Robert McConnell Latakia Flake
(3.00)
Full bodied, flavorful Cyprian latakia and Kentucky tobaccos were combined with black cavendish and then pressed to flake.
Details
| Brand | Robert McConnell |
| Blended By | Kohlhase, Kopp und Co. KG |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Kentucky, Latakia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.00 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 11 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2014 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Full | Tolerable |
The casing on this tobacco is the same as on Revor Plug. For those who aren't familiar with that tobacco, it is a dark, strong VA/B plug available only in the UK. The casing also resembles that used in Bracken Flake. Here the casing is not that prominent but plays in the background.
The strength of this tobacco is also approaching that of Revor Plug and other dark, scented British flakes (but again the scenting here is not as profound as in most Lakelands). What is interesting is that this contains Syrian Latakia in no small amount and it isn't a Lakeland.
So what do we have ? A strong, dark almost black (crumbly but not a crumble-kake) flake with a Lakeland like topping and a generous amount of Syrian Latakia.
What this is NOT is a typical English blend, in the sense that people who enjoy, say, medium English blends with Oriental tobaccos and red Virginias will like. It is somewhat similar to the another (rum) scented Latakia flake (whose name escapes me at the moment, maybe something by S. Gawith) which I've had, but this product has more strength (vit N).
The Latakia makes itself known in the wine-like, smoky way which Syrian Latakia works, but the Latakia takes a back seat to the Kentucky and I suppose also the black Cavendish (which must be VA Cavendish) which provide a good amount of power. Not as much as GH dark flake, or 1792, but very significant vit. N content.
Although I haven't tried it, I doubt this likes a large bowled pipe. The flakes are very dense and crumbly and it would be difficult to fill and smoke a big bowl (also it would be foolhardy).
Full of old-fashioned full bodied goodness, only those who like the dark, strong stuff should try this. Beginners, Latakiaphobes and nico-weenies stay far away.
The strength of this tobacco is also approaching that of Revor Plug and other dark, scented British flakes (but again the scenting here is not as profound as in most Lakelands). What is interesting is that this contains Syrian Latakia in no small amount and it isn't a Lakeland.
So what do we have ? A strong, dark almost black (crumbly but not a crumble-kake) flake with a Lakeland like topping and a generous amount of Syrian Latakia.
What this is NOT is a typical English blend, in the sense that people who enjoy, say, medium English blends with Oriental tobaccos and red Virginias will like. It is somewhat similar to the another (rum) scented Latakia flake (whose name escapes me at the moment, maybe something by S. Gawith) which I've had, but this product has more strength (vit N).
The Latakia makes itself known in the wine-like, smoky way which Syrian Latakia works, but the Latakia takes a back seat to the Kentucky and I suppose also the black Cavendish (which must be VA Cavendish) which provide a good amount of power. Not as much as GH dark flake, or 1792, but very significant vit. N content.
Although I haven't tried it, I doubt this likes a large bowled pipe. The flakes are very dense and crumbly and it would be difficult to fill and smoke a big bowl (also it would be foolhardy).
Full of old-fashioned full bodied goodness, only those who like the dark, strong stuff should try this. Beginners, Latakiaphobes and nico-weenies stay far away.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 17, 2013 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
Upon opening the tin, I get the same smell as Irish Flake but with some Latakia. The meaty flakes are dark, almost black, with some sugar deposits. Lighting the flake without drying is difficult and requires several relights for the entire bowl.
The Kentucky and Latakia produce a lot of smoke and the taste is accordingly stronger than it is flavorful.I get Kentucky and also a burnt onion taste that reminds me of Samuel Gawith Black XX Twist. There is no sweetness just some toasty undertones, as for Latakia, it gets swallowed by the Kentucky.
Overall a tobacco for experienced pipe smokers, an evening or after dinner smoke. I have to say that the name is a misnomer as I was expecting a Latakia flake bomb and I got a Kentucky flake instead.
Not bad on its own merits but I start to think that the Robert McConnnell tobaccos are only pale attempts to attain a former glory.
Virginia lover
The Kentucky and Latakia produce a lot of smoke and the taste is accordingly stronger than it is flavorful.I get Kentucky and also a burnt onion taste that reminds me of Samuel Gawith Black XX Twist. There is no sweetness just some toasty undertones, as for Latakia, it gets swallowed by the Kentucky.
Overall a tobacco for experienced pipe smokers, an evening or after dinner smoke. I have to say that the name is a misnomer as I was expecting a Latakia flake bomb and I got a Kentucky flake instead.
Not bad on its own merits but I start to think that the Robert McConnnell tobaccos are only pale attempts to attain a former glory.
Virginia lover
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 21, 2020 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I love Robert Mcconnell's Kentucky flake! I mean latakia flake.. Hard to distinguish between the two components throughout the smoke.. When I first light it up it is that wonderful robust Kentucky rich flavor.. as the smoke progresses now and then you get a nice subtle latakia aftertaste.. This is all supported nicely by a Virginia cavendish and some kind of old school perfume.. Sounds strange! But the effect is very satisfying and it seems to be one of the better kept secrets in the pipe tobacco world.. if you enjoy lakelands or even Peterson's Irish flake i have a feeling this might be your sort of blend.. It has plenty of strength.. but it is very smooth and not at all like any other 'latakia' blend i have tried.. the perfume flavoring that is applied is much more gentle in the smoke than it is in the tin note..very tasty stuff.. not something I would gravitate towards on a regular basis.. It is more of something I would smoke when I want a departure from my daily blends.. torn between 3 and 4 stars.. I will settle on 3 since it isn't something I need to have often.. another great Mcconnell blend.. haven't tried a bad one yet from Bob Mcconnell
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 08, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I think this is a surprising, interesting and quite unique Latakia tobacco.
