Will Syrian Latakia Return?

[JOHN72]

I am pessimistic about change for the better in Syria. Since they feed on political-religious ideology of the 7th century, still very much alive and active in the Middle East, and in any corner of the West, from Alaska, to South America, like Chile for example. Their ideological code is based on subjugation, submission, indoctrination, Taqiyya. It will be another Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, another African Sahel. Islamist jihadism is a drug that puts our western civilization to sleep. Yes, we are talking about tobacco, but there, there will be only barbarism and chaos.

 

[sablebrush52]

Short answer. No.

 

[wyfbane]

I wish for the return of Syrian lat. It had a wonderful smoky flavor that was unique and fun. I am 99% certain it is forever gone, like so many other great things in my lifetime.

Luckily I have some blends stashed with Syrian lat in them to occasionally reminisce.

 

[bpinkstaff]

It will be interesting to see what happens!

 

[elvishrunes]

Myself I don’t care, I doubt I ever smoked it…. Unless of course it could benefit the producers, locals, but it seems from comments here not. As long as I can still open a tin of English and it reeks of good herbal smoke, whether it is Syrian, Cyprian, or Turkish isn’t my concern.

 

[Searock Fan]

Myself I don’t care, I doubt I ever smoked it…

Believe me; if you had smoked it you would care.

 

[woodsroad]

Will Syrian Latakia Return?​

Yes.
No.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Many that have smoked it got blends with it once it was well past its peak so they really aren't missing what was. Even if things settle down and long gone plants are Jurassic Parked, it'll be long past our lifetimes. Though I no longer care for Latakia, the difference between Cyprian and Syrian didn't concern me when I did.

 

[sablebrush52]

I wish for the return of Syrian lat. It had a wonderful smoky flavor that was unique and fun. I am 99% certain it is forever gone, like so many other great things in my lifetime.

Luckily I have some blends stashed with Syrian lat in them to occasionally reminisce.

I have 12 oz of pure blending Syrian, somewhere in the cellar. And leave us not forget Vintage Syrian, which was a very good Mac Baren blend.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And leave us not forget Vintage Syrian, which was a very good Mac Baren blend.

Didn't care for the pairing of latakia and dark fired Kentucky.

 

[sardonicus87]

The only Syrian I had (and have) is Mac Baren HH Syrian.

I like it quite a bit. There's definitely a noticeable difference between Syrian and Cyprian (Cypriot?) lat, but I wouldn't say one or the other is better. I think Syrian lat was great, but it's just as much overrated, probably due to nostalgia and hatred of change.

Having said that, blends like Drucquer & Sons or Quiet Nights would not be better if they had Syrian, they're blended around the Cyprian, and they're good, and if there were Syrian or it came back and it was used instead, probably everyone would complain that they aren't the same.

But as has been mentioned, the only use now is for pipe tobacco and we're the smallest segment of tobacco users. I want to add to that though, English blends are probably the most divisive and least-liked among the major genre categories, at least that's how it appears on here (popularity seems to be in order of most to least: Virginia, Aromatic, Burley, English)... so even among pipe smokers, the lat love is even further relatively small.

 

[JackOrion]

Only on the star ship Enterprise

 

[TriedPiper]

I do not believe that this new regime is thinking of exporting tobacco; this area will be another breeding ground for global jihadism, instability and barbarism.

The "new" regime claims that they are no longer interested in war, but only the concerns of their beloved country and it's citizens. Perhaps with prosperity in mind they would try to revitalize the past successes of Syria. However, even if they started today, from what I've read they will need quite a bit of time to re-establish and grow everything. I guess you never know. I'm not sure that I take their word for it, but stranger things...

 

[sablebrush52]

Didn't care for the pairing of latakia and dark fired Kentucky.

I thought that MB’s DFK was a lot smoother than the skanky crap being stuffed into everything a few years ago.

 

[JOHN72]

The "new" regime claims that they are no longer interested in war, but only the concerns of their beloved country and it's citizens. Perhaps with prosperity in mind they would try to revitalize the past successes of Syria. However, even if they started today, from what I've read they will need quite a bit of time to re-establish and grow everything. I guess you never know. I'm not sure that I take their word for it, but stranger things...

This new government will be governed by the law of their holy book, they will implement the sharia, and all those sacred laws, which have neither head nor tail. Then they will start with the prohibitions to the population, especially to women, as the Taliban do in Afghanistan. The birth rate and indoctrination is the most powerful weapon of these religious leaders, who call themselves envoys of Allah. This new government is yet another tentacle of global jihadism.

 

[NomadOrb]

I am pessimistic about change for the better in Syria. Since they feed on political-religious ideology of the 7th century, still very much alive and active in the Middle East, and in any corner of the West, from Alaska, to South America, like Chile for example. Their ideological code is based on subjugation, submission, indoctrination, Taqiyya. It will be another Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, another African Sahel. Islamist jihadism is a drug that puts our western civilization to sleep. Yes, we are talking about tobacco, but there, there will be only barbarism and chaos.

I think people just want the best for themselves and their loved ones. Remember that they are human too.

 

[Sigmund]

Come on john. At least give them a chance. Granted the level of hope is low but don’t condemn them until they totally screw up.

That said, the holy book doesnt seem to stop them from making money off us infidels.

Regardless, I doubt there is enough money to be bothered. Pipe smokers are few and lat is only used in a few cigars.

 

[JOHN72]

My wish is that I am wrong in my analysis, and Syria will be a prosperous country, the population will live in peace. That is what I wish with all my strength. Hope is in the hands of your government. I am sorry to be so realistic.

 

[JOHN72]

I think people just want the best for themselves and their loved ones. Remember that they are human too.

We are all human, until you turn away from the good, and you cease to be human.

 

[stewartu]

I don't put much hope in the Middle East any more. I guess that I really never have. I lived in that part of the world for 20 of my 60 years and have been a following the region for 50 of those 60 years. I would guess that Syria will remain a failed state for the foreseeable future.