Smooth
Silky smooth EMS wrapper, with a balanced blend of Dominican fillers, to yield a mild to medium strength cigar.

• Ecuador Shade Wrapper
• Sumatra Cigar Binder
• Dominican Seco [3 parts]
• Dominican Ligero [1 part]

Medium Spicy
This lighter-colored, flavorful wrapper hides a medium to full bodied blend of spicy richness.

• Habana 2000 Wrapper
• Aleman Seco Banda
• Piloto Cubano Seco [2 parts]
• Criollo 98 Viso [2 parts]

Dark and Rich
A full-bodied Maduro cigar, filled with a balanced blend of dark leaf.

• Ecuador Maduro Wrapper
• Sumatra Cigar Binder
• Corojo 99 Seco [3 parts]
• Nicaragua Habano Viso [1 part]

Deep Earthy
A spicy wrapper, darkly nutty binder and flavorful filler blend make medium to full bodied Caribbean-style cigars.

• Corojo Wrapper
• Dominican Cigar Binder
• Corojo 99 Seco [3 parts]
• Criollo 98 Ligero [1 part]

Smoky Rustic
Full bodied, smoky, woodsy aroma similar to Appalachian, Italian and traditional Brazilian style cigars.

• San Andres Wrapper
• Dominican Cigar Binder
• Mata Fina Filler (upper stalk position) [2 parts]
• Fire Cured VA 309 [1 part]
• Dark Air (2012 crop) [1 part]

Dark Fuerte
If you like very full-bodied cigars, this entirely Nicaraguan filler blend will fit the bill.

• Aleman Oscuro Capa/Banda
• Dominican Cigar Binder
• Nicaragua Habano Seco [2 parts]
• Nicaragua Habano Viso [1 part]
• Nicaragua Habano Ligero [1 part]

Bob

 

[Gdaddy]

Wow! Nice work Bob. These look VERY interesting and the strength level is great guidance as what fit's each individuals palate. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Brooksy]

Just rolled these this AM.
3 leaves Piloto cubano seco
2" wide full length strip of virginia bright leaf
Camaroon binder
San Andreas wrapper.

Good smoke, mild yet you get the full flavor of the wrapper which I really like. I have found the addition of a liguero to this mix makes this a bit bitter towards the butt.

 

[FmGrowit]

Jeepers, I guess I should be more careful with what I wish for. (smiley face) ((Bob doesn't like emoticons))

Keep the recipes coming.

Next question...

Should these blends be offered in roughly 1 lb. packages? Unlike the cigarette blends, each type of leaf will be packaged separately so one leaf doesn't pick up the influence of a more dominant leaf (wrapper won't be in direct contact with Ligero etc). 1 lb. of filler will make approximately 30 - 5 x 50 cigars and this is what I'll base the recipes on. If the filler is packaged this way...30 binder leaves and 15 wrapper leaves would need to be included in the "kit".

Or...should the kits be 1/2 lb. of filler with 15 binders and 8 wrappers?

 

[deluxestogie]

Most cigar folks today are accustomed to the (sky high) price of a box of 20 cigars. So aiming for a 30 cigar kit seems like a good idea.

Bob

 

[Gdaddy]

Jeepers, I guess I should be more careful with what I wish for. (smiley face) ((Bob doesn't like emoticons))

Keep the recipes coming.

Next question...

Should these blends be offered in roughly 1 lb. packages? Unlike the cigarette blends, each type of leaf will be packaged separately so one leaf doesn't pick up the influence of a more dominant leaf (wrapper won't be in direct contact with Ligero etc). 1 lb. of filler will make approximately 30 - 5 x 50 cigars and this is what I'll base the recipes on. If the filler is packaged this way...30 binder leaves and 15 wrapper leaves would need to be included in the "kit".

Or...should the kits be 1/2 lb. of filler with 15 binders and 8 wrappers?

Once you do all that 'kit mixing' there are people that won't buy it because it has one item they don't like. The 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb samples are sounding better all the time.

 

[FmGrowit]

Due to the overwhelming response to this thread, the first round of blend suggestions will close on Sunday May 4, 2014

After that date, you are welcome to continue to offer suggestions and new blends will most likely continue to be added to the line-up. Your contributions will be recognized.

 

[moscca]

Thanks, deluxestogie. This is the information I was looking for, expecially the different strenghts mentioned.

 

[quo155]

WoW!...is right! Awesome line up Bob, for sure!

I too like the idea of the 1/2lb offerings but Bob is also right in that a typical cigar smoker (buyer) will easily drop $100+/- on a box of smokes...however, depending on kit price, this is still hard for the average smoker...thus people buy 5 packs for $25/$35 all the time...expensive in the long run but at most, folks can easily swallow a $35 purchase vs. a $100 purchase. Also, keeping in mind (though to us, it's the pleasure that outweighs the cost, of rolling our own), some may balk at a box price to get a "box" count of cigars if they are having to roll themselves. Just a thought, though not an issue for me that much...it may be for others.

Either way, I am excited to see this working so quickly and look forward to seeing the offerings!

Keep it up folks!!!

 

[FmGrowit]

Once you do all that 'kit mixing' there are people that won't buy it because it has one item they don't like. The 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb samples are sounding better all the time.

OK, I just finished crunching numbers and I'm pretty sure I just confirmed my suspicions.

Based on any particular tobacco at $20 lb., the break down is like this..

