Through mediums such as Social Media comments, and pipe community youtubers, I have been hearing/seeing rumors of "fake" Latakia being used in blends. I guess the thought is that cyprian latakia is becoming difficult to obtain and manufacturers are testing a sprayed on "liquid smoke" type flavoring to other types of leaf to mimic the taste of latakia. Can anyone tell me where this idea is coming from, and if it is legit?
Fake Latakia???
- Thread starter midcentry
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I would hope there is a little more integrity in the industry than that... and I believe there is.
Not that it means anything but I haven’t heard anything like that!
I like to believe that the few different Latakia brands that I do smoke wouldn’t risk their reputation try some bullshit like that.
I like to believe that the few different Latakia brands that I do smoke wouldn’t risk their reputation try some bullshit like that.
Social media is the Captain Black Grape of the internet.
Probably people believing what they read on "social media."
I think they would be in violation of advertisment laws/store policies and would be fined, and or denied buying anymore for sale by the stores themselves. If its to the point of Youtube it would have already have been handled.
It comes from people amusing themselves by starting baseless rumors, and no it’s not legit. Shoot, I should know- I put real capital to work trying to bring back Syrian Latakia and struck out.
Saw this on SP.com’s blog about a new Missouri Meerschaum blend.
Drawdown Pipe Tobacco Review | Missouri Meerschaum - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/tasting-notes-missouri-meerschaum-drawdown
Drawdown Pipe Tobacco Review | Missouri Meerschaum - https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/tasting-notes-missouri-meerschaum-drawdown
This thread from a few months ago by @woodsroad might interest you: Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products: Leffingwell, 1972 :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/tobacco-flavoring-for-smoking-products-leffingwell-1972.99184/
According to list of products from 1972, Latakia flavoring (and perique flavoring!) have been around at least since then. We don't know how commonly they are actually used in tobacco, though.
On page 2 of that thread, a response to from Jeremy Reeves generously shared his perspective from inside the industry too.
According to list of products from 1972, Latakia flavoring (and perique flavoring!) have been around at least since then. We don't know how commonly they are actually used in tobacco, though.
On page 2 of that thread, a response to from Jeremy Reeves generously shared his perspective from inside the industry too.
the original product isn't going to cost more than faking it would. It's tobacco and faking it would require tobacco. Basically it's people thinking someone is trying to screw them over no matter how little sense it makes. Also if you can't tell the difference not only is your palate garbage but who cares all that much? Plus if they could fake it that in it's self would be a brag. Some times the internet reminds me that somehow people who are too stupid to live some how do!
When I first started hanging out at the Briary over a decade ago, guys at the lounge would talk about this sprayed on latakia flavoring, but no one ever suggests a particular blend. And, even then, guys would say that it was discussed many years before that. It's probably just an old smoker's lounge discussion point. Some people get so bent out of shape on here, many tobacco topics discussed back in the old lounge wouldn't fly. Guys would be all "you're insulting me by talking about a beloved tobacco," or taking shit too seriously, or the tobacco rep would come on and start insulting people, ha ha.
Until someone suggest a particular blend, it's fair to say that it is merely conversation.
Until someone suggest a particular blend, it's fair to say that it is merely conversation.
The huge caveat here is that flavorings companies continue to produce Latakia juice. If nobody uses it, why has it been in production for decades?
Syrian baby formula?
An industry insider will be along any minute now to copy-paste their social media rumor control.
Personally? I've been smoking a pipe for nearly 30 years and I've come across multiple instances of Latakia that looks and tastes "fake". The use of these types of "enhanced" components such as Latakia and Perique has been happening for decades and is evident from leaked industry documents. However, it's nothing that anyone related with the industry would like to remain in the public consciousness for long.
Hey, if a tobacconist would even entertain the idea of adding a flavoring to a perfectly good Virginia, then who is to say that this sort of psychopath wouldn't entertain the idea of "enhancing" or flavoring a latakia or perique. I'm not saying that they have, nor would say that it has never happened. Just saying...
Is this latakia smoke flavoring available as a rub for brisket? Just asking for a friend.
My guess is that Latakia Juice would be more likely to show up in premium pipe tobacco as a tertiary flavoring, mixed in with more dominant flavorings. Or maybe the untold gallons of Latakia Juice produced every year is just used on other stuff, like cigs, cigars, chew, air fresheners, bespoke leather jackets and single-serve yogurt.
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