Pics of Your Sticks

[Jim D]

Here's one that's aged an entire 5 days!
The first few hits were sweet then came the "bitter-you better slow down" taste. Anyway, my last rolling session yielded so many combos I wanted to check them out early to see which to reproduce.

PS: I used newspaper strip for a mold as it adapts to the shape and size I roll and still presses the veins into the bunch. I use this for the bunch and then again after applying the wrapper.

 

[TheReMixologist]

I'ma ask this in my best NW PA tounge... hows com yins donwanna swap stiks wit me? promise I anin't gots da stogie beetles

 

[blisscigarco]

Nice evening smoke with something I bunched with a @keithjjones plastic corona gorda mold.

 

[keithjjones]

Nice evening smoke with something I bunched with a @keithjjones plastic corona gorda mold.

Sweet job, man.

I'm missing my home rolls while on vacation. My rolling time is my unwinding time. And in my clouded judgement I thought I'd let some of my rolls age while I was away for a couple weeks and only packed my commercial sticks. I think fresh rolls taste better than a lot of the commercial stuff. I wish I brought them.

I'm going to print the Salomon mold when I get home and give it a shot. The dudes at the tobacco place I went today to restock my travel humidor with cigars weren't even aware people rolled at home. I showed them a bunch of pictures of my barber poles and gave them botl.org before I left. I was surprised b&m prices for singles were about the the same as jr and famous for 5 packs, but I only bought one of the five at 1/5 the price. Much more reasonable than I expected.

Side note: I think Bobalu has most of the same tobacco we get through our two sites. There is very little that I find there that we don't have access to. Maybe a wrapper here or there, like candela, but mostly the same otherwise, especially filler. I'd rather roll myself, if given the choice. The sizes and shapes are rather limited there, but what I've tried of theirs isn't bad. I personally try to buy sticks I can't replicate though.

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[blisscigarco]

Evidently I rolled this lonsdale last November.

 

[blisscigarco]

Side note: I think Bobalu has most of the same tobacco we get through our two sites. There is very little that I find there that we don't have access to. Maybe a wrapper here or there, like candela, but mostly the same otherwise, especially filler. I'd rather roll myself, if given the choice. The sizes and shapes are rather limited there, but what I've tried of theirs isn't bad. I personally try to buy sticks I can't replicate though.

Are you trying to say that because he's got leaves with similar names, like "Dominican seco," that he's got "the same tobacco we get through our two sites," or are you trying to say he gets his tobacco from LO and WLT?

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I'ma ask this in my best NW PA tounge... hows com yins donwanna swap stiks wit me? promise I anin't gots da stogie beetles

Who say I don't wanna swap sticks??

 

[keithjjones]

Are you trying to say that because he's got leaves with similar names, like "Dominican seco," that he's got "the same tobacco we get through our two sites," or are you trying to say he gets his tobacco from LO and WLT?

Nah, I'm trying to say that unless you buy up whole farms like the big outfits, we all probably have very similar stuff, wherever it is purchased from out of country in smaller quantities most likely. I don't know where they get theirs, but they do have a deal with LO, so maybe they do. I don't think lo or wlt are bad at all, but I do wish there were more suppliers. I thought their sticks tasted about the same to my stash too. And other than candela, the wrapper selection looks generally the same too. I've tried about 10 different sticks from there (not all the same stick). Had any of them wowed me and I wouldn't have been able to replicate it with our sources (to my tastes), then I would have thought they had a unique source. For example, I don't think I can replicate a padron 1964 (in taste). Likely because they have their own farm and I haven't tasted anything from our sources that comes close. That's the point I was making.

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[blisscigarco]

Nah, I'm trying to say that unless you buy up whole farms like the big outfits, we all probably have very similar stuff, wherever it is purchased from out of country in smaller quantities most likely. I don't know where they get theirs, but they do have a deal with LO, so maybe they do. I don't think lo or wlt are bad at all, but I do wish there were more suppliers. I thought their sticks tasted about the same to my stash too. And other than candela, the wrapper selection looks generally the same too. I've tried about 10 different sticks from there (not all the same stick). Had any of them wowed me and I wouldn't have been able to replicate it with our sources (to my tastes), then I would have thought they had a unique source. For example, I don't think I can replicate a padron 1964 (in taste). Likely because they have their own farm and I haven't tasted anything from our sources that comes close. That's the point I was making.

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Roger that, thanks.

 

[keithjjones]

Roger that, thanks.

