Ultralight SYO Suggestions & Questions

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by alist on Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:48 am

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I wish to pick the brains of those here knowledgable with SYO rolling tobaccos & tubes, with respect to creating the perfect ultralight. Please understand, this isn't a necessity for me since, in my first steps into this, I have created an ultralight which I find to be quite tasty and satisfying, yet ultralight enough for me. At the same time, although the choices for SYO ultralight seems to be limited as compared to other categories such as regular, menthol, and light categories of either, I still wish to do a bit of experimentation of other ultralight options, with certain limitations, based on what I have so far discovered. Here is what has occurred so far;

Two days ago, I called a local tobacco shop and discovered they had no ultralight rolling tobaccos in stock. However, provided I placed an order on Thursday, they could have the product in on Friday. I placed my order on Thursday. On Friday, I walked out of the store with the following:

1 lb. Stokers #2 ultralight rolling tobacco
6 oz. Gambler ultralight rolling tobacco
1 box Zig-Zag Filtered Cigarette Tubes in Light King Size
1 Handheld Top Cigarette Machine

(Who can [beeyotch] about paying little over $32 for the above?)

On the way home, I actually pulled into a parking lot of a store to create my first SYO cig. I used the Gambler. I was surprised at how totally easy it was to do. I lit it as I finished my drive home. My only response was WOW!. Prior to this, I had been buying premade cheapies, which claim to be ultralight 100s, which, seemed to be closer to light rather than ultralight and had a rather nasty aftertaste. Although this Gambler wasn't perfect, it was not too far from it.

However, I greatly prefer the Stoker's #2 ultralight, but wasn't about to throw the Gambler ultralight away. I have since been mixing a quarter of the Gambler to 3/4 of the Stoker's. Once the Gambler is finished, I will smoke the Stokers #2 ultralight alone.

It appears to me, going solely on eyesight, the Gambler ultralight tobacco is far darker than the Stokes #2 ultralight. The Gambler also seems to have a bit more of a nicotine kick, as well as a stronger taste. Stokers #2 lacks this, being perfect enough that I could stick with it forever. My first question is, given that I an a newbie at this, what does the darker color of the Gambler mean as far as the actual tobacco content, as compared to the Stokers? And how might I use the answer to that question, to select alternate ultralight rolling tobaccos to test?

I am also interested in purchasing Rave and Golden Harvest, both of which have ultralight available. I am particularly interested in the Golden Harvest, since they claim to acheive the ultralight by mixing mature and immature leaves, rather than by the use of additives. However, if either of these choices are of the darker variety of tobaccos, like the Gambler, I would rather not waste my time. Does anyone know if the Rave or Golden Harvest are a darker tobacco like the Gambler, or lighter like the Stoker's #2?

I have no complaints about the Zig-Zag tubes, nor do I have a desire to try any others. This is primarily due to the fact I have seen other smokers complain about them on other websites, stating the tubes are 'too light.' For me, there is no such thing as too light, so I am happy with my purchase in this category as well.

As I said, the Stokers #2 ultralight is so DAMN good, that I could happily stick with that exclusively. At the same time, I don't wish to lose the opportunity to find an ultralight tobacco I might like even better. It feels as if I am smoking a true ultralight for the first time in my life. (Don't even ask me about some of the premade ultralights like Pall Mall, etc, which truly disgusted me. I apologize for the length of this as well. Thanks to any who read to this point!)

Any answers or advice provided will be greatly appreciated.

alist

Puffer Joined: Sep 01, 2007 Posts: 73

by JohnC on Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:37 pm

alist,

First let me say Welcome.

Next let me say "If it ain't broke don't fix it" Wink

I don't do the ultra-lite but if you've found what works for ya ------- go on to the next problem on your list.

-J.C.-

JohnC

Enthusiastic Smoker Joined: Dec 23, 2004 Posts: 282

by smokem on Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:34 pm

I tried Gambler regular strength and also found it mediocre, not bad, but not good.

smokem

Smoker Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 135

by alist on Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:14 pm

JohnC wrote:

"If it ain't broke don't fix it"

You do make an excellent point here. At the same time, I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. I REALLY want to experiment in this new world. For instance, I only smoked menthols for maybe 2-3 years out of the last 27 years, but I desperately want to get some D & R Wingate Light Menthol and blend a small amount with an ultralight tobacco, for an occasional treat. And if I could find an ultralight lighter than Stokers #2, I would be all over it.

Thanks for the welcome!

Last edited by alist on Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

alist

Puffer Joined: Sep 01, 2007 Posts: 73

by alist on Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:19 pm

smokem wrote:

I tried Gambler regular strength and also found it mediocre, not bad, but not good.

The Gambler ultralight really is a bit too strong for me. I noticed on this page, Stokers #2 is described as;

"Its a flavored Burley tobacco with an uncomplicated and slightly bitter taste."

I don't know if that same description applies to the ultralight. If it does, it would seem the message to me is to stick with burley based ultralights. It makes me wonder if the darker color of the Gambler is due to the presence of virginia or oriental tobaccos. I am too green at this to know such things.

alist

Puffer Joined: Sep 01, 2007 Posts: 73

by smokem on Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:57 am

I only smoke roll-your-own occasionally and I use the simple roller with papers (no filter.)

I'm very happy with Zig-Zag tobacco for this but if you don't use the rolling papers included in the 6 ounce cans, as I do, it might not be economical.

If Zig-Zag makes one pound bags that would be cheaper but I don't know if they do. It's very good cigarette tobacco though and they do make a light blend.

A brand called Three Sails was highly recommended to me but not every place sells this so I haven't tried it.

If you look back through the archives here there's lots of discussion on this topic.

