John Cotton's Smyrna

John Cotton's Smyrna is the Balkan-character member of the brand's classic line, grouped alongside No. 1 and Nos. 1 & 2. It takes its name from Smyrna, the old name for İzmir, and is described as "a blend of Smyrna and other choice tobaccos." In the version that became widespread in the 1970s, Latakia, Virginia, and Turkish leaf appear together; the Oriental share is kept high enough that the blend doesn't collapse into a one-dimensional Latakia bomb.

On the smoke, cedar, spice, a dark cocoa-leaning sweetness, and leather notes are reported; nicotine runs a bit above medium without tongue bite. Original production has ended; in 2015 The Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania reissued some blends under the John Cotton name. A profile for those seeking Balkan blends and Oriental-forward smokes.