1 lb. $20
1/2 lb. $12
1/4 lb. $7

This accounts for the added labor and material only and does not account for the many hours needed to create the listings for 50 or so new products. It would be difficult to justify these costs since it seems to me there wouldn't be a lot of takers on the smaller quantities.

 

[Matty]

I was thinking you could just put up a few recipes and let the clients buy what they need from the existing store layout, using 1lb amounts. 1/2lb bags might get more sales from people who aren't too sure what they want. Another thought would be to have a list of basic blends to go along with the cigar sampler for those who really aren't sure what they want. The idea of pre-assembled kits is kinda classy though (smile).

 

[Brown Thumb]

OK, I just finished crunching numbers and I'm pretty sure I just confirmed my suspicions.

Based on any particular tobacco at $20 lb., the break down is like this..

1 lb. $20
1/2 lb. $12
1/4 lb. $7

This accounts for the added labor and material only and does not account for the many hours needed to create the listings for 50 or so new products. It would be difficult to justify these costs since it seems to me there wouldn't be a lot of takers on the smaller quantities.

I wanted to buy some high dollar cigar leaf But wondered if I would like it. I deleted from my order.
Sometimes you can't have a profit to cost margin on everything.
Say I got 1/4 pound and you only made 5% and I like it. So I buy more at 1 pound @ 30 % profit.
Being in business myself Sometimes I lose a buck to make 10.00 bucks.

 

[Gdaddy]

Here's what would happen.I really like the sound of Bob's blend...

Dark Fuerte
If you like very full-bodied cigars, this entirely Nicaraguan filler blend will fit the bill.
Aleman Oscuro Capa/Banda
Dominican Cigar Binder
Nicaragua Habano Seco [2 parts]
Nicaragua Habano Viso [1 part]
Nicaragua Habano Ligero [1 part]

However, I already have three of the items listed. Why would I buy the sampler kit? Just to get the other two items I need? Not going to buy it and get more of the tobacco I already have. I would like to try the other components as samples and ,as brown thumb points out, if I like them I then would order a pound in my next order.

 

[ArizonaDave]

Jeepers, I guess I should be more careful with what I wish for. (smiley face) ((Bob doesn't like emoticons))

Keep the recipes coming.

Next question...

Should these blends be offered in roughly 1 lb. packages? Unlike the cigarette blends, each type of leaf will be packaged separately so one leaf doesn't pick up the influence of a more dominant leaf (wrapper won't be in direct contact with Ligero etc). 1 lb. of filler will make approximately 30 - 5 x 50 cigars and this is what I'll base the recipes on. If the filler is packaged this way...30 binder leaves and 15 wrapper leaves would need to be included in the "kit".

Or...should the kits be 1/2 lb. of filler with 15 binders and 8 wrappers?

Fillers should probably be full 1 pound each, and ligueros and mata fina ½ pound. I'll list my five blends sometime this week. Some secos and Visos can be interchangeable to get a new flavor, like Flojo Viso can be switched out with Piloto Seco Cubano (milder) or Piloto Viso for a sweeter twist replacing the Flojo Viso. I like both.

 

[deluxestogie]

I believe the primary market for a kit of cigar tobacco is individuals who are new to cigar blending. WLT offers an embarrassment of cigar leaf choices for the novice. A kit is just a starting point--an introduction. Hopefully, a simple offering of a handful of different kits will be logistically workable.

For a more experienced cigar roller, the purchase of a pound of a single tobacco variety is not what I would consider a huge commitment.

Bob

 

[DGBAMA]

Maybe 3 samplers; mild, medium, robust. Include in each, 2 wrappers, 2 binders, and 3 fillers. Then add a recipe card with a couple solid blends that can be made with the included leaf selection. This would give a beginning roller a good proven blend and an advanced roller plenty of option to experiment/try a selection of leaf in somewhat smaller quantity. It would make inventory easier too as only 3 variations would be needed.

 

[ArizonaDave]

OK, I just finished crunching numbers and I'm pretty sure I just confirmed my suspicions.

Based on any particular tobacco at $20 lb., the break down is like this..

1 lb. $20
1/2 lb. $12
1/4 lb. $7

This accounts for the added labor and material only and does not account for the many hours needed to create the listings for 50 or so new products. It would be difficult to justify these costs since it seems to me there wouldn't be a lot of takers on the smaller quantities.

Is it easier to add them maybe like 2 or 3 at a time? Or another number? It's possible they're could be more takers on the smaller sizes IF it were Ligueros or Wrappers. Because I bought a pound of Liguero last time, I'll probably have it for like a year. From a customer standpoint, I'd add the Aleman Liguero and the Nicaraguan Liguero if it were in the smaller sizes.
Could you run a test market in the Wrappers/Ligueros?
That could give you the numbers so you could make a better determination?
Then maybe others?
It's possible that kits may overlap one's personal inventory, but I don't know the ratio of kit buyers vs. sampler buyers.

I'd still like to see a test market for a few, so you'd have time to see the real numbers. Who knows? It may surprise you?

 

[Brown Thumb]

Another Brain fart. Just bust the Expensive 40 dollar leaf into half pounds. I would have sprung for that and got two different types. I will smoke my way thru a half pound even if I don't like it. I know very little about cigar leaf, any leaf to be honest but learning. And I am more than shure there are a lot more out there who would spend a 20 before 40 bucks to try something.