What Does Latakia Taste Like

[bullet08]

Smokey is the word being used to describe Latakia, but I don't agree. It does have a bit of smokiness, but that's not the main character. And I don't have word for it. Probably whatever the ingredients used to process the Latakia is what it smells like. Unfortunately, people understand clearly when someone says smokey.

 

[Sigmund]

@bullet08 I agree. To me its not that smokey. It smells crazy smokey so I think that word is used. I think it translates into something different when smoked. Like described in many post, Floral, creamy, some sweetness, leather and mustiness. I love it when its right. Its also amazing as a subtle condiment.

 

[troutface]

mule manure

Oddly specific, but I'm not an expert on the variances of equine feces. Who knew ?

 

[telescopes]

@bullet08 I agree. To me its not that smokey. It smells crazy smokey so I think that word is used. I think it translates into something different when smoked. Like described in many post, Floral, creamy, some sweetness, leather and mustiness. I love it when its right. Its also amazing as a subtle condiment.

I quite agree. In some blends, it is just awful. This thread encouraged me to open a jar of very old Latakia Flake the Palm Desert Tobacco had on hand before the owner closed up shop and retired. I suspect that the flake is Syrian and for that reason held back on opening it. Now mind you, it has aged for many years - but I agree that words such as creamy, mildly smoky, and sweet do come to mind. I have quite a bit of this and I am glad I opened it.

 

[warren]

To me it tastes smokey, Irish sod smokey. Not tire fire smokey, not hickory smoke or charcoal or mesquite. Nor, campfire smokey, pine, alder birch etc. All our palates are different which is why I usually don't answer such posts. For me only my palate is relevant.

And, as a rule from my younger days, I've not tasted any animal feces. So, yes it may have a manure taste but, I've no reference. You guys who eat/taste manure are a special breed indeed!

 

[AroEnglish]

Tastes like burning.

 

[damacene]

Heaven, bliss, esoteric and arcane knowledge, burning stuff, chocolate, espresso beans, herbs, spices, sweetness, cloves.

 

[shanez]

Kinda like a mild salt and peppery campfire.

 

[AroEnglish]

Tastes like burning.

 

[Jahman7]

On one end (20-50%): like burning incense.

On the other end (<10%): earthy, musty, floral.

In the middle (10-20%): like a campfire, sometimes leathery.

 

[pauls456]

Smell and taste are intimately related, especially with something rich like latakia. I don't think taste and smell can be separated in that case.

I remember my very first latakia was Comoys #11, a very latakia-forward blend. My first impression was a combination of smoke, old damp/musty leaves, shoe leather, and horse manure.

 

[Uguccione]

Latakia reminds me of that dark beer you get in smoky Irish pubs, thick, foamy, poured drop by drop and then heated with the Caramelizer.

P.S.: I've never been in an Irish pub and I have no idea what that beer tastes like, but it brings back those images.

 

[Uguccione]

and horse manure

Sure was horse?

 

[pauls456]

Dark beer- yes, Guinness Stout or something like that.

Horse for sure.

 

[kg.legat0]

Latakia tastes like the ghost of a memory that is not my own...

seriously, there is something about that stuff that almost creeps me out.

I have always been fairly averse to Latakia despite my best intentions ...in the past couple years though I have developed quite a taste for Plumcake as well as Early Morning Pipe.

 

[Pipke]

I am doubtful about some of the tastes that reviewers sometimes report. It's a fact that our sensation of taste has a range of temperature at which it is most sensitive. Outside of the range taste sensation falls off. Pipe smoke in the mouth comes in very warm and you're not getting much of anything besides registering "yep...I'm detecting tobacco..." and not, "a chocolaty sweetness with caramel and a lemony overtone..."

I sip water when I am sipping my pipe to cool the palate. It's in the aftertaste where I might experience a sensation of tasting something besides tobacco. It's nice when it happens. Sometimes all I taste is tobacco. "Yes, this blend has a certain tobacco-ie tobacconess with overtones of tobacco laced with tobacco."

So "smokiness?" Well... duh,.. you inhaled a mouthful of smoke. What did you expect?

Other times I can taste other tastes, hopefully pleasant ones. The best is the aftertaste after putting the pipe away that tastes like how the blend smells. That can be quite pleasant.

 

[JOHN72]

When I say charred or burnt chocolate, I mean cavendish, it's the sensation when I smoke Mississippi Mud. Then there is C&D Byzantium, it smells like mule manure and damp, musty, old clothes. I love both of them. Although my tobacco of this type that I love the most is C&D Pirate Kake, it is one of my great favorites.

 

[telescopes]

When I say charred or burnt chocolate, I mean cavendish, it's the sensation when I smoke Mississippi Mud. Then there is C&D Byzantium, it smells like mule manure and damp, musty, old clothes. I love both of them. Although my tobacco of this type that I love the most is C&D Pirate Kake, it is one of my great favorites.View attachment 329933

Juan, is that Moorish Mule Manure or Spanish Mule Manure. I understand there might be a difference?

 

[Uguccione]

is that Moorish Mule Manure or Spanish Mule Manure

It depends on whether it is Syrian or Cypriot latakia.

 

[Pipke]

I have always been fairly averse to Latakia despite my best intentions ...in the past couple years though I have developed quite a taste for Plumcake as well as Early Morning Pipe.

My favorite blends as a new smoker are all English or Balkan blends. All have Latakia as an ingredient. Nightcap, Quiet Nights, SPC Plumcake... I must like the taste of Latakia. Maybe it's the smokiness.