Learning Latakia

[frtimmyd]

OK so I've had a tin of Villager 1888 Early Day for about a month now. It's the first Latakia blend that I've ever tried. Not sure yet what I think. The room note is not overwhelming but I'm trying to get used to the flavor. Is this something that takes place over time? My typical blends are either aromatic or Virginia/Burley.

 

[dervis]

I didn't care for Latakia at first. Shortcut to mushrooms mellowness started me down the path. Eventually liking stronger blends. Now I haven more cellared with Latakia than not. 1 year ago had 0 cellared other than aeros.

 

[captainbob]

frtimmyd,
Latakia has a very smokey flavor due to the fact that it is cured over open fires. It is certainly not going to remind you of any aromatic or Virginia/Burley Blend. It adds a distinctive "Smokey" flavor to any blend. So, it is all about the Latakia content of the blend you are smoking. Personally, in my Captain Bob's Blend, I used Latakia like I use pepper on eggs. Just enough to know it is there and no more. On the other hand, I do enjoy blends that have a significant Latakia content. The problem is that the people around me don't usually care for it like I do. So I don't smoke it every day. Some pipe smoker's never care for Latakia and others smoke it exclusively. It is a matter taste. You may come to appreciate it and you may prefer to avoid it. Simply a matter of personal taste. Again, the amount of Latakia content can be the key. If a blend has too much Latakia for you, try one with less Latakia. You might need to consult with a tobacconist for guidance. Latakia is always black. But, so is Black Cavendish. So, be careful not to judge a blend stricly by its "black content".

Sniffing a blend (unlit) should easily identify Latakia content if it is at all a significant part of that blend.

To answer your question, it is somewhat like developing a taste for dark roast coffee when you are used to a light roast coffee. I should think that after a month you either really like it or you don't care all that much for it and probably miss your goto blends.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[zanthal]

I've always been able to detect latakia by it's sort of 'earthy' sort of tin note.
I started a thread recently about this subject: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-new-pipe-smokers-foray-into-english-blends?replies=10#post-202534

 

[puffy]

I've loved the taste of Latakia from the first bowl I tried.I don't know if you can aquire a taste for it.Maybe you will,but if you don't it's no big deal.Don't smoke something you don't like.

 

[jaysin]

I started with heavy english blends but thats what my grandfather smoked so thats the only thing I knew of lol.

But I agree take your time and enjoy.

 

[ohin3]

Spot on Captain Bob. I was going to use the same coffee analogy. Its like loving coffee because you drink Dunkin Donuts or Tim Hortons double doubles every day and then trying cup of French Roast black. The first thing I ever smoked was a local tobacconists heavily cased aromatic and I almost gave up on pipe smoking. The next thing I smoked was Penzance and I immediately fell in love with Latakia. So I'm not sure if you can acquire a taste for it or not. I know that I hated straigt Virginias when I first tried them but after revisiting them about 7 or 8 years ago I am a confirmed straight Virginia lover so who knows. I also agree with . Smoke what you like and keep an open mind. I have always approached tobacco with the attitude of try everything and buy more of what appeals to me and trade or give away what I does not appeal to me.

 

[bobby46]

At this point in time, I like Lat. only to "condiment" extent. When I come across a blend with too much of it, I rub-in pinches of either OTC straight burley or mild-straight Va. yielding a one to two bowl experimental batch. If done carefully, much of the original flavors remain, but the Lat. is tamed.

 

[judcole]

Don't wanna tame my lat. :P

 

[topd]

I've always liked just about anything with Latakia or Perique in it. I don't know if it's an acquired taste or not, but I liked them right off.
TopD

 

[stogie37]

Sometimes I find that I want to see how different component tobaccos "get along with others". In this case, I will smoke blends that introduce a component in a subtle way. If I were to do that with Cyprian latakia, I might recommend a sweet predominately VA blend with a trace of Latakia - some that come to mind are: G.L. Pease Lombard or Picadilly, Rattray's Accountant Mixture or McClelland #1 Balkan (bulk). The first three really allow you to note what a "whisper: of Latakia brings to a taste you are already familiar with. The last is more robust, yet very VA forward. I am a confirmed VA VaPer devotee, however, lately I really want that extra body that a touch of Latakia adds. Best Wishes!

 

[bobby46]

"Don't wanna tame my lat."

----------------------------------------------------------

On the highway that is tobacco, there is both a fast and slow lane. (A platitude composed while puffing)

 

[spyder71]

It was love at first light for me! IMO you have picked a great Lat blend to start out with as it's not too heavy in it. Early Day is one of my faves in the lighter varieties!

 

[captainbob]

Gentlemen, when it comes to Latakia, "less is more". Grow into it rather than blast your socks off with it. It has a very respectable place and should be savored and experimented with as you test your taste buds in that direction. If you thirst for more, graduate to a heavier Latakia content. I've always asked, "what is not to like about Latakia"? For me, I like it and would smoke more of it, if it was tolerated. So, for me it is an issue of those around me. As such, I smoke it, but carefully choose the time and place. As a result I have four favorite Latakia blends. They are Uhle's Bishop's Move and Uhle's Golden Shag (both heavy Latakia blends). Also, C&D Tuskegee Airman and Milan's Triple Crown (both medium Latakia blends). All four are virtually non-aromatic. It is important to point out that even non-aromatic blends are often topped with a sauce. That is, a non-aromatic sauce that may contain only tobacco flavor and not necessarily any discernable flavor of another sort. In the case of Milan's Triple Crown, I discern a slight mint and caramel light topping. I would not call it an aromatic. The fact is, if you ever smoked an uncased, untopped tobacco blend, you would likely give up pipe smoking entirely. It is all a matter of "degree" and "substance enhancement" to acieve the end result. Raw tobacco is awful. Take my word for it!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I've given Latakia a couple of tries and don't like it at all right now. I have way too much of a sweet tooth and to me Latakia is just too bitter tasting. Maybe in years down the road I'll give it a go again, but for now I'm sticking with aros made up of some combination of burley, virginia, and cavendish.

 

[judcole]

Grow into it rather than blast your socks off with it.

I think this is good advice. I love latakia, but I won't recommend that a newcomer to that delightful variation of the weed start off with the very full blends I savor. Try just a whiff. I have recently enjoyed both Sail Green and Walnut because they are blends with just a touch in a simple Dutch cavendish or codger burley. Fuller lat blends, like Penzance or Larry's Blend or others to numerous to list, could well be overwhelming to someone just venturing forth into those fields.

(Note to self: get some MacBaren's Latakia, which is the lightest in lat of their lat blends, for an occasional change of pace.)

 

[frtimmyd]

Just thought I would update this post a bit. After finishing up with Early Day I found myself at my local (two hours away) B&M, Schwab's Pipes n' Stuff. After talking to the owner for a bit he offered me a test bowl of an English blend he calls "Paul's Stuff". Wow! I have fallen in love with Latakia. For some reason it just seems to be the blend to smoke while I'm studying or just mess around on the computer. Unfortunately I smoked the last of it about a week ago. Guess I'm going to have to get more than just 2oz the next time I make it over to Lexington. ::

 

[dervis]

Glad you found one that hits the spot.

 

[judcole]

Good to hear!

 

[baronsamedi]

Man, it's hard not to love Lady Lat!