Zig-Zag
For some reason I compare it to, and prefer, Top. Its a short stranded fine cut tobacco with a slight cocoa smell. Its made from "Burley and Virginia tobaccos enhanced with the addition of imported aromatic oriental tobacco". Minimal twig/stem. ~$20lb.
Comments [ new ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Geosammy on Wednesday, 13-Mar-2013
I use the 'Zig-Zag' menthol tobacco with king size 'Zen' menthol tubes.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ topic | top ]
To me this is close to the 'Camel menthol' I sometimes purchase.
I have had issues with the 'Zig-Zag' menthol 6oz can of tobacco. On two occasions I noticed the inside of the can had developed rust spots; the tobacco took on a distinctive 'iron oxide' smell.
Needless to say I had to discard the remainder of this first 6oz can. I then purchased a second 6oz can and low and behold, when opened it had a faint 'iron oxide' smell. I pushed the product to one side of the can and there it was... 'rust' on the inside of the can. I returned it to the store where I bought it and explained what I had found.
The store clerk was not surprised at why I returned it. I now buy only the pouch kind and not the can.
- Re: Zig-Zag in the new metal can!
- Posted by Captain U-96 aka Mike on Thursday, 06-Sep-2007
I was very surprised with the new can, and old tricks! I occasionally buy a can, or sack of one of my old favorites to use in blending my D & R tobaccos. I'm always experimenting with different blends, but my discovery of RECON in Zig Zag means that was the last can I will buy! Besides the fact that Zig Zag has changed in smell and looks; I would never have expected to find Ricon Sheet in it! But, there it was, rolled up like it had been caught in a machine. Under magnification, it looks like brown paper with small dark brown spots. The spots resemble a topographical map of a mountain, and are dark brown in colour. Fibers could easily be seen on the edges of the sheet--leaving no doubt in my mind it shouldn't be there!
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ topic | top ]
Years ago I use to find this paper in Bugler, along with sticks, tin foil, splinters of wood and the occasional remnants of a ground up filter (several owners of the brand back in the early 90's). I use to think this Recon was part of a barrel liner or something not intentionally put there. Thanks to RYO Magazine I found out the real deal, and have since tried to be even more watchful about what I made MY smokes out of! Capt. Mike
- Zig-Zag Light
- Posted by KMC on Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007
I bought a pouch and opened it up. It reeked of fermentation. I guess I might have gotten a bad bag. But I don't think I will be buying another to find out. I stuffed it and it felt like I was inhaling cotton balls.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag Light
- Posted by adam on Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007
i had the same experience it smelt gross and tasted the same i figured it was the batch so i tried another from a different store it was the same it was the worst thing ive smoken so far pre mades blow these away and pre mades are nasty but at least you can inhale them. in all fairness the full flavor was not like the light the full was ok and even smelt like tobacco it tasted ok but theres alot better. sorry you had to suffer as I.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | top ]
- Zig-Zag American Light
- Posted by Sean on Saturday, 20-Jan-2007
Does anyone know the percentage of reconstituted tobacco in this blend? I really like the flavor when the tobacco is kept moist in the tub and stuffed into King size light tubes. After seeing a television show on the chemical processes involved in recon tobacco...I don't want to smoke that stuff!
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
This blend doesn't seem to be very popular...but if someone could perhaps recommend another less-processed blend with similar flavor?
Thanks
- Re: Zig-Zag Classic American
- Posted by Dan the littledog on Sunday, 18-Dec-2005
It is better than 90% of the pre-mades sold.The strength of the burley and flavor of the orientals is very good. The Virginia is lacking in presence for my tastes. For the price there are many better choices for those who prefer a more balanced VA/Burley/Oriental blends. PS Norwegian is smoother with better grades of tobacco. Midnight Special by Lane also might appeal to some who are looking for lower cost.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag Classic American
- Posted by Kerry on Thursday, 29-Dec-2005
I didn't find any oriental flavor in Zig-Zag although it isn't a terrible blend. I wouldn't compare Midnight Special to Zig-Zag unless you would also compare it to Buglar which is essentially the same taste as Midnight Special. Both are from Lane, but MS is much less expensive.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
Although some will disagree, I find the oriental taste much stronger in Bugler and Midnight Special (although still very slight in these Lane products) than in Zig-Zag. In fact, in a pinch, I would prefer the Lane products myself. Of course, to each his own.
