Mac Baren Latakia Blend
(2.43)
A "roll cake" tobacco, spun from well matured Virginia and cavendish with a special touch of latakia, bringing out a fresh and wonderful aroma. The tin description reports: whole Virginia leaves that are specially selected are used as wrapper for all our spun tobaccos. The inlay for this very special blend is a mix of Virginia, original Mac Baren cavendish and just a touch of Syrian Latakia leaves. In combination these tobaccos give Latakia Blend its fresh and satisfying smoke. Like all our spun tobaccos only a little top flavour has been added. These tobaccos are the closest you get to the natural tobacco taste.
Notes: Introduced in 1964.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Extremely Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.43 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 72 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2008 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Oh dear Latakia Blend, I will come to your rescue and defend you in the midst of all your (reviewers) turmoil. Yes I will protect you from their onslaught of malicious words. Without a doubt someone has done you wrong by bestowing upon you a poor and inappropriate name, however without that name would fate have ever brought us together? I think not. You are a Mac Baren and I had staved off your kith. My ears have heard the rumors about the hot temperedness of your family and I have been burnt on more that one occasion by your family members Vanilla Cream and the good for nothing Black Ambrosia, sweet though at first they seemed. But those were back in the days when I associated with aromatics and I have grown, matured and become more a man of taste and quality, you would not fool me now.
Now let me strengthen you with my words of adoration and ardor. Upon opening the tin your beauty and presentation consumed me, I had never seen a tobacco of your kind with beautiful sweet Virginias wrapping themselves around a wonderful core of Black Cavendish and Syrian......yes I said it Syrian Latakia. Your fragrance allured me, the perfume of a very subtle top dressing was present but it didn't cover up the natural smell of the high quality tobacco of which you are made. Easily packed into my finest pipes by slightly crumbling your wonderful little disc of tobacco and then at the match you are wonderful, fragrant and just slightly sweet....but not to much. You are everything I have ever wanted or thought I would find in a straight Virginia tobacco. Wonderful and cool, pipe after pipe and bowl after bowl even back to back my tongue is never left burnt or fatigued. I could smoke you all day and in fact..... I have, right down to the perfectly dry bottom of the bowl without the hint of bitterness I have come to expect. You are wonderful anytime of day, your flavor is not diminished by a flavorful meal and yet it never overwhelms my palate either. I cannot say that of other mixtures I have enjoyed.
But you have another secret for me, I could just hear you whispering it. Ah yes, I hear it again. You have been teasing me but as I become accustom and loyal to you, finally taking in all your splendor, I can finally taste it...the Syrian. If one was expecting it's cousin, the more brusque Cyprian they would be fooled and they would never see in you what I see. It has taken me bowl after bowl and even I did not think you truly had it in you, though ashamed to say it now and I loved you all the same. The Syrian is sweet and melds with you and you with it effortlessly. Yes it suits you very well and I notice it more and more each day especially when we are spending time outside with one another. My dear Latakia Blend, you suit me very well(very well indeed), may my palate be forever smitten with you.
Now let me strengthen you with my words of adoration and ardor. Upon opening the tin your beauty and presentation consumed me, I had never seen a tobacco of your kind with beautiful sweet Virginias wrapping themselves around a wonderful core of Black Cavendish and Syrian......yes I said it Syrian Latakia. Your fragrance allured me, the perfume of a very subtle top dressing was present but it didn't cover up the natural smell of the high quality tobacco of which you are made. Easily packed into my finest pipes by slightly crumbling your wonderful little disc of tobacco and then at the match you are wonderful, fragrant and just slightly sweet....but not to much. You are everything I have ever wanted or thought I would find in a straight Virginia tobacco. Wonderful and cool, pipe after pipe and bowl after bowl even back to back my tongue is never left burnt or fatigued. I could smoke you all day and in fact..... I have, right down to the perfectly dry bottom of the bowl without the hint of bitterness I have come to expect. You are wonderful anytime of day, your flavor is not diminished by a flavorful meal and yet it never overwhelms my palate either. I cannot say that of other mixtures I have enjoyed.
