Too Quiet Around Here... (open thread)

[schnell987]

Originally Posted by RX2010

as inspired by Slow T, I have self-blended my first experiment

~3 parts MB VA No1
~1 part black cavendish (not entirely sure who made it or anything, it was a gift from TOB9595)

they've been in a ziplock for 4 days now. at day 7 I'm gonna try a bowl and see how it is.

anyone else try any simple blending like this?

I was going to try blending the two "aromatic" blends that I currently have - "very cherry" and "vanilla" into cherry vanilla (seems to make sense).

You noted that you will keep the new blend of tobaccos in the ziplock for 7 days...Would it work to just take some of each tobacco, mix them together and fill the pipe? Or is it recommended that to truly "blend" the flavors, the tobaccos should have time to rest together?

[FrequenC]

Originally Posted by schnell987

I was going to try blending the two "aromatic" blends that I currently have - "very cherry" and "vanilla" into cherry vanilla (seems to make sense).

You noted that you will keep the new blend of tobaccos in the ziplock for 7 days...Would it work to just take some of each tobacco, mix them together and fill the pipe? Or is it recommended that to truly "blend" the flavors, the tobaccos should have time to rest together?

You can simply mix 2 blends into one bowl and smoke it and you will get a combination of the flavors, but you will get a much better marriage of flavors by making a mix and allowing it to sit together for a while, the longer the better!

I've done this with blends before and noticed a huge difference from day one to day 8 and an even bigger difference on day 28. Part of the fun of the hobby is making your own blends and seeing which work well together!

[DrDubzz]

Originally Posted by schnell987

I was going to try blending the two "aromatic" blends that I currently have - "very cherry" and "vanilla" into cherry vanilla (seems to make sense).

You noted that you will keep the new blend of tobaccos in the ziplock for 7 days...Would it work to just take some of each tobacco, mix them together and fill the pipe? Or is it recommended that to truly "blend" the flavors, the tobaccos should have time to rest together?

Well, I should mention that I have zero prior experience with blending. But, my thinking was that giving them some time together in a somewhat closed system would help the flavors and essence to meld together some. I've got at least 7-10 bowls worth, so I'll try it at a week, and then hopefully at weekly intervals and see how it goes. I've got a sweet tasting natural tobacco, and then a sweet cased tobacco, I'm hoping for good results, but we'll see.

it may turn out to be better with a sweet and a not so sweet. But that's the whole point right? try something, and learn from the results. I'll put updates in this thread as the times come

[schnell987]

Cool. Sounds like your plan will work out well. Looking forward to reading about your results! Enjoy.

Alex,
Thanks for your input. Time to start thinking of some good blends to experiment with.

[DrDubzz]

Originally Posted by schnell987

Thanks for your input. Time to start thinking of some good blends to experiment with.

no problem, I know a few people like to use Prince Albert as a base tobacco for experimenting as it burns cool, has a pleasant taste and is cheap. So you may start there, or with carter hall or something of that nature

[RevSmoke]

With all this talk about blending, here are a few I have done - that I kept on hand as they are those which are very tasty. There are some blending experiments that have ended up in the circulatory file.

As you consider this, notice how every blend is able to be multiplied simply to make up 16 - so that it can be done in 1 pound lots. Remember that a "part" is an equal part - grams, ounces, etc... Just so they are equally measured out.

A VaPer
3 parts McClelland #5100
3 parts McClelland #5105
2 parts Perique


Another VaPer
6 parts McClelland #5100
2 parts Perique


Another VaPer
5 parts Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake (rubbed out)
3 parts Perique


An aromatic (am not normally a fan of aromatics)
1 part CAO/Dan Sweet Vanilla Honeydew
1 part McClelland #5100


Two English blend
5 parts Latakia
5 parts McClelland #5100 (or Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake - rubbed out)
3 parts unflavored black cavendish
3 parts Perique

[Slow Triathlete]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

A VaPer
3 parts McClelland #5100
3 parts McClelland #5105
2 parts Perique


Another VaPer
6 parts McClelland #5100
2 parts Perique


Another VaPer
5 parts Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake (rubbed out)
3 parts Perique

Another VaPer that I tried, it turned out great.

1 New 100g tin of Rattray's Marlin Flake

.5 - 1 ounce of Perique

If you only put .5 in the blend it is a good mild VaPer. The closer you get to a full ounce, the spicier it gets.

If you want it even milder, then mix it with Old Gowrie instead of Marlin Flake.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by schnell987

I was going to try blending the two "aromatic" blends that I currently have - "very cherry" and "vanilla" into cherry vanilla (seems to make sense).

You noted that you will keep the new blend of tobaccos in the ziplock for 7 days...Would it work to just take some of each tobacco, mix them together and fill the pipe? Or is it recommended that to truly "blend" the flavors, the tobaccos should have time to rest together?

I have tried my hand at blending a few times. What I like to do is to try the new blend immediately - then revisit it as it ages and mellows together (1 wk, 2 wks, 1 month, 3 mnths, etc...). I'd also say that a week is too short a time to get full idea of how they'll marry.

Just a couple blending tips, use portions that will convert into 16 (as 16 is 1 pound), and if you like it, you may want to repeat it. Write the recipe down. To blend, put constituent tobaccos in a large bowl and get your hands in to toss the mixture well - kind of like a salad.

If you want the tobaccos to marry more quickly, when you get it mixed, put it into something which you can compress. I like to put it in a zip-lock and I have devised a way I can press it with a couple C-clamps. This get the tobaccos as close together as possible, helping them to marry. I have done a couple blends where I press some and leave a portion in a zip-lock without pressing. It is amazing the difference after 1 wk, 1 mnth, etc...

Have fun with it!

If you go to this website http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/tinned_blends.htm
in the tinned blends, look for Back Porch - it is my recipe for a blend. They also used to have a blend called Orthodoxy, but they can no longer get any Syrian Latakia (one of the constituent tobaccos), so they cannot make it.

[schnell987]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I have tried my hand at blending a few times. What I like to do is to try the new blend immediately - then revisit it as it ages and mellows together (1 wk, 2 wks, 1 month, 3 mnths, etc...). I'd also say that a week is too short a time to get full idea of how they'll marry.

Just a couple blending tips, use portions that will convert into 16 (as 16 is 1 pound), and if you like it, you may want to repeat it. Write the recipe down. To blend, put constituent tobaccos in a large bowl and get your hands in to toss the mixture well - kind of like a salad.

If you want the tobaccos to marry more quickly, when you get it mixed, put it into something which you can compress. I like to put it in a zip-lock and I have devised a way I can press it with a couple C-clamps. This get the tobaccos as close together as possible, helping them to marry. I have done a couple blends where I press some and leave a portion in a zip-lock without pressing. It is amazing the difference after 1 wk, 1 mnth, etc...

Have fun with it!

If you go to this website http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/tinned_blends.htm
in the tinned blends, look for Back Porch - it is my recipe for a blend. They also used to have a blend called Orthodoxy, but they can no longer get any Syrian Latakia (one of the constituent tobaccos), so they cannot make it.

Todd,
Some terrific advice here! Thanks. For compression, I'll just place a bag under my wife's favorite chair ! (j/k, she's petite and very health concious...but just made me laugh thinking about it).

About the most "blending" I've done is to go to my BM and say "I want some berry vanilla tobacco". So he mixed a few things together and gave it to me.