Sam's Blend

Sam's Blend is a plainly built Latakia mixture composed of a trio of Cyprus Latakia, Louisiana Perique, and unsweetened black Cavendish. Its three-component recipe leaves out the Virginia-and-Oriental layers usual in Latakia blends.

Black Cavendish gives the blend an unflavored softness and dark sweetness, Latakia builds the smoky backbone, and Perique adds a measured spice and fruit sharpness. The result is a medium-bodied, smooth-textured smoke; suited to those wanting to reach the smoky taste on a soft base, avoiding the sharpness of heavy English mixtures.