Even though the tax man seems to focus mainly on manufactured cigs when he chases after mail-order any tobacco purchase can get chased so it's safest to buy all tobacco products with cash in person. If you don't live in a cheaper tobacco state there might be one nearby.

There's lots of good variety in products at not-so-bad prices in some states if you bother to look. Beware the federal tax increases which may come soon, or if not soon, then later. If you watch for when they're coming you can stock up beforehand. Good luck.

Last edited by smokem on Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:57 am; edited 1 time in total

smokem

Smoker Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 135

by Lynda F on Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:58 am

I don't smoke Ultra-lights, but I do smoke Light. I don't like Gambler tobacco............it really makes me cough, a lot.

I mostly use American Spirit, but am trying other brands to cut down my costs (6 oz of AS costs as much as other tobaccos for 1 lb. That comes out to 8.5 packs (AS) for the same cost as almost 2 cartons (1 lb of others).

I've tried Rave, and really like it a lot, so far better than others I've tried. I tried Golden harvest and found the taste and resulting cough to be the same as Gambler tobacco for me.

Right now I'm trying Famers Gold Additive Free, and it is VERY good.

If you found what works, there's no need to keep looking, but if you like adventure.............then by all means, have a blast.... Very Happy

Lynda F

Enthusiastic Smoker Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 318 Location: Phoenix, AZ

by alist on Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:12 am

Lynda F wrote:

I don't like Gambler tobacco............it really makes me cough, a lot.

Well, I have figured out one problem I was having with the Gambler, so I am going to give it another try. I was not stuffing the tubes tight enough, so the taste was light, but DANG it had a HUGE nictone hit. If I understand this correctly, a tighter pack will cause a lighter taste as well as a lighter nicotine hit. So I am going to give the Gambler another try as soon as I finish the tubes I have stuffed now.

Lynda F wrote:

I've tried Rave, and really like it a lot, so far better than others I've tried.

I am going to purchase a 6 oz pack of the Rave ultralight based on your recommendation. I think I will get a 6 oz of the Rave Light Menthol 6 oz as well, just for kicks.

Lynda F wrote:

I tried Golden harvest and found the taste and resulting cough to be the same as Gambler tobacco for me.

I am holding off on the Golden Harvest for now, although I am curious to try the ultralight, since they say they blend mature and immature leaves to create it.

Lynda F wrote:

Right now I'm trying Famers Gold Additive Free, and it is VERY good.

Would that be considered full flavor? I haven't seen any Additive Frees marked as light or ultralight. I guess if it is full flavor, but you smoke light, you use light tubes?

Lynda F wrote:

If you found what works, there's no need to keep looking,

Stokers #2 ultralight is EXACTLY what it claims to be and oh so smooth. Now that I am stuffing the tubes correctly, it is even lighter than before. I do love it.

Lynda F wrote:

but if you like adventure.............then by all means, have a blast.... Very Happy

I just really want to try some different things. Who knows, I might find something lighter than the Stokers.

alist

Puffer Joined: Sep 01, 2007 Posts: 73

by Lynda F on Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:15 am

Yes, I also use light tubes, and the additive free is full flavor. The light tubes help there.

Interesting about the stuffing, because I've found the tighter I stuff, the stronger the flavor is.

Would love to know what a nicotine blast is. I've heard of this, and can honestly say that I have never, in my entire life (and I started with Marlboro's and Kool's) have felt ANY jolt from nicotine. I smoke light cigarettes for the flavor, not the nicotine. I've just gotten more sensitive to the stronger flavors over the years, and they just burn me now.

But the full flavor with a light tube, is good. However, if you smoke ULTRA-LIGHT, then I'd guess even that would be too strong for you too. I've not seen any Ultra-lights that are additive free either.

Lynda F

Enthusiastic Smoker Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 318 Location: Phoenix, AZ

by alist on Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:39 pm

Lynda F wrote:

Interesting about the stuffing, because I've found the tighter I stuff, the stronger the flavor is.

I can't find the website where I read this earlier on the internet. Having read this, I stuffed some more last night to check it. I packed about 3 or 4 of the Gambler ultralight so tight, the last 1/4" of the tip (the part you light) broke! It left the Gambler ultralight with a much lighter and milder 'peppery' taste, like black pepper, rather than the somewhat harsh taste from packing the tubes more loosely. It burns much slower and more evenly when smoking as well.

Lynda F wrote:

Would love to know what a nicotine blast is.

For me, it's not that it causes a headache. It's more like it constricts the blood vessels in my head. In one sense, it's almost like drinking WAY too much coffee, except the effect is instant. I am sure it does sound odd, but I have been smoking for 27 years, but have almost always smoked ultralight during that time.

Lynda F wrote:

But the full flavor with a light tube, is good. However, if you smoke ULTRA-LIGHT, then I'd guess even that would be too strong for you too.

I did order some of the Silver Tip Triple Charbon Tubes today, which are supposed to be triple filters and have charcoal in them. Those might be a strong enough filter so that I could tolerate FF or light. I ordered some of the Winsail Menthol Light to test and see how well I tolerate it in those tubes. I WOULD NOT even think about messing around with menthol if I were still smoking premade.

Lynda F wrote:

I've not seen any Ultra-lights that are additive free either.

Well the nice thing about the MYO/RYO/SYO is there are so many choices in tobaccos as well as tubes. Through experimentation, I don't doubt I will find some nice blends I like, aside from the Stokers Ultralight as a regular thing.

I really appreciate all of the conversation here about this. I learn from hearing from the pros who have been at this awhile.

alist

Puffer Joined: Sep 01, 2007 Posts: 73

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