Lane Tobacconist-Turkish Mystery

Turkish Mystery is one of the English-style mixtures prepared at the counter of Park-Lane Tobacconist in Clifton Park, New York. Per the shop's description, various oriental leaves form the blend's backbone, joined by a substantial amount of Cyprian latakia and a sugary Virginia that pulls the mixture toward sweetness at the finish. Although latakia holds a considerable share, the descriptions emphasize the oriental leaf's tart, spicy, dried-herb-like character; in this respect the blend sits in the line of an unflavored, full-bodied Balkan mixture.

Offered as a ribbon cut, the tobacco tips the latakia-oriental balance toward the oriental side, setting it apart from classic English mixtures where latakia dominates. It suits smokers interested in unflavored mixtures who are used to smoky, spicy tastes; it isn't an entry blend for those coming from aromatic tobacco. Being a small retailer's house blend, its distribution is limited and its production status is unclear from records.