No problem. Just reporting my personal findings. Taste is subjective, so don't let me talk you out of them. I pretty much can guess your and my sweet spots are on opposite ends of the spectrum based upon what you've said you like versus the amounts of spice and power I like. I'm not a fan of even putting seco in my sticks anymore.

I wished they (Bobalu) had more verbiage on their descriptions that would tell you growing regions, years harvested, how they age them differently (or maybe they ferment their own too?), or something like the bigger brand sticks. I like knowing about that stuff. I'm a nerd that way. And I don't think their sticks were bad, they just didn't wow me any more than my sticks, and I know I still have much further to learn and experiment. The padron wowed me. The bonus about my sticks is that I can change them as my tastes develop with very little extra expense. I've already gone from a big ring lover to a lancero lover in 6mo, so who knows what the next 6 mo will bring. It's a fun journey and one I'm glad I found.

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[blisscigarco]

No problem. Just reporting my personal findings. Taste is subjective, so don't let me talk you out of them. I pretty much can guess your and my sweet spots are on opposite ends of the spectrum based upon what you've said you like versus the amounts of spice and power I like. I'm not a fan of even putting seco in my sticks anymore.

I wished they (Bobalu) had more verbiage on their descriptions that would tell you growing regions, years harvested, how they age them differently (or maybe they ferment their own too?), or something like the bigger brand sticks. I like knowing about that stuff. I'm a nerd that way. And I don't think their sticks were bad, they just didn't wow me any more than my sticks, and I know I still have much further to learn and experiment. The padron wowed me. The bonus about my sticks is that I can change them as my tastes develop with very little extra expense. I've already gone from a big ring lover to a lancero lover in 6mo, so who knows what the next 6 mo will bring. It's a fun journey and one I'm glad I found.

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Also a long journey. The first mold I ever had custom made for me was a 37. Now my sweet spot is closer to 42-46. Back when I started smoking (pre Boom) the typical stick in a shop was about a 46. When I first smoked a 42 (Monte #4 in Costa Rica during a surf trip) it was a revelation. I have smoked several thousand very strong sticks; and I still consider my "mild-medium" blends to be stronger than "strong" Cuban sticks. Frankly I wish my sticks were as "mild" as a Monte 2 or a Bolivar Churchill. The trick to a stick IMHO is getting low nic and high aroma. Is that strong? Or is that mild? I like aroma. But I value physiological experience over flavor-naming, or I'd just burn incense. I go for a euphoric/blissful mental state without any sense of poisoning my body. Something that makes my ears ring and makes me feel sick is "strong." Something that has intense positive aromas and puts me into a good place is "good."

 

[keithjjones]

Also a long journey. The first mold I ever had custom made for me was a 37. Now my sweet spot is closer to 42-46. Back when I started smoking (pre Boom) the typical stick in a shop was about a 46. When I first smoked a 42 (Monte #4 in Costa Rica during a surf trip) it was a revelation. I have smoked several thousand very strong sticks; and I still consider my "mild-medium" blends to be stronger than "strong" Cuban sticks. Frankly I wish my sticks were as "mild" as a Monte 2 or a Bolivar Churchill. The trick to a stick IMHO is getting low nic and high aroma. Is that strong? Or is that mild? I like aroma. But I value physiological experience over flavor-naming, or I'd just burn incense. I go for a euphoric/blissful mental state without any sense of poisoning my body. Something that makes my ears ring and makes me feel sick is "strong." Something that has intense positive aromas and puts me into a good place is "good."

I should clarify, when I say strong I mean strong flavor over strong nicotine. Aroma I'm not that picky about, same with nicotine. I like to feel like I drank a Guinness versus a bud light when it comes to flavor. Is that what you mean by strong too?

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[blisscigarco]

I should clarify, when I say strong I mean strong flavor over strong nicotine. Aroma I'm not that picky about, same with nicotine. I like to feel like I drank a Guinness versus a bud light when it comes to flavor. Is that what you mean by strong too?

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Sometimes when I read a review and a guy gives some level indication for body, strength, and aroma, I'm like, wtf.... But in general "strength" for me is pharmacological. I always prefer intense aroma, I just don't want to have ringing ears and nausea.

Side topic: As for "flavor," I'm one of those unfortunate souls who doesn't taste tobacco on my tongue other than the finish. It's pretty much just aroma for me, and chemistry. I believe all the emphasis on flavor ID in cigar reviews is a (maybe unconscious?) attempt to differentiate the essential drug-delivery facet of cigars from cigarettes, dating to the mid-early days of Cigar Aficionado. Also, "I liked it. It tasted good," didn't quite fill the 1200 words homeboy needed to write for his column. So he typed, "The first third had notes of coriander, roasted goat meat, peaty highland malts, loganberry nougat, and creamery Swedish butter." Then he went, "Whoa, that's a hundred words right there!"

