Flavoring Filters?

Oddjob27

I was just thinking about something. When I first began to smoke cigars years ago, I had seen at some cigar lounges little containers of cognac, rum, and other spirits for people to dip their cigars into. Using the same theory, what might happen if I were to take balsa wood filters and soak/dry them in different flavorings and then match them with certain blends? Thinking of coffee, rum, bourbon, and vanilla extract (my mad scientist idea). Has anyone tried this? I'm sure it would reduce the "performance" of a balsa filter; however, I wonder if it could possibly enhance pipe smoking experiences. What would you think could make great pairings?

motie2

Well, I’ve been re-using the barrel stave cube from Frog Morton Cellar after soaking it in rum. That worked out well. Your balsa idea ought to work, too.

ChaplainCorey

Very interesting. I don’t think it’s something I would try, but I would be very curious to hear how it works a out. 

Do you think it would get too wet? 

Oddjob27

@ChaplainCorey Well, the process I was thinking is to soak the balsa filter, let's say bourbon, and then let it dry completely. The flavoring should remain minus the moisture. Very similar to what @motie2 was talking about with the FMC barrel stave. The stave itself if completely, for the most part, dry but the flavoring that is infused into the wood remains. I would think that as the smoke passed through the filter it will "reactivate" from the heat, moisture, and smoke.

KA9FFJ

@Oddjob27 Interesting... Very interesting... 🤔

rumrum4me

Shit howdy! Why didn't I think of that! Going to try it with some Pussers rum, and then smoke some GH Rum Flake, and other rum type of tobaccos. Then if successful, move on to some scotch and maybe Bothy Flake. The mind boggles...

Oddjob27

@rumrum4me Haha! Awesome! My suggestion is to soak for a a good amount of time, let's say and hour or so. And then leave it out to dry thoroughly. I don't having a "drunk" filter do you any good. haha!

motie2

I let the barrel stave cube soak in black spiced rum for a week.