Another FMOTT query. What am I tasting?

[futureman]

I'm suffering from a chronic case of TAD, and I just tried my very first English--none other than Frog Morton OTT! I'll have to smoke a few more bowls and savor this blend. Yet because this is my first experience with Orientals and Latakia, I'm not sure which leaf (or leaves) I'm actually smelling and tasting, as some smokers insist that the Latakia is hardly noticeable and others find it to be the dominant ingredient.
So here are my questions:
(1) The tin aroma is like sweet, damp earth--almost mulch-like. Is this typical of English blends? And is it the orientals that account for this?
(2) The flavor is--well, I can't describe it. Curry-like? What do you take the dominant flavor to be? And is it the Latakia I am so struck by? Keep in mind that, at this point, my (limited) experience is with Vs, Bs, and Cavendish blends.
In short, can you help me understand what role these ingredients are playing in producing OTT's smell and flavor. I must say I love the cool smoke, but at this point I find the blend more interesting than good. I'll certainly allow myself a chance to love it.

 

[mlaug]

Well, futureman, tasting these things is highly subjective and tastes vary so much that what ever it is you taste is what is present in your smoke.
FMOTT has Latakia as an ingredient and that is where your smoky/earthy aroma is coming from. The Oriental and

Turkish leaf tobaccos are giving you the spicy, peppery flavors.
What are you liking the best? The smoky or the spicy or the interplay from each?
Its a good blend. Not too strong and not to light.

 

[futureman]

Mlaug,
I'm on my second bowl. I love the fact that I am getting such a cool, sweet smoke. Again, the flavor is almost curry-like. Can't put my finger on it, as it is only faintly recognizable. It's driving me crazy!
BTW, my wife is enjoying the room note, and this is a surprise to me.
EDIT: The sweetness could well be the basma. Whatever it is, the flavor is growing on me.

 

[mlaug]

If your wife is not complaining about the Lat, I suggest you keep her. :D
Mine always comes by and quietly closes the door....usually rolling her eyes.

 

[judcole]

There is something in the Frog series that does not work for me - not sure what it is. Is there a light topping,perhaps?

 

[smokin10smitty]

My senses sum it up in a very crude way: a campfire that has had a few marshmallows incinerated within. I love FMOTT dearly and will keep it stocked always.

 

[futureman]

If your wife is not complaining about the Lat, I suggest you keep her.

Her appreciation for the room note was short lived. While smoking a recent bowl, she said: "Ya know, I really *don't* like the smell of that stuff. Smells a little fecal."
And that, I suppose, is what you veterans call a "lat bomb"? In any case, I really love the cool smoke and interesting sweetness. But there is something here that is just a bit off-putting to me. Can you recommend another English so I can experiment further? A mild English would be preferable; a good room note is gravy. Sillem's Black, perhaps?

 

[chopz]

i'd say frog morton is about as mild on the latakia as you can get, so it's far from a "lat bomb." to me lat is reminiscent of a catholic church - that frankincense or whatever incense they use. to isolate the flavors i'd suggest trying the regular frog morton - same but doesn't have the orientals in it.

 

[lordnoble]

I nice, quality mild "English" that is available for cheap in bulk is Peter Stokkebye English Luxury. It's a great intro into Latakia blends and is very tasty.
-Jason

 

[jpbass]

If your wife is not complaining about the Lat, I suggest you keep her.

My wife doesn't like the pouch smell. When she first smelled a Latakia heavy blend in the bag she

said, "You might be smoking that one out on the porch". But when she actually smelled it being smoked,

she said, "that's not so bad".

 

[bbauer]

I just smoked FMOTT for the first time. I am normally an Aro smoker, so this was a bit different. It took me a few minutes to really get into it, but once i started getting the sweet and the spice flavors at the same time i really started enjoying it. It may not be my regular smoke, but i can almost promise ill have a tin on hand for when i get a craving.

 

[futureman]

Bbauer,
I think I may turn out to be--at best--an occasional English smoker as well. At this point I appreciate FMOTT more than I like it.