Peter Stokkebie's PS 310 discontinued, advice from people who know it.

[Timothy907]

I need an intervention.

I joined this forum because I have a real pipe tobacco problem and I looking for someone who smoked that and then found an alternative.

I went through about 25 different English blends to find the perfect one for me. What I discovered was Peter Stokkebies PS 310. But now Stokkebie has completely discontined it. PS 310 is why I have a pipe collection. Yes, I've tried Rattray's Black Mallory, and Stokkebie's PS 52 (nothing like it), 4 different pure latakias. Not the same balance between latakia and spice.

Anybody else like really like PS 310 and then searched to find a good replacement? For me, no luck. Thank you.

 

[Pittsy]

I need an intervention.

I joined this forum because I have a real pipe tobacco problem and I looking for someone who smoked that and then found an alternative.

I went through about 25 different English blends to find the perfect one for me. What I discovered was Peter Stokkebies PS 310. But now Stokkebie has completely discontined it. PS 310 is why I have a pipe collection. Yes, I've tried Rattray's Black Mallory, and Stokkebie's PS 52 (nothing like it), 4 different pure latakias. Not the same balance between latakia and spice.

Anybody else like really like PS 310 and then searched to find a good replacement? For me, no luck. Thank you.

Literally started smoking today. So can’t help you. But wish you all the luck! Otherwise try another 25 blends :p.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Welcome to the forums. PS 310 is/was straight Latakia, unless one of us is missing something: Peter Stokkebye 310 Black Latakia - Pipes and Cigars - https://www.pipesandcigars.com/p/peter-stokkebye-310-black-latakia-pipe-tobacco/1480420/

Sutliff makes a blend called "310 Modern English", is that what you're thinking of? Sutliff 310 Modern English Pipe Tobacco - https://www.tobaccopipes.com/sutliff-310-modern-english-pipe-tobacco/

 

[Timothy907]

Welcome to the forums. PS 310 is/was straight Latakia, unless one of us is missing something: Peter Stokkebye 310 Black Latakia - Pipes and Cigars - https://www.pipesandcigars.com/p/peter-stokkebye-310-black-latakia-pipe-tobacco/1480420/

Sutliff makes a blend called "310 Modern English", is that what you're thinking of? Sutliff 310 Modern English Pipe Tobacco - https://www.tobaccopipes.com/sutliff-310-modern-english-pipe-tobacco/

Mr. Scott, you just saved my life. I had done a wild internet search for PS 310. Only one company had it, and that was that one you listed. I went to their search engine and it said "Nothing." However, I clicked on your link, and poof, it took me to "Pipes & Cigars" and straight to that product page that even their search engine wouldn't pull up. So I called and asked them, "Stokkebie tells me they have discontinued PS 310. Is that the same thing?" They said yes, and they have very little of it left." That, sir, apparently, is the last PS 310 on the planet. I have 6 pure latakias on my desk, and none of them have that "spicey aroma." That is it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, your note motivated me to go back to that site and try the search engine again.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Glad to have helped! I'm curious what makes Stokkebye's Latakia different, and what this might mean for their English blends.

 

[Singularis]

Don't know if you've used TobaccoReviews.com, but that can be helpful. Try this link to find something that might come close to Black Latakia: Tobacco Reviews | Search Tobaccos - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/Search?Contents=Latakia&ContentsEx=Black%20Cavendish%2CBrazilian%20Leaf%2CBurley%2CCavendish%2CCigar%20Leaf%2CJava%20Leaf%2CKentucky%2CMaryland%2COriental%2FTurkish%2CPerique%2CUnknown%2CVirginia

For my part, I've got to say that C&D Latakia (for blending) is really solid. I don't ever smoke it straight (though I did try it once that way). But I just smoked a homeblend that was about 50% Latakia and it was excellent. You may want to give it (or any of the others above) a try. Oh, and there's always C&D Pirate Kake, which is 75% Latakia.

Happy puffing!

 

[Timothy907]

That is a tough one: I have tried 15+ latakias and/or latakia blends. Back story: My grandfather came from the Middle East. I was looking for the scent in his shop.

