How to Roll a Backwood

When it comes to natural leaves, Backwoods are the apex predator in the game. These days, not many consumers are smoking natural leaves as they gravitate away from tobacco-laden products. Some suggest that people are not smoking Backwoods simply because they do not know how to roll a Backwood. Whatever the case, we are here to show you just how easy twisting up a Backwood (or any natural rustic leaf, for that matter) truly is! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roll a Backwood. Even your nana can roll one!

How to Roll a Backwood: Step-by-Step

In today's day and age, we live in a world full of overcomplication. Below, we have simplified the steps on how to roll the perfect Backwood. Let's start by peeling the leaf.

Peel It.

Before we can proceed, we must share the biggest kept secret of rolling a Backwood: Peel it, don't split it. Unlike a Swisher Sweet or Optimo or any other cigarillo for that matter, the natural leaf and hand rolled-style Backwood is not intended to be split down the middle. Splitting a Backwood in the same fashion that of a cigarillo will yield multiple unfastened leaves. You can avoid playing Operation with the leaf simply by peeling it instead. Look at the mouthpiece of the Backwood and identify the external leaf. If you look hard enough, you will see that the leaf can be lifted. Do so gently and slowly to avoid ripping. It would help if you had a parallelogram-type leaf after peeling. 

It is also worth noting that rollable Backwoods and rustic cigars are a 'luck of the draw' purchase. The veins2 found in these types of cigars can make rolling more trouble than it is worth. Thick-veined leaves can make sealing your cigars a nightmare. Always go for the 'thin' cigars of the pack. 'Less veiny, more flamey.' 

Gut It. / Trash It.

Now that you have successfully peeled your Backwood, it is time to get rid of the excess tobacco, or 'guts.' Toss the remains in the garbage. Unless you enjoy smoking spliffs, you can discard all of the guts.

Trim It.

Using manicure scissors or your hands, cut or tear the Backwood into a most traditional cigarillo shape that will fit the amount of cannabis you are looking to pack into the Backwood. In short: take the parallelogram and make it into a slimmer rectangle. Unless you plan on rolling up about an eighth or 3.5 grams, we highly recommend you trim the Backwood to size. By trimming the Backwood, you will not only make it easier to roll, but you will be removing excess leaf that will yield a smoother smoke when it is time to toke up. Discard all of the trimmings into the trash and continue.

Roll It.

Now that you have your natural leaf Backwood peeled, gutted, and trimmed to perfection, it is time to add some heavenly ingredients. Evenly distribute your bud throughout the Backwood until you have added the desired amount of herbs. Once inserted, roll the Backwood as you would a regular cigarillo. This can be done by lightly tucking the front leaf behind your inserted herbs and twisted upwardly. Do this until you have reached the end of the Backwood. Be careful not to poke any holes in the Backwood, as natural leaves are extremely susceptible to hole damage. Be prepared for heavy veins in the leaf to be problematic as they may affect the quality of the roll. Nobody wants to play the flute.

Spark It

There you have it: a pearled Backwood! If all went according to plan, you should have a picture-perfect rustic cigar packed with some aromatic, medicating buds.