J. F. Germain & Son Germain's Special Latakia Flake

Special Latakia Flake is a rough cut flake and is alternately sweet and soft with a pressed mix of Virginias, Latakia and Orientals that soon become the essence of mellow pleasure. Aging helps it even more but that isn't necessary for full enjoyment. To my taste, this is pure tobacco with no additives or preservatives.

Germain's Special Latakia Flake is worth the effort it takes to prepare prior to smoking. Be warned: upon opening the tin, this tobacco presents itself as a wet lumpy mass wrapped in wax paper. That's where your experience and pipe craft comes in. Separate as much tobacco as you need, spread it out and allow it to dry out for at least an hour. (Your results may vary since I live in sunny but humid Florida). If you smoke it wet then you will get what you deserve.

This tobacco is one of the best of its type and is one of my Golden Circle. Obviously, if you don't care for Latakia, stay away. If you really enjoy pressed, full tasting (but essentially soft) English/Oriental Flakes...enjoy.

J. F. Germain and Son's Special Latakia Flake is smoky heaven, this is worth every penny, and here in Canada I gotta pay $25 clams for a 50g tin. The tin aroma is slightly off-putting at first but after a few lovely bowls of this wonderful flake you will inhale it deeply and smile in anticipation. The tobacco is dark brown with flakes of tan and a few sugar crystals here and there. Very wet when fresh requiring at least twenty minutes dry time but better after fourty, it rubs out easily and leaves a smoky smell on the fingers. After the false light and a gentle tamping the first quarter bowl is mild Latakia and slightly sweet Virginia, tightening up with Turkish/Oriental by mid bowl with the Latakia, which is always present throughout the bowl, taking a gentle bow at the finish. The flavour gets more and more complex as you wind your way through the blend, take it slow (it can bite) and take it in a big pipe. I have a beautiful Wombaroo free hand which I reserve for Latakia blends I call her Old Smoky and when I got my paw on her and she's loaded with Germain's Special Latakia Flake, all is right with the world.

Update August 2011: sadly I lost my glorious Wombaroo pipe but happily this wonderful tobacco has comforted me over the years. I prefer Frog Morton but it's hella pricey here in Toronto and, while cheaper, Germain's is of exceptional quality and I find it's often less monotonous than F.M. Also after two years of smoking this blend fairly regular I've come to find the tin aroma is really wonderful. Always in my rotation as it should be in yours.

Special Latakia is truly well named. This blend is all about a delightfully well cured Latakia Leaf that delivers a smooth smoky flavor without a bit of harshness.

Tin pops to a highly fermented aroma that might make one wonder if prunes had gone bad. A bit moist, yet straight out of the tin it crumbles nicely and packed lightly smokes like a dream.

The Turkish/Orientals lie quietly in the background yet add an essence that I have only encountered in a Turkish Kabob Restaurant. While the aged Virgina's add a bit of nicotine and sugar without jumping to the forefront. The roomnote is perhaps among the most acceptable of any Lat blend I have smoked.

This is superb Latakia! Rich, rounded, creamy... The true pleasure for pipe-lover. However, it is interesting, this blend is very picky so you will have to choose your pipe carefully.

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.

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.