Blenders Bench: Katerini

Katerini is an Oriental tobacco grown in the region of the same name in Greece, coming from Samsun seed stock; Daughters & Ryan sells this leaf on its own in the Blenders Bench line. It's counted among the most sought-after Oriental varieties.

Its flavor structure carries a light honey sweetness, floral tones, and a subtle sharpness that shifts between sweet and bitter. Nicotine is low, aromatic intensity high. A component leaf for blenders wanting to add Oriental character to Latakia-heavy or Virginia-heavy mixtures.