4noggins Northstar

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the smell - even sealed inside a plastic bag, it ponged. Later, the smell dissipated somewhat, but it still has a distinct leathery aroma, characteristic of Latakia. It is medium cut, a mixture of brown and black, like most lat blends. Taste-wise, it is pretty strong - not quite as strong as Sam Gawith's Commonwealth Mixture, which is a notorious lat bomb, but in that cricket pitch (ball park for Americans). The VA and Orientals round it out and give it body, so that it is well balanced. I can't agree with Otis56 that it is light - I think it is medium-bodied. All in all, a wonderful smoke if you like strong lat mixtures, not if you don't. Fortunately, I do.