But you have another secret for me, I could just hear you whispering it. Ah yes, I hear it again. You have been teasing me but as I become accustom and loyal to you, finally taking in all your splendor, I can finally taste it...the Syrian. If one was expecting it's cousin, the more brusque Cyprian they would be fooled and they would never see in you what I see. It has taken me bowl after bowl and even I did not think you truly had it in you, though ashamed to say it now and I loved you all the same. The Syrian is sweet and melds with you and you with it effortlessly. Yes it suits you very well and I notice it more and more each day especially when we are spending time outside with one another. My dear Latakia Blend, you suit me very well(very well indeed), may my palate be forever smitten with you.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2004 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
This is my favorite blend ! They should have named it something else but oh well . I break the disks up just a little . This blend smokes very well ..cool , dry in most of my pipes and will smoke slow . I can taste the components of the blend which are twisted virgina , cavendish , and latakia...probably in that order . So the latakia flavor is small . I dont care ... the blend itself is " off the map ". My wife says it has a little incense aroma [whatever that is] which she likes. The cavendish has a spice like flavor that is superb ! If you want more lat flavor out of this blend .... rub it out all the way and you'll at least notice the latakia . The blend deserves a high rating for sure but you'll notice that many reviewers were takin back that it wasnt a Lat bomb or at least Lat forward , which it is not by any means . Taken it for what it is .... it's a fantastic blend !
Pipe Used:
Killer in any pipe
PurchasedFrom:
http://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/by-maker/mac-baren/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=1185
Age When Smoked:
Fresh , though It gets even better with age
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 27, 2004 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Had to give the 'other' side review of this blend. I'll admit that the name 'Latakia' is wholly misleading. If you're expecting to taste a FM or other strong latakia blend you'll be sorely disappointed.
I'm strongly biased towards most MacBaren blends. Almost all their blends have a light top coat of 'honey' or other flavoring. I'm not an aromatic fan by any means, but the MB blends just hit-the-spot so-to-speak.
Latakia is mild. I find it a great all day smoke. Never any tongue bite or hot pipe. Nice, smooth and sometimes creamy. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but that's O.K as it leaves that much more for me!
I'm strongly biased towards most MacBaren blends. Almost all their blends have a light top coat of 'honey' or other flavoring. I'm not an aromatic fan by any means, but the MB blends just hit-the-spot so-to-speak.
Latakia is mild. I find it a great all day smoke. Never any tongue bite or hot pipe. Nice, smooth and sometimes creamy. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but that's O.K as it leaves that much more for me!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2021 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I had exactly one tin of this waiting for the fullness of time, and it was discontinued. There was some guy on one of the forums who absolutely loved the stuff, and I decided that there was no point in falling in love with something that was out of production, so I got his address and gave it to him. Now that it is in production again, I got some to actually try.
The coins are the size of Three Nuns and not a larger one like Escudo or LBF. There is a slightly rich tobacco pouch note. It does not have the distinctive latakia campfire thing going on.
Smoked, this is a delightful, slightly heavy, sweet and spicy blend. The sweet may have a little honey flavor in there, but it has a fairly natural tobacco flavor. I tried smoking this as folded coins and rubbed out, and had equal success both ways. The latakia is a condimental addition. In terms of flavor profile, think Mac Baren Dark Twist Roll Cake with just a whiff of latakia. There is a caramel edge when puffed. This was an easy smoke to keep at a smoulder.
This one is easy to recommend. It is good, and it can be found.
The coins are the size of Three Nuns and not a larger one like Escudo or LBF. There is a slightly rich tobacco pouch note. It does not have the distinctive latakia campfire thing going on.
Smoked, this is a delightful, slightly heavy, sweet and spicy blend. The sweet may have a little honey flavor in there, but it has a fairly natural tobacco flavor. I tried smoking this as folded coins and rubbed out, and had equal success both ways. The latakia is a condimental addition. In terms of flavor profile, think Mac Baren Dark Twist Roll Cake with just a whiff of latakia. There is a caramel edge when puffed. This was an easy smoke to keep at a smoulder.
This one is easy to recommend. It is good, and it can be found.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 12, 2015 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is one of the five curly cut tobaccos producted by Mac Baren, other four being - Roll Cake, Club Blend, Dark Twist and Stockton. The production of this blend is discontinued. It is sold only in Germany. The tin appearance, comparing to other curlies Mac Baren produces, is a bit on the lighter side. I believe that there are more brighter VAs used in this blend. The center of the coin is made from dark fired kentucky. There is a touch of Latakia added to the blend to enhance smokiness of DFK, and it gives it that campfire-like smokey smell. But like I said, the Latakia is barely noticeable. The moisture level of this blend is just right for smoking right out of the tin.
