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Hello All, this is my first post to the forum so my apologies if this topic has already been covered! In my limited experience with latakia blends, I've noticed a lack of punch. Any suggestions for a good blend that's strong in latakia and has a little strength?
Thanks!
phonomet
Go big or go home, in my book. If I want a hit of Vitamin N, I want the full thing, so I usually go for Samuel Gawith's 1792 Flake, or Dunhill Nightcap. Those are my two choices, for a good bit of latakia and "knock-you-on-your-ass" nic. Be warned though, if you have a limited experience with latakia blends, you'll be suprised! (I learned from experience... 
)
1792 is a strong tobacco, but it has zero latakia in it.
I would also suggest Nightcap, as it's a pretty heavy-hitter in the Vitamin N department. I would also suggest trying GH Balkan Mixture and C&D's Billy Budd, both of which have above-average nicotine for lat blends.
You can always blend your own, of course. I sometimes mix latakia with Old Joe Krantz for a good, woodsy punch.
If it's latakia and nicotine you're looking for, you won't be disappointed by Robert McConnell's Latakia Flake.
I love latakia, but I avoid high-nicotine blends. I had to dump this one after just a dozen or so puffs! I knew immediately it was far stronger than I could bear.
BTW, you'll probably be best served in this area by seeking out latakia-based blends that also include burley and perique -- both known for their levels of nicotine. (It's the perique that gives Nightcap its particular punch.)
Bob
When I read the post title the first blend that popped into my mind was Nightcap. It has the best of both worlds, and is a nice blend.
+1 Nightcap, also Black House.
If you're wanting some serious kick-ass with latakia, I'd get some Samuel Gawith Black XX or Brown #4 rope and some Cornell & Diehl bulk blending latakia and go to town.
Or, if you want to go completely off the wall, try some TAMBOLAKA (4 Noggins sells it) with your C&D latakia.
Or, if you want to go completely off the wall, try some TAMBOLAKA (4 Noggins sells it) with your C&D latakia
Funny you should mention that combination. Just received a couple ounces of blending latakia and waiting on the Tambolaka. I was just thinking of trying that blend soon. The 100% latakia is not too bad on its own, a little perfumey, and should mellow out the Tambo enough to be enjoyable. I hope.
And as always I will give a shout out for Tewskbury Nosferatu. Plenty of latakia and just enough bite.
Maybe C&D Bowlegged Bear? That has quite a nic punch, IIRC. Only smoked one tin for that very reason.
I'll have to agree with Nightcap as well Blackhouse... but rothnh got it right with SG Black XX... very tasty and strong 
"Or, if you want to go completely off the wall, try some TAMBOLAKA (4 Noggins sells it) with your C&D latakia"
I like this blend on occasion. SG Black XX is also a nice change once in a while.
Billy Budd C&D!!!!
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Can't wait to try some of these.
Another one for Nightcap here. Just be careful as it can force an offering to the porcelain god if it's smoked too fast on an empty stomach.
Ditto Nightcap.
Otherwise, home blending is your best choice. Adding a really strong blend like Peterson's Irish Flake or one of the Gawith ropes to a milder Latakia blend is one way. I've had fun adding GLP Cumberland (which has Kentucky dark fired and thus a good bit of N) to blends like Fusilier's Ration. Besides the nic kick, it actually tastes nice.
I've also gone the way rothnh suggested, adding latakia or a latakia blend to stronger flakes. A pinch of latakia rubbed in with Davidoff Flake Medallions is really nice. So is latakia mixed with Best Brown Flake or any of the VA or VA/burley flakes by Gawith/Sam Gawith.
Nightcap for me!
I'm astounded that no one has mentioned (Hermit Tobacco's) Capatin Earle's Ten Russians. It is about as in-your-face-latakia as you can get with a huge nic-kick to boot. Some say it's not a terribly complex blend, but I find it hits the spot now and then (on a full stomach of course).
-Jason
Ten Russians... never tried it, but sounds interesting.
Not a latakia fan myself, but I'm thinking pure latakia adds a punch of smokey flavor, but nicotine and strength? Not so much.
Interesting that you guys mention black house. I've never felt much of a nic hit from it.
C&D Pirate Kake, Billy Budd, and Havana Daydream all have latakia and a satisfying nicotine hit (medium to strong).
