Syrian Latakia - Gone Forever but Some Blends are Still Availalbe

[JohnnyFlake]

It's odd, but during the last two days, I've had two BOTLs ask me about which Syrian Latakia Blends might still be available. I had done some research on that a short time ago and established a list for my personal use. Syrian Latakia is my favorite with respect to blends containing Latakia. They stopped growing it several years ago and the only available Syrian Latakia is what has been hoarded and stored by a few tobacco companies. It is possible that in five, ten or maybe 20 years from now, they may try growing it again, however, many experts, in the field, say that will never happen, and that it's gone forever!

I have decided to share my listing of the blends that are still available, with the BOTLs on this form. Most, if not all of these should be available, and, at least for now, are still being produced. If you like this tobacco, you should stock up of a few of these blends. If you don't know or are unfamiliar with any Syrian Latakia Blends, you owe it to yourself to give them a try.

Note: If anyone knows of any other Syrian Latakia Blends that are still available, I would appreciate a heads-up on them!

Syrian Latakia Blends

McClellands Super Balkan 50g tin
Mellow, fragrant, lavishly flavorful from start to finish. Seasoned with the finest Louisiana Perique.

McClelland Syrian Full Balkan 50g tin
Mild, cool-smoking, rich with Syrian Latakia's unique, exotic fragrance.

McClelland Rose of Latakia 50g tin
A complex, delicate, fragrant blend. Only the most precious, most flavorful leaves are called Rose of Latakia.

McClelland Frog Morton Across The Pond – 50 & 100g tins
A cool smoking, fragrant blend enhanced with Syrian Latakia.

Mac Baren Latakia Blend 100g tin
Whole Virginia leaves, which are specially selected, are used as wrapper for all Mac Baren spun tobaccos. The inlay for this very special blend is a mix of Virginia, original Mac Baren Cavendish, and just a touch of Syrian Latakia leaves. In combination these tobaccos give Latakia Blend its fresh and satisfying smoke. Like all Mac Baren spun tobaccos only a little top flavor has been added. These tobaccos are the closest you get to the natural tobacco taste.

CAO/Dan Tobacco Gordon Pym 50g tin - This blend is made of golden yellow Virginia, Maryland, and a little Dark Fired Virginia. It also contains Orientals and Syrian latakia. It is square cut and burns very nicely.

Solani Golden Label Blend No. 779 50g tin
A sophisticated English blend with an extraordinary mixture of red, ripe Virginia, fine Oriental tobaccos and Syrian Latakia. This very mild blend will appeal to both Latakia lovers and those who prefer a real natural taste. Crimp cut.

Bjarne The Special One 100g tin
A smoking mixture based on mellow Virginia leaf seasoned with a pinch of smoky Syrian Latakia and very mild black Cavendish, my special evening pleasure.

Cornell & Diehl Black Dog in Bulk
Syrian Latakia and unflavored black Cavendish make this a wonderfully smooth smoke.

Brebbia Latakia No. 9 Mixture 50g tin
Natural Sweet Virginia and a generous amount of Syrian Latakia that is pressed and aged, this is outstanding!

Brebbia Balkan Blend 50g tin
Full bodied blend of the finest Oriental tobaccos, dark-fired Kentucky, Louisiana Perique, and 40% Syrian Latakia - delicious.

Brebbia English Mixture No. 70 50g tin
A spicy crosscut blend of Syrian Latakia, Louisiana Perique, and bright Virginias that is cool, smooth, long lasting and delicious.

Brebbia English Mixture No. 80 50g tin
A very fine blend of Syrian Latakia, mahogany colored spicy Burley's, and bright Virginias. This offers an incredible taste with a superb fragrance.

Brebbia Preludio Mixture 50g tin
This is a fine blend consisting of Virginia tobaccos, from the US, high quality Macedonian tobaccos, and Syrian Latakia. It is an exclusive aristocratic pipe mixture, a classic English Blend.

Karl Erik No# 20 - 50g tin
Aromatic Virginias from Central Africa and North America treated in a special Cavendish procedure, gently sliced into fine flakes. Mixed with spicy Syrian Latakia. This is a very satisfying tobacco.