 

[Marc L]

.... The dudes at the tobacco place I went today to restock my travel humidor with cigars weren't even aware people rolled at home. ....

What place is this? Was it Jeff that said this?

 

[TheReMixologist]

Who say I don't wanna swap sticks??

I've only asked several times and I had one offer loooooooooong ago that never panned out and none ya other mens wanna let me taste your stick! It's not like I"m asking to taste it for free... I'm offering you one of my blends in return... but nope... mummmmsss the word lol... OK minus Webmost because I tasted his stick on at his hideaway

 

[TheReMixologist]

Sometimes when I read a review and a guy gives some level indication for body, strength, and aroma, I'm like, wtf.... But in general "strength" for me is pharmacological. I always prefer intense aroma, I just don't want to have ringing ears and nausea.

Side topic: As for "flavor," I'm one of those unfortunate souls who doesn't taste tobacco on my tongue other than the finish. It's pretty much just aroma for me, and chemistry. I believe all the emphasis on flavor ID in cigar reviews is a (maybe unconscious?) attempt to differentiate the essential drug-delivery facet of cigars from cigarettes, dating to the mid-early days of Cigar Aficionado. Also, "I liked it. It tasted good," didn't quite fill the 1200 words homeboy needed to write for his column. So he typed, "The first third had notes of coriander, roasted goat meat, peaty highland malts, loganberry nougat, and creamery Swedish butter." Then he went, "Whoa, that's a hundred words right there!"

ANDDDDD sweaty cow balls... you forgot the sweaty cow balls lol wait... I think it's bull balls

 

[Jim D]

I'ma ask this in my best NW PA tounge... hows com yins donwanna swap stiks wit me? promise I anin't gots da stogie beetles

Hell, it would be like saying "Sure, I'll give you one of these 4 cylinder beater cars for one of your Cadillacs."

 

[TheReMixologist]

What place is this? Was it Jeff that said this?

I was going to ask the same question then I was like... wait... most retailers know very little about cigar culture period... they know about buying and selling cigars and a few lil hot tips on tobacco history to make them appear knowledgeable... very few have a solid understanding of the multifaceted functionality of the industry with a very limited knowledge of the world of tobacco. As rollers we become intimate with the leaf... each type is like another woman... we want to know the ins and outs of what makes her unique... how she tastes... what she looks and feels like... where she's from... where she grew up... how old/young she and her family are ... does she have extended family... was she born and raised in this country... does she get along with others or does she fly solo... is she a behind the scenes type or is she a social butterfly and like to be upfront and center... can she carry a note or is she tone def ... does she make your mouth water when you smell her... is she tight or loose... does she give up the goods easy or does she leave little for the unfolding experience... does she play well with others... is she in high demand or is she rare... etc. so no retailer can look at a retail brand... know the leaves inside and be able to tell you much about those leaves... a roller however can. ~xox

 

[TheReMixologist]

Hell, it would be like saying "Sure, I'll give you one of these 4 cylinder beater cars for one of your Cadillacs."

Wait... are well looking at the saaaammmme pics as each other? I don't see any difference between our sticks other than my dress looks Gucci and yours looks conventional... listen... it's the fuck TOBACCO lol... let me taste ya fuckin stick maaaaannnn... lol Every stick rolled by a roller has what he likes about leaf and life rolled into it... when I ask to taste your stick it's because I desire to taste you... your mind... your creativity... your tobacco journey... your love for the leaf... your taste for it's arrangement ... your composition has very little to do with your presentation... ~xox

 

[Jim D]

Wait... are well looking at the saaaammmme pics as each other? I don't see any difference between our sticks other than my dress looks Gucci and yours looks conventional... listen... it's the fuck TOBACCO lol... let me taste ya fuckin stick maaaaannnn... lol Every stick rolled by a roller has what he likes about leaf and life rolled into it... when I ask to taste your stick it's because I desire to taste you... your mind... your creativity... your tobacco journey... your love for the leaf... your taste for it's arrangement ... your composition has very little to do with your presentation... ~xox

What I'm saying is I have tiny little sticks....and from the picks, you seem to like a larger stick...
I'm trying to roll for a 45 minute ride to work so have been trying to sticks for that.