Brebbia Latakia Flake Mixture No. 9

Predominantly mid brown tobacco with bright highlights throughout. This flake is quite dry and crumbles to the touch almost like cinnamon bark. Altho the flakes are whole, they are so compressed and fragile that keeping them that way is almost impossible. I'd almost call it a Scotch or broken flake.

The latakia on the nose is quite delicate, if this condimental tobacco can ever be described so. There is a lot less of it here than in Brebbia's Balkan Blend and it is a long way from being a Lat bomb. The balance with the Virginias is very well done imo, the two elements work together harmoniously.

Takes a light beautifully and produces huge volumes of creamy smoke. There is some significant pepper on the tongue, suggesting perhaps that a good part of the Virginia is matured leaf. This can at times tend towards the harsh, but a slow cadence will keep the smoke on the right side of well mannered. Otherwise this is quite a sweet tobacco with a caramel or butterscotch note. I would attribute this to the conditioning of the tobacco rather than a result of any additives, but I will leave the final word on that to those better equipped than myself. Burns rather quickly.

I guess one of the advantages of this forum is that it is not open to discussion and one’s views is just that. That way there is no arguing over what I am about to say. 😊 This may have had Syrian Latakia at one point but those days are gone. This had absolutely no semblance of Syrian in it, none, nada, etc. I was graciously given two bowlful samples and what I detected was a mild to medium Cyprian Latakia/Virginia. In all honesty I probably should have taken a smoking break from this one as I had over did it the other day. I have had other blends with just Latakia and Virginia and most are good but do take a little bit of getting use to as for me there is very little sweetness in the blend. I had some Savinelli - Giubileo d'Oro from a tin dated Sep 2015 that I enjoyed more. With that being said, and with the limited amount I was able to try it is a decent smoke, nice dark flakes that I folded and stuffed into my pipe this evening. The Syrian issue aside, not bad at all. P.S. I am open minded and if I ever hear from Planta that I am wrong I will retract my statement but am not going to hold me breath.

Basic brown with some black flake and a hefty tin aroma of latakia upfront and a little dark VA underneath. I ended up rubbing this out.

Typically I'm not a huge fan of VA/Lat blends, preferring my latakia to be more subdued and surrounded by succulent Orientals. This one won't change my mind, but it was a pretty well-rounded smoke considering. The latakia was Syrian, which may account for that sense of balance. No creaminess or smokiness, this was Syrian's more dark and delicate spice-filled signature. The Virginia was barely sweet and more of the FVF variety - more wheat and bread and less sugar and tang. The latakia didn't overpower the Virginia. It seriously tasted like an even-handed measure of both rather than my getting one or the other in different puffs. This was a fine blend that tasted good but it lacked the roundedness that orientals could provide, and suffered as a result. But that's my personal opinion. I don't know if this will still be made, since Syrian latakia is no longer produced, but if you can score some, it might be worth it to see how you like it. It took me awhile to finish the tin, and I always pay attention to that measurement. I guess I just got bored with this one over time

Before smoking Brebbia Latakia Flake Mixture #9 I mentally tried on the contemporary idea of “Syrian Latakia”. I was thinking, not much from Syria has gotten to the US since 1967, anyway, so I guessed the blenders used a “Syrian formula”, or something like that. Popping the tin, the Latakia is indeed different from the usual (Cyprian) fare, being more “focused”, yet more restrained, as well. It’s also more chocolate brown than black. The other tobaccos comprising the flakes looked and smelled like earthy air cured red and brown VAs. Though no Oriental leaf is claimed for this blend, Syrian Latakia is a smoke cured version of certain Orientals, and there is a certain woody, savory quality to this blend that I credit to Orientals. In the tin there is one short stack of dry flakes that break apart when handled. I've broken some flakes to chamber depth length, spindled them, and loaded the plug fairly loosely into a group 4-5 author I use to first try blends like this one. The flakes take patience to light, even when thoroughly spindled, then the tobacco smolders for some time, making plenty of smoke. The Lat is on top, with the VAs offering solid support, and they also provide the backbone and structure for this blend. The blend is smoky and sour, like Latakia of old, and the VAs are amply cased, which is not very noticeable until the end, and they are bluff rather than sharp. I was annoyed to note some “sandalwood” that, IMO, has no place in Syrian Latakia. Fortunately (for me, anyway), there is very little in the way of incense. To my tastes, enough of the “Oriental” leaf comes through that it lends a mild “Balkan-y” quality to this blend. Strength is mild. Tastes are between medium and full. Room note is just tolerable, and the pipes I used stunk after BLFM9. Aftertaste is the best of the smoke, and it gets better as it drags out and gets sweeter and sweeter.

All in all, BLFM9 is not bad, and the Latakia really is different, as advertised. It did not replace Savinelli’s Giubileo d’Oro in my rotation, nor do I prefer it to Fairmorn’s Lancers Slices, but it is qualitatively different from both these blends, so any “competition” here is not apples to apples, anyway. I recommend BLFM9 as an example of Syrian Latakia and as a decent, Balkan-y smoke.

A large broken flake, easy to rub out and burns slowly. A flavorful Latakia forward blend without a lot of sweetness from the Virginias but not totally "dry". The latakia is stated to be Syrian, however, it seems like there could be some Cyprian supplemented. Some fruity campfire notes. I actually find the Latakia a little less dominant than what's found in Brebbia "Balkan" blend, however, there is no question we have a Latakia blend . The blend is a little monotone for me as it reminds me of C&D's "Engine 99", "Pirate Kake" or even F&K's " lancer Slices", but this is much smoother. . Not a "McClelland style of Latakia use", this has a much heavier hand. ( I do love the easy to carry small tin) 3 stars

I tried this flake only in a sample given to me by a friend. I normally do not smoke tobacco so rich in Latakia, so my opinion is not very reliable but I can say that for me it was a nice change of pace. BLF probably will never in my rotation but I can safely recommend to you to try it.

My tin tastes almost exactly like Penzance, but Penzance seemed a little less one-dimensional. So why does this get one less star? Because I don't taste ANY Syrian in here whatsoever. All the same, if you love Penzance and can't get your hands on a tin, this should substitute pretty well. Bottom line: Recommended as long as you don't expect any high quality Syrian.

The tin note is delicious smoky wood burning. I love that smell. Lights right up and burns very nice. They say Syrian Latakia I say don't think so. Perhaps years ago but what I taste is Cyprian latakia. That sweet baked bread flavor I always get from Syrian latakia is missing. I get the sweet wood smoke taste but no baked bread flavor. Regardless it is a really good smoke that burns cool and has that great wood smoke aroma. A good Virginia/latakia blend.

A delightful latakia blend. If you like latakia with Virginan, this is a great smoke. Burns better than Odessey. Very leathery taste and can be an all day smoke. Mild for a latakia blend.