Kretek Grow 2026

ShiniKoroshi

Dept. of Shenanigans
Joined
Nov 18, 2024
Messages
432
Points
93
Location
Florida
This will be my second year growing tobacco while Im enjoying what I grew last year. Little Dutch was made for Virginia tobacco and Ill drop some interesting history later in that section. But the big surprise was Japan8. Though it has a prominent licorice taste when air-cured, less so sun-cured, that totally changes after kilning for 8 weeks at 125°F and rested for another 8 weeks. The licorice aspect totally transforms into a deep cigar flavor that leans toward oriental flavor. Its wonderful and tastes a lot like the Clove cigars I buy today though not as deep as the commercial Kreteks I smoked in the 90's. Since I had some Sumatra and a small crop of Prilep I made a blend that is a very close match to what I smoke today.

The focus this year will be exploring Indonesian and Japanese tobacco varieties that are available. With that being said I started the following this month...
36 Ainaro
36 Florida Sumatra
72 Prancak 95
72 Canik

In the fall I plan on growing Okinawa, Prilep, Japan8 and Ege. I may swap one of these out for Suifu. One variety for each row and Im adding a row in the front yard.

Also in this thread I will discuss clove selection, casing and sauce. Hopefully by year's end this will be the best source for DIY Kreteks!
1773448875918.png
 
Top