Hygroscopic burley

[NWgrower]

I’ve learned from reading here (and confirmed by my own cigar blends) that burley does indeed seem to hold more moisture than other tobaccos. Can anyone explain why this is? I’d love to hear more detailed info on this.

I’ve rolled multiple batches with burley tips as filler and while I love what they bring to the table, I had noticed they seem to smoke wet, even when dried out more than for what one would do for a commercial cigar.

Given that this seems to be the case, my questions are;

Does burley tips behave the same way? Are they more hygroscopic than just standard Kentucky Burley? How differently do you all treat these sticks once rolled than your standard home rolls?

My most recent blend that I’m currently enjoying has both tips and regular burley as filler. I’m still playing with proportions but i think burley will be a regular part of my blends so I’d appreciate any thoughts on the mattter.

Thanks all!

 

[KroBar]

Honestly, I've found the opposite (not through any scientific quantifications, just through making snus and blending tobaccos ).
I've found Virginia to be very Hygroscopic, but Burley, Dark Air Cured, Samsun, Fire Cured, and Rustica to not retain much moisture.
What other tobaccos are you comparing it to?

 

[green_bean]

East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet. Or so they say

 

[NWgrower]

Thanks for the replies guys. It’s possible I just haven’t been giving them enough time. My lack of patience has been leading me to only give them a couple days sometimes.

 

[deluxestogie]

It may be worth noting that leaf from upper stalk positions is usually more hygroscopic than leaf from lower stalk positions.

Bob

 

[NWgrower]

Noted Bob, thanks. Is that just due to leaf thickness?

 

[deluxestogie]

That's hard to say. Thick leaf implies thick lamina tissue, which in itself contains different concentrations of its various components, compared to lower leaf. There's more stuff there. White bread vs. pumpernickel.

Bob

 

[NWgrower]

Can another factor be that I’m typically only using one leaf type as filler? Burley tips is basically American ligero correct? If that was my only filler could this be a reason for a slow sloggy (please forgive my possibly inadequate description) burn?

 

[deluxestogie]

could this be a reason for a slow sloggy burn?

Correct.

Bob

 

[NWgrower]

Ok. Thanks a ton for the info Bob. I guess I have more fun experiments ahead.