As I usually do with flakes and coins, I do not rub them out. I take 5 - 6 coins, stack them, roll them up and stuff the roll in the bowl. I like smoking it this way, because it gives me more variety in the taste, while progressing throughout the bowl. When I hit that DFK kernel, I'm in heaven of smoky taste. Then it gradually mellows out to pure sweet Virginia.
The lighting is not as easy as with ribbon cut tobaccos, but it is not too hard either. Just takes two charring lights to get things going. The baccy stays lit fairly effortless.
The taste is mainly from the VAs with sweet grassy, sometimes honeyish/citrusy, notes with occasional smoky pepperiness from Latakia. I would not call the taste full and bold, but it has quite the complexity to it with it's varying taste throughout the bowl. I would even go as far as to say that the smoke is interesting and really ejoyable. You have to sip this blend to enjoy it. Puff too hard, and the tongue bite monster will bite you. In the nicotine department, this blend is on the mild side - satisfying but not overwhelming.
The room note is acceptable. The presence is noticeable but not too intense. Certainly I get no complaints when smoking this indoors, when, compared to smoking english blends, I get thrown out of the house.
I would recommend this to novice pipe smoker as introduction to VA/Latakia blends. As for english blend smokers - maybe as a change of pace blend. I also think this blend has the potential to be stored for aging.
As I usually do with flakes and coins, I do not rub them out. I take 5 - 6 coins, stack them, roll them up and stuff the roll in the bowl. I like smoking it this way, because it gives me more variety in the taste, while progressing throughout the bowl. When I hit that DFK kernel, I'm in heaven of smoky taste. Then it gradually mellows out to pure sweet Virginia.
The lighting is not as easy as with ribbon cut tobaccos, but it is not too hard either. Just takes two charring lights to get things going. The baccy stays lit fairly effortless.
The taste is mainly from the VAs with sweet grassy, sometimes honeyish/citrusy, notes with occasional smoky pepperiness from Latakia. I would not call the taste full and bold, but it has quite the complexity to it with it's varying taste throughout the bowl. I would even go as far as to say that the smoke is interesting and really ejoyable. You have to sip this blend to enjoy it. Puff too hard, and the tongue bite monster will bite you. In the nicotine department, this blend is on the mild side - satisfying but not overwhelming.
The room note is acceptable. The presence is noticeable but not too intense. Certainly I get no complaints when smoking this indoors, when, compared to smoking english blends, I get thrown out of the house.
I would recommend this to novice pipe smoker as introduction to VA/Latakia blends. As for english blend smokers - maybe as a change of pace blend. I also think this blend has the potential to be stored for aging.
Pipe Used:
Big Ben Odeon No. 228
Age When Smoked:
2 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2010 | Medium | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Where's the Latakia? Very minute hint of it... rarely perceptible. Nevertheless an excellent VA blend... slightly metallic but sweet flavour that I very much enjoy. The taste is consistent from top to bottom. Once slightly dried out, it burns well. Very little if any bite. I may try adding a dash of Perique. If you can get past the name, you will find this smoke a treat. Will buy more...
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 26, 2009 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
As others have pointed out, the name of this blend is completely misleading. The percentage of Latakia here is almost irrelevant, and we have just another excellent Mac Baren roll cake tobacco.
But... there is a hint of something different, just a minuscule variation on the usual Mac Baren theme. Think of this as something like Club Blend or Stockton, but with a hint of an extra smokiness and fragrance. Yes, there is very little latakia, but its presence adds a subliminal ghost: if it weren't there, it would probably be missed.
Frankly, I usually prefer either having no Latakia at all or having lots of it. I usually find "medium" mixtures rather bland and dull. In this case, though, Latakia is used as a condiment in the strict sense of the word. It simply enhances the smoke without becoming noticeable (almost). So, I am not left with a Latakia craving: I simply consider this one an excellent Virginia/Cavendish blend, and as such it smokes better in my Virginia pipes than in those dedicated to Balkans and English mixtures.
Overall, a very balanced blend. Cool, slow smoking, just a little astringent and mouth drying (but not bitey!) like all the other Mac Baren roll cakes are. If you love the other ones, you will love this one too. I have already reviewed Club Blend, Stockton and Dark Twist, so please go and read my reviews for those blends because the difference in this one is absolutely minimal.
