Butera Latakia No.1

The Cyprian latakia is smoky, woody sweet and while it's the main component, this is not a lat-bomb. The Orientals are a little spicy, sour and woody with a touch of sweetness. The Virginias are supporting players: the bright is a little grassy and citrusy while the red is tartly sweet. Has a mild nic-hit. No chance of bite or harshness. Burns at a moderate rate with a very consistent flavor. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle or dull spots. Has a pleasant after taste. More of a two and half star product, but I give it three because two stars short changes it.

-JimInks

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.

Yes, I really like this one which ticks-off many boxes: packs well, burns great, very cool, does not go to crap after being oxidised, slightly sweet, creamy, with some nice earthy mushroom flavours thanks to the Basma which I enjoy a lot, actually pretty much all Orientals. Compared with Latakia No. 2 I'd have to give a slight edge to No. 1 the Basma is very nice, not a common leaf used in pipe blends.

It's quite full in a subtle way, not a Latakia bomb; however, enough to certainly satisfy. Also, not a palate bruiser and moderate on the Nicotine which is nice since a few bowls could be enjoyed consecutively or in the AM, throughout the day and into the evening for that matter.

This blend produces voluminous amounts of smoke whereas others not nearly as much, akin to a cigar really.

The good part, it's easy to find in N. America and certainly I'll be adding a few tins to the cellar. I also feel this one would age quite well although a fresh tin tastes great too.

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.

This stuff is strong, and it is really quite good in the Rattray's Red Raparee/Black Mallory sort of way. This blend does not contain as much Virginia as Red Rap., so, it is a bit smoother in taste. It does taste very smoky and flavorful, and I can see where Latakia hounds will go nuts over this stuff.

A decent Balkan blend. The Orientals hold a slight lead over the Lat. The combo is mildly smoky and quite woody. A slight sour note with a dry feel. The Virginias lend a hint of hay and a minimal sweetness. For my taste, it's a little too woody and short on sweetness. 2 stars.

Medium in body and taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.

This is definitely one of those tobaccos you open up, reclose and come back to after a week or so of decanting. I was quite put off by the aroma, (odour?), when I first opened the tin and the first smoke tasted in direct relation to that first whiff. On re-examining this selection after a week however the odour turned to aroma. A classier offering than Frog Morton to be sure. Not sticky on the fingers - a true latakia experience that does not denote barbecue sauce as so many put it with Frog Morton. This tobacco really grew on me as I made my way through the tin. The full flavour really requires a pipe devoted it. I whole heartedly recommend this to the latakia crowd. 3 out of 4 stars.

I don't know what I was thinking with the FM comparisons. This has become my favourite over the past year with no comparison. 4 out of 4 for sure and my "desert island" choice.

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.

This is an 'all day smoke' blend. Very cool burning which allows for voluminous amounts of smoke. I find this close to FMOTT (Frog Morton on the Town) but a bit more Latakia forward. Tin notes are very mellow, slight smoky notes from the Lat with hints of the very lovely Basma leaf and slight VAs dance in the background.

The blend is not overly complex so you aren't going to have a deep contemplative smoking experience however there is enough there to keep it interesting. If your in the mood for a mild English this is a great option. If you are looking for something strong then look elsewhere.

I'm a bit fan of Basma which I wish was used in more blends so I'll definitely be keeping this in my regular rotation.