Production of cigarettes is a rather meticulous and creative process, which has one significant advantage: you can choose any tobacco for filling and experiment with flavors to your heart's content. Products of this kind are most often called goods of the RYO group, which in literal translation from English means “roll your own” (roll your own).
Many smokers love the rolling process and this original method of consuming tobacco. Ordinary cigarettes, which are sold in almost any store, are far from always filled with quality components. Very often (especially in inexpensive packs) we have a mixture of dried seaweed with cheap tobacco. Those who have ever tried the best cigarette tobacco for self-rolling can no longer return to factory products. They talk about the fact that they tickle in the throat, and the taste is strange, and in general, grass is grass, not cigarettes. Therefore, this phenomenon (the manufacture of self-rolling cigarettes) is already moving from the category of rare to more familiar and even fashionable. Before we figure out which tobacco for hand-rolling is the best, we will conduct a small educational program and find out how it all began and what, in fact,ended.
Short educational program
The first cigarettes with homemade tobacco appeared in the 17th century and the main "producers" of these products were the port poor of the city of Seville, in Spain. The workers, who received pennies, collected tobacco waste and, using the paper they found, rolled a kind of cigarettes. They called them the beautiful and specific Spanish word "papiletti". Naturally, such waste could not be called the best roll-your-own tobacco, but it was from here that this direction began its journey around the world.
This method gained particular popularity among smokers in the sixties of the twentieth century, when rebels and other youth tried to draw attention to the simplicity of everyday life. Rolled cigarettes were a clear attribute of this way of life and were painted with a romantic halo of freedom. For modern smokers, rebelliousness has gone into the background, and high-quality and tasty tobacco, which is a very good alternative to regular cigarettes, has become a priority.
Tobacco features
The best roll-your-own tobacco is cut very thin, almost the same thickness as cigarette tobacco. But unlike the latter, it has a pleasant aroma and, no matter how strange it sounds, is natural. As mentioned above, in the assembly line production of mid- and lower-tier cigarettes, a mixture of dried algae, some synthetic fillers and only a small part of the tobacco leaf is used.
The best roll-your-own tobacco is made from selected varieties of this crop,which are grown not only for cigarettes, but also for the manufacture of cigars, and this is already an elite and very expensive product. Therefore, there can be no talk of any algae or synthetic nicotine supplements. Manufacturers offer a very wide range of tobacco, where each type differs from another in the degree of strength, taste and variety of culture.
Before you decide which tobacco is better for rolling your own, you need to know that there are a lot of varieties of it. You can find flavored and non-flavored varieties. The former can be fruit, coffee, chocolate, etc., while the latter have a natural taste. Another gradation parameter is the fortress: light, medium and heavy. This criterion is purely individual and depends, as a rule, on the length of smoking. In this case, be sure to pay attention to the Zware mark on the package, where the following numbers, letters or phrases indicate the strength of the composition. It should also be noted that flavored tobacco for the most part comes in a light version. When smoking it, the room is filled with a specific smell.
Best Tobacco
So, let's figure out which tobacco is better for rolling cigarettes. Consumer reviews, expert opinion, as well as the features of each type will be discussed further. For a more visual picture, we present the varieties in the form of a rating. The list and its leaders make no pretensions to the correct and only true order of things. Each person has his own preferences and it is not entirely correct to single out one type of tobacco at the expense of another.
The best roll-your-own tobacco(rating):
- Virginia.
- Burley.
- Kentucky.
- Oriental.
- Latakia.
- Perique.
Let's consider each variety from the list in more detail.
Virginia
This is a fermented tobacco (reduced tar and nicotine content) of American origin. "Virginia" is the most popular and best tobacco for hand-rolling and cigars. The variety has a specific aroma that cannot be confused with any other, as well as a rich deep taste. Consumers are extremely flattering about Virginia. Buying this variety, they are sure that there will be a really high-quality product inside without the ubiquitous synthetic additives.
On sale you can find dark and light "Virginia". The first is distinguished by its strength, and the second by a variety of tastes and low nicotine content. Of course, it is up to you to decide which tobacco for roll-ups is better for you, but connoisseurs and admirers of this trend do not recommend buying a light version. They believe that its true taste is spoiled by aromatic additives and is more suitable for women than hardened men.
