Butera Latakia No.1

I bought a tin of this after reading many of the reviews on this forum. I really liked what I read, and after reading the tin description I was very intrigued.

When I popped the tin I found the moisture level to be very high. I decided to not even put this in a pipe until it had a chance to settle down. Therefore, on the rack it sat for about six months.

I finally got around to smoking this the other night, and it has now become a very well balanced staple in my rotation for the time being. The interesting thing about this blend is that it is not mind blowing, but not bland and boring either.

The aroma out of the tin is quite interesting. I found a lot of things going on here. Firstly the aroma of earthy and spicy notes along with a tiny bit of mesquite were on the forefront. In the background the sweet Virginias made a pleasant appearance.

This blend packed very well in medium sized apple or billiard pipes, and burned very evenly.

The flavour profile was outstanding. Upon first light I was hit with the beautiful symphony of Latakia and Turkish leafs. They presented a nice musky smoky "classic" flavour to them. Then the Virginias came into play, and danced off the tip of my tongue oh so delicately. This blend finished out very dry and balanced.

Once I let the tin age out for a couple of months, the tobacco packed perfectly, and stayed lit without a problem. It burned evenly, and burned all the way down to a nice pile of ash.

Some reviewers have described this to be a heavy mixture or Balkan, but I must disagree. At least from my personal experience and taste. I find this to be a lighter blend than what I would consider a Balkan. Though I consider Sassini Balkan blend to be a lighter of the Balkans.

I actually find that I smoke this as the first pipe of the day to give me that kick in the shorts along with a nice brewed cup of strong coffee or espresso.

This tobacco also goes well with a Robust Porter or medium bodied Stout.

I would recommend this to anyone wishing to branch out, and might be interested in entering the world of Balkans. For any Latakia lover out there, I would offer you a bowl full of Latakia No. 1.

Simply a good old friend of a tobacco. This was my real introduction into English tobaccos way back when (MId-90s). For me now, it's a good light to medium smoke. The latakia is not overwhelming, but noticeable, and other flavors give it a nice body. (As a reference point, I am a serious latakia-phile. My version of light may differ from others. I'm a 10 Russians, Margate, Gaslight kind of guy.) Nonetheless, this is consistently good tobacco. I always have this in my "cellar." Good stuff. This is a good intro to Englishes, as it was for me, and a good smoke for English vets, seeking a mellow smoke.

Small ribbons of very dark black with a few specks of mahogany for good measure. Tin nose of latakia well to the forefront with a sweet/sour oriental to the rear. Very enticing aroma.

After the excellent RV #2 that I smoked a month or so, I was a bit disappointed in this one initially. Even after clearing my mind of biases, it was apparent that this one was not going to live up to the excellence of #2. And it did not. All the same, this one is worthy of a spin. The flavor was latakia in the front, orientals riding shotgun and a lighly sweet virginia to the rear. Some folks have said this reminds them of this Frog Morton or that one but I find this more along the lines of something else... perhaps Bombay Court? Green label #14? I guess it's been too long, but this seems more refined than the Frog series. Also the sidestream aroma of this is one of the best I've experienced. Really mouth watering. Actual room note was less impressive. Strength-wise, this did not strike me as a full mixture... more to the mild side of medium for me. Low nicotine and spiteful of DGT as well. I enjoyed the ride but RV #2 is going to get all the airplay in my house! If you smoke that one and long for more latakia, here you go.

Another really nice Latakia blend. Easy light up tobacco nice and crisp. Open of tin reveals mostly the smoky scent of Latakia. A hint of Virginia blends is also noticeable. First blush is very surprising as you get a ton of sweet hay flavor from the Virginias with just a hint of smoky flavor. Really very pleasing. As you continue the sweet hay vanishes and your left with the smoky Latakia, which although great is like some many other lat blends. As you finish you get some earthy flavor and as you hit the bottom of the bowl the Turkish hits you with a bit of pepper. Room note is mostly smoky aroma which is fairly pleasing but may not be so to non pipe smokers. Frankly this is a very pleasing blend. I am wondering if this gets some age on it you will get more of the sweet Virginias in the smoke. I am storing my one tin to try after a couple of months. I would recommend this blend to any latakia lover with no reservations.

