Wellauer & Co Wellauer's Latakia

Almost black with purple shades, this is the most superb quality Latakia I have ever met, since the times of John Cotton's.

I hotly suggest everybody to try it straight, and appreciate the naturally sweet/leathery/piney smoke it delivers.

Excellent blending Latakia, but not the only pebble on the beach, as there are others equally good. Not for smoking on its own, unless one likes the taste of burnt cork with the aroma of pure Latakia.

This is probably the best pure latakia around, great both for blending and for adjusting some lacking mixture. Smoked alone, obviously it's quite difficult to keep lit, but it's incredibly smokable. First class.

This is by far, the best blending Latakia I have ever smoked. Supurb taste, aftertaste and burning characteristics. Full bodied and very smooth and creamy. Highly recommended for blending.

Coarsely cut leaves in purple, dark brown and black shades. Balanced moisture content, requires minimal preparation. The aroma from the tin is smoky, incensey, while to my wife it smells like ... horse shit.

No additional topping was detected other than the natural strong smell of latakia.

Woody flavors along with the incense, some frankincense and some thyme (?) in the retroheling. The spicier it gets as it goes on, the spiciness leaves a tingling sensation on the tongue (not necessarily a bad thing). At times I get fruity mastic flavors when taking it off. In the wood I distinguish eucalyptus and not cedar. After the middle the spiciness has taken over the palette while leather textures start to appear.

Very strong in body with a strong lingering taste, while the strength is in the mild range.

Easy to fill with a relatively quick, but cool and even burn. It will not bite, while it may tickle in fast or wet smoking. It leaves a fine, loose ash and some moisture in the bowl.

In the finish it shows a strong spicy character with a long duration.

The room note is reminiscent of wet/muddy farm dirt with the chimney going. (Some may like it others may not..)

It is perfectly combined with Cypriot village Zivania (traditional Cyprus spirit). Also with smoked whiskey/bourbon on a mild finish. Alternatively, with black tea or decoction and of course, with unscented coffee beans.

Wellauer - Pure Latakia is no longer Syrian, but Cypriot (or rather Turkish). While I have not tried the Syrian version, I find the quality of the leaves to be still good. It can be enjoyed on its own if desired or made into wonderful blends. Not an all day smoke, nor repeatable in my opinion, but occasional. After a few months in an airtight container it has a stronger flavor.

I am mostly a cigar smoker, so this full-bodied Latakia is perfect for me to smoke it pure, well moisture though. I enjoy it really a lot!

What about this tobacco, except that the highest quality. I think it is a tobacco, which should not be smoking 100% pure, but great for making home-made mixtures or corrections.

I quoted flavoring extra strong. This and other Latakia's have a very very strong Cedarwoodfire-smoked flavour with an herbal touch. This one has a soapy-like aftertaste (if smoked pure). Excellent L for upgrading and mixing: 10% is enough. I mix this with 60% VA, 20% Cuba and 10% Danish Truffles. The L still comes trough in harmony with the Roasted Nut-aroma from the Truffles. A real Delight.In addition the L neutralises the tongue-bite caused by the DT. Warning: smoke this pure in a very small bowl at the end of the day: afterwards you're taste will be gone for a time. And don't try this tasty bomb before having dinner.