None of the blends I mentioned above do justice to true oriental flavor. Even Ramback isn't as close to what I would really like to have, but it is the closest (blended with other tobaccos) that I have found to date to what I remember as truly good oriental (turkish) tobacco.
For me at least, Zig-Zag is only a fair generic American blend which is often good for those transitioning from pre-made cigs, but I would never suggest it for the seasoned or experienced MYO fan. There are just too many much better blends to choose from.
Kerry
- Re: Zig-Zag Classic American
- Posted by Turtle on Sunday, 24-Dec-2006
I did not care for this tobacco to well, I found it too harsh.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | top ]
- Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Butters on Saturday, 10-Dec-2005
I love this stuff.When I smoked prepackaged I used to smoke newports when I wanted menthol.This had a nice aroma,and a good blend of menthol and tobacco flavor that tasted better than newports to me.If you previously smoked newport you may want to give this blend a try.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Greg on Wednesday, 04-Jan-2006
Zig Zag Menthol has to be the best RYO brand I've used, truly a Newport rival with an extreme price advantage.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by tom on Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005
i have opened a pouch direct from my distributors and have found that zig-zag is very dry when compared to other pouch tobacco. my last test was on zig-zag light. i noticed that the pouch seal was spotted which would allow moisture to escape during shipment.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
have any of you found the pouch to be very dry?
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by A. on Wednesday, 27-Jul-2005
Two days later, and my throat is still torn up from smoking this s**t. ordered some Ryback, will be giving a reveiw after a few day sample.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by A. on Sunday, 24-Jul-2005
pretty harsh on the throat and without the flavor of a commercial cigarette.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by D. on Saturday, 10-Jul-2004
I concur with a reviewer at another web site. He wrote "flavourless throat-sandpaper".
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by andrew on Sunday, 24-Jul-2005
Agree with the "flavorless throat sandpaper" description. Not a very smooth inhale using zig's filtered king papers and a small injection device.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Kev on Thursday, 29-Dec-2005
I was at a tobacco shop and picked up a pack of their regular "all natural" premade smokes today. I was curious after reading the write-up in RYO Magazine. Better than the mass produced premades but very little flavor and harsh. Plus since it's a premade, it carries the premade price, taxes, etc.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Matt on Thursday, 29-Dec-2005
...sounds like the RYO Zig-Zag experience but at an extra cost. I live in the Louisville area & am all for supporting local industry but the headache I get after smoking a Zig Zag just isn't worth it. The only upside I can figure is the reusable metal case.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Stump_Jumper on Friday, 23-Apr-2004
I have smoked Zig-Zag tobacco for about two years now. I prefer Light over Full Flavor for certain. It is a good tobacco but I have been searching long and hard for a cheaper and hopefully better alternative. I have tried Top; didn't like it. Old Hillside didn't taste very good either.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
Hopefully I can find another good tobacco for a cheaper price soon. Until then, Zig-Zag is the brand of RYO tobacco for me.
- Re: Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Kurt Wall on Friday, 23-Apr-2004
Gambler, H&R, People's Pride, eand even Classic Canadian all run between $10 and $12 per pound. That should be pretty competitive and provide, IMHO, a better smoke.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Scott on Sunday, 13-Nov-2005
Try Gambler Light (6 oz. bag $4.99) in combination with Gizeh Silver Tip Charbon tubes. It makes an excellent light smoke and the price is right.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Zig-Zag
- Posted by Jo on Tuesday, 16-Jan-2007
I just smoked my second zig zag light and found the tobacco to be very flavorful. I have been smoking Windsail and like the mildness of Windsail, but it seems to need more flavor.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | top ]
I also bought a can of regular zig zag. I may try mixing both the light and the regular zig zag with Windsail using different amounts. It could add the flavor I am looking for, but still be mild enough.
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Dave S on Sunday, 27-Jan-2008
Well, I first want to thank everyone who posts here. Its been a great help in my struggle to find the perfect smoke.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | topic | top ]
I just started stuffing my own about 4 weeks ago.
I have 2 machines, and have tried so many tubes and tobaccos.
