Tobacco Selections: Latakia

Рет қаралды 20,021

4 жыл бұрын

One of the most divisive blending components in the pipe tobacco world, Latakia is a type of Oriental leaf that has undergone a curing process similar to dark-fired Kentucky. While dark-fired is fire-cured over hardwoods for 14 to 16 days, however, Latakia is smoked over smoldering, soft, aromatic woods for 5 to 6 months - the extended curing duration and wood selection imparting a rich, incense-like quality to the smoke. While the flavor and aroma of Latakia is quite pronounced, it's actually one of the mildest varietals in terms of pure nicotine content; it also burns quite slowly and maintains a balanced pH, meaning little to no tongue bite. On this episode of Tobacco Selections, our head blender Jeremy Reeves takes a closer look at the dark, smokey leaf and offers some suggestions for all your home blenders out there.
Love Latakia? Can't stand the stuff? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Пікірлер: 82

@GeorgeCoggins 6 ай бұрын

latakia always reminded me of a nice fall campfire with notes of aromatic wood.

@Rurik8118 4 ай бұрын

Yes !! Latakia has an epic aroma…and when coupled with some Oriental, transports a smoker to a different era !

@GeorgeCoggins 3 ай бұрын

@@Rurik8118 absolutely!

@Lifeisaride33 2 ай бұрын

I’m from the Mediterranean city of Latakia/ the aroma you’ll describing is 100% true. Road tripping through our woods out in the country is like a inhale therapy from Fir trees، cedar and pine trees. It’s like a mesmerizing journey. I’m not a smoker but that’s exactly what a night fall campfire used to smell like.

@pipefool7460 4 жыл бұрын

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Thank you for putting these together.

@PipeCat1965 4 жыл бұрын

What a fun series! Ah, Latakia... I could dive into a pool full of SOTE Flake, Pirate Kake, and Quiet Nights and drown a happy, happy man.

@SIlvestre6188 4 жыл бұрын

The Tank - This Means War shirt smokes as great as latakias! I'm even more fanatic about C&D now.. Cheers from Brazil.

@Rurik8118 4 ай бұрын

First pipe was a Native American stone bowl discovered by my father mid 1900’s while picking rocks on the farm in Saskatchewan. Now, all these years later, I’m new to piping and discovering the leaf varieties. I’ve just discovered Latakia ! It reminds me of dry smoked moose meat or handmade Mukluks made with Moose & Beaver fur. All of these memories connect heavily with this new found Latakia ! Thank you for sharing your descriptive expertise JR !! 🙏🏼 🇨🇦 🍁

@planexshifter 11 күн бұрын

You seem alright , for a Canadian. 🙃

@asahelnettleton9044 3 жыл бұрын

A buddy of mine got me into pipe smoking a few years ago, but I've really been getting into it over the last year. I was still very new when I started sampling different blends, had no idea what latakia was, and bought C&D's Adagio. I was instantly hooked. Interesting to learn about how it's made. Great series. Keep up the excellent work. You've earned a lifelong Cornell and Diehl fan.

@kpend1001 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely adore your Star of the East blend.

@TheNewMediaoftheDawn 3 ай бұрын

I love Lat, but also Va flakes too, and aros, love it all🔥

@graycloud057 4 жыл бұрын

My wife says it smells like an old burnt saddle. I like it.

@sunset3052 Жыл бұрын

I'm new to pipe smoking. I ordered 2 oz of C & D Start of East to try, I immediately fell in love with the heavy smoke in the background. I just ordered 8oz C & D Latakia alone to blend with other non aromatic tobacco. As Jeremy commented it's very low in nicotine, so I can blend it with red virginia or/and Burley, oriental, black cavendish and even a bit of DFK/perique.

@BlackAdder665 3 ай бұрын

I'm a Latakia fanatic (perpetually mourning the loss of the real Syrian) and I think that was a perfect description, thank you! Looking forward to try some C&D tobaccos of which a small selection is finally available here in Germany!

@hg1651 3 жыл бұрын

C&D is a group of wizards, amazing blends ! Is that buzzov*en hat ?

@andrewpeterson5882 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video. One of the things that I love about latakia is that interplay between deep, intense flavor and aroma and just absolutely gentle, velvety, creamy mouthfeel and super well behaved mechanics. And your analogy about bordeaux was super funny because Latakia always makes me think of the Bordeaux wine analogy of "iron fist in a velvet glove".

@planexshifter 11 күн бұрын

Pirate Kake is so very good. 1 of my favorites.

@stevehuskey9037 3 жыл бұрын

As a cigar smoker , my introduction to pipe smoking was Dunhill Nightcap and 965... And I found out how much I enjoyed the Latakia heavy blends.

