Good Thing Syrian Latakia is No Longer a Thing.

[bullet08]

Just heard Syrian port of Latakia was bombed. Hope not many civilians are hurt, but first thing that popped up was "what about Syrian Lat?" Then realized they stopped making Syrian Lats long ago. Still have Syrian Artisan's Blends, but I should smoke them soon.

 

[DeadJetty]

How terrible. It's sad to see such historic places bombed.

 

[kcghost]

Seems like the only country not in active warfare right now is the U.S. That shouldn't last too much longer as we are always ways will to drug into somebodies' conflict or other,

 

[Searock Fan]

So, what is the best Latakia available now?

 

[DeadJetty]

@Searock Fan, I think the most common is Cyprian Latakia now. It's what Peterson uses in Old Dublin.

 

[Searock Fan]

@Searock Fan, I think the most common is Cyprian Latakia now. It's what Peterson uses in Old Dublin.

Small world... Old Dublin is what I happen to be smoking right now. It's ok, but I've sure had a lot better.

 

[brian64]

Seems like the only country not in active warfare right now is the U.S.

Depends on how you define active warfare.

 

[AJL67]

Syrian no longer exists. Tobacco is still grown in Syria, but because it can't be cured to make Latakia, leaf destined for that purpose is instead sent to Cyprus. In Syria, farmers used to grow a leaf known as Shekk-el-Bint specifically for Latakia production, and then cured it in their own barns.

The Syrian version hasn't been made in more than a dozen years due to governmental restrictions, and with the unrest in the region, even if the restrictions were lifted, it would be unlikely that they would start production again.

Cyprian Latakia differs from Syrian Latakia in several fundamental ways: The process of sun-curing, the type of material used for fumigation, details during and after fumigation, and if the processor intends to go through fermentation.

I also seem to recall a special wood from a tree that was only local to that region was used and those trees were completely wiped out that's the main problem.

 

[AroEnglish]

Syrian no longer exists. Tobacco is still grown in Syria, but because it can't be cured to make Latakia, leaf destined for that purpose is instead sent to Cyprus. In Syria, farmers used to grow a leaf known as Shekk-el-Bint specifically for Latakia production, and then cured it in their own barns.

The Syrian version hasn't been made in more than a dozen years due to governmental restrictions, and with the unrest in the region, even if the restrictions were lifted, it would be unlikely that they would start production again.

Cyprian Latakia differs from Syrian Latakia in several fundamental ways: The process of sun-curing, the type of material used for fumigation, details during and after fumigation, and if the processor intends to go through fermentation.

I also seem to recall a special wood from a tree that was only local to that region was used and those trees were completely wiped out that's the main problem.

I can understand that certain resources or materials can't be the same (like the wood you mentioned) but I wonder why the process is different.

 

[AJL67]

I can understand that certain resources or materials can't be the same (like the wood you mentioned) but I wonder why the process is different.

From what i remember the wood was literally the secret sauce. Where the Syrian in Syrian lat came from.

 

[AroEnglish]

From what i remember the wood was literally the secret sauce. Where the Syrian in Syrian lat came from.

Yeah that's what I heard too but I thought there might be other processed you were referring to in your post.

 

[AJL67]

Yeah that's what I heard too but I thought there might be other processed you were referring to in your post.

Yes one of the quotes mentioned machinery but that could be just "old kiln" or something like that, at least more so than actual processing / pressing / cutting machines. Either way it came down to the wood they used for curing.

 

[Searock Fan]

Now that there has been a change in the Syrian government, I hope they will get back to producing some good Latakia. What do you think the chances are?

 

[BingBong]

Now that there has been a change in the Syrian government, I hope they will get back to producing some good Latakia. What do you think the chances are?

Pretty much zero, tbh. They'd have to grow those local trees again.

 

[Searock Fan]

Pretty much zero, tbh. They'd have to grow those local trees again.

"trees". Did Assad take all the trees with him to Moscow?

 

[BingBong]

"trees". Did Assad take all the trees with him to Moscow?

See post #8 above.

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

So, what is the best Latakia available now?

Id take some of the more zingy Cyprian stuff over some of this lighter Turkish stuff going around. I guess it’d just be dependent on the blend. Gawith uses a very woody tasting Latakia and it’s really good. I still have a decent supply of Syrian stuff and it’s definitely king, but not by a wide margin. It’s just more aromatic and red wine like. People say the Turkish stuff is closer to Syrian, but I don’t really get wine notes out of it like Syrian. I’m just happy there’s enough people smoking it that we still can get good stuff. There isn’t really anything wrong with any of it, it’s all good.

 

[Searock Fan]

See post #8 above.

Wonder how all the trees got "wiped out".....

 

[OzPiper]

Wonder how all the trees got "wiped out".....

There are HUGE areas worldwide without electricity and running hot water
Guess what they use for cooking and heating ?

 

[Zamora]

Pretty much zero, tbh. They'd have to grow those local trees again.

Yep that would probably take at least 100 years, by which time pipe tobacco will be a monopoly of Disney-Nestle-ExxonMobil