But... there is a hint of something different, just a minuscule variation on the usual Mac Baren theme. Think of this as something like Club Blend or Stockton, but with a hint of an extra smokiness and fragrance. Yes, there is very little latakia, but its presence adds a subliminal ghost: if it weren't there, it would probably be missed.
Frankly, I usually prefer either having no Latakia at all or having lots of it. I usually find "medium" mixtures rather bland and dull. In this case, though, Latakia is used as a condiment in the strict sense of the word. It simply enhances the smoke without becoming noticeable (almost). So, I am not left with a Latakia craving: I simply consider this one an excellent Virginia/Cavendish blend, and as such it smokes better in my Virginia pipes than in those dedicated to Balkans and English mixtures.
Overall, a very balanced blend. Cool, slow smoking, just a little astringent and mouth drying (but not bitey!) like all the other Mac Baren roll cakes are. If you love the other ones, you will love this one too. I have already reviewed Club Blend, Stockton and Dark Twist, so please go and read my reviews for those blends because the difference in this one is absolutely minimal.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 01, 2009 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
My absolut Mac Bren favorit and a regular morning smoke with many pipes dedicated to this wonderful blend.
Great Tobacco with great typical Mac Baren flavor along with the honey/toasty background, I am not fan of Latakia therefore was so happy that it tastes no Latakia at all. the taste is mainly like brown bread with honey, Absolutely delicious!.
If you dont like Latakia but like the Mac Baren blending and casing style, try Latakia Blend.
Not recommended for beginners.
Great Tobacco with great typical Mac Baren flavor along with the honey/toasty background, I am not fan of Latakia therefore was so happy that it tastes no Latakia at all. the taste is mainly like brown bread with honey, Absolutely delicious!.
If you dont like Latakia but like the Mac Baren blending and casing style, try Latakia Blend.
Not recommended for beginners.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 11, 2008 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Allow me to welcome myself to my first review, and let me begin by making a confession. I like strong, powerful, thick-smoke blends (Frog Morton OTB, Presby Mixture, Mississippi Mud, Elliet Nachwalter's Churchill). That's why, when I saw the appellation "Latakia Blend" I reached for a couple of tins in anticipation of what that implies. I soon discovered that Latakia, of any stripe, is not what this tobac is about, IMHO.
I'm lousy at describing taste, but I will say that this blend has a number of little activities going on in it. The key to preparing one's self to enjoy this fellow is to put some electrical tape over the label and accept it for whatever it is on its own.
Having done that (figuratively speaking) and having aged some about 6 months, it soon become my morning blend and remains so.
I like it dried just a bit from the tin (15 to 20 minutes) and shredded and rubbed. That alone produces a delightful aroma and tactile experience, and puts me (at least) in a receptive frame of mind.
Mac Baren did themselves a great disservice in naming this one.
I'm lousy at describing taste, but I will say that this blend has a number of little activities going on in it. The key to preparing one's self to enjoy this fellow is to put some electrical tape over the label and accept it for whatever it is on its own.
Having done that (figuratively speaking) and having aged some about 6 months, it soon become my morning blend and remains so.
I like it dried just a bit from the tin (15 to 20 minutes) and shredded and rubbed. That alone produces a delightful aroma and tactile experience, and puts me (at least) in a receptive frame of mind.
Mac Baren did themselves a great disservice in naming this one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 15, 2008 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
This is a my definition of a Danish blend. A curly Virginia with a sweet topping. But there is a surprise in the end. There is little Latakia to speak of in the initial smoke, but please be patient.
Like most Viginias, this blend improves with age. It is sweet and smoky and it will put a hurtin' on your tongue if smoked too fast. So be careful, and you'll enjoy a decent smoke.
For you of those patient enough to smoke this blend to the bottom of the bowl, you know where the name "Latakia Blend" comes from. We are the privileged few to enjoy the Latakia in this blend.
Like most Viginias, this blend improves with age. It is sweet and smoky and it will put a hurtin' on your tongue if smoked too fast. So be careful, and you'll enjoy a decent smoke.
For you of those patient enough to smoke this blend to the bottom of the bowl, you know where the name "Latakia Blend" comes from. We are the privileged few to enjoy the Latakia in this blend.
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