harsh smoke

[fitz the viking]

some hardcore guys here i must say. i cannot smoke the red on its own. i cased it with about 3tsp of unrefined sugar and 2g of citric acid in 100mls of water, i gave it a soaking, sorry liberal spritzing and it took the harshness right out. but it knocked me on my backside, i experimented with toasting too, the smell was fabulous. i bought a half and half pack of lemon virgina and light burley from a different company and i must say the leaves are a completey different quality. instead of mostly bits of whole leaves i got whole leaves. i have had a quick play and 30% red toasted cased red v, 30% light and 20% burley and is the nicest smoke i have had, i mean the very very best, i did nothing than open the bag and shred the light and burley. the taste is second to none and the hit is perfect for me. i cant believe the cost too, includint tubes its 60p (89c) a pack instead of 9.20 (13.70 dollars). will take a hell of a lot to turn me back to store bought. cheers fellas for all your help.

 

[fitz the viking]

or ladies. cant be sexist these days.

 

[Knucklehead]

I haven't tried the Red Va in a cigarette by itself, but really like it in a pipe. I just "sip" the pipe, though.

 

[DGBAMA]

Congrats on finding a blend you like. That is the hard part.

The fun is now experimenting to see if you can find one you like better.

 

[fitz the viking]

yeah, absolutely. was thinking of turkish / oriental next. but will leave it a while. might tinker with the stuff i have already.

 

[Nesikep]

I have been stuck with commercial tobacco for the last 6 months.. the weather here was just too dry to even touch my strings of whole leaf I had drying.. or overdrying.. finally we have some wet weather and they're outside soaking it up so I can shred it.. I can't wait to have my own baccy again. 200g of Number7 is $120 here, and it burns SO FAST I never get to 'enjoy' my smoke... I've always smoked strong cigs.. Marlboro Red, Sportsman (my fav), DuMaurier Regular, and Export A Green.. my tobacco usually makes any one of those feel like a "light" smoke. I have found for aroma, there's nothing like a bit of Monte Calme Brun in the mix... it's like a perfume.. I am a primitive fellow though... I plant a bunch of plants, harvest them, then shred them up all together.. what I end up with is what I smoke for the year. I'm glad you found something that works for you

 

[burge]

I have done a couple of things 1 is soak the tobacco the other is to freeze it and then let it thaw out and thirdly I let it just stay in the bag a friend of mine ordered from Don so just opened the last pound and its mellow. In the soaking method I just put water in the bag shake it for maybe 3-5 mins and let it sit and dry then shred it after it is shredded I put it in my tobacco an and press it and cake it as I am rolling i fluff it up and its really good. 1 of my tins lasts me a month or more so it ferments and it holds its moisture. Adding water and letting it dry adding water letting it dry accents the tobacco draws out the sugars and makes it taste yummy

 

[Nesikep]

I agree with burge, a lot of tobaccos can be mellowed out with time and some humidity cycles... If I'm lucky enough and I get my baccy dried and cured in time, we have some nice misty mornings in the fall here, and it's perfect for rehumidifying the tobacco for shredding, however it's not that great to smoke right away.. Kept in tins for a few months (a little but not too much) moisture helps it out

 

[burge]

I have some red virginia its good but prefer the lighter lemon and just got some american flue cured its great right out of the bag high sugar content and amazing. its all good stuff. I did find with the lemon I went fishing left it in the car super hot and the tobacco sweated and it tastes even better When I have moistened the tobacco got it really mois almost drenced I had a three castles taste from the lemon Virginia