Ashton Artisan's Blend 50g tin
This full-bodied English mixture is carefully crafted for the experienced pipe smoker. Virginia and Turkish tobaccos harmonize with Syrian Latakia and a touch of Perique to create a taste that is resoundingly rich, spicy and satisfying.

[pistol]

Great post, I can't give anymore RG, otherwise I would. Thanks for the list! *edit* One to add is the PCCA Orient 996.

[Alyks]

I just found a pouch of MacBaren's HH Vintage Syrian at the bottom of my modest cellar. Excellent blend. It is very nicely balanced. You can pick out the virginias and orientals very easily, and the latakia is not overpowering.

[Mad Hatter]

There's the MacBaren HH Vintage Syrian. Plumcake also uses a little Syrian.

[worr lord]

Guess I won't be popping my last ('04) tin of Across the Pond just yet.

[Puffy69]

Nice post Johnny...Thanks for all you do here..

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by pistol

Great post, I can't give anymore RG, otherwise I would. Thanks for the list! *edit* One to add is the PCCA Orient 996.

I'll hit it for you what I can.
edit--nevermind, apparently I've already hit his RG . . .


Thanks so much for the post. I've just gotten into pipes, but I've got some of the Frog Morton and Rose of Latakia. I love the frog morton--really smooth smoke. I'll definitely stock up on it the next chance I get. Not as crazy about the Rose of Latakia though, but my palate is developing, so we'll see.

[smokinmojo]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Note: If anyone knows of any other Syrian Latakia Blends that are still available, I would appreciate a heads-up on them!

Nice list! Here's one lakakia junkies might want to pick up. I buy some as often as I can for mixing.


Robert McConnell Pure Latakia. (its 100% Syrian latakia) McConnell or Kohlhase & Kopp are the only two I know of (same company) that are marketing Syrian for blending.

A number of the Peter Heinrichs blends use the good stuff, #169 #39 to name a few.

[Mad Hatter]

I've looked several times for information on this subject and it seems that Syrian latakia is still being produced and the only thing affecting its availability is the warehouse fire at C&D that destroyed their entire stock and also poor political relations with Syria that makes importation of fresh latakia iffy. Unless I'm wrong I really don't think this will affect the production of blends in mainland Europe and should only affect american and maybe UK blenders.

Does anyone know any different about this? According to MacBarens website Syrian is still being produced.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by pistol

Great post, I can't give anymore RG, otherwise I would. Thanks for the list! *edit* One to add is the PCCA Orient 996.

This great blend it Sold Out!. They say that they will produce more in late January 2008, however, there is some concern over the supply of Syrian Latakia.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I've looked several times for information on this subject and it seems that Syrian latakia is still being produced and the only thing affecting its availability is the warehouse fire at C&D that destroyed their entire stock and also poor political relations with Syria that makes importation of fresh latakia iffy. Unless I'm wrong I really don't think this will affect the production of blends in mainland Europe and should only affect American and maybe UK blenders.

Does anyone know any different about this? According to MacBarens website Syrian is still being produced.

That is not correct! I haven't checked McBarens Site, but if they are claiming that, it's a mystery as to why they would. If you do some serious research into production, you will find that they have stopped growing it in Syria, which is the only place in the world that it is grown. As I understand it, the Syrian Government destroyed all the crop several years ago and will no longer allow for it to be grown. Most certainly this has become a political issue of some kind. Even after the fire that destroyed most of the stored Syrian Latakia in the USA, McClelland and C&D were well healed, at there storage facilities, but even those supplies are dwindling! At the time that Syria destroyed the crops, it was estimated that there was a three or four year supply available in Europe and that should be pretty much used up as well!

[JohnnyFlake]

Thanks to those of you who have added a few other blends that contain Syrian Latakia, and that are still available!

[JacksonCognac]

Johnny, excellent post. I'll look into picking up a few of these blends while they are around. It seems odd that the Syrian govt would want to stop growing a cash crop like Syrian Latakia... but hey that whole area is a mess so it wouldn't surprise me.

[jgros001]

Thanks to Johnny and the others who have contributed.....you guys made sure I got free shipping at smokingpipes!!