Friedman & Pease Kismet

(3.50)
A generous portion of fine, fragrant Syrian Latakia is combined with exotic Turkish leaf, Orange and rich Red stoved Virginias, and a touch of air-cured Kentucky White Burley. A hint of Cyprian Latakia completes this marvelous blend. Its symphony of flavors are reminiscent of the classic mixtures from the Golden Age of pipe tobaccos.
Notes: no longer produced

Details

Brand Friedman & Pease
Blended By Friedman & Pease
Manufactured By  
Blend Type
Contents Burley, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 4oz Tin
Country United States
Production No longer in production

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.50 / 4
3

0

1

0

Reviews

Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 03, 2016 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Mostly various shades of tan in color, basic ribbon cut and a hefty tin nose of musty orientals. As I have no idea what 16 years may have done to this blend, I can only speak to how it smokes now.

First of all, there is almost zero sweetness in this. What the stoved VA's may have brought to the party originally is all but absent here. The Syrian latakia is a very minor player as well, but noticeable and here it's less winey tasting and more lightly charred (burnt). The orientals are center stage and taking over the show with the burley likely being more prominent now than the the "touch" that was added. This is a spicy oriental as opposed to a wispy sour one. The spice is not heavy; this is still a very contemplative blend. It won't knock you about the head with flavor. But if you're willing to be patient, this one starts its chorale about 1/4 down the bowl, and sings lustfully. There is more than a hint of slightly burnt dry toast that is more oats than wheat. There is supposed to be a hint of Cyprian latakia in here as well but I can't trace it. It's not what I would call a smoky blend, nor does it contain any of the typical traits of a "Balkan" or whatever. Seems like something Rattrays might have blended back in the day. Really tasty stuff! Four stars all the way. I hope I can find more.
Age When Smoked: 16 years
1 person found this review helpful.
Please login to upvote this review.
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 20, 2006 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant
"Kismet" was a Broadway show in the 1950s, a time nearly as unsettled in the Mideast as it is now. The difference is that America then had memories of mystery and hopes of romance. Not so now.

Kismet comes from the era of dreams and myth, treasured diversions from the realities of horror and bloodshed. Kismet is Alfred Drake's rich baritone, not Donald Rumsfeld's Socratic monologues.

Religion and politics are not good to discuss anywhere, but with a bowlful of Kismet one is transported by magic carpet to a world of "1,000 Arabian Nights." It is not full, not something to smoke in a hookah or a Calabash...but in a well-loved briar, with miles of otherwise boring Interstate ahead and just the right music low in the background.

The Latakia in Kismet is primarily Syrian, with its stronger presence and winey character. The Orientals are inscrutible as the sands and spicey as herbs brought from a thousand miles away. The Virginias are treasures from a new and glistening world.

Don't expect to be bowled-over by Kismet, for such is not its intent. Expect to be beguiled and enchanted...ah, there is the reward!

Four out of four stars.
1 person found this review helpful.
Please login to upvote this review.
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 25, 2004 Medium None Detected Medium Very Pleasant
Seriously smoky, deep and rich Syrian Latakia is at the forefront of this blend, which makes each puff like heaven on earth. The Burley is top-shelf stuff all the way and lends strength to the flavor depth.

0 people found this review helpful.
Please login to upvote this review.
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 17, 2002 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant
My notes on this one reflect disappointment . I recall wanting a heavy Syrian mixture , but the blend was way too refined for my tastebuds and ended up delivering an uneventful smoke . It was a good tobacco , but nothing to excite me .
0 people found this review helpful.
Please login to upvote this review.

target="_blank"