Latakia / English Tobacco » Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides Tobacco Reviews

Good heavy Lat blend

This review has been taken from tins that have been distributed by CAO. I think they stopped distribution in 2008 or so. They have some age on them. I found them in a store in 2009. Here is goes:

Upon opening the tin, a smoky campfire aroma is evident. The high percentage of latakia makes its presence known. It comes in slices. I have both folded and stuffed them, and rubbed them out. If you do not like latakia, this is not the blend for you.
The strong scent put me off. I liked it, but I thought this blend was going to be a strong one. This was my first foray into these heavy lat blends. The only thing strong is the flavor and smell. It smells like a campfire burning, and has a real creamy flavor to it. It is the perfect end of the night smoke. It burns well, not needing any relights once I got it started. I'm not sure why everyone likes to add to reviews that it burns to a nice grey ash, but this blend does, so I will add it for those people who obsess with that.
If you like heavy latakia blends such as Esoterica's Penzance, C&D's Pirate Kake, and Charles Fairmorns Lancer Slices, chances are you will like this blend.

Delicious Latakia Bomb

Old Ironsides is the only baccy I fell in love with after the first bowl; strong, with a full, nutty, crispy and smoky taste that sends you dreamin' of a london night, back into a dark & smokey tavern on the Thames, in the mid of the 18th century...I packed an entire flake down my small Peterson and had some trouble keeping it lit but it's allright.

Latakia bomb? YES!

This is a love/hate blend. I love the stronger Latakia blends, from English through Balkan, and this one grabbed me from the moment I tried a pinch of it at Dan Tobacco from their sample jar. I went out of the place with a tin in my pocket.

Opening the tin, yes, it's a Lat bomb. But in a good way. Lots of Orientals in there, some VA to sweeten the deal. The leaf comes in a widely-cut flake, the individual slices ready-to-light and crumbling; fold-and-twist works though. Lighting is easy, and the burn is slow and cool.

The taste is tarry-salty-dry -- a full Balkan! Nicotine is in there in enough force to make this an addictive smoke (pun intended) for me; the room note, however, is antisocial. As would be expected, anyway; it's a Lat bomb, after all. But in the taste, Dan Tobacco have managed to tame the sheer amount of Lat smokiness with enough Orientals and VA to create something that just plain simply works.

If you like lots of Latakia, enjoy Balkan blends, and still want some sweetness and a full taste, this may be your ticket to heaven.