Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Blending Latakia

Blending Latakia is the pure latakia leaf that the Kendal-based house of Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. sells not as a finished blend but as a component for building blends. Latakia is produced by long smoke-curing oriental leaf over resinous wood and brush in closed cells; this process turns the leaf nearly black, lowers its nicotine, and leaves a heavy, smoky, tarry, leather-like flavour. Records indicate the firm offers this leaf only in bulk. It is not intended to be smoked on its own; it is added in small proportions alongside Virginia and oriental leaf to build the backbone of English and Balkan-style blends. When burned pure, the flavour is very intense while the nicotine stays low, so weight of flavour rather than strength is what stands out.