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  • BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE

    Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over the next few weekends BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.

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  1. R

    Blending Thread

    with the above in mind: When you are rolling an experimental bend batch, how many of the same blend do you roll?
  2. R

    Blending Thread

    Or, you could do a stick that staggers one component.. say for instance, the same visio and seco, but 3 different ligeros, lined up in the center, end to end. Maybe leave a gap between to sense the change points?
  3. R

    Blending Thread

    I HA I have taken to flavoring cigars regularly, because I like them. Here's my process: 1. line a Tupperware container with a double layer of paper towels 2. moisten the entire surface with flavoring ( more on that later) 3. lay in a layer of Banditos unflavored cheroots cigars 4. Continue...
  4. R

    Blending Thread

    ah, the great primings debate. Not sure why we are discussing Cuban designations. Is Cuban leaf available for purchase on the hobby market? I have chosen to use the volado/seco/visio/ligero/corona designations, since that seems to be what I see available retail. I suspect that volado leaves...
  5. R

    Reducing relights

    Thanks for all the input. I always use 1/2 leaf binder and 1/2 leaf wrapper. However, the CT1D Maduro wrapper is a HUGE and thick leaf and I may have been a little generous with the overlaps, which could be part of the problem. I'll pay more attention and see if there is a specific binder and...
  6. R

    What do you tell your friends when they ask what cigar you have given them to smoke

    I have encountered this situation a few times. I hand someone a rollup ( always someone I know) and they ask "what is this I am smoking?" Please keep in mind, everyone knows I roll and they all now recognize my bands, so its not a matter of misidentifying the stick as a commercial offering. What...
  7. R

    Reducing relights

    I have that binder and wrapper in stock as well. I guess I need to pay more attention to the binder/wrapper used when bringing rollups to share with the brothers.
  8. R

    Reducing relights

    Filler burns, creating a hollow tube of wrapper (and binder?). Relight to help the wrapper (and binder?) catch up.
  9. R

    Reducing relights

    I have gotten to the point where my rollups are consistent, draw well, and have a serviceable head that doesn't unravel. However, I have noticed that they require more relights than commercial sticks. I dry box them for 2-3 weeks after rolling, then place the in the humidor to condition along...
  10. R

    recomendation for liught colored, "Connecticut" style wrapper

    Any recommendations for Connecticut colored wrapper? I just noticed my entire stable of wrappers are maduro, cause that's what I usually smoke. I'd like to branch out a bit.
  11. R

    Keeping track of which leaf is which

    This question is a bit embarrassing. Is there an easy way to keep track of which leaf is which? All my leaf stays in the bag it was delivered in. I take out what I need for a particular rolling session, case it up and place it in a separate plastic bag to rest for a day. One bag each for...
  12. R

    How much of a particular leaf do you stock

    I am beginning to experiment with differing the blend components. I currently purchase a pound of each leaf I try. I was curious: given that tobacco is an agricultural product that can and does vary by crop year, farm, and from country of origin, when you find a leaf that you like, how much do...
  13. R

    Videos

    My readings have indicated that there are 2 recommended humidity levels. The 70/70 we have all heard of is for log term storage. Higher Rh is for aging.
  14. R

    Videos

    I have noticed when I band my sticks ( after dry box 1-3 days) they are tight. When I take them out to smoke ( 3,4,5 weeks later) the bands are often much loosened. Perhaps there is shrinkage, and the vitolas are set and measured ROTT?
  15. R

    Adventures in home rolling

    Looks like patina to me.
  16. R

    suppressing mold growth in pectin glue

    and does it support mold growth if not refrigerated? I was a bit surprised that the pectin grew mold, because it was my second batch. The first I mixed at 1:1 with water and it gelled up like library paste. Stored it at room temp with my other rolling supplies and no mold in 6 weeks. Worked...
  17. R

    suppressing mold growth in pectin glue

    what does it taste like?
  18. R

    suppressing mold growth in pectin glue

    Are you referring to something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Lineco-793-1001-Methyl-Cellulose-Adhesive/dp/B00TCMA7BO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513103022&sr=8-2&keywords=cellulose+adhesive+powder
  19. R

    suppressing mold growth in pectin glue

    What is the longest you have stored a stick before firing it? Are we talking months or years? I'm a newbie, so my oldest stock is from October of 2017.
  20. R

    suppressing mold growth in pectin glue

    Had read that article previously. I agree it was quite enlightening. Just trying to avoid mold and keep the stockpile smokable. I have read a couple posters on this forum that claim pectin turns cigars "sour" over time. Neither me nor the BOTLs that share my roll ups have reported such a...
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