For pipe smokers and tobacco blenders seeking distinct and bold flavors, Latakia tobacco offers a rich, smoky delight. In this deep dive, we explore the origins and production process of Latakia tobacco as well as some of the most popular blends that use it. Understanding the nuances of Latakia tobacco brings an enhanced appreciation for this special varietal.

What is Latakia Tobacco?

Originally hailing from Syria and now primarily produced in Cyprus, Latakia tobacco is a unique and richly flavored type of pipe tobacco known for its smoky, distinctive characteristics. It is mainly utilized for adding depth and complexity to English and Balkan blends. 

Characteristics of Latakia Tobacco

Latakia tobacco is distinct for its intense smokiness, derived from the traditional method of fire-curing using local Mediterranean woods and herbs. This process not only enhances the tobacco's aroma but also creates its dark color and rich taste profile. Smokers describe Latakia’s scent as pungent and spicy, often noting its leathery and campfire-like notes. 

Like the Louisiana spice known as Perique, or the Burley based fire-cured tobacco Dark Fired Kentucky, Latakia is what we call a condimental tobacco in pipe blends. A little goes a long way, so it doesn’t take a large percentage in the mix for its character to shine through.  

Another characteristic that Latakia has in common with these condimentals is that it is the result of putting a distinct tobacco type through a particular process. In the case of Latakia, it is the Oriental varietal. Also referred to as Turkish, this tobacco type is characterized by the crop’s petite size and the sun curing it undergoes. There are many Oriental sub-varietals, named for their places of origin, such as Smyrna, Izmir, Basma, Katerini, and more. Each profile conveys nuanced differences, though they are mostly bulked together these days, which is why we generally see the broader terms “Oriental” or “Turkish” tobacco in listings of blend components.  

Manufacturers of Latakia are thoughtful about the types used for their product, though conventions have certainly changed over the century-and-a-half of this commodity’s existence.  

Production Process: The Journey of Latakia Tobacco

The journey of Latakia tobacco begins with Oriental tobaccos, which are sun-dried and further processed by prolonged fire-curing. This process involves hanging the leaves in barns and exposing them to smoke from smoldering hardwoods and aromatic shrubs. The curing can last several months, infusing the tobacco with its characteristic robust and smoky flavor. 

Popular Latakia Tobacco Blends

Several renowned pipe tobacco blends incorporate Latakia tobacco. Our favorites include:

• Peterson Early Morning: Particularly suited for beginning the day, this blend mixes Latakia with Oriental tobaccos for a smooth yet flavorful smoke. 

• Peterson Nightcap: This blend is favored for its full-bodied taste, combining Latakia with Virginia and Perique for a balanced smoking experience. 

• Pirate Kake: A Latakia-rich blend by Cornell & Diehl, Pirate Kake is known for its 75% Latakia content, making it a delightfully bold choice for Latakia enthusiasts. 

• G.L. Pease Westminster: A classic English mixture, Westminster perfectly balances Latakia with sweet Virginias and floral Orientals. 

Understanding Latakia's Role in Blends

Blenders often use Latakia tobacco to provide a smoky backbone to their mixtures. Its strong flavor pairs excellently with Virginias, Orientals, and Perique. Latakia became a staple of English tobacco blending, likely due to the Purity Laws regulating the use of flavorings in pipe tobaccos. Latakia was a great way to bring bold flavoring to a blend with a more natural component.

Once upon a time, the term “English blend” referred to any tobacco without top flavoring, but these days we associate it with Latakia blends, usually accompanied by Virginia and Oriental.  

The most notable blending house to globalize the esteem of what we now call English blends was no doubt Dunhill, whose Latakia mixtures, now under the Peterson brand, created the archetypes of the genre.

However, Latakia can be found in a diversity of pipe tobacco blends. Sometimes, it will be used in small measure or with other bold components, adding subtle dynamic and nuance without really taking on the “English blend” character.  

Latakia is also known to blenders as a component that tempers a mixture’s burn-rate. Due to the fire-curing, Latakia is particularly slow to burn, which can be a great benefit in a mixture that is prone to burning fast. However, given Latakia’s bold character, it won’t be used for this end unless it is really to the benefit of the flavor profile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Latakia Tobacco

Is Latakia tobacco strong?

Latakia is considered robust due to its bold smokiness rather than high nicotine content. Its primary strength lies in flavor intensity. So, while you certainly find high nicotine blends that use Latakia, that sort of strength comes from a different component.

What does Latakia tobacco smell like?

The aroma of Latakia is notably smoky, often likened to a campfire or incense. Its distinctive scent derives from the wood and herbs used during the curing process. 

Is Oriental tobacco stronger?

Technically, Latakia is an Oriental tobacco, but its unique curing process justifies its distinction. The short answer is that Latakia is less strong in terms of nicotine but is stronger in body and flavor, which are relevant factors to many when discussing the “strength” of a blend.

For our common tobacco types, Orientals generally have a medium nicotine content. There is an inverse relationship between sugar and nicotine in tobacco—the heat from flue curing Virginia results in higher sugar content and less nicotine. The air curing of Burley results in less sugar and more nicotine. Since Orientals are sun cured, they sit in the middle of this continuum (this is a bit of a simplification, as other variables can factor into nicotine content, and there is much diversity within one tobacco type).  

The second curing process the Oriental leaf undergoes when being processed as Latakia results in further nicotine reduction, so it’s marginally lighter in that department. But Latakia and Oriental are often used in conjunction for good reason. Orientals are lighter and more floral in flavor, offering a delightful complement to Latakia’s substantial smokiness.

Can Latakia be smoked alone?

You can find unmixed Latakia as a blending component, though it’s not advised to smoke unblended, much for the same reason we like seasoning our food but most of us aren’t enjoying a spoonful of paprika. But of course, there are some eccentrics out there.  

A recommendation for those curious about exploring how Latakia affects a blend: 
Get some blending Latakia and Straight Virginia in bulk (such as Peter Stokkebye 701) and experiment with blending in Latakia at different ratios—2, 5, 10% perhaps.

What is the difference between Latakia and Perique?

Latakia and Perique are both unique components in tobacco blends, with Latakia offering a pronounced smoky profile, while Perique contributes a spicy, fig-like complexity. 

Unlike Latakia, Perique is not just potent for its flavor, but also for being a heavy hitter in the nicotine department. Perique goes through barrel fermentation—the process of packing leaves tight into casks with screw-presses and allowing the tobacco to ferment for months in its own juices.  

Latakia and Perique are valued parts of the blender's arsenal for similar reasons, but each in their own way.

Conclusion: The Art of Latakia

Latakia tobacco holds a revered place in the world of pipe smoking for its distinctive contributions to blend complexity. Whether you are crafting your own mixture or selecting a ready-made blend, understanding Latakia’s unique properties can greatly enhance your smoking experience. Explore the myriad of blends available here at PIPES and CIGARS and discover how Latakia can transform your pipe smoking pleasure.