C & D Pirates Kake

[cwarmouth]

I stopped by the local cigar shop today and spied a tin of C & D Pirates Kake. 75% Latakia. I smoked one bowl and I have a feeling that I am going to need to smoke a few more before passing judgement. It didn't strike me immediately as my new favorite. I love Latakia blends but after smoking this one I think I must like it as a background condiment as opposed to being right up front. I see it gets really good reviews though. Anyone else have thoughts on this one?

 

[wyfbane]

I love Pirate Kake. I am not as eloquent as some, so here is Jim's review from earlier this year:
The rich smoky, leathery, woody sweet Cyprian latakia is the star component, comprising 70% of the blend. What keeps this from being a total lat-bomb is the dry, buttery sweet, woody, earthy, moderately spicy Turkish, which is noticeable in every puff. The cavendish cut burley provides a little nuttiness, toast and earth in the background. The nic-hit is medium. The strength level is just shy of the center of medium to full. Won’t bite or get harsh, though there are a couple rough edges here and there. Burns clean, mostly cool and a little slow with a very consistent flavor from start to finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires some relights. Has a pleasant, lingering after taste. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable.
I agree with this review.

 

[coldsmoke]

I've come to love the stuff and have just jarred a pound for the cellar. In fact, I'm inclined to source another pound for good measure.

 

[virginialover]

Pirate Kake and Billy Budd (that has cigar leaf), represent American tobacco mixing greatness. The Turkish in Pirate Kake makes it shine with sweet and sour notes.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Pirate Kake is definitely something I have to be in the mood for. I love latakia, but PK overwhelms my taste buds. I have tried to smoke back to back bowls but did not find the 2nd bowl as enjoyably as the 1st. However,on a cold night, by a camp fire with a heavy stout......AWESOME!!

 

[Chasing Embers]

After getting burned out on English blends, anything with more than a tiny bit of latakia tastes exactly the same to me. Pirate Kake, Gaslight, Penzance, Nightcap, and the rest taste exactly the same. I can no longer taste anything but the latakia.

 

[troutface]

Try it with 10 years of age on it. The Lat mellows and it's heaven.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The stash I've got is from 2008 when you could still order directly from C&D for $28 for a pound brick. Still strong to me. It is good for spicing up other blends though.

 

[troutface]

I'd be happy to help rid you of the dastardly stuff :wink:

 

[derekflint]

chasingembers

After getting burned out on English blends, anything with more than a tiny bit of latakia tastes exactly the same to me. Pirate Kake, Gaslight, Penzance, Nightcap, and the rest taste exactly the same. I can no longer taste anything but the latakia.

Agreed, although I have a tin of 965 I'm going to try in hopes that the latakia is not too much to the front......

 

[Chasing Embers]

@derekflint
Blends like McClelland's Oriental No. 6 are more to my liking. The latakia is there, but far in the background, and frames the blend nicely without overpowering it.

 

[saltedplug]

When I started the line on the board was that you either liked or didn't like latakia. I decidedI liked it and smoked it with relish for a few months. Then I decided that I didn't like it and it went to the sidelines, and other than a short romance of about three months during 2014, it stayed there.

 

[newbroom]

I'd have to say that my mouth reacts more to Latakia than any other varietal.

I've tended to leave it out this past year, and when I do smoke a blend with Lat, it is more for shock value or contrast rather than complete acceptance.

A light touch has become my preferred ratio when it comes to Latakia in a blend. A little goes a long way.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A light touch has become my preferred ratio when it comes to Latakia in a blend. A little goes a long way.

Same here.

 

[derekflint]

I used to like PK a lot ( and wish I still did ) but now I just can't take that full latakia taste. The Burley and Turkish I no longer taste...just latakia. Mixing it in with something seems my only option...BUT WITH WHAT ? Went down the same road with da Vinci and ended up mixing it with Bayou Morning which wasn't too bad.......

 

[justdafacts]

I have not tried PK yet, but I have tried Nightwatch and I like that one a great deal. How does Pirate Kake compare to Nightwatch?
Justdafacts

 

[coldsmoke]

Compared to Nightwatch, Pirate Kake is like "extra creosote".