This blend comes from Planta in Germany and is Described as "Full and strong in taste. Traditional English"
The contents are Cyprus and Syrian Latakia, Kentucky, broad cut Vas. Upon opening the tin there was definitely a strong aroma of Latakia and something sweetish that I could not identify, it was faintly sweet mind you and once this was lit there was absolutely nothing sweet about this blend (It was a natural scent of the blend). This was a very coarsely cut blend and there were a few stems which needed to be discarded. After gravity filling the bowl I provided a charring light and let the bowl settle for a minute. After truly lighting this mixture I blew up!! Yeah a Lat Bomb supported by the strength and some harshness of the Kentucky, which was present during the entire smoke. This was not a very complex blend, the VAs did not show themselves much but acted as more of a condiment. Aside from the strong, smoky incense flavor of the Latakia there was a bitterness, most likely from the Kentucky on this bitterness was not offset by a much needed increase in the amount of VA, IMO. This Barling offering produced a moderate amount of smoke, no plumes, but still chewy. This smoked well though and just needed a few relights in my bent Stanwell apple and then it made it to the heel with some dottle. This is a pretty stout blend in strength and mouth feel. The nicotine content was moderate to high and quite a full bodied smoke, my stomach was a little queasy at the end of the smoke, but nothing too serious and it abated within 30 minutes or so. After finishing, this left an enduring, cloying sense of the dominant Latakia and it left my mouth a little dry and tingly on my inner cheeks. This smoke was ok, not great and not really good, certainly not bad though. 2.5 stars out of 4. I really did not find this was a well balanced blend, however others may like the stout flavor which envelops you in Latakia.
The contents are Cyprus and Syrian Latakia, Kentucky, broad cut Vas. Upon opening the tin there was definitely a strong aroma of Latakia and something sweetish that I could not identify, it was faintly sweet mind you and once this was lit there was absolutely nothing sweet about this blend (It was a natural scent of the blend). This was a very coarsely cut blend and there were a few stems which needed to be discarded. After gravity filling the bowl I provided a charring light and let the bowl settle for a minute. After truly lighting this mixture I blew up!! Yeah a Lat Bomb supported by the strength and some harshness of the Kentucky, which was present during the entire smoke. This was not a very complex blend, the VAs did not show themselves much but acted as more of a condiment. Aside from the strong, smoky incense flavor of the Latakia there was a bitterness, most likely from the Kentucky on this bitterness was not offset by a much needed increase in the amount of VA, IMO. This Barling offering produced a moderate amount of smoke, no plumes, but still chewy. This smoked well though and just needed a few relights in my bent Stanwell apple and then it made it to the heel with some dottle. This is a pretty stout blend in strength and mouth feel. The nicotine content was moderate to high and quite a full bodied smoke, my stomach was a little queasy at the end of the smoke, but nothing too serious and it abated within 30 minutes or so. After finishing, this left an enduring, cloying sense of the dominant Latakia and it left my mouth a little dry and tingly on my inner cheeks. This smoke was ok, not great and not really good, certainly not bad though. 2.5 stars out of 4. I really did not find this was a well balanced blend, however others may like the stout flavor which envelops you in Latakia.