On the other hand if you like heavy Latakia blends then this may be for you. It is not the smoothest and certainly not the roughest but it is full of flavor and delicious in my opinion. The flavor remains constant with little or no nuances about to happen during the smoke. My wife likes the smell of this tobacco the best of all the tobacco I have, your wife probably won't. This not Old Ironsides of any version it may be better to some and not quite as good to others but if you like OI I can't imagine you not liking this stuff. It is what it is and I enjoy it every time I choose it. I give this 4Stars because it does not pretend to be anything but what it is. Penzance is good but it has no taste next to this. You have been warned.

Update 06/29/10: Been smoking this on and off for the last six plus months. It gets better with a little age. I can't get over how smooth it is. Smokes cool, lights easy, the latakia/cavendish/turkish blend is astonishing, I taste every component, but since it was pressed they are in such a harmonious balance. I can particularly taste the cavendish cut burley when I exhale through the nose.

The great thing about smoking a bowl of this is that it's the same through- out. Very consistent smoke. As other reviews state, it is not for the light Latakia smoker, I believe this in on par with many other Latakia heavy blends, if not heavier. I've smoked this and C&D's DaVinci, another Latakia heavy offering (not pressed, however). And, I almost prefer this one, DaVinci's flavor profile is more complex compared to Pirate Kake. I suppose it depends on your mood when smoking it.

The only downside I've found to this blend is the mouth-drying effect it has. I have to have a cup or two or three of coffee (or something stronger) with a bowl of this stuff. Other than that, I believe this to be the perfect blend for true lover's of Latakia, it showcases the rich, velvety, smokey, slightly sweet, delectability of Latakia, while offering a robust, yet silky smooth, full smoking experience. I take back ever wanting it as a broken flake, I love the ritual of breaking chunks off the black bricks and rubbing them out individually.

Original post: I bought two ounces of this "because it was there", on the shelf at El Fumador and I had not tried it. I had thought to contrast it with McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan (acknowledging differences between a ribbon vs. a pressed product). It was a little difficult to rub out and properly pack and a good light took some effort. In pipelore, this IS an "L-bomb" to be sure. After a couple of minutes of gentle drawing my mouth became very dry and so I put the pipe down and went back into my house to get a glass of home vinted pear wine -slightly sweet - to quench the fire. Upon returning to my sun porch I was struck with the room note: as smoky as if one had spent all night tending a charcoal fire preparing a Carolina Pig Pickin'. Heavy smoke. The wine helped me get through the bowl. In the pipe it was hard to discern the accompanying tobaccos from the Latakia. McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan with it's Syrian Latakia presents a different experience with it's heavy Latakia yielding a very cool smoke - so cool one could think the blend is topped with menthol. Pirate Kake, on the other hand, it pure Cyprian smokiness without the coolness. If any ever wondered what Dunhill's My Mixture #10 was like, this is it sans cavendished Virginias. To the Latakia lover this should be a delight. I enjoy English blends in general but this is a bit over the top for me. On my rating scale 3 stars denotes recommendation with my intention to repurchase sometime in future. 4 stars denotes actual repurchase or intent to do so as soon as possible. 2 Stars is tepid recommendation denoting some value but not likely to buy again. Pirate Kake rates 2 stars.

But it goes south after that, being too one-dimensional. After the first 1/3 it actually becomes boring. Pirate?s Kake is a tease that ultimately leaves one unsatisfied. Might be a great smoke after a meal when you are rushed for time and have a small bowl pipe handy. But even then?

I disagree strongly with those who say Latakia is strong, and there in lies the trouble here. The Latakia is rich & smooth, lacking the strength, intensity, and complexity to keep it interesting. Nicotine content is low.

Moisture level is perfect right out of the brick, rub-out is easy, and it burns properly. Any drying, IMHO, would lessen the wonderful smokiness, which is the star attribute here.

I have been smoking Dunhill Standard Mixture Medium for near-on 30 years, believing that it has no equal anywhere on earth. But it is gone now, and so I begin a quest for my Holy Grail: A substitute to replace the standard on which all English tobaccos are based. Pirate?s Kake does not measure up. But I give it credit for it?s unique presentation and the courage to produce it at all. For it IS a fun and unique tobacco.