I have been trying desperately to replace the Marlboro Menthol Ultra Lights I have smoked for years.
So far, today is the closest I have come.
I picked up a small pouch of Zig Zag Menthol, and stuffed into a Gizeh Charcoal tube.
Nice menthol, smooth, no cough.
The only issue is the tubes seem a little harder to stuff due to a shorter filter. But I think practice may help.
[snip, ask stuffing/machine questions in the MYO Forum]
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Alist on Sunday, 27-Jan-2008
"I have been trying desperately to replace the Marlboro Menthol Ultra Lights I have smoked for years."
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | topic | top ]
Have you tried the People's True Taste Menthol Ultralight? You can buy it at Pipes & Cigars.com [link] by the pound. On the off chance that you don't wish to purchase a pound of tobacco that you haven't tried, call the company, which is People's Pride, located in Kentucky. They sell two ounce samples. Being an ultralight smoker myself, I don't, as a rule, smoke menthol. However, I have tasted the People's True Taste Menthol Ultralight and found it to be flavorful in the best way, yet definitely still ultralight.
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by dan b on Monday, 28-Jan-2008
As Alist mentioned People's True Taste is the only Menthol Ultra Light available and is certainly worth a try. There are also 18 Menthol Light brands available, most of which would yield a near Ultra Light experience in a long filtered light tube like the Ramback Elite and Zen ES. Some of the cheap bulk tobaccos still tend to be a bit harsh at times which is probably why you've found the Gizeh Charbon's to be the ticket to taming the Zig-Zag Menthol.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | topic | top ]
I'd recommend D&R's Wingate Light or Wingate Gold, both are smooth high quality blends that don't use the menthol flavor to cover up low grade tobacco. If you'd like to see my full list of all available brands, ryoRevolution.com is now online and the updated Brand list is at [link]
[snip, OT]
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Alist on Monday, 28-Jan-2008
Your brand list is wonderful! I bookmarked it for future reference. I agree with you about the Wingate Light. It is a phenomenal tobacco, as every D & R tobacco is. However, it is definitely more stronger than what one usually might consider a 'light' tobacco to be. Rave Menthol Light comes across as a light tobacco to me, whereas Wingate Light, I would label as 'mild,' or somewhere between light and full flavor. The same is true of Windsail Light.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | topic | top ]
It is my opinion, that the syo/ryo/myo market segment isn't quite up to snuff for us ultralight smokers. Yes, there are many ultralight tobaccos on the market, but nowhere near as many as in the light category. Additionally, no company offers an ultralight tube.
Of the ultralight tobaccos on the market, some definitely would be more correctly labeled as 'light,' rather than ultralight, in my opinion. It is even worse for an ultralight menthol smoker. As you noted, People's True Taste is THE ONLY menthol ultralight available. Fortunately, when that tobacco is shoved into a menthol tube (of which no 'light,' much less 'ultralight' menthol tube is sold), it does smoke exactly as an ultralight should.
I have made my peace with these deficiencies in the ultralight category, by using only light tubes with perforations and a secondary filtration system, which is precisely what D & R recommends an ultralight smoker do if syo/ryo/myo.
Maybe one day the ultralight category will be addressed more completely.
- Re: Zig-Zag Menthol
- Posted by Bill S. on Tuesday, 29-Jan-2008
Alist, quite by accident I discovered a smoke very close to Marlboro Menthol ultralights. I had some regular Stoker's Light Tobacco sold at many smoke shops and I have always been a menthol smoker. I was just getting a bag for a friend while at the smoke shop. When I delivered it to him, he gave me what was left of another of the same kind of bag tobacco. I took it home and tried it in a 85mm(kingsize)
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | topic | top ]
Premier Menthol King Tube and was I surprised. I prefer more stronger Menthol and smoke, but it wasn't bad at all. The Menthol Tube added just enough Menthol to flavor it just right. Normally, I prefer the Stoker's #2 Menthol in a Premier Menthol King tube for a full-flavor Menthol Taste.
I took a couple of them to work and gave them to a person that routinely smokes Marlboro Menthol Ultralights and they are still hounding me to make some more for them. I think that I started something that I won't be able to deliver again.
Just an Idea that might work--a little too light for my tastes.