antly more dry than the virginias and orientals, and perhaps because of that the mixture is not well blended. Therefore I embarked upon a first in my piping career... I emptied the contents into a mixing bowl and began thoroughly mixing the contents, first by lightly tearing some of the longer shag strands and then pulling the Latakia from the bottom and sprinkling it throughout. Finally, with my Sobranie blended to my satisfaction I jarred it and set out enough to fill my rather large Meerqueen bowl. Again the Latakia had a tendency to separate but with a thorough mixing it is much improved of you stay vigilant! Like most germain produced tobaccos sobranie dries to a certain point in a rather short time, and I find 20-30 minutes brings it to a nice moisture level, being slightly dry but having that oily texture. Presentation, blending, and moisture aside I put flame to tobacco and it took it quite readily, giving nice volumes of fragrant smoke. It's clear to me that smoked fresh this is no lightweight English/balkan. The sweet, smoky, woody germain Latakia is present with every puff and very enjoyable. The virginias provide a solid backdrop for the supporting cast of Turkish tobacco of which, to my tastes at least, Smyrna (not izmir) is the star. To me the (alleged) Smyrna provides a delicious musty, spicy note that I don't have the pleasure of tasting often. The virginias are present and provide their own standard notes for the first half of the bowl, but as the smoke strengthens they fall deeper into the background and the smoky, spicy flavors take over. Another reason I think it's Smyrna, and please correct me if it isnt, is that when smoked fresh it is a little harsh on my tongue and palate. I didn't get tongue bite, but if I smoked multiple bowls per day I would, which reminds me of said Turkish at least until aged some. Despite all of my gripes with the blend I thoroughly enjoy the flavor, and imagine it will become significantly better with age and added complexity. Fresh... it is fairly straightforward, a little harsh, full flavored English tobacco. Read Less