@theblishknovk 4 ай бұрын

I also came from cigars and night cap was one of my first tobaccos. Instant love. Now im smoking Old Ironsides by Dan Tobacco. Absolutely incredible blend. More oriental forward than nightcap however with a touch of dark fired kentucky.

@Aesulf 5 күн бұрын

Latakia taste like an old chimney fire. Taste like these old times that have been forgotten.

@brandonedwards1181 4 жыл бұрын

Love these videos, Latakia is my fav

@danfriedman6878 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome installment. I look forward to your videos in this series. You always inform and educate us and eliminate myths and misconceptions. Thank you.

@droidlittle582 3 жыл бұрын

Gotta say I love the hat! You have good taste sir!

@stevestikihutable 3 жыл бұрын

My wife says it smells like a house full of tires burning down, she’s about right, my go to tobacco.

@coreyb9920 3 жыл бұрын

These videos are great, would love to smoke a bowl and drink a beer and chat with Jeremy for a bit.

@Kenjiro5775 4 жыл бұрын

Just discovered this series. Wonderful descriptions of these varieties of leaf. I am huge fan of Latakia; never met a blend with too much. 😁👍

@barbutigol 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeremy for sharing. I'd never tried Latakia on its own but I'll take a chance.

@miopera40 4 жыл бұрын

Love your gl pease blends, everyone of them

@happyheathen7153 4 жыл бұрын

I have contemplated a 25% latikia 25% perique 50% cavendish blend.

@SimplyJohnleeJohnson30924 13 сағат бұрын

😅tt😮😅😅😮y😅😢😢😅yyyu😅😮😢😢🎉

@UndeadTusk 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! The first one of this series that I have seen but definitely wont be the last. Love me some latakia! I totally agree that one should try the straight leaf on its own without blending. I was skeptical about it the first time I tried it but good heavens was it sublime! Think I may go pack a bowl right now as a matter of fact 😄. Cheers!

@jasonjones4036 3 жыл бұрын

I saw the blending kit video months ago and thought it was a review. He's the creator/blender! So cool

@sethhale235 4 жыл бұрын

Just ordered a couple of the Old Ones in an order recently and patiently waiting for it to show up. Got curious about the people that would throw in Lovecraft references and find a guy wearing a Buzzoven hat. Tank shirt, too, but I'm not as big a fan of them as Buzzoven. I'm only a casual pipe smoker but an avid music fan. Y'all have a new fan in Kentucky.

@snakemouth69 Жыл бұрын

I naturally gravitate towards the darkest of anything I find & have become an absolute lover of Latakia tobacco. The first handful of times I smoked it I was initially discusted with the taste of it but something deep drove me to try it time and time again until something revealed itself and dawned on me. Funny how many of the things in life I have grown to love initially repulsed me. HAILZ!!!

@paulschmolke188 4 жыл бұрын

Love the stuff. Da Vinci is a favorite blend.

@planexshifter 11 күн бұрын

I really enjoy Latakia

@stormthor4991 2 жыл бұрын

Latakia is my fav tobacco so far! Tbh, guys, after trying Pirate Kake, I became pretty addicted to it lol I've tried many others English blends, and my fav ones are Pirate Kake and From Beyond. Oh, and Early Morning Pipe. But Cornell & Diehl, guys, Pirate Kake is the damn king of tobaccos! ♥

@jerryspipe 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the clarification on Latakia! So many people seem to shy away from this tobacco, I'm gonna try some straight!

@nunyabizness199 3 жыл бұрын

I do, It's wonderful !

@samshambles391 3 жыл бұрын

I have taken up pipe smoking in the past year. I decided to do what you said and and learn about the different tobaccos that are used in the blends that I buy. I just got my first ounce of latakia (surely it should be pronounced la TAH ki a?) along with my tiny $3.00 corncob (so the flavor wouldn't be tainted with the cake from my other pipes). I loaded a bowl and went looking for someone to help explain to me what I was experiencing. Thank you sir! Thank you. BTW, I like it . 👍🏻

@amrbriars 4 жыл бұрын

Love the stuff am a right latakia junkie the more in blends the better cheers

@leeheilong2937 2 жыл бұрын

Latakia and aromatic is my Favorite 😁

@PadrePiper 4 жыл бұрын

Loving these videos! Thanks for posting!

@jakepavlo91 2 жыл бұрын

I love Latakia

@backwoodscountryboy1600 4 жыл бұрын

Love it

@ronscott7546 4 жыл бұрын

Pretty cool video dude maybe you guys could go through all of the basic tobacco's it could be helpful with people making decisions on blends that aren't sure what to buy

@stefanomagaddino6868 Жыл бұрын

Just like you said, knowing and understanding the individual components of a blend is key to enjoying such. I'm using your series to understand the different components of the tobaccos that intrigue me ie. Perique, Kentucky, Virginia, Orientals and Perique. As an English Blend lover are there any other tobaccos I should explore ? Also meant to include Burley.

