Desperately need help here

[nsfisher]

Ok y'all, so for the first time in 15 yrs, i finally sent for an got some of these tobacco's y'all luv. I always smoked OTC's but now got some frog morton, namaste, LJ virginin,steamroller, larry's blend, anniversary kake,LJ burley. Now the prob is
larrys blend, frog morton,steamroller,namaste --- maybe i dont like latakia? or maybe im just not used to it ?
LJ burly i find terrible dry an burns too rapidly
Anniversary kake is mild but i think i shall like it after awhile
did any of y'all experience this when u first started these type of blends PS- i did mix some frog morton and LJ burley together an found it better that way

 

[mluyckx]

nsfisher: I have major problems with Frog Morton on the Town. I think it's the latakia that is giving me mouth issues.
I've liked Lane's Burley Mild. I've also just purchased some other ones that have no Latakia in them and will give those a go. But thus far it appears that the more latakia there is in the blend, the more issues I have.
But that's just a newbie's experience...

 

[withnail]

Although I have never smoked any of those blends, I would agree that Latakia blends take a little getting used to. The fist one I tried I didn't like all that much and just had a bowl now and again. By the time I finished the pack I found I liked it a little more. A week later, I ordered some more because I missed it! An English blend is now always on hand for when I need that Latakia hit.

 

[pstlpkr]

But that's just a newbie's experience...

Nsfisher, we all know you're no "newbie" but Mluyckx's statement is essentially correct.

There is a whopping big difference between OTCs and "boutique" blends.
As for the Latakia... It does take some acclimation for those who have never before tried it.

But, I'm sure you will love it... eventually.
The Burley... I have always found that burley blends tend to be a faster smoke.

I'm not a big fan but there are some that I love.
As for the Anniversary kake... never tried it, that I can remember.

I looked at my Cellar Sheet and I have McClellan Anniversary listed, but no notes other than the tin description.

 

[shaintiques]

Yeah I'm not a big fan of Latakia and normally give it away, I did try a tobacco the other day that I did like though made by Steven Books called For Meerschaum Only that has just a hint of latakia and is very nice. Something like that may help you warm up to it.

 

[puffy]

Latakia is funny..Most folks like it a lot or not at all.There doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground on it.I've loved it from my first bowl.It just so happens that it was Frog Morton..Smoke what you like.

 

[shaintiques]

And if you don't like something trade it on here for something else that you might like. I have done that with no probs.

 

[olderthandirt]

Latakia stinks!

Yes it does, in the most wonderful scents of the word (-:
I'm another that enjoys the Latakia. I was a total hound for it when I first became "aware".

Now I enjoy it as simply another part of my daily smoking smorgasborg.
As Lawrence mentions, jar it and set it back for a few months, our tastes do change at times.

 

[olderthandirt]

Also...
You just got these blends so I'm thinking you can't have smoked too many bowls of any of em', right?

Give each one a chance. Try each one out in several different pipes over the course of several days.
Your not in desperate need of help, slow down and enjoy each bowl for what it might be.

When all's said and smoked you may determine you really don't like some, others could easily prove to be long term favorites.

 

[mluyckx]

@Lawrence: Sorry for the confusion... should have said my personal newbie experience. I'm the newbie.. not nsfisher ;-) It appears I really have an adverse physical reaction toward what I now believe to be Latakia. I'm fine with Burleys, VA's, VaPer, etc... but FMOTT made my mouth go completely haywire. Biotene treatments ensued ;-) Still working to figure it out completely though. Too many blends with Latakia that I would want to give a try. Until I do, FMOTT stays in the tin, in a jar, on the shelf ;-)

 

[jship079]

I just cant get into smoking campfire!! sometime in small amounts in a English blend I find a place for latikia.
as far as the fast burner is it a shag cut? Even if it is not shag dry tobacco is going to burn faster I would contact the seller you may have gotten a bad batch.
I think its just trial and error if you don't like something you buy give it away or cellar it.

 

[tslex]

I think of Latakia as a really peaty scotch, or a burgundy that "tastes of the barnyard." It really just isn't for everyone and it's not that it's "an acquired taste" so that if you don't like it you're somehow not accomplished enough.
I'm convinced there's a physiological component to taste perception, so that it works for some and not for others.
As for me, I love Latakia tobaccos and really peaty scotch. But burgundy wine tastes like I imagine excrement tasting and I cannot abide it. For you, Latakia may just hit the taste buds wrong. No big thing.
Just send me all the tobacco you don't like, and try the next thing.

 

[futureman]

Nsfisher,
I know what you mean. The "higher-end" stuff can be jolting for those used to OTC blends, some of which is very good. I've recently had the experience your having. But here is what happened (or is happening). Once I went back to more familiar blends, I found myself being critical *not* of their quality but overall lack of complexity. Obviously, "complex" is not to be confused with "good." But I did find myself coming back to those blends because I wanted to try something that would challenge the palate. Perhaps you'll return to the blends you mentioned once you have a chance to appreciate and even miss their subtle character. This is how I am learning to like latakia, which I doubt will ever be a favorite.
In the end, you'll smoke what you like (as you should), but give yourself a chance to like more!

 

[judcole]

The guys are right - if you are used to OTC blends, and are now smoking some of the more complex Virginias and latakia based blends, it will take time to acclimate your palate.

I would suggest not trying them all at once. Pick one or two - focus on it - learn the blend. Take your time. I have only learned to smoke Virginias and burleys in the past 6 or 7 years. They were a whole different world than the latakia based blends I was used to. It's been a lot of fun, and very rewarding.

Larry's Blend, of the ones you mentioned, is incredibly complex, rich, and full. It is one of my favorites, but it will probably take some getting used to. ::

 

[brewshooter]

I agree, take your time with them and see how things develop. Of course, Larry's Blend and Penzance were two of my first latakia blends and I loved them from the first puff.

 

[futureman]

would suggest not trying them all at once. Pick one or two - focus on it - learn the blend. Take your time.

This!

 

[smokenscotch]

I also loved the Latakia's from the first puff. It may take getting used to, or you might not enjoy it ever. It's so personal. I'm enjoying some Petersons Old Dublin as I type and this, and it has a light Latakia to it, perhaps try this blend out? I love it, everytime I enjoy a bowl of this stuff, I want to order more.

 

[judcole]

Petersons Old Dublin

My fave smoke it any time English!

 

[smokey422]

I would give those blends a little more smoking time before giving up on them. I've run into blends that I didn't care for at first bowl that later grew on me. That said, I have a particular fondness for Larry's Blend and I'm normally not big on full Latakia tobaccos. Frog Morton is not a big favorite of mine but I did like its' milder cousin, Frog Morton on the Town.
Smokey

 

[lordnoble]

I smoked some straight latakia yesterday, just so I could experience it to train my palate to pick up on nuances of it. It wasn't awful but I had the darnedest time keeping it lit. No idea why. It was bone-dry, too! Anyway, I did what you're doing right now, and I tried everything I could get my hands on that sounded interesting. I found a bunch of tobaccos that I thought were awful. Old Dublin? Holy crap, it was bad when I first tried it. Now I truly enjoy it. But I realize now that until I've had a fair number of a type of blend (Burley-based, Virginia, Perique-forward, etc.), I can't really pass judgement. So explore your new blends and enjoy the experience. It only gets better (and more fun) from here on out!
-Jason