Received blend kit, but how to blend?

[mjohn]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

My wife purchased a Whole Leaf Tobacco Cigar Blend Kit 'Oscuro y Rico' for me for Christmas and I'm excited to learn how to roll my own cigars. I'm a fan of oscuro cigars but am a complete amateur about blends. I seem to have extra leaves in my kit than advertised. I have Ecuador Maduro and Nicaragua Rosado wrappers, the Sumatra Binder, and then for fillers 2oz of Habano Viso and 6oz of Cibao Valley Corojo Seco.

I'm going to assume that I can make half of my cigars with one wrapper and half with the other, but can anyone recommend the ratio to blend the fillers? Being that the kit came with 2oz and 6oz, would that be a 2:6 (or 1:3) ratio? I asked Whole Leaf Tobacco and they recommended I ask here.

Thank you for your help!
-John

 

[Iowalez]

I watched a video on YouTube yesterday about the Davidoff cigar factory in Dominica. The president of the company explained that the workers must have ten years of experience at the other factory, before being qualified to roll the premium cigars. They showed cigars being rolled and with the filler, he said the strongest leaf goes in the center of the cigar. The worker only out one of these strong leaves in the center, and all the rest around it were another kind.

Maybe watching some YouTube videos from the cigar factories and other myo cigar afficianados would give you some information. I'm interested in cigars, so have been investigating.

 

[GreenDragon]

Welcome to the Forum. There is a ton of information on the site that will help you get started. I strongly suggest checking out the Key Forum Threads and Wiki at the top of the page. There are also some great videos here on the site that will help. I started out rolling with WLT's kits. Start out with the general proportions of leaves in your kit (1:3). Roll one, smoke it. Too heavy / too light? Adjust your blend. Roll another & Repeat. Have fun!

 

[Davo]

Welcome. What green dragon said!

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. In the Index of Key Forum Threads, don't overlook (in the Cigar Forum section) the link to Knucklehead's Cigar Rollers' Index, which is its own rabbit hole to follow.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

My wife purchased a Whole Leaf Tobacco Cigar Blend Kit 'Oscuro y Rico' for me for Christmas and I'm excited to learn how to roll my own cigars. I'm a fan of oscuro cigars but am a complete amateur about blends. I seem to have extra leaves in my kit than advertised. I have Ecuador Maduro and Nicaragua Rosado wrappers, the Sumatra Binder, and then for fillers 2oz of Habano Viso and 6oz of Cibao Valley Corojo Seco.

I'm going to assume that I can make half of my cigars with one wrapper and half with the other, but can anyone recommend the ratio to blend the fillers? Being that the kit came with 2oz and 6oz, would that be a 2:6 (or 1:3) ratio? I asked Whole Leaf Tobacco and they recommended I ask here.

Thank you for your help!
-John

Seco is milder and from a lower plant position than Viso or Ligero. It is generally speaking more mild in flavor and nicotine strength than the upper positions but burns very well. I use more Seco than the other positions due to its burn and it doesn’t take a whole lot of Viso or especially Ligero to really notch up the strength.

Viso generally speaking has a more strong flavor and stronger in nicotine than Seco but not as strong as Ligero. It burns pretty well but is helped by the Seco. It is from the middlish position. I say around the middle because you will read charts that show several positions, 5-7 priming levels. Don usually simplifies that and advertises from three positions, more leaves - fewer primings at harvest.

Ligero is the Mac daddy in strength and flavor. I usually don’t use more than a 1/2 - 1 leaf per fairly large cigar, depending on variety or that particular season. It usually doesn’t burn well by itself and needs the addition of Seco and/or Viso to help it burn well and to tame it down, but on many blends it is what makes the difference between wow and eh. Some of it can be pretty much fireproof without a few leaves of Seco. It is from the upperish leaves of the plant, but maybe not the top, top, depending on the particular depiction you are viewing.

