Butera Latakia No.2

Excellent stuff, takes a match like nobody's business and stays lit all the way down. It's creamy naturally sweet and rich with voluminous smoke output. It does move down the bowl a bit quick a pensive pace reveals more, even with my enthusiastic puffing it never grew hot and Uncle Nic is very gentle which I appreciate.

Equally enjoyable to Latakia No.1; however, I do have a slight preference to the Basma in No.1.

I'll cellar a few tins of both, they're readily available and worthwhile.

Well that was certainly quite spicy! It was reminiscent of a maduro cigar. I certainly understand why so many smokers love Latakia. It was smokey without being overly so and I could detect a bit of virginia sweetness in the background. I would say this was a great way to start my foray into Latakias!

I have some jarred in my cellar from aroud '02. Nice mellow english blend (if you like McClellands english blends).Very smooth and smokey.RECOMMENDED.

14 Sept 08 I have to update my review a bit, as I have tried several more English blends since this review. I do still like it quite a lot, but I think my tastes have shifted more toward the less sweet/more latakia heavy RVL#1. My recent purchases of this tobacco have been newer tins, marked 2007, and I can tell they're not nearly as good as the more aged 2005 tins I'd previously bought. I've mixed it with some RVL#1 at 50/50 proportions, and I like that quite a lot. I recommend trying this and the RVL#1, and try mixing them if you want something in between.

22 Feb 08 This is my first review on this site, and I hope I can add something useful here. I've only been smoking in earnest for about 10 months, but this is the tobacco I've smoked most, and I seem to like it best. I only have 2 pipes, and I certainly am no expert, so please bear that in mind. 🙂

I have tried the Latakia No. 1 as well, and I have to agree in general with PipeStud's characterization of this as a more delicate taste than No. 1; it seems to have more sweetness and a bit less Latakia.

I love the smell of this tobacco out of the tin. It reminds me of a smokey campfire, or perhaps barbeque. Seems to be a good moisture level upon first opening, perhaps a bit on the moist side. All the tins I've bought thus far have been stamped "302005". My understanding (not sure) is that 30 represents the blend, and 2005 is the year.

It has a mild to medium sweet flavor and a decent bit of Cyprian Latakia, and I have definitely grown to notice and enjoy the mild nutty flavor. This is a very smooth tasting smoke, to me.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.

Probably smoothest, best-balanced English I've tasted. It closely resembles Pelican, also from Butera, in that it gives special prominence to Orientals. But it has a bit more latakia and is bit earthier in taste. It's just exquisite blending, with some of the depth you normally associate with flakes in a ribbon cut. I still like Margate better but this is just superb stuff. Packs good nicotine, I might add, and you can't make it bite.

Similar to "American" Ashton english blends, you can clearly taste McClelland's hand into this. It isn't an english mixture in the classic sense, more of a modern evolution of the gender. I like the Germain's productions for Butera better.

Nothing to complain about and much to compliment, this is in the genre of the Frog Morton series. It is perhaps tastier than the original Frog, but not as complex as the latest Frogs with perique (which I do not smoke much anyhow). I have yet to review Ashton's two English blends for comparison.

This is unbelievably cool and winning. If one wanted to smoke absentmindedly, you can't go wrong here. Yet like the Frog series mentioned above, there is a ceiling that keeps the blend from reaching higher notes of flavor and complexity. Not quite muted, sooty or soapy- just controlled. Controlled has its place, particularly in crowds of non-smokers or when the tongue is fatigue.

I believe that some of the leaf is cased, perhaps the Orientals or Latakia specifically.

I do not spend much smoking time with the Frogs anymore, but enjoy them when I do. Royal Vintage Latakia #2 might replace them if I return to such friendly, unique territory. I would like to try RVL#1.

A lot of good things have already been said about this blend, but I'll too sing its praises. Yes, this is a McClelland based product, but with Mr. Butera's own particular brand of inspiration and polish. It's not as sweet and ketchupy as McC's, and it has all the elements in perfect balance, each introducing itself to you as you work down the bowl. Latakia provides the right amount of condimental spice, while the virginias gird it with a sweet, satisfying base. The turks add just the right hint of elegance and toasty enjoyment. When you take the fastidiousness of a master blender and partner him with a company that produces some of the world's finest blends, you get a tobacco match made in heaven. Very few things in tobacco or in life are perfect, but Butera Latakia No. 2 comes pretty darned close. A great blend!

Four and a half of Five stars.

Butera's Royal Vintage Latakia No. 2 happens to be my every day favourite smoke--like the steadfastness of a quiet wife and the excitement of a wild mistress all rolled into one. It is amazing--simply a brilliant weed worthy of a supreme hobbit's affection (one weed to rule them all). The balance here is truly a masterpiece. The tin calls this gem both "rich" and "soft" and that does not really make sense yet it is true. The amount of Latakia is just right and I can only think that the toasted Carolina in combination with it (and the other additions) is what makes this tobacco so bloody special. The smoking of this ribbon weed (nutty, creamy, smoky, and smooth) truly is both "original" and "distinctive". I highly recommend this, but leave enough for me because I do not know what I would do without it in my normal smoking routine.