Inspired

[Wardjrz]

Inspired by others on here who have tried rolling their own cigars I picked up a cigar press on Ebay and have placed my first order for tobacco leaf.

The press looks like I will be able to get 4 1/2 inch to 4 3/4 inch cigars in a torpedo shape.

I went for a range of leaf samples rather than full pounds. I thought I'd try a few to see if I can tell the diference, find something I like and then go from there.

Next thing is to watch the vids on you tube.

I think this should be fun.

If it isn't fun then I may be selling my cigar press so watch out in the for sale section.

By the way for the others who have done this - Did your wife / partner roll her eyes when you said you were going to try it.

I think I am treated like a child to be indulged at times. It's quite good really.

I'd be interested to receive any tips or hints from others who have experience of rolling.

John

[bfg84]

Good luck john and just to let you I'm avalible when it comes to the testing stage!

[Wardjrz]

That might not be wise Dan but I'll bear it in mind.

[H4rty82]

I've thought about doing this after reading others threads but am yet to pluck up the courage to just get on with it. I've got the press already (sitting in the loft) just need to sort out the tobacco, which was what has slowed me down as I had no idea where to start.

Like you, I already know how the other half will react. Exactly the same way as she did when I said I was going to start home brewing lol which is why the press is in the loft

[Vortigan]

Good luck with it mate! I've nothing but respect for anyone even willing to try it.....I'd just end up with expensive mulch,I'm certain!

[tippexx]

I've got the press already (sitting in the loft) just need to sort out the tobacco, which was what has slowed me down as I had no idea where to start.

I might be wrong, but I think you may have to grow it .... I've never seen whole, dried tobacco leaves for sale in the UK.

[Fireball JaX]

good luck with it. would be nice to see some pics of your progress as it gets underway and then to see a finished product.

if it all goes well, you never know but.....
this time tomorrow Rodney, we'll be millionaires

[JamesA]

Nice one John, I'm tempted myself once I have a few bucks to spare. We defiantly need pics! Im happy to help Dan with quality control too

Sent from my mind with the help of HTC

[molecularstudent]

Great to hear you are forging ahead John!
Here are my tips
1. Don't be scared to put tobacco in them. When I initially started I was not binding a lot of tobacco and so a few of my first ones are a little loose. I'm still surprised how much tobacco I can bind and still get a decent pre-draw before putting the wrapper on.
2. Get pectin. There is really no substitute. I have tried a few different things, Agar, Egg white, and some type of eco vege glue, each with little luck. I think the best has been the egg white but when you start out you get it everywhere! Then when the cigars dry you have little shiny parts on the cigar where the egg white is. I've found this can be wiped off when dry though with a damp paper towel.
3. Get a spray/Spritz bottle. You'll need it! You need to be able to keep the wrapper leaves and binder leaves supple, and this is hard without being able to spray, lightly, the leaves. Once you have taken the stems out of the wrapper leaves, store the halves in a damp teatowel while you use them. They will dry out quickly in the open air.
4. Preprocess the wrapper leaves. Remove the stems, flatten a side out on a board and use a big knife which you can rock (so has a curved edge, like the traditional cigar knife) to cut away a little bit of the outer edge (not too much, as this is the side with the least veins) then cut the stem side off to create a piece of tobacco as close to the edge of the leaf which is around 1 1/2 -2 inches wide. Make sure your leaf is really flat when you cut because if you cut a non-flat leaf you will end up with a jagged edge which will show down the length of the cigar.
5. Roll the wrapper leaf on in such a way that the veins of the leaf run parallel with your cigar. Try the other way, but the results are disastrous when you have a large vein right at the end where you need to put the cap.
6. The cap is incredibly hard. This is where the pectin comes into its own. You will need a little round tool to cut a cap to put on last as well....measure a cap on a cigar you already have which corresponds to the size you will roll. My tool is too big and the caps are very hard to put on as a consequence, but I am planning to go get a smaller one. Watch lots and lots of videos on capping!
3. Leave your cigars out in a bedroom or something for a couple of days and then put them in the freezer for 3 days. Do this before introducing them anywhere near your humidor.

Ok thats all I can think of right now, but I will edit the list as I remember things!!
Happy rolling
Also, what tobacco did you order?

[Dherm]

Tell you what mate Ill buy the first batch of cigars from you! so get on with it! lol

[Wardjrz]

Chris
Thanks for the information I am sure I'll read and re read it many times.
Time to watch vids now.

To anyone else thinking of having a go - get stuck in.
The press was under ?20 and I have ordered 7 X 1/4lb packs of tobacco. I got a mix of fillers, binder and wrappers. I'm not sure how many I'll make from this first batch but this was just so that I could have a go and see if it is something that I can do.

If I do OK and can see more fun in future I'll put a proper order in. If not I'll sell the press and wish someone else well.

Can't wait.

Who knows, if we can get a few more of us doing this we can start trading home rolleds

[Wardjrz]

Well finally!

After weeks of delays and a lost package my tobacco leaf has arrived. The first despatch never made it across the water from the U.S. The suppliers eventually sent out a second item once I had agreed to fund a better postage service so that it was insured.

As it entered the UK the box was opened and inspected by our lovely customs officials without charges being rasied. That only held it up by a day.

I'll post pics tomorrow but I am surprised at how it looks and how much leaf there is. I only ordered 7 sample packs.

The smell is amazing - nothing like the humidor smell but fabulous.

Now to the advice and videos to see what to do.

It's going to be a fun weekend, can't wait.

[molecularstudent]

Well finally!

After weeks of delays and a lost package my tobacco leaf has arrived. The first despatch never made it across the water from the U.S. The suppliers eventually sent out a second item once I had agreed to fund a better postage service so that it was insured.

As it entered the UK the box was opened and inspected by our lovely customs officials without charges being rasied. That only held it up by a day.

I'll post pics tomorrow but I am surprised at how it looks and how much leaf there is. I only ordered 7 sample packs.

The smell is amazing - nothing like the humidor smell but fabulous.

Now to the advice and videos to see what to do.

It's going to be a fun weekend, can't wait.

Whoo hoo! I can't wait to see the progress! Maybe we can arrange a dog rocket swap?? haha Good luck matw

[Wardjrz]

Dog Rocket! I like that. Have you patented that as a brand Chris?

I think you're a bit more experienced than me so probably best to wait a while until I catch up.

[molecularstudent]

Dog Rocket! I like that. Have you patented that as a brand Chris?

I think you're a bit more experienced than me so probably best to wait a while until I catch up.

Haha I found that the cigars were nice when they were first rolled, but just for the first half, then they got very bitter. Its only now, three or so months later, that they are finally starting to be good all the way through. I haven't rolled any for some time now, what with the wedding etc.......Also I had been trying to get hold of Pectin, which I think I have found now and was rolling using other alternative glues which were shit!! So I'll be getting back into it soon as soon as I have my hands on some pectin Best of luck