Ireland flake,,,can meet your requirement
Well, looks like Nightcap got the most votes. I'll also keep Billy Bud and SG's Black XX in mind. Thanks!
I'm astounded that no one has mentioned (Hermit Tobacco's) Capatin Earle's Ten Russians. It is about as in-your-face-latakia as you can get with a huge nic-kick to boot. Some say it's not a terribly complex blend, but I find it hits the spot now and then (on a full stomach of course).-Jason
I checked out Captain Earle's Ten Russians online. It appears to be a Cornell and Diehl blend with the same description of full English. I also found Hermit Tobacco's site with a blend of the same name and artwork, etc. Anyway, the C&D can be purchased rather easily from pipesandcigarsdotcom. I'm assuming it's the same stuff?
Yes, it is the same stuff, but believe it or not most of the blends we love come from the C&D factory is some form. P&C uses them for tinning and such, Hermit uses them for blending I believe, but the recipes are their own, also Two Friends, and G.L. Pease blends are also produced there. I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I remember.
-Jason
Not a latakia fan myself, but I'm thinking pure latakia adds a punch of smokey flavor, but nicotine and strength? Not so much.
Agreed. It's going to be up to the burley (and variants) and/or perique in a blend to give it the nic hit the OP is looking for. Latakia on its own is really a very mild smoke.
Bob
C&D Montford Point Marine. You want latakia with nic, there you go.
After posting this about a month ago, I have since purchased Nighcap, Cpt. Earl's 10 Russians, and Blackhouse. I cracked open Black House and cellared the other two. BH is not particularly high in nicotine, but very satisfying with a more full bodied presence than the latakia blends I've tried so far. The latakia is not very forward, but it's a masterfully balanced smoke and is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
The virginias and the perique in nightcap are where the nicotine punch comes from. Latakia is actually fairly mild (in nicotine), as is the turkish it contains...technically speaking, latakia is turkish tobacco, it's just fire-cured over over oak or pine.
Night Cap is what springs to mind as soon as I hear latakia and Nicotine in the same sentence. Dunhill My Mixture 965 is also rather potent in the Nicotine department from what I remember. Haven't smoked it in a long time. You would have loved Dunhill Durbar, but, alas, it is no longer available. G.L. Pease latakia blends are also very very tasty and Greg seems to like his nicotine.
Maybe try Bayou Morning for some Latakia with a good dose of the vitamin N.
Wow this is a great topic. I too am on the hunt for strong English or Balkan blend. I love Nightcap and have found Engine # 99 to be as good. Also Sextant has Latakia and a nice level of nicotine.
I've only recently came over to the Dark Side, my early attempts at smoking latakia ended in nausea, so I'm surprised to have found that now my palate can appreciate it. However, when researching blends, I also wanted a stout full-bodied smoke and discovered that when many reviews describe something as strong they're really talking more about flavour or latakia content percentage.
I got some Sillem's London because it was supposed to be "strong" and I figured it would be because it has a bit of burley, but it actually is quite thin-bodied and unfulfilling, plus the overload of latakia was extremely spicy which fried my palate. I mixed it 50/50 with some Peacehaven and it transformed into a wonderful smoke, sweet 'n smokey.
It seems some Latakia is more herbaceous than campfirey. Any explanation for this?
Could be the orientals or Turkish leaf in the blend as many Lat
blends do have them in the mixture
I find that sprinkle of stronger Nice leaf on the top of the bowl does
not alter the taste too much and still gives me the Nic hit I desire 
C&D's Pirate kake and Mississippi Mud; dark and dangerous but delightful.
I tried Pirate Kake recently but did not find it was strong in the nicotine department. It does contain a lot of Latakia and I find that the more Latakia a blend has, the less nicotine punch it seems to have. Maybe it is just me.
Has anyone tried any of the Peretti English blends. Are there any strong ones?
phonomet:
Not to repeat myself. . . but I'm going to repeat myself, since I think you may be overlooking a blend that will deliver exactly what you're looking for: Robert McConnell's Latakia Flake. It's a very latakia-heavy blend that is quite high in Vitamin N. (So much so that I couldn't take more than about a dozen puffs before I had to dump it.)
Bob
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