H. Vachon
King of the Hobo Hut
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2019
- Messages
- 4,188
So today I decided to mix up a double batch of my Va/Per blend. The modified blend is coming along nicely, especially after being pressed for 5 days and resting for a month or so. But from inception to the present, it is still missing that distinct sweetness. It just seems rather flat, so I decided to try making a light casing for the tobacco. I figured I would share the recipe I came up with and the process I used to apply it in case anyone else was interested. I plan to let it sit for 5-7 days before even sampling it, so I will update on the results in a week or so.
I guess this could be called a topping more than a casing, but my goal was not to add a tremendous amount of flavor. Just to influence the aroma and the sweetness.
4oz Amaretto
2oz Black rum
1/2 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
3-5 drops of Anise extract
I spread the tobacco out as thin as I could on a large baking sheet and misted thoroughly with the casing. Then I put it in the oven @175 for 5-6 minutes. I then pulled it out, mixed it by hand and misted again. This time I let it sit in the oven for 10 minutes. When I took it out, the tobacco was slightly damp but not at all sticky. I let it cool for about 20 minutes then transferred it to a gallon sized freezer bag. I want to give it a week in the bag before jarring it to avoid any wet pockets/potential mold issues. The cherry from the Amaretto did not really come through in the aroma, which is awesome. I didn’t necessarily want the cherry flavor, it was just the sweetest liquor we had in the house.
I guess I’ll find out in a week if I made a good or bad decision
UPDATE:
It’s been a bit over a week since my experiment started. The tobacco has returned to its original moisture (by feel, anyway). It is a bit sweeter than I was aiming for, but it’s significantly more enjoyable than the natural blend. Not as sharp or harsh. I won’t be using amaretto as a base next time due to the flavor carry over. I knew it was a risk, but it was worth a shot. Will update with new recipe. But for my first attempt, I’m very happy. I will press the ounce I made and cut it into flakes to revisit on another day.
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