J. F. Germain & Son Germain's Special Latakia Flake
(3.40)
Classically processed Latakia flake with Orientals and Virginia.
Notes: This bold latakia blend comes in coarse flakes made from top quality air and fire cured dark tobaccos. Germain's Special Latakia Flake is a delicious choice for a change of pace.
Details
| Brand | J. F. Germain & Son |
| Blended By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Manufactured By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.40 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 91 - 97 of 97 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 25, 2006 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
Just wanted to put in my two cents on J.F. Germain & Sons Special Latakia Flake.
Appearance: Opening the tin reveals a stack of moist, slightly-broken flakes. Dark leaf predominates with lighter strands of chocolate coloured leaf wending their way through the flakes. In many tins bloom and crystalized sugar will be apparent, proving that Germain ages this tobacco well.
Tin Aroma: In a word, pungent. The smell which wafts from the tin is unlikely to win over many casual observers. Lovers of English style flakes will apreciate the bouquet of wet grass and saucy-sweet Latakia which this blend exudes.
Packing and Lighting: The flakes rub out easily, which is good as those who like to make plugs out of flake tobaccos will find this blend almost impossible to keep lit if packed in such a fashion. Also, allowing the leaf to dry for a while outside of the tin is a must as this tobacco is one of the most fire-retardant substances I have ever seen. All in all, this blend requires special attention when packing and preparing lest the smoker never derive satisfaction from it.
Smoking Characteristics: Assuming the instructions above are followed, this blend smokes cool and dry with a good volume of rich smoke. The room note is strong and likely to be objectionable to non-smokers. The start of a bowl always yields a heady dose of Latakia flavour. About a quarter of the way down the Latakia backs off and is joined by a smooth smokiness and just the slightest wisp of Virginia sweetness. As the bowl burns down from the halfway point the smoke becomes harsher and a little hotter, now the Virginia sweetness comes into it's own, complemented by wooden and bitter undertones. At this point the Latakia is just a faint ghost of it's original presence. Smokes down to a fine gray ash with just a little black char present.
Perhaps not suitable for the novice smoker due to the preparation required to make this tobacco smoke well, this blend is nonetheless a fine offering for the smoker who loves Latakia. The mixture of tobaccos used and the flake preparation make this blend an interesting mixture of Latakia flavor and Virgina flake sweetness.
Appearance: Opening the tin reveals a stack of moist, slightly-broken flakes. Dark leaf predominates with lighter strands of chocolate coloured leaf wending their way through the flakes. In many tins bloom and crystalized sugar will be apparent, proving that Germain ages this tobacco well.
Tin Aroma: In a word, pungent. The smell which wafts from the tin is unlikely to win over many casual observers. Lovers of English style flakes will apreciate the bouquet of wet grass and saucy-sweet Latakia which this blend exudes.
Packing and Lighting: The flakes rub out easily, which is good as those who like to make plugs out of flake tobaccos will find this blend almost impossible to keep lit if packed in such a fashion. Also, allowing the leaf to dry for a while outside of the tin is a must as this tobacco is one of the most fire-retardant substances I have ever seen. All in all, this blend requires special attention when packing and preparing lest the smoker never derive satisfaction from it.
Smoking Characteristics: Assuming the instructions above are followed, this blend smokes cool and dry with a good volume of rich smoke. The room note is strong and likely to be objectionable to non-smokers. The start of a bowl always yields a heady dose of Latakia flavour. About a quarter of the way down the Latakia backs off and is joined by a smooth smokiness and just the slightest wisp of Virginia sweetness. As the bowl burns down from the halfway point the smoke becomes harsher and a little hotter, now the Virginia sweetness comes into it's own, complemented by wooden and bitter undertones. At this point the Latakia is just a faint ghost of it's original presence. Smokes down to a fine gray ash with just a little black char present.
Perhaps not suitable for the novice smoker due to the preparation required to make this tobacco smoke well, this blend is nonetheless a fine offering for the smoker who loves Latakia. The mixture of tobaccos used and the flake preparation make this blend an interesting mixture of Latakia flavor and Virgina flake sweetness.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 20, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
This crumbly latakia flake is middle-ground in nicotine content, high on flavor, and yet very easy on the tongue. Germain's SLF is an exceptional and well-married blend with a very full flavor that should satisfy both those who desire a stronger latakia element and those who enjoy the balancing nature of orientals.
