After much shaking and heating, I finally got much of the particles dissolved in my 10% solution. There are still some fine particles suspended in there but they won't dissolve any further no matter how long I "shake and bake" so to speak. These particles are so tiny, they look like fine powder. I can see them running down the side of the glass after I shake the bottle vigorously. The liquid itself is dark green tending towards black rather than brown. It's a sticky liquid that grabs on to glass and won't come off easily unless I use soap - completely different from the other variety of TA, both in terms of color, clarity and adhesiveness to glass.
I mixed up a 1.5% solution and steeped with heat at 150 degrees for more than four hours. The resulting liquid is green in color and cloudy. I took a taste this morning, and the alcohol is interfering with the flavor. I did taste the slightest hint of tobacco. Currently letting the alcohol evaporate before doing a second test.
I made a second solution by adding 1% Rustica to an already steeped solution of Hangsen's US Red. I noticed after an hour that the Rustica had risen to the top and formed a ring around the edge. Shaking helped, but only temporarily. It was a little better after 12 hours, but sill I see particles around the edge and inside the liquid. Here again I noticed a slight hint of tobacco flavor but the alcohol would have to evaporate for the true flavor to show up. I will update tomorrow.
I never had any of these issues with my other variety of tobacco absolute - no fine suspended particles, no cloudiness, and not any of the adhesiveness and/or oiliness that I am observing in Rustica ..... Is this normal guys?
