HH Latakia Flake

HH Latakia Flake is Mac Baren's HH-line blend that presents latakia in flake form. It contains light Virginias, Cyprus latakia, spicy oriental leaves and a small amount of burley. The leaves are pressed into a block using a hot-pressing method; using steam in the pressing allows the leaf to mature further. The blocks are cut into thin, short slices, each reportedly weighing about three grams — enough for a single flake to fill one bowl.

In the smoke, latakia's smoky note leads, followed by the Virginias' measured sweetness, with the orientals' spice appearing intermittently. In keeping with the series' overall approach, casing is minimized and no top flavor is used. Suited to pipe smokers who enjoy unflavored English-type blends and prefer the slow smoke of a pressed leaf.