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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. Bruce T.

    New from Niagara

    Welcome from Almonte, ON (near Ottawa). We've been going to the Milia Cayo Coco for a few years. We love it. The food is actually very good, which is rare for resorts in Cuba. I would think all the Milia resorts are likly good. Hey bdc30, the Melia Jardines Del Rey just opened last year. My...
  2. Bruce T.

    That popping sound you hear...

    I freeze all my cigars for a few days. I personally don't believe that it affects the oils or the moisture content. The reason being that they are sealed in a ziplock and therefore the environment is totally stable, other than the ambient temperature. But to each his own brothers.
  3. Bruce T.

    Hi from Vancouver BC

    Welcome from small town Ontario.
  4. Bruce T.

    Adventures in home rolling

    (y)(y)(y)(y)
  5. Bruce T.

    Adventures in home rolling

    I used a rolling pin to flatten the veins. I found it made a big difference. Also, make sure you wrap with the smooth side of the leaf out. One side has the veins protruding more than the other side.
  6. Bruce T.

    Adventures in home rolling

    Yea, I was often impatient and wanted to roll before the leaves had stabilized. The moisture from my spray bottle had not distributed evenly or the leaves were a bit too wet or too dry. I find it works best if I keep the leaves in a tupperware for 3-4 days to come to an even case. Patients is...
  7. Bruce T.

    Adventures in home rolling

    I've rolled a few dozen cigars and I'll throw my 2 cents in. I've rolled with and without a mold. The problem without a mold is getting the stick to look nice. No matter how good you get, the mold will do a better job. The problem with using a mold is that it compresses the cigar to a fixed...
  8. Bruce T.

    Stems = flavor

    I think part of the problem is that the terms "stem" and "vein" are used interchangeably. I think of the center stem/vein of the leaf as the "stem" of the leaf and everything that comes off this center stem as a vein.
  9. Bruce T.

    Stems = flavor

    Looking back at the photo that started this thread it is now obvious that they are veins. I grew my own tobacco a few years ago and even my smaller plants had center stems larger than the veins in the photo. Thanks for straightening out my thinking.
  10. Bruce T.

    Stems = flavor

    This is interesting. I have watch many videos of cigar production and they always show women de-steming the leaves. I've watched many rollers and they always have the leaves stacked and ready with all the stems removed. I have even taken a few cigars apart and have never found a stem. What's...
  11. Bruce T.

    An Interesting and Refreshing Approach to Rating a Cigar

    Deep thinking. While agree with what is said, I definitely don't want to think that hard when enjoying a cigar. Thanks for the post.
  12. Bruce T.

    Cheap humidor

    If you like the look of your cheap humidor then put it on your desk empty. If you value your cigars then get something proper to keep them in. Tupperware works great. The cheap humidor will never keep a consistent RH.
  13. Bruce T.

    Sudden moisture in tupperdor.

    Hey f-bizzel, please let us know what you eventually find out. It would be helpful. This one is a real head scratcher. Many people complain about minor fluctuations but your problem seems more serious. For your cigars to feel spongy and not burn right makes them sound like they are REALLY...
  14. Bruce T.

    Sudden moisture in tupperdor.

    Let me get this straight. A sealed Tupperware 80% full, multiple calibrated hygrometers, Bodeva packs, RH consistent up until now...... OK I have the answer. You pissed off the cigar gods ! There's no other explanation. Sorry.
  15. Bruce T.

    Merry Christmas Brothers

    Here in Ontario it is record warm this year. No snow yet. Today is the warmest day this month, 16 C, that 60 F. Well I guess I may have a cigar outdoors to celebrate. Merry Christmas to all.
  16. Bruce T.

    Let's see how you store your cigars.

    What he said ^
  17. Bruce T.

    A Short Film on Cigars

    Made me all warm and fuzzy.
  18. Bruce T.

    WTH... WHAT GOING ON... Ahhhh

    .... and keep your glass top out of the sun.
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