The (Long) Road to Loving Latakia
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I tried my first latakia blend,Nightcap, in 1986, and was overwhelmed to the point of not liking it. I was 18 years old, had been smoking pipes for a few months, and my taste buds just weren't ready for something that foreign. I'm always surprised when hearing of people who like latakia from the first puff.
When I first started smoking, someone sent me a few samples, included among them was not only 1792 Flake, but also Penzance. I know, the man was a maniac!! Anyway, from my first puff, I loved that Penzance. Early on however, I did tend to experience a bitter/soapy bite with latakia blends which I don't get as much now that I'm used to them. Kind of like cilantro, when I was a kid it tasted like soap to me and I hated it. Now I love the stuff, but I've always loved latakia.
With me Latakia was love at first puff. I know a lot of folks though that just plain don't like it. Whatever works!
I first found Latakia with Dunhill Nightcap. I was 18, and I thought the tin looked cool. That first tin lasted about a month, it was a eye opening experience! I moved on to Frog Morton, then 965, and although I have smoked a lot of different blends in the 14 years since I keep coming back to the 965. Currently I am enjoying some blends from a local B&M with some internet exposure Milan Tobacconists. They have an English blend "King's Ransom" which is smooth and delicious. You just cannot beat an English blend in an English pipe.
I'm still not impressed with Latakia. Had a bit of Old Dublin, and that blend made me puke. So I put Latakia off. Picked up a tin of Plumcake recently, which has a bit of Syrian Latakia in it, and still don't like the taste. For me Latakia seems too bitter. Don't like the whole "earthy" smell and taste. Much prefer Virginia, Burley, and Cavendish blends or some combination thereof.
My first baccy with Latakia was C&D Billy Budd. When I lit up my first bowl, having only smoked aros up to that point, it smelled to me like the south end of a horse trotting north. I thought to myself, how can so many people like this stuff? As bad as it was for me at first I found myself going back for more. Then I tried Frog Morton and now I can't get enough of the stuff and aros have definately taken a back seat in my rotation.
Like Uncle Arthur stated, it was love at first puff for me as well!
Right now I'm working my way through a tin of C&D's Bow-Legged Bear and loving it. It is by far the strongest blend, flavor wise, that I have ever smoked. Each puff is a cornucopia of flavors that will straighten your pubes and curl your toes!
The other blend I'm currently enjoying is C&D's DaVinci. This blend is like 75% latakia but not as intense as Bow-Legged Bear and a bit one dimensional because of the amount of latakia in it. But still enjoyable smoke.
Right now I'm working my way through a tin of C&D's Bow-Legged Bear and loving it. It is by far the strongest blend, flavor wise, that I have ever smoked. Each puff is a cornucopia of flavors that will straighten your pubes and curl your toes!
The other blend I'm currently enjoying is C&D's DaVinci. This blend is like 75% latakia but not as intense as Bow-Legged Bear and a bit one dimensional because of the amount of latakia in it. But still enjoyable smoke.
I really loved it from the first smoke. Perhaps coming from Cigar smoking (still do on occasion), I enjoy the smokey flavour. I always say, smoke what you like and enjoy. I hope one day it comes around for you, but if not, don't worry, enjoy different blends.
I have liked latakia blends from the get go. One of the first blends that I ever smoked was the Tinder Box Philosopher blend that was a heavy full balkan blend. Today, GLP Westminister is a blend in my regular rotation and I would classify this blend as an all day medium english blend that is complex yet the virginia and orientals always shine through. For those that light a heavier latakia blend try GLP Abingdon which I would easily classify as a full balkan yet easy on the pallet without too much nicotine.
Like many Folks - I started off with Aromatics and then "Graduated" to English with Latakia in the blends. For many years that is all I smoked - English - not Aros. However, when Esoterica came out with "So to Bed" I found myself slowly moving back to Aros. Now I enjoy it all for what they are and what my mood is in for. I usually start off my day with an Aro and move towards a stout English blend before retiring. Some times I feel like smoking something sweet after dinner and it's another Aro or Crossover.
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