How to make a culebra...

[Moro]

Ok, this is the thing. I was thinking the other day on how a culebra was made. Just brainstorming. Then I realize it surely is only 3 slim panetelas (orthe sort) that ye get moist enough to weave together and then let settle at an RH. I have a few lanceros and think: why not? How about an El Triunfador culebra? So, I basically need some input on how to get them moist enough (mister?) and how to get it to lower RH without making mold. Any ideas?

 

[strife]

Any ideas?

Yeah just one. Blasphemy!!

 

[Danilo]

I can't wait to see this. It might actually work.
To suck the humidity back down, you could cover it in heartfelt beads?
Good luck!!

 

[Kurtdesign1]

My thought is that it is impossible after a cigar has lost its initial moisture from being rolled. Tobacco kinda feels like fabric when it's being rolled and to to expect a smokable cigar to ever be plyable enough to bend seems doubtful. I'd imagine that the wrapper leaf will crack or explode from the re-hydration process needed to get the filler tobaccos to the desired plyability.

 

[Holy_Diver]

thats just crazy enough to work!

 

[Moro]

My thought is that it is impossible after a cigar has lost its initial moisture from being rolled. Tobacco kinda feels like fabric when it's being rolled and to to expect a smokable cigar to ever be plyable enough to bend seems doubtful. I'd imagine that the wrapper leaf will crack or explode from the re-hydration process needed to get the filler tobaccos to the desired plyability.

I thought the same thing. Unless it'd be a slow and steady RH raise, nae?

 

[jmatkins]

I would like to see it work on a cigar that has been sitting for a while. On the articles I have read on them they use really fresh leaves to get them to swist and hold there shape without breaking. It would be a intresing project. Good Luck!

 

[njstone]

Although it sounds like an awesome idea, I really wonder if it will work. I've only watch cigars being rolled once, but the wrappers were very soft...it seems that they would be easy to mold to the right shape. I'm not sure if you could get box-aged cigars to return to that texture/consistency again.

But what do I know?

If you succeed, you'll HAVE to send Pete a picture. I'll bet he'd get a real kick out of that!

...future "Monster Series" cigar...Medusa?...Chimera?...Triceratops?

 

[gibbleguts]

The other issue could be that culebra's never seem to be rolled as tight and the braiding of them could create catastophic draw issues.

 

[jmatkins]

The other issue could be that culebra's never seem to be rolled as tight and the braiding of them could create catastophic draw issues.

Of the ones I have had the draws have been ok. Saying that each time I had a good draw one of the other two had a bad draw.

 

[gibbleguts]

Of the ones I have had the draws have been ok. Saying that each time I had a good draw one of the other two had a bad draw.

I have yet to have one with a draw issue but that it what has me thinking that sticks that weren't intended to be braided would be that much worse.

 

[jmatkins]

I have yet to have one with a draw issue but that it what has me thinking that sticks that weren't intended to be braided would be that much worse.

True and good point.

 

[Moro]

I have yet to have one with a draw issue but that it what has me thinking that sticks that weren't intended to be braided would be that much worse.

Good point there...nonetheless, the actual bending's slight. WCS I loose 3 cigars.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

I thought the same thing. Unless it'd be a slow and steady RH raise, nae?

Not sure, Alfonso. I'd be worried that the wrapper acts as too much of a restriction when the filler tobacco would expand from the required RH to get the wrapper to be plyable enough. I'd send you 3 replacement lanceros if your triunfidors explode. hows that?

 

[rabbgp]

No, no no. You got it all wrong. It is coke and rum over ice with a lime wedge!!!!

 

[gibbleguts]

Oh yeah and it depends on the style of culebra. Some have tighter bends then others. The partagas have fairly tight bends but I think it is the don fransisco's that have barely any bend

 

[Moro]

Not sure, Alfonso. I'd be worried that the wrapper acts as too much of a restriction when the filler tobacco would expand from the required RH to get the wrapper to be plyable enough. I'd send you 3 replacement lanceros if your triunfidors explode. hows that?

The thing is, after all, whilst rolling the cigars in a factory, the RH is much higher. So I think there might be a way. Rob, any ideas? Maybe even Pete and Dion (hopefully)?

EDIT - I hope it does not explode, but thanks for the offer, mate!

 

[uncelnino]

Why don't you do a practice run with 3 less desirable lanceros/panetelas rather than risking the destruction of 3 very good sticks.

 

[Moro]

Why don't you do a practice run with 3 less desirable lanceros/panetelas rather than risking the destruction of 3 very good sticks.

Well, lanceros are a vitola I usually don't go for, so the ones I have are ones I truly enjoy.

 

[daniyal]

My thought is that it is impossible after a cigar has lost its initial moisture from being rolled. Tobacco kinda feels like fabric when it's being rolled and to to expect a smokable cigar to ever be plyable enough to bend seems doubtful. I'd imagine that the wrapper leaf will crack or explode from the re-hydration process needed to get the filler tobaccos to the desired plyability.

I agree with Kurt but having said that I can totally understand where you're coming from Alfonso. If it was me who'd thought this up I would be doing much the same. I suggest you set up a tupperware container where you can steadily increase the humidity to the level where the cigars become some what soft and plyable. My biggest fear would be the wrappers unravelling rather than exploding, you can fix an exploding wrapper but if the cigar comes apart its almost impossible to salvage.

Good luck mate keep me posted.