 

[jclif43]

As others have mentioned, there is a wealth of info in these forums from some very experienced DIY rollers. Spend some time reading through these threads. From my meager experience, probably the most challenging part for a newbie is getting all the various components in proper case. In my opinion, this is one of the most challenging and frustrating parts for the new roller. As others have mentioned, avoid the temptation to roll multiple cigars to began. Roll one and then smoke it. Try the same filler ratio but use a different wrapper and see what that gives you. Try a single binder leaf and then a double binder. Dont expect or strive for professional looks, this will come with time and experience. As the saying goes, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Welcome and enjoy the journey.

 

[ArizonaDave]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

My wife purchased a Whole Leaf Tobacco Cigar Blend Kit 'Oscuro y Rico' for me for Christmas and I'm excited to learn how to roll my own cigars. I'm a fan of oscuro cigars but am a complete amateur about blends. I seem to have extra leaves in my kit than advertised. I have Ecuador Maduro and Nicaragua Rosado wrappers, the Sumatra Binder, and then for fillers 2oz of Habano Viso and 6oz of Cibao Valley Corojo Seco.

I'm going to assume that I can make half of my cigars with one wrapper and half with the other, but can anyone recommend the ratio to blend the fillers? Being that the kit came with 2oz and 6oz, would that be a 2:6 (or 1:3) ratio? I asked Whole Leaf Tobacco and they recommended I ask here.

Thank you for your help!
-John

You may want to consider some mini cigars to taste the blend differences. I see you picked a stronger blend. Try a 2-2-2 blend first. 2 Liguero, 2 Viso, 2 Seco. Inside to outside, 2 liguero (although 1 is often enough), 2 Viso, 2 Seco. One with each wrapper. If too strong, dial back the Liguero (but add 1 seco). If still too strong, dial back 1 viso, etc... Hope this helps?

 

[deluxestogie]

components in proper case. In my opinion, this is one of the most challenging and frustrating parts for the new roller.

This link goes to @rainmax' filming of the real deal--a torcedora in Havana. ~14 minutes.

Rolling Habanos

Bunching/wrapping a toro.

fairtradetobacco.com

With regard to the proper case (moisture content), just listen to the sound of the leaves as she handles them. You certainly don't need to use a cigar mold to make wonderful cigars.

Bob

 

[mjohn]

I watched a video on YouTube yesterday about the Davidoff cigar factory in Dominica. The president of the company explained that the workers must have ten years of experience at the other factory, before being qualified to roll the premium cigars. They showed cigars being rolled and with the filler, he said the strongest leaf goes in the center of the cigar. The worker only out one of these strong leaves in the center, and all the rest around it were another kind.

Maybe watching some YouTube videos from the cigar factories and other myo cigar afficianados would give you some information. I'm interested in cigars, so have been investigating.

Thank you! I've been watching all of these amazing videos for years, more so over the last many months. It's certainly an art. If I can produce something that has a nice blend that burns somewhat well I'll be happy.

Even though I've watched many videos, I still never put 2+2 together and realized the stronger leaves were in the middle and burned slower which is why the cone at the burn exists. Art and science! Good luck if you decide to get into rolling Cigars too!

 

[mjohn]

Welcome to the Forum. There is a ton of information on the site that will help you get started. I strongly suggest checking out the Key Forum Threads and Wiki at the top of the page. There are also some great videos here on the site that will help. I started out rolling with WLT's kits. Start out with the general proportions of leaves in your kit (1:3). Roll one, smoke it. Too heavy / too light? Adjust your blend. Roll another & Repeat. Have fun!

Thank you! Still learning the forum layout and have just been reading threads since last night. Nearly every video recommended I've watched a few times. My favorite and the video that really is to thank (blame?) for getting me to pull the trigger and ask for the kit was Robert Davis' 'How to Roll your first Cigar.'

This morning I rolled one that was loose and I didn't get the wrapper moistened right. Still looks smokable, but I did another at the same proportions again and at least in my eyes, redeemed myself. Still a long way to go. I'll post them as my first sticks over at that thread.