Burley
This variety is produced in four countries: Mexico, the United States, Korea and Brazil. "Barley" is considered one of the best tobaccos for hand-rolling. Consumer feedback on this variety is unambiguous: tasty, high quality and fragrant.
Barley is low in sugar and high in nicotine. Its alsocharacterizes a relatively soft and inactive own aroma. The variety perfectly absorbs odors after fermentation, so immediately after drying it is supplemented with natural shock absorbers.
"Barley" has repeatedly received awards at specific exhibitions as the best tobacco for hand-rolling. But in addition to the usual direction, this variety is used for the preparation of tubular and chewing masses. The light variety of this variety has an aftertaste of cocoa beans and roasted walnuts, while the dark variety has a classic taste and strength.
Kentucky
This is a large-leaved variety that is dried with smoke during the cooking process. "Kentucky" is distinguished by its strength and dark color. The variety is bred in the American state of the same name and has a rich, heavy taste, and its smell is very reminiscent of the aroma of dried plums.
It is also worth noting that the strength of this tobacco is so strong that it is added to special blends in an amount of no more than 20% of the total mass. Consumers speak well of "Kentucky", especially those who love hard-rolled cigarettes.
Oriental
This variety is grown exclusively in eastern countries, where the Mediterranean climate prevails. Europeans have repeatedly tried to reproduce "Oriental" on their territory, so as not to depend on the whims of exporters, but it turned out only a pathetic semblance of a variety or even ordinary grass for pipes for a cent per kilo.
The production process is labor intensiveand diligence. The leaves are hung on strings and each petal is dried in direct sunlight. It turns out a specific and rich taste with peppercorns and a pronounced aroma.
The variety is notable for its lightness, so lovers of something picky are better to pass by, but connoisseurs of oriental flavors will surely like Oriental. Consumers are extremely flattering about this tobacco, and smokers especially fell in love with it for its softness and sweetish aftertaste.
Latakia
This is an elite variety imported from Asia. The main suppliers of Latakia are Cyprus and northern Syria. The drying process looks very unusual and authentic (smoking over a fire), but the resulting effect exceeds all expectations. Due to the specifics of preparation, the color of tobacco becomes black, so it is very difficult to confuse the variety with other varieties. Moreover, smoking takes place on firewood from cypress or milta, which adds a bouquet of unique flavors to the final product.
Consumers speak quite flatteringly about the Latakia variety, noting its strength, taste and amazing smell of the tropics. In our stores, this variety is a rare guest due to its high cost and specificity, so you have to order through intermediaries.
Perique
This is an expensive tobacco from the United States with a specific aroma and spicy taste. The variety, which is called an amateur, is therefore popular only in narrow circles of consumers. Because of its taste characteristics, it receives either absolutely positive or sharply negative reviews. Therefore, before you buy the Perik variety praised by one person, you should first try it, and only then stock up for future use.
This tobacco is fermented according to the old Indian method, and dried in the open air. In its pure form, the variety, as a rule, does not smoke due to its high strength, but lovers of something more outrageous will certainly appreciate hand-rolled cigarettes made without impurities.
Summing up
Elite and premium tobacco for cigarette rolls are made from the above varieties. The most popular and sought-after brands are Golden Virginia, Mac Baren, Harvest, Drum and Bali. Here, as with varieties, it's all about personal preference. Some people like it stronger and more picky, while others prefer light and fruity flavors.
The most versatile tobacco variety is Virginia. The brands that are made with its content are diverse and in the assortment of the brand you can always find something for yourself: from classic strong types to women's with flavors of fruit and menthol.
Tobacco comes to distribution points in small packs of 40 or 50 grams. About forty ordinary cigarettes can be wound from one package. This is where the packing density plays an important role. Some like tighter, while others more discharged cigarettes. It is also useful to pay attention to the tightness of the pack. Expired tobacco loses its unique taste and simply crumbles into dust, so after opening the package it is better to transfer the composition to a glass jar or a special pouch. WellFinally, it is worth recalling that the Ministry of He alth tirelessly warns about the dangers of smoking for your he alth.