I love the presentation, two little coal black bricks of latakia doom. Patiently waiting to wreak your wife's opinion of pipe smoking in the house.

Pirate Kake is a good smoke IF you love latakia. If not I will be happy to take it off your hands. Its not an everyday smoke but is a great go to when in need of a latakia fix.

I suppose there are those who just can't get enough latakia who will like it, just as there are those who put an entire bottle of ketchup on their food.

This is a cousin to the now defunct Old Ironsides . . . sigh. With Ironsides being lighter; far more creamier and nuttier, yet just a cool and long lasting. Pirate kake is quite a bit sharper and overwhelming if you smoke it too fast. I would leave it for an end of the evening smoke. Midday and your palate could be shot for quite awhile, perhaps until tomorrow.

It takes a bit of patience to light, but once it gets going it lasts for a very long time. Surprisingly the nicotine content is not that high, mind you Latakia on its own is no Howitzer either.

All in all, a different and unique pipe smoking experience; it will not be in the regular rotation, and I would not seek out again. There are too many others which I enjoy more.

I had smoked samples from friends and a small tin of this in the past but waited to review until I could get a pound to start on just to see consistency from tin to bulk.

I picked up the last vacuum sealed 1 lb brick C&D had today at the local show here in va. It looked like a huge beef jerky or something in the vacuum bag. This is a true crumble cake. Looks like a piece of asphalt or something. One inch thick and 5 X 10 inches wide and long. I know that makes some of you drool to think of a piece that big.

Since in bulk I broke it into three big pieces and put it in a mason jar. Upon cutting the bag the latakia aroma permeated the room and my nose. This is serious stuff for serious smokers. There is a dash of cavendish in there but just to smooth it a little. So full flavored but with no hint of bite. This is probablly one of the smoothest blends despite it's overall strength there is.

This is ready to go right off the brick. Crumbles up real nice. Packs like a dream. A little air time helps but on a good dry day you can get by without it. A little drying helps the taste a little and keeps your pipe dry.

I will be calling the Tarler's and ordering more sometime soon whatever the cost. They are nice folks from NC I feel good about buying from.

I reccomend this to someone looking for the strongest possible dose of latakia. If you are new to the pipe this would be a good way to sample where strong english begins. I would not reccomend it as a first smoke but after a month or so give it a shot. I don't think you could find a fuller tasting blend that is this smooth and soft on the tongue.

This offers a nice contrast to the G.L. Pease balkans I smoke like abingdon, kensington, caravan, and so on. While keeping the flavor and satisfaction in my smokes.

The nicotine will not knock you out but it is there and persistent. Not a rush but a steady buzz- nice in this dept.

This is a sit down and do nothing else but smoke tobacco. Great for late night or cool/cold weather smoking. Highly reccomended.

Update: Still a great blend but I decided it was not quite up to the 4 star level- perhaps I was feeling too generous when I reviewed initially. A very solid 3 though.

I tried this blend which came recommended by my tobacconist, knowing that Old Ironsides is discontinued, and soon will be impossible to aquire. No need to worry because we have a winner for Latakia lovers.

The pressed cakes are good looking, somewhat moist and tightly pressed. The tin aroma is that of hay in a barn. Not bad, just different. The cakes are easy to break apart and rub out nicely. Lighting is relatively easy with maybe two to three additional lights after the charring light.

Pirate Kake will fool you with its robust and hearty taste. There is a relatively low nicotine content in this blend. I cant seem to tolerate the nicotine rush associated with the more fuller bodied tobaccos.

The taste is a rich, creamy, smooth almost minty flavor with latakia dominating the senses. The orientals make a nice showing with a nice spicy finnish. I think what balances out this blend is the use of burleys. The smoke is abundant with each puff, and I guess some would probably find offensive. It reminds me of a fireplace burning in the wintertime, and brings back fond memories. This is an ideal evening, or after dinner smoke.

I would HIGHLY recommend this blend to anyone who wants a latakia fix in a smooth, light english presentation. I plan to keep several tins on hand. Another winner from C&D. Four of four stars.

I will gladly "walk the plank" with this pirate anytime!

Revised: This is especially good when one has spent a week away from home and latakia blends. Very full and satisfying. Again, not an everyday smoke but fantatic when one is latakia deprived.