The premium price on this blend is well justified; the quality of the leaf and the skill of preparation are evident throughout every bowl.
I believe SLF completes the triumvirate of latakia flakes along with Penzance and Old Ironsides.
The premium price on this blend is well justified; the quality of the leaf and the skill of preparation are evident throughout every bowl.
I believe SLF completes the triumvirate of latakia flakes along with Penzance and Old Ironsides.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 23, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I've smoked many latakia's, this blend uses the latakia better than them all. A superb taste, with huge volumes of smoke. Never does the oriental, the virginia or the latakia dominate here, but together, create the epitome of latakia blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 26, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Those of you who have reviewed my other tobbacco comments will see that my preference is for Latakia blends. When one opens a tin of Germain's Special Latakia Flake for the first time, one is immediately introduced to the curing process of Latakia. It is pungent and yet sweet. This baccy comes in a flake, so the flakes must be rubbed out. With gentle rubbing, one is left with a very fine cut of tobacco - very European, in my view. I gravity loaded one of my prized Stanwell bents with what I had rubbed out and proceeded to light my pipe. After several attempts at getting a good ember burning, I was finally successful. The tobacco, straight from the tin, is just a little too moist to maintain a lighted pipe. Once the baccy has be relit a few times, it dries out and one may enjoy a very pleasurable smoke. The flavoring, for me, is pretty constant throughout the entire bowl. The baccy burns to a nice clean whitish-grey ash. The only drawback to the Latakia flake is the fact that it is a little too moist right out of the package. To avoid frustration in lighting one's pipe, I would suggest allowing this mixture to "air out" a few hours before dipping into the tin for the first time. Otherwise, this tobacco is a pleasant smoke and it is one that is part of my regular rotation of baccys.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
While I risk being villified, this tobacco reminded me of burning railroad ties. I found it hard to find the flavor of the Latakia or Virginia. The bowl size did not seem to change this awefull smell or flavor. At this point, I can't recommend it... Update 4-13-04: I am revising my review due to the insistence of fellow pipesters. I am convinced that the tin I previously reviewed was moldy. With that stated, on to the revision. The new tin I opened looked remarkably different inside. More Light leaf with plenty of stripes of latakia clearly discerned. It was not as moist as my previous review tin either. The aroma was pleasant with sweetness and smokiness nicely balanced. Packing was fairly easy for a flake, with this blend working better for me if rubbed out completely. Lighting was a three vesta affair.
Initial Flavor: A little bright with the latakia way in the background. The VA is still dominant in this blend.
Mid-Bowl: A nice, mellow, round smokiness develops. Yes, you can taste the latakia, and it is good.
Bottom of Bowl: A nice intensity of flavor develops with the smoky latakia dominating now, but the VA still adds a delicious sweetness to balance it out.
Ash: Light grey, dry, nice dusting on the bowl walls.
Overall: Well, what can I say? It is a very good blend, just shy of excellent. I'll definitely keep this around when in the mood for something different.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Points Enjoy!
Initial Flavor: A little bright with the latakia way in the background. The VA is still dominant in this blend.
Mid-Bowl: A nice, mellow, round smokiness develops. Yes, you can taste the latakia, and it is good.
Bottom of Bowl: A nice intensity of flavor develops with the smoky latakia dominating now, but the VA still adds a delicious sweetness to balance it out.
Ash: Light grey, dry, nice dusting on the bowl walls.
Overall: Well, what can I say? It is a very good blend, just shy of excellent. I'll definitely keep this around when in the mood for something different.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Points Enjoy!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 28, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
I like latakia. I like virginias, orientals, and turkish leaves as well. But here, all I taste is latakia. It is good latakia but rather one-dimensional as far as smoking is concerned. When I opened a tin, the flakes smelled great but were far too wet for immediate consumption. After a thorough drying period, I gave it a go, several in fact. I then cellared it for 6 months and returned to retaste. Better, smoother but still just Latakia. I now use this for blending and find it works rather well for sorting out my various mystery blends. Great tin aroma, but flaccid when smoked alone.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 08, 2002 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I was half expecting this one to be a rebranded Penzance. Wrong out of the tin this was something very different a long stringy flake that was wet. Way to moist was my intial impression oh no not another Latakia lightweight. But I left the tin coming back everyy now and again. Towards the middle of the tin and things drying out a touch this one really started to grow on me. Been working on the virginia technique lately i.e. dead slow. This really paid of . Deep and rich and offering much complexity. Well worth a try.
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