Smoky, sweet, slightly musty, and woody. Easy to smoke, and a fast favorite. Full of wonderful flavor, but not overwhelming. The interplay of flavors is attention grabbing and will keep you entertained. Nicotine level is low.

Shiny short black, and occasionally chunky, broken ribbon mixed with beautifully cut strands of chestnut, tan, and light brown. The tin nose is fragrant, offering a mix of earth and spice alongside a prominent sweet smokiness. A clean, well-crafted mixture which is as easy on the eyes as it is delightful to the nose.

Rather damp in the tin, it packs and lights well after drying, producing voluminous clouds of blue smoke. Medium to full bodied, the Cyprian latakia is predominant throughout the bowl, blending nicely with the musty orientals to produce a consistent, subdued spice with a long tart and tangy finish. Notes of wood smoke, earth, bitter orange, and pine make an appearance now and again. As quick to reward patience as it is to punish inattention, when smoked carelessly it can be a bit heavy on the tongue ? a common feature of many such latakia-heavy mixtures. When given its due, however, it shows a certain complexity which lays just beyond its initial assertiveness.

Described on the tin as an ?English-style Oriental mixture? ? in this case clearly a synonym for the more commonly used ?Balkan blend? ? this is an excellent representative of a well-worn, and nowadays overdone, style. Unlike far too many in the genre, however, Latakia No. 1 is never cloying or flat and while it can tend towards a dry and occasionally too tart finish, the mixture possesses just enough New World leaf (in this case bright North Carolina and red flue-cured Virginia) to add interest and depth to what might otherwise be just another run-of-the-mill Balkan. In this reviewer?s opinion Butera?s Royal Vintage Latakia No. 1 is certainly worthy of the attention of confirmed ?lataphiles?, and perhaps might even serve as a pleasant diversion for those who normally shy away from the oft abused leaf. While there are certainly better Balkans to be had, this one stands above many a competitor.

I just finished smoking another bowl of this tobacco, nearly completing my first tin, and I can't say how much I really do enjoy smoking this blend. I'm not all that familiar with the Basma (meaning its native aroma or flavor) other than just by the name. However, by the aroma in the tin, it must be one of the heavier or mustier smelling Orientals. If not, this blend's predominat tobacco is the Cyprian Latakia.

Upon first opening, its initial aroma has a sweeter smell to it but with aging it settles to an almost tangy aroma with just a hint of sweetness coming through. In the pipe, it has a musty, pungent aroma that I prefer with the sweetness present in the background. I have never found, though, this tocacco having any bite or bad after taste.

I'm not an all day smoker but would not consider this to be an all day smoke. I can only say to not smoke this on an empty stomach because it can pack a bit of a nicotine punch and leave one a bit light-headed.

Highly recommended and I will add this to my regular rotation.

My review is based on a 2004 tin, opened 9/2008.

Flavorwise, I found Latakia #1 to be milder than I really prefer, more an all-day smoke than a special-occasion smoke. And while for me that's a slightly negative assessment, it doesn't have to be. If you're looking for a high-quality, entrancing example of a Latakia/oriental blend (built on a strong foundation of Virginias), this one delivers.

To my palate, it is head-and-shoulders above Latakia #2, which I found virtually taste-free. By contrast, Latakia #1 gives a good dose of latakia, with a moderate Oriental presence and solid Virginias. For me, it comes very close to being a Balkan blend -- at least as I define a Balkan (heavy latakias/Orientals with distant Virginias) -- but the Virginias predominate more than in a typical Balkan, and the latakia is a little more restrained. For me, this never reaches the "creaminess" that you get in a great Balkan when the Orientals and latakia really come together. But it comes darn close.

I think this would be particularly appealing to folks who enjoy the Pease English/Balkans, as well as those wanting a richer experience than they can get from a budget or bulk English mixture. It's certainly earned a spot in my own cellar.

Bob

Let me go against the grain here for a moment and say this is better than #2.This actually tastes like an English blend. The problem I have with McClelland blends is that all of their English mixtures have a very Cavendish quality about them.This one has a tad of that McCleland Ketchup ,yet maintains its integrity as an English mix. The Latakia is smoky and th virginias are slightly sour (in a good Way). I feel it has more flavor than #2 and would advise reaching for this 1st. An excellent all day smoke!