Bengal Slices White

Bengal Slices is a Latakia-forward crumble-cake blend dating back to the late 1970s. Records say the original product was pressed by Sobranie for James B. Russell, with the matured cakes cut into slices; the blend was withdrawn from the market in the mid-1980s. The name and recipe were revived in 2015 by Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania, and the blend was rebuilt by Russ Ouellette. The White version, joining the family in 2019, carries less Latakia than the original recipe and contains no added flavoring.

Sweet golden Virginia leaf and Oriental seasoning form the blend's backbone; Latakia here isn't dominant, standing instead as a layer providing smoky, woody depth. Black Cavendish rounds out the sweetness. Since it comes as a pressed cake, the slice is rubbed out before packing; moisture control and slow smoking bring out the leaf's sugary tones. It suits smokers who want Latakia in moderation and follow unflavored English-style blends.