Before I got in touch with Perique I loved Latakia and now for a few years I tend to smoke Latakia just from time to time. The thrill is somewhat over and Perique is my new queen!
But this Latakia flake is quite different. Latakia is not the chief here, just a attendant that supports and enriches the nice and well balanced floral taste. For sure it is not a real/full aromatic but a natural tobacco with a delicate floral note and a decent smokiness. It has some creaminess, a satisfying nic content and a nice strength.
Try it!
3.5 stars!
Before I got in touch with Perique I loved Latakia and now for a few years I tend to smoke Latakia just from time to time. The thrill is somewhat over and Perique is my new queen!
But this Latakia flake is quite different. Latakia is not the chief here, just a attendant that supports and enriches the nice and well balanced floral taste. For sure it is not a real/full aromatic but a natural tobacco with a delicate floral note and a decent smokiness. It has some creaminess, a satisfying nic content and a nice strength.
Try it!
3.5 stars!
Pipe Used:
Charatan Special 4651x
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 12, 2014 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Strong |
This tin was beautiful outside and in. When opened your greated with a nice gold foil seal and pencil like sketch of a leaf. The tin note wasof Latakia but the dark fire really cuts through and in the bowl was a great treat on the pallet. I left it out over night and it dried more than I would have liked and thought I had ruined it. This wasn't the case as it burned and lit extremely well. I really expected a stronger nic hit from the df, especially towards the bottom but it wasn't there. I'd say its satisfying for most but I look for that green feeling when I'm dealing with a dark fire Kentucky. It was nice to try and the tin is beautiful but I won't reorder so the hunt for the lat flake of a lifetime continues. Paul
Pipe Used:
olive blowfish
PurchasedFrom:
local shop
Age When Smoked:
2yrs
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 22, 2012 | Strong | Mild | Medium | Very Strong |
A very beautiful tin. My friend “Ritsa” got it for me from Frankfurt. I opened it, even though I DIDN'T HANE a second one. At first I thought that this was a blend with more than 90% Latakia, which I should mix it up with some other tobacco. The flakes are nice and tidy. Their color was black, pitch black color I would say and were I quite wet. Filling the bowl and lighting it up was a bit difficult. The first impression, as well as the second, the third, is that it has a subtle fragrance. Not vanilla, chocolate or cherry but something else unspecified. It is heavy on nicotine. The taste of Latakia is not so noticeable, and it is not to nice too. It also contains stoved Virginia.
The room scent is….tra-gi-c. Maybe if it was mixed with some Oriental blend that would add some more sweetness, I would like it more
The room scent is….tra-gi-c. Maybe if it was mixed with some Oriental blend that would add some more sweetness, I would like it more
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 09, 2006 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A full flake composed of stoved bright (I imagine because of zest) Virginias and Latakia. Best fully rubbed
No detailed description given but I suspect this is a species of Syrian, as it is potent but not as smoky as Cyprian.
Cool and smooth but with a nico hit. Overall on the strong side due to the dark flavor.
Fairly unique due to the slight zesty to leathery flavor curve, but mostly uniform taste.
Not as complex as Germain's but still full enough.
No detailed description given but I suspect this is a species of Syrian, as it is potent but not as smoky as Cyprian.
Cool and smooth but with a nico hit. Overall on the strong side due to the dark flavor.
Fairly unique due to the slight zesty to leathery flavor curve, but mostly uniform taste.
Not as complex as Germain's but still full enough.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 07, 2012 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was pretty good stuff. With most of a tin under my belt, here goes:
Tin note smells like clove cigarettes. I believe this flake has been flavored with wine.
The flakes are not dried out, but more crumbly than pliable. Fold and stuff did not work out.
Alight, I find the taste intriguing: it's definitely latakia, but not a "dry" latakia (a la Captain Earle's Ten Russians) or an overwhelming latakia (a la C&D's Billy Budd). Some may describe this as "wine-like", but to me the flavoring presents itself as "smoky cheddar wheel". And the nicotine is there: by mid-bowl, you may set this one down for a moment.
Overall, probably not quite four stars, but a very solid three-plus.
Tin note smells like clove cigarettes. I believe this flake has been flavored with wine.
The flakes are not dried out, but more crumbly than pliable. Fold and stuff did not work out.
Alight, I find the taste intriguing: it's definitely latakia, but not a "dry" latakia (a la Captain Earle's Ten Russians) or an overwhelming latakia (a la C&D's Billy Budd). Some may describe this as "wine-like", but to me the flavoring presents itself as "smoky cheddar wheel". And the nicotine is there: by mid-bowl, you may set this one down for a moment.
Overall, probably not quite four stars, but a very solid three-plus.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 06, 2011 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Strong |
Very nice blend for tasting the Syrian Latakia. It is not very easy to smoke all day and it is a bit uni dimensional, but for a first and second bowl it provides a very pleasant smoking experience. With it I've tried my first custom blend, mixing 1:1 with No.2 Virginia Mixture from Astley's, a VA/Per. The result was awesome and this was the beginning for me to blending my own mixtures, now I play with blending tobaccos and I smoke mainly my owns
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 13, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Very nice Virginia/Latakia, well balanced, with Latakia in the lead role and sweet Virginias to complement. Similar to SG Commonwealth, they both share a lack of depth compared to traditional English mixtures, but they deliver for the Latakia craving smokers and those not too fond on Orientals.
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