@TheShredfest89 3 жыл бұрын

Man. You should really try each of you blends and talk about what you were thinking/what components make them up. C&D and GL have so many idk what to choose

@MisterDearly 4 жыл бұрын

God I love this video series! Kudos, Jeremy! I hate Latakia so much, honestly, haha. It tastes like a shoe to me. But I really appreciate how much you describe about all of the types of leaf. I'm waiting for a video on Perique! My favorites are Virginias, Perique, and especially Burleys.

@nunyabizness199 3 жыл бұрын

Funny, it's perique that tastes like a rubber shoe heel to me..😏

@eutimosparamatatya640 4 жыл бұрын

Really nice info Mr. J, thank you 😊 if you don't mind, would you tell us bout what type of latakia do you use in this video and your work nowadays? If I'm not mistaken, then the syrian has discontinued, what do you think is the best (or at least the closest) latakia variant which as good as syrian?

@fumandocagando6787 Жыл бұрын

I m not a pipe smoker ,but i m vaping Natural organig extract of Latakia every day

@RichardT2112 4 жыл бұрын

THE ONLY type of tobacco! Great paired with a peaty single malt. Both lovely and smooth.

@nunyabizness199 3 жыл бұрын

Hmmm, Glenfidditch..

@PipeCat1965 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Jeremy - can you talk about Grand Croupier Boneyard sometime? I'd love to hear that story!

@tobaccojohn9664 4 жыл бұрын

Latakia!!

@monsantowillkillus 4 жыл бұрын

That Buzzoven hat tho!

@njpiper5281 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent info! I find myself loving latakia so it's great to learn more about how it's made. What are some of your favorite latakia forward C&D (or other) blends?

@godsun316 4 жыл бұрын

Pirate Kake is amazing. 75% of latakia and it's not over powering and very creamy.

@asahelnettleton9044 3 жыл бұрын

London Squire Atlas Balkan Adagio Tuggle Hall

@captainnibby 4 ай бұрын

To me it's like my love of beer- I always fall back on Budweiser for the good old standby, and with pipes my Bud is Half and Half. However, I'm a HUGE craft beer lover and although I don't like everything in any particular style, there is at least one in every style I do like- much like pipe blends. Also, is it wrong if I like a big bowl of straight up dark burley now and then?

@Dan_Soundgar Ай бұрын

Is there enough Nicotine in Pirate Kake? I didn't even know to worry about the Vitamin N in Pirate Kake

@dhbillings 3 жыл бұрын

Curious, where might one find more information about different leaves and their specific nicotine content?

@planexshifter 3 жыл бұрын

The other videos in this series?

@coltonpenn 4 жыл бұрын

cashew idk why but the way you say that word just gets me lol. Speaking of blending where would one look to find blending leaf? Every once in a while I see like one kind of one type of leaf but few and far between, can’t really choose between different batches to make a blend, instead the blend is basically decided for you. Any public sources you can recommend?

@nurqwas8658 Жыл бұрын

great video what does latakia mean? because i am from latakia and we have alot kinds of tobacco

@robertlee4139 Жыл бұрын

So what's with the clay pipes?

@ahmadsadikaljanabi 4 жыл бұрын

Incense burnt in leather shop indeed. I dont hate it but i certainly smoke it in a very small amounts. Certainly not a crowd pleaser. Waiting on your perique video, i wonder how much nicotine in that bad boy. Thank you for these educational videos. Al janabi

@NGC6144 4 жыл бұрын

I would like to see a Latakia variety that is smoke-cured less. It's too sooty for my taste.

@tincan77 2 ай бұрын

Buddy of mine gets overwhelming SOAP taste from Latakia. I suspect it’s from the woods burned during curing. Is there any science behind that taste?

@brokenrecord3523 4 ай бұрын

You forgot to tell us which of your latakia blends to try. 😢

@cornelldiehlinc9213 3 ай бұрын

Check out Star of the East

@philnewberry8072 2 жыл бұрын

The creosote reference is appropriate. I love Latakia, but if you were TRYING to make something as carcinogenic as possible...

@sd3gunner 4 жыл бұрын

Where can i get a decent clay pipe? What kind do you use and whats the cost

@ronh.798 4 жыл бұрын

Townsend's

@klausen420 4 жыл бұрын

I am starting to make clay pipes this days. I have 7 pipes that are going in the furnes soon. I dont know about the quality atm, but i can give you a message when i have something working. They are carved out of calk stone clay and some are highly decorated, with Thin or thick bowl. The first ones don't need to be expensive as long as there are enthusiasts that receives them. They need to be shiped from Norway where i live. Chers . .