Black XX Rope and other twists

Subject: Black XX Rope and other twists Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:41 am

Hi, all. Smoked my first rope yesterday. SG Black XX. I was a little wary at first, because of the reported intensity of the nicotine power. I popped the tin which included one long section of the twist and two short ones. I took one of the small pieces, sliced it up with a sharp knife, rubbed it out and let it sit for about an hour. I loaded up an estate Greenwhich Dublin which had just arrived from an ebay win. The first few puffs were nice and full, not too strong. Overall, I enjoyed this tobacco. It was consistent it taste throughout the bowl and had many cigar like tones. My one complaint is that I had difficulty keeping it lit. I may have to cut it finer. Any other suggestions?

How does this compare to the G&H ropes? I'm eager to try some of the Sweet Rum Twist and maybe even the Cherry Twist. Since the G&H is only available in bulk how does it do in jars and does it benefit significantly from aging?

Any thoughts on other ropes and twist available in the US?

Thanks.

Eric

Subject: Re: Black XX Rope and other twists Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:58 pm

Ropes often take multiple relights. Before I really had good success smoking ropes I often loaded a parfait. Different layers of burley blends with a couple layers of ropes. Made for some good smokes.
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Joined : 11 Dec 2007 Posts : 49

True, or mix in a little mild burley for a more consistent burn. A finer cut on the rope helps a bit, but ropes are just dense, oily stuff. G&H ropes are favorites of mine, my top picks being Brown Bogey and Sweet Rum Twist. Maple Twist is good, too -- it's not maple-y in the same way that, say, Stokkebye's Luxury Twist was, it's just a shading in a strong, cigary flavor. In fact, it occurs to me that this cigary aspect is common to several of my favorite tobaccos, including G&H Dark Birdseye and Kendal Kentucky, Belgian Semois, and, of course, the previously mentioned ropes. Peterson's Irish Flake has the same thing going for it.

Jack

Joined : 11 Mar 2008 Posts : 11 Location : Massachusetts

Joined : 17 Dec 2007 Posts : 100

i've smoked a good bit of GH Brown Irish X and Happy Brown Bogie and about a third of that amount of Black Irish X. The Bogie is the clear winner as regards flavor compared to Brown Irish X. Both are stiff HO weedages.

Black Irish X is very flavorful-ditto HO.

I smoked a sample of SG Brown #4, and although it was very flavorful, it totally lacked nicotine when compared to Brown Irish X. As their Black XX is the same tobacco except baked, I'd wager that it is not an HO, either.

As regards slicing/mincing, don't go too fine or you'll be sucking in bits of rope. Leave some chunks about 1/4" in diameter. Line the bottom of the bowl with the to dispermit bits of rope in the airway.

Brown Irish X has potency but lacks flavor; this can be overcome by doing a 50/50 mixture of it and the Bogie, which has potency and a great deal of flavor.
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Mike

Age : 88 Joined : 22 Dec 2007 Posts : 126

I've recently started to enjoy the Kendall Twist or pigtail from G-H. It is a tasty but heady smoke, one of those really best left to a mature palate. But, tasty, and full flavoured. I have also had the black rope and find it sweeter but not nearly the same strength as the brown rope or the pigtail ( a thinner version of the rope). Sharp knife and little coins in a smaller bowl pipe, and the smoker is rewarded.

Subject: Re: Black XX Rope and other twists Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:39 am

I just came across this thread and figured I'd throw in...

The black ropes to me are too...well....black for my tastes. Just seemed a little oily. But and overnight DGT really brings out a deep spiciness in my experience.

As for the Brown's, I agree with the above in that Brown Bogie is a real winner, while the Black Cherry, Maple and Whiskey twists are also very good. They don't REALLY taste like the flavoring they are named for but there is that little something that knocks the edge off.

One thing I think it might be interesting for y'all to try. I see comments about slicing the ropes thin for better burn. I took a flier one day and decided to cut the coins about 1/4" thick and not so much rub it out as unfurl it. I let it dry...good and dry, really dry. Took those long strips of unrolled ribbon and shoved it in the pipe. WOW what a difference. This chunks of leaf burning and lighting each other made for a much more complex smoke...always changing. Just kinda interesting. But I can't emphasize enough...let it dry a lot for this method bounce

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