Hand tied vs non-hand tied (WLT)

[piping_presbyter]

Can anyone state the relative merits of hand tied versus non-hand tied Bright leaf from WLT? There is a slight increase in cost for hand tied. But is there any discernible difference in flavor or quality? What exactly are you paying extra for?

 

[MarcL]

I do believe the leaf is the same. The cost reflects the labor. The added labor reflects requests for hand tied leaf.

 

[piping_presbyter]

But… why would people request that it be hand-tied?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I thought it was merely the way it came and that although similar, was a different auction lot.

 

[deluxestogie]

My understanding is that it represents a different leaf source.

Bob

 

[MarcL]

Two new products at WholeLeafTobacco.com

I've been working on trying to get someone to tie hands of Flue Cured Virginia tobacco for quite a few years and the waiting is finally over. This is the way all tobacco was processed when small farms produced the majority of the tobacco. Many farms were only a few acres, but their tobacco...

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[piping_presbyter]

Two new products at WholeLeafTobacco.com

I've been working on trying to get someone to tie hands of Flue Cured Virginia tobacco for quite a few years and the waiting is finally over. This is the way all tobacco was processed when small farms produced the majority of the tobacco. Many farms were only a few acres, but their tobacco...

fairtradetobacco.com

You win. That is exactly what I was looking for

 

[FmGrowit]

The mid-rib in most hand-tied is unbroken which makes processing somewhat easier. The leaf itself is different from the standard (un-tied) leaf also. Completely different sources, so the tobacco is different.

 

[piping_presbyter]

Thanks. My only concern is that because it was so difficult to find a source willing to hand tie, what are the odds that same person is growing the best tobacco? Whereas when WLT purchases the standard format, I imagine they have many more options on which lots to bid for.