Latakia

[MartinH]

Hello Brothers (and Sisters)

I've been reading a lot about Latakia and looking at the GL Pease blends, I find several blended with this particular tobacco. Can anyone describe the taste of Latakia? Is this something you have to really develop a taste for? I'm so new to pipes and have only recently really enjoyed the heck out of burley blends, that I'm a little hesitant to branch out. Would you recommend a noob trying this, or do you think I should develop my taste buds a little more before diving into this end of the tobacco spectrum. In case your wondering why I'm even asking this, I have virtually no room to store any tobacco (my wife's stuff takes up the entire house) and only get to smoke 2-3 times a month. This means that I want to enjoy every bowl. Does that make sense?

Happy puffing to all of you.

 

[hobie1dog]

Usually described as a Campfire smokey flavor.

The part that doesn't make sense is having a house that you have zero space for your "stuff" :suspect: So there's not even room for a large tupperware container to store all your tobacco in?

 

[MartinH]

LOL - It's called a small house, now space and every single cupboard taken up with wifey stuff.

 

[Harlock999]

"Earthy, leathery, mushroomy" are descriptions that I see used for Latakia. I've grown to really like it, and I wouldn't hesitate to try it if I were you. Maybe a blend with a "hint" of Latakia, rather than a "full" English to start out with.

 

[talrmn35]

My first run in with Latakia was in Dunhill's My Mixture 965. I was new, heard this stuff was good, so I picked some up. When I first opened the tin I experienced an aroma that I had never (not even close) experienced before. And I LOVED it! But with my inexperience, I didn't know what it was that was so different...turns out it was the Latakia. So I say give it a try. If you enjoy things with a depth of flavor, you will enjoy it for sure...I think of it like the "Dark Beer" of tobacco.

 

[MartinH]

Oooh! The "Dark Beer" of tobacco! That was all you had to say to me! I love dark beer, so now I'm going to have to try it. What do you think would be the best, mild Latikia blend to get me started? I was thinking of getting a GL Pease.


:bounce:

 

[MisterE]

Go for it. I smoked Latakia blends exclusively for years and still really enjoy them. Latakia is to tobacco as cloves are to spices. A definite strong flavor, and no mistaking it when it´s in there. You might try some lighter to medium English blends as an intoduction.

Some that are pretty representative and not too strong:

Dunhill Early Morning Pipe, London Mixture

Balkan Saseini

Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader

Stokkebye Proper English (this is a little stronger)

These are all readily available and not terribly expensive.

Branch out from there!

I´m having a bowl of Dunhill London Mixture in your honor now!

 

[MartinH]

Thanks. I think I'll try the Dunhill.

I appreciate all the feedback. NOW, if I can only have my wife give me a place to store my budding tobacco and pipe collection, I'd be set! 8)

 

[PipePuffer]

The first time I smelled latakia, I thought the smell was disgusting. I witnessed my grandmother's house burning down when I was a kid and the smell of latakia reminded me of the smell of that house's charred remains. Until that point, I had only smoked aromatics with enticing notes (but little flavors) and I thought why would anyone smoke something that smells like that? I nervously gave it a try anyways (Peterson Old Dublin). And boy, I instantly loved it. The tin note is the "worst" part (it actually has grown on me and I like it now). But after smoking tasteless aromatics, I found the taste of Old Dublin to be much fuller, complex and satisfying than anything I had tried before! There was no turning back. Nowadays the majority of the blends in my cellar contain some Latakia.

In the GLP line-up, my favorite Latakia blends are Westminster, Chelsea Morning, Abington and Charing Cross. The last 2 have a decent dose of latakia.

 

[Obelus]

...

 

[talrmn35]

I second the Dunhill Early Morning Pipe.
Also as far as GLP I am a huge Chelsea Morning fan...I just got 8oz in the mail. I would be happy to send you a pinch...but be warned, it may take your pipe smoking frequency up a notch.

PM me your addy and I'll send you a sample...If you would like.

 

[Obelus]

...

 

[LIPIPE]

As a lover of latakia I think we would have to agree that when it comes to pipe smokers and non-smokers we are caught between a rock and a pitcher. My guess is that ventilation and room air fresheners are the only approach to take. Nearly every experienced smoker gravitates toward english/balkan with latakia blends. None of them have pleasant room notes. I suggest airing out the smoking room for a few minutes and then spraying a product that will aid in neutralizing any "unpleasant" odors. Unfortunately for non-smokers, latakia is here to stay once it favored by the smoker.

 

[PipePuffer]

I just had a bowl the new Early Morning Pipe blend a few days ago. I could clearly taste the spiciness of the orientals and the sweetness of the virginias but I didn't taste much latakia in it at all. I don't know if I would recommend it to someone who truly wanted a taste of Latakia, but it would be a good choice for someone who just wanted to dip their toes in the latakia pool.

 

[MartinH]

Thanks for all the help! I'm now torn between the Dunhill and Chelsea Morning. I've read good reviews on both. Oh, so much tobacco, so little time. LOL!

Again, thanks so very much!

 

[puros_bran]

Just get ya a bowl of Ashton Artisans Blend or GL Pease Odyssey ..

See if ya like the stuff or not..lol.
That "barely in the mix" stuff won't reveal much to you.

 

[LuckyBriar]

I rarely, if ever, smoke inside, so I can't really comment on the room note, but 'smokey campfire' seems to fit. My wife says I smell like I've been camping when I come in from a smoke. I love the stuff, especially with a good mix of Orientals (your traditional English blends), but I could see it being overpowering for some. Be sure and report back! It's always interesting to hear other peoples take on things.

 

[Maiser]

One other thing occurs to me. Blends with latakia can ghost a pipe (so can a lot of aromatic additions for that matter). If you're planning mixing it up with aromatic blends, you might consider dedicating a pipe to blends w/ latakia or you might get a funky, although perhaps not unpleasant, surprise next time you fire up a bowl of Old Church.

I'm with Obelus on this one. I have purchased a few estate pipes that stank of someone else's latakia. It took many a salt and alcohol treatment before I could enjoy the pipes with no strange ghost flavors.

 

[innovador]

Martin, I would definitly go with Dunhill too. Maybe Aperitif or Night Cap.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

I'm with PB--get a real taste of the stuff to find out exactly what it tastes like. A local tobacconist gave me this advise when I wanted to get into English tobaccos, along with an ounce each of two altadis bulks he carried--African Queen (VA/Oriental) and Heavy English. They aren't really quality tobaccos, but the latter let me know what I was getting myself in to. I never finished the ounce, but have since acquired many better specimens of that genus, and there's no turning back.