Latakia Blend Recommendations

[chervokas]

I am also looking for latakia recommendations.
My first foray into latakia started with a bulk from a b&m.

It tasted very incense-y, if that makes sense. I don't like this flavour.
Is it the latakia that makes it taste like incense?

If so, then I don't think I'm a fan of latakia blends.

Is it orientals?

I've read that EMP and others might have that incense taste from the orientals.
Please recommend a non incense type mild latakia for me to try.

The incense taste and aroma comes from combining Latakia with an Oriental.

Exactly which ones, I don't know; but probably Cyprian Latakia and Izmir.

I think that's right about the Orientals and Lat delivering the "incense" aroma. Personally I love that and so a blend like H&H Magnum Opus, which delivers that in spades, is great for me.
For someone like yaddy306 who is looking for none of that but something with Lat without that incense tang, I'd recommend something like C&D Black Duck, it's a bit of a taste-alike for old Rattray's Black Mallory. While there's a hint of Orientals in it it's not Izmir or whatever delivers that sort of aroma, and the blend is heavy on unsweetened black and brown Cavendish-cured Kentucky burley mixed with Lat and other Turkish and Oriental tobaccos. It's rich and full-bodied and delivers in the Lat department, but it's not an incense-scented English.

 

[lovethebriar]

Pirate kake is my favorite, I love any heavy Latikia blend. But all in all I must say that if you love Latikia Pirate kake will not disappoint you. Remember that this is what I like and just a recommendation.

 

[yaddy306]

Thanks for the suggestions, chervokas and phil22.

I can't find Black Duck or Yale on my favourite site, but I'll keep looking.
Cortez, I'll take your advice and pm blendtobac.

 

[erichbaumer]

You could also try something like C&D Star of the East, which is mostly if not only red virginias and latakia. I think I remember reading somewhere that its around 50% lat, but I still find it rather interesting and even complex when considering the simplicity of the blend. One of my favorites, along with Westminster, 965 and Nightcap.