Rolling a backwoods blunt could be a task of epic proportions if you head into it without the necessary knowledge. But what’s a backwoods in the first place? Backwoods look and feel similar to a blunt, but a big difference is that backwoods are rolled using tobacco leaf while blunts are usually rolled using blunt paper. It’s also a lot easier to roll a blunt than a backwoods, given the difficulty in removing the individual tobacco leaf. However, the flavour profile of a backwoods is enticing enough for most to swear by it.
So how do you roll backwoods? Read ahead in this guide where we’ll try and simplify a process that requires at least some before-hand rolling knowledge and experience.
What you’ll need
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Rolling a backwoods blunt doesn’t require too many ingredients. You’ll need to use a grinder, about 2-4 grams of cannabis, ideally, a five-pack of backwoods cigars especially if you’re a newbie to rolling blunts, particularly backwoods (this is due to their irregular shape and a few other factors), and a base/rolling tray for convenience. You won’t need to make a crutch for this method of rolling!
Most backwoods come with tobacco which can be disposed of if you're making a blunt but you could (and probably should) use some of it for the roll and keep the rest for later. Roller’s choice!
Step 1: Choose your backwood cigar and slowly unwrap it
Backwood cigars can be purchased in a pack of 1 or more and are usually aged for between 12-15 months before being ready for sale. The resulting aroma and flavour are deep and caramel-like, although it will vary depending on where you purchase yours from. Once you’ve selected your cigar, slowly unwrap the tobacco leaf. This can be a little tricky and you’ll have to be careful not to tear the leaf or unwrap it unevenly and to do that, make sure you start unwrapping from the tighter end, slowly. Most blunt paper can usually be cut through with a knife, but that would ruin a backwoods blunt so avoid doing that here.
Once you’ve unwrapped it, you can remove the excess tobacco that comes with the backwoods cigar or you could use some and your backwoods blunt has now become a backwoods spliff! In all honesty, wasting aged tobacco would be unfortunate, but an understandable decision if you’re averse to its taste or health effects. However, do note that most backwoods leaves also contain a decent amount of tobacco.
Step 2: Grind your dry herb and place it in the backwood leaf
Once you’ve gotten the leaf out, it’s time to bring out your pot and grinder. You’ll likely need about 2-3g of weed to ensure that the backwood leaf is adequately filled up. Ensure that you don’t grind up the loose leaf too much and look out for stems and seeds before putting it in the grinder.
Once that’s done, it’s time to place your loose leaf in the backwoods leaf. A crucial pointer to remember is that most backwoods have a squared-off end that is sharp and a rounded-out end that doesn’t have as much of a drop-off. If you’re right-handed, keep the squared-off end on your left and on the bottom while the rounded side with your dominant hand.
Ensure that the pot is evenly distributed across the backwood leaf and remember that you won’t be needing a crutch for this roll!
Step 3: Time to roll the backwood!
If you've successfully distributed your loose leaf in the backwood leaf, it's time to start rolling!
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Rolling a backwood can be tricky. Unlike rolling paper, there's no sticky side and backwood leaves are also not as uniform as paper, so make sure that the saliva you use is spread evenly before sealing, but that comes later!
It can also be challenging to tuck the backwood leaf properly over the flower, which is why we mentioned keeping the sharp, squared-off end on the other side of your dominant hand as it'll be easier to roll with the sharper end getting tucked over and under the flower. The overall process is similar to a normal roll with paper where you’re trying to mould the blunt into a cylinder but with some subtle differences. If you've rolled a joint before, this won't be too difficult for you but you should still pay more attention to the backwood roll.
Pro tip - make sure that the end of the backwood is dense and narrower than the rest so it's easier to hold and smoke!
Step 4: Seal the backwood and smoke it!
If you've fully packed your backwoods and rolled it, it's time to seal it up and smoke it! Use copious amounts of saliva on the edge of the leaf and stick it together. You'll have to use a lot more saliva than for a paper roll to ensure that the blunt has stuck and that the distribution of the weed in the backwood is adequate as airflow is of utmost importance. If you're sure about the roll, it's time to light it up!
Enjoy the dark, dense and flavorful release of the backwood leaf. Make sure you use a strain that is mildly fruity or sweet to best compliment the leaf you use and enjoy! You've successfully made a badass roll!
Backwoods blunts are an excellent combination of a regular blunt’s hard-hitting nature combined with the deep texture and flavour of a cigar. If you’re a novice when it comes to weed, this blunt will likely feel very harsh, so go slow in the beginning and ensure that you have sufficient amounts of water with you.
*This article is not to be interpreted as a statement of any form by Spliff but merely a compendium of information compiled from other sources. These statements have not been evaluated by Health Canada, FDA or any other regulatory body. Consult your doctor before ingesting or smoking any herbal product.*
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