 

[mjohn]

Welcome. What green dragon said!

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. In the Index of Key Forum Threads, don't overlook (in the Cigar Forum section) the link to Knucklehead's Cigar Rollers' Index, which is its own rabbit hole to follow.

Bob

Thank you both!

 

[mjohn]

Seco is milder and from a lower plant position than Viso or Ligero. It is generally speaking more mild in flavor and nicotine strength than the upper positions but burns very well. I use more Seco than the other positions due to its burn and it doesn’t take a whole lot of Viso or especially Ligero to really notch up the strength.

Viso generally speaking has a more strong flavor and stronger in nicotine than Seco but not as strong as Ligero. It burns pretty well but is helped by the Seco. It is from the middlish position. I say around the middle because you will read charts that show several positions, 5-7 priming levels. Don usually simplifies that and advertises from three positions, more leaves - fewer primings at harvest.

Ligero is the Mac daddy in strength and flavor. I usually don’t use more than a 1/2 - 1 leaf per fairly large cigar, depending on variety or that particular season. It usually doesn’t burn well by itself and needs the addition of Seco and/or Viso to help it burn well and to tame it down, but on many blends it is what makes the difference between wow and eh. Some of it can be pretty much fireproof without a few leaves of Seco. It is from the upperish leaves of the plant, but maybe not the top, top, depending on the particular depiction you are viewing.

This is the science-y stuff I've been loving, the Oscura y Rico kit doesn't seem to have any Ligero leaves which is odd. I've added it to my notebook. Thank you! I found it odd that I had more of the Seco and it was stated as 'not for the faint of heart' but less of the Viso of the kit was listed as a simple and serene leaf. But this makes sense!

 

[mjohn]

As others have mentioned, there is a wealth of info in these forums from some very experienced DIY rollers. Spend some time reading through these threads. From my meager experience, probably the most challenging part for a newbie is getting all the various components in proper case. In my opinion, this is one of the most challenging and frustrating parts for the new roller. As others have mentioned, avoid the temptation to roll multiple cigars to began. Roll one and then smoke it. Try the same filler ratio but use a different wrapper and see what that gives you. Try a single binder leaf and then a double binder. Dont expect or strive for professional looks, this will come with time and experience. As the saying goes, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Welcome and enjoy the journey.

Thanks! I made two today (I was only going to make one but thought I could do better with the second one). I need to learn delicacy, and on both the single binders I had issues with tearing though feel it was better with the second roll. If I continue this (I hope I do) I'll worry about looks and get a mold. But right now I'm just happy if they're enjoyable and burn somewhat decently.

 

[mjohn]

You may want to consider some mini cigars to taste the blend differences. I see you picked a stronger blend. Try a 2-2-2 blend first. 2 Liguero, 2 Viso, 2 Seco. Inside to outside, 2 liguero (although 1 is often enough), 2 Viso, 2 Seco. One with each wrapper. If too strong, dial back the Liguero (but add 1 seco). If still too strong, dial back 1 viso, etc... Hope this helps?

I don't seem to have a Liguero in this kit which I thought was odd. The two I made today were 2 seco and 1 viso. It just happened that way, things got quite real quite quick when you're at the table doing this stuff.

I absolutely love the idea of making some minis and tasting those. I saw another thread about even lighting them and letting them burn can help too. Very helpful, thanks!

 

[mjohn]

This link goes to @rainmax' filming of the real deal--a torcedora in Havana. ~14 minutes.

Rolling Habanos

Bunching/wrapping a toro.

fairtradetobacco.com

With regard to the proper case (moisture content), just listen to the sound of the leaves as she handles them. You certainly don't need to use a cigar mold to make wonderful cigars.

Bob

Love that video, that lady is a master! I feel like moisture is going to be my biggest problem and looking forward to practicing more. Robert Davis' 'How to Roll your first Cigar' goes over the sound very nicely. Going to be a learned skill for sure. Thank you!