Answer, I'll try:

My wife is a chef, none smoker, and when it comes to scent she is a blood hound. I laid 10 all latakias and a couple of English blends out that I still have with no names on the bags and asked her to pick the one with the "best scent." She picked PS 310. Then I asked her to do it again. She isn't a pipe smoker mind you. Again, without knowing the "make and model" she picked the PS 310. After the 2nd test I asked her why. This was her reply, a none pipe smoker with no knowledge of the lingo, but she is also a piano player,

"There is something with a 'full scent,' woodsy, Middle Eastern, at the bottom of this, it is like a base, a platform, full covers all sides. Then, lighter, higher up, there is a very subtle spiciness that hovers over that fuller smelling foundation that to me seems to keep the edge of that base in check - what is that?"

She had never done that before in her life. I once took her shot gun shopping, never fired one before. She picked out a $5K Italian, lol!

She hates cigarets and cigars. Lol, then she said, "So, how much for a good pipe?"

Thank you so very much.

Tim

 

[Timothy907]

Don't know if you've used TobaccoReviews.com, but that can be helpful. Try this link to find something that might come close to Black Latakia: Tobacco Reviews | Search Tobaccos - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/Search?Contents=Latakia&ContentsEx=Black%20Cavendish%2CBrazilian%20Leaf%2CBurley%2CCavendish%2CCigar%20Leaf%2CJava%20Leaf%2CKentucky%2CMaryland%2COriental%2FTurkish%2CPerique%2CUnknown%2CVirginia

For my part, I've got to say that C&D Latakia (for blending) is really solid. I don't ever smoke it straight (though I did try it once that way). But I just smoked a homeblend that was about 50% Latakia and it was excellent. You may want to give it (or any of the others above) a try. Oh, and there's always C&D Pirate Kake, which is 75% Latakia.

Happy puffing!

Thank you. I have a 1 oz bag of the C&D Latakia. It is great, but to me, just me mind you, it doesn't have the top end spiciness of the PS 310. I even tried smoking the C&D Latakia next to the PS 310, picking up up, then putting it down to switch to the other. Of course, it a very, very subtle difference. I wonder what the job interview is like when you apply for a position as a tobacco sniffer. Thank you very much for your input.

I have, however, read a couple of reviews for the PS 310 where the chaps couldn't stand the stuff.

 

[MattRVA]

I have about 2oz. of PS310 left and it is quite good compared to other blending Latakia I’ve tried and I know it had a big following once. I hope you figure out an alternative. I’ve heard good things about, I think it was G&H Latakia but I don’t know if that’s even still available.

 

[Timothy907]

You have 2 oz. of PS 310? Put it in the bank! And yes, I know, I have tried many other latakias, and they don't seem to be near it, exactly. I'll look into G&H latakia. Thank you.

 

[Singularis]

Well I guess your wife -- and yourself! -- are super-super-tasters! I definitely understand your wanting the very best that you can find. But it sounds like you'll have to adapt.

Makes me wonder if Black Latakia was partially, or entirely, made from Syrian Latakia (instead of the Cyprian variety), which is no longer available due to geopolitical issues. I got really into pipe smoking (and English blends) after the Syrian ship had sailed, so to speak.

 

[Timothy907]

That was what I was wondering too. Did they buy a ship load of Syrian, and then Syria ran into all this. I know the Syrian government was putting the squeeze on farmers not to grow tobacco, although how dragonian they were about it I don't know.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Have you tried any whole leaf Latakia?

My mothers family are Lebanese.

 

[Timothy907]

Yes, as you mentioned family, yes, and my grandfather came from Western Armenia, and he ran a little rug shop in Glendale, CA. There was a day when all Glendale, CA Armenians came to him for shoes and carpets. He smoked Latakia. I am not 100% sure that tobaccos labeled 100% whole leaf are in fact that. Nevertheless, if those companies were on the up and up about it, yes, and I am still looking for the "perfect leaf."

 

[Ahi Ka]

That shop would have smelt amazing. Good on you for trying to capture the memory.

I don’t smoke many Latakia blends, but from time to time I’ll add a small amount of this to whatever I’m smoking and enjoy it

Fire Cured Filler Grade Latakia Tobacco For Sale - Total Leaf Supply

Latakia Tobacco is a fire cured filler grade tobacco. A product of Syria and Turkey's arid climates, this leaf has a robust smokiness. Buy at Total Leaf Supply today!

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