New WLT Latakia and New WLT Perique: a review
It's always a pleasure and a privilege to sample some of the new offerings of WLT before they are made available to purchase. It's like an advance copy of a book about to be published. In this instance, I'm reviewing two new tobaccos, both of which are intended for pipe blending, though some also use these for cigarette blending and cigar blending.
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{Find deluxestogie's review for Latakia here, and Perique here! moved to the WLT website. Thank you Bob / deluxestogie!!!!!}
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Since neither the Perique nor the Latakia is suitable for a solo run, I made up one of my favorite blends to sample them together:
Pearl of Shibam
I'll begin my impressions by mentioning that, years ago, I used to have Craig Tarler, at Cornell & Diehl, regularly mix this blend for me--it's not one offered by C&D. The primary blend difference between that and the present blend is my use today of WLT's really exquisitely cured Basma, instead of C&D's Izmir. Today's blend is better than any of it blended by C&D.
Conclusions:
The Stacked Basma, new Perique and the new Latakia are genuinely excellent. If you are considering purchasing similar blending ingredients (the pre-shredded stuff) from pipe tobacco retailers, all three of these WLT offerings are of a much higher quality, and cost a lot less.
-Bob
It's always a pleasure and a privilege to sample some of the new offerings of WLT before they are made available to purchase. It's like an advance copy of a book about to be published. In this instance, I'm reviewing two new tobaccos, both of which are intended for pipe blending, though some also use these for cigarette blending and cigar blending.
---
{Find deluxestogie's review for Latakia here, and Perique here! moved to the WLT website. Thank you Bob / deluxestogie!!!!!}
---
Since neither the Perique nor the Latakia is suitable for a solo run, I made up one of my favorite blends to sample them together:
Pearl of Shibam
- WLT Lemon VA: 5 parts
- New WLT Stacked Basma: 4 parts
- New WLT 2017 Latakia: 4 parts
- New WLT Perique: 3 parts
I'll begin my impressions by mentioning that, years ago, I used to have Craig Tarler, at Cornell & Diehl, regularly mix this blend for me--it's not one offered by C&D. The primary blend difference between that and the present blend is my use today of WLT's really exquisitely cured Basma, instead of C&D's Izmir. Today's blend is better than any of it blended by C&D.
Pouch aroma: The crispy edge of the Basma is immediately evident, as is an intense Latakia incense. Both present the impression of "fresher" spice. The fruitiness of the Perique masks its underlying, subtle barnyard. For an English/Balkan blend, pouch aroma doesn't get any more inviting.
Strength: The overall nicotine strength of this blend is mild to moderate, and seems typical of previous batches made from generic ingredients.
Taste: I don't notice quite as much soapiness as I typically find in Latakia. The Lemon and Basma together give it an appropriate, sour edge. I suspect that my perceived, slight sweetness is imaginary. There is no particular taste to the Perique ingredient within the blend, as it burns. One secret to this particular blend is that the VA Lemon and Perique are in perfect balance, resulting in zero tongue bite.
Aroma: The musty and warm scent of a spice censer swinging in the hand of a priest, as he slowly walks the aisle of a cathedral. Maybe even the friendly mustiness of the "stacks" in a university library 40 years ago (where browsing professors puffed Dunhill English blends and Balkan Sobranie White in their pipes).
Burn: Typical and excellent and cool.
Aftertaste: This leaves a delicious, slightly salty, dessert-like reminder.
Residual Moisture: None in the bowl or shank. No dottle. Only clean, light gray ash.
Conclusions:
The Stacked Basma, new Perique and the new Latakia are genuinely excellent. If you are considering purchasing similar blending ingredients (the pre-shredded stuff) from pipe tobacco retailers, all three of these WLT offerings are of a much higher quality, and cost a lot less.
-Bob
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