Although Comstock Spanish is classed as a cigar binder, and Zimmer Spanish a cigar filler, the distinction between the two was not clear to me prior to growing them side-by-side. My seed for these two varieties came from New Hope Seed. Both are nearly identical in appearance, and conform to the 1880s sketch of "Spanish Tobacco," from which both were developed some time shortly after the American Civil War.
Comstock Spanish was developed in Wisconsin. Zimmer Spanish was named after the prominent Ohio tobacco grower in the Miami Valley, where it was developed.
Both varieties germinated well. Seedlings of the Comstock seemed to be a bit more vigorous than those of the Zimmer. At an early stage, the Zimmer can be seen to have a somewhat closer venation pattern than Comstock.
After transplant, the Zimmer is slower to grow and mature than the Comstock by one to two weeks. Their ultimate sizes were similar, both reaching a final height (topped) of about 47-49 inches, averaging 20 harvestable leaves each. Leaves of both averaged 24-26 inches in length, though the Zimmer leaf width averaged 14 inches, an inch wider than the Comstock. Like all Spanish-type tobaccos, the leaf surfaces are fairly smooth, with a smooth margin and a gentle arch of the central vein.
At maturity, the most noticeable contrast was in the degree to which each was affected by flea beetles, which cause pinholes. The Comstock was only minimally affected, while the Zimmer tended to have numerous pinholes on every leaf.
The most significant difference is found in the mature leaves. Notice that the closer venation of the Zimmer persists in the mature leaves.
The apparent color difference is artifact. Although the leaves of both varieties felt similarly thick, the Zimmer was considerably thinner after color cure.
All the leaf was primed at the mature-but-not-yet-ripe stage. The lugs of both were smokable as filler after only color cure, and taste comparable at that stage, but because they still impart a slight bitterness to the tongue, neither is suitable for use as wrapper prior to kilning.
After a month in the kiln, the Zimmer produces a full, medium brown filler leaf. The Comstock, by contrast, kilns to a deep maduro with a sweetness on the tongue and an oily finish. The Comstock exhibits more stretch and tensile strength, and makes a robust binder or a delicious maduro wrapper. The Comstock, after the kiln, makes an intense filler.
The Comstock was planted in two different beds, at different planting densities. At 3.75 sq. ft. per plant, the plant reaches full potential. At 3.0 sq. ft. per plant, the leaves were about 10% smaller, but otherwise healthy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both Comstock Spanish and Zimmer Spanish are reasonably vigorous as seedlings, and offer a good productivity. Both tended to color cure fairly well by simply hanging in the shed. Both are relatively easy to stem, because of their nearly flat, symmetrical shape.
After the kiln, the Zimmer makes a much more suitable seco-style filler than Comstock, but makes a poor binder, due to the thinness and fragility of the leaf, and a poor wrapper because of its penchant for attracting flea beetles. Comstock kilns to a wonderful binder or maduro wrapper, but I find it rather strong as a filler. Cigars made of either or both of these varieties taste like no-kidding cigars of excellent quality.
Recommended planting density: 3.75 sq. ft. per plant.
Bob
Comstock Spanish was developed in Wisconsin. Zimmer Spanish was named after the prominent Ohio tobacco grower in the Miami Valley, where it was developed.
Both varieties germinated well. Seedlings of the Comstock seemed to be a bit more vigorous than those of the Zimmer. At an early stage, the Zimmer can be seen to have a somewhat closer venation pattern than Comstock.
After transplant, the Zimmer is slower to grow and mature than the Comstock by one to two weeks. Their ultimate sizes were similar, both reaching a final height (topped) of about 47-49 inches, averaging 20 harvestable leaves each. Leaves of both averaged 24-26 inches in length, though the Zimmer leaf width averaged 14 inches, an inch wider than the Comstock. Like all Spanish-type tobaccos, the leaf surfaces are fairly smooth, with a smooth margin and a gentle arch of the central vein.
At maturity, the most noticeable contrast was in the degree to which each was affected by flea beetles, which cause pinholes. The Comstock was only minimally affected, while the Zimmer tended to have numerous pinholes on every leaf.
The most significant difference is found in the mature leaves. Notice that the closer venation of the Zimmer persists in the mature leaves.
The apparent color difference is artifact. Although the leaves of both varieties felt similarly thick, the Zimmer was considerably thinner after color cure.
All the leaf was primed at the mature-but-not-yet-ripe stage. The lugs of both were smokable as filler after only color cure, and taste comparable at that stage, but because they still impart a slight bitterness to the tongue, neither is suitable for use as wrapper prior to kilning.
After a month in the kiln, the Zimmer produces a full, medium brown filler leaf. The Comstock, by contrast, kilns to a deep maduro with a sweetness on the tongue and an oily finish. The Comstock exhibits more stretch and tensile strength, and makes a robust binder or a delicious maduro wrapper. The Comstock, after the kiln, makes an intense filler.
The Comstock was planted in two different beds, at different planting densities. At 3.75 sq. ft. per plant, the plant reaches full potential. At 3.0 sq. ft. per plant, the leaves were about 10% smaller, but otherwise healthy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both Comstock Spanish and Zimmer Spanish are reasonably vigorous as seedlings, and offer a good productivity. Both tended to color cure fairly well by simply hanging in the shed. Both are relatively easy to stem, because of their nearly flat, symmetrical shape.
After the kiln, the Zimmer makes a much more suitable seco-style filler than Comstock, but makes a poor binder, due to the thinness and fragility of the leaf, and a poor wrapper because of its penchant for attracting flea beetles. Comstock kilns to a wonderful binder or maduro wrapper, but I find it rather strong as a filler. Cigars made of either or both of these varieties taste like no-kidding cigars of excellent quality.
Recommended planting density: 3.75 sq. ft. per plant.
Bob
