Ilsted Own Mixture No.88

I was looking for another flavored Latakia blend similar to Sillem's Black as a rotation partner. Ilsted blends are blended by the same blender as Sillem's Black - Kohlase & Kopp of Germany. Their website says it is flavored with honey and orange. This I could not honestly detect in the tin aroma. Perhaps a faint sweetness that remained so while smoking. Nor would I have guessed honey or orange if it hadn't been listed. It smelled mostly of Latakia and the addition of the Kentucky made for a pleasant, spicy smoke. It did smoke a bit hot, as does Sillem's Black, but I experienced no real bite. The tin sample was a bit sticky, but packed and retained its light without much problem. After a bit of drying, it retained its light fairly well. There was some moisture while smoking, and I was left with a mix of medium gray ash and a little dottle. It was a pleasurable smoke, and sweet tasting (not natural tobacco sweetness, but a cased sweetness) without being overbearing. A solid team player for that three or four time a week smoke. Although I prefer Sillem's Black, No. 88 can serve nicely as a change of pace for a mildly aromatic Latakia unless I find something better.

If you are looking for a mild Latakia, this would do. This may prove beneficial as a good introduction for the aromatic smoker who wants to branch out as I feel there is enough sweetness, albeit nondescript, to prove enjoyable. Hard-core Latakia smokers, I am sure, would find this too mild for their likes.