Turkish Izmir

Turkish Izmir is an Oriental tobacco from Robert McConnell's blending-tobacco line. Reports indicate the product is built on small-leaf Turkish tobacco sourced from Izmir and Samsun. These leaves are sun-cured, a process that gives the tobacco an intense, dry aroma and a lightly tart, spicy character.

Smoked alone it offers a medium-mild nicotine experience with an intense flavor. Its main use is in blending: added to Virginia-heavy mixtures it reduces the tendency to bite the tongue and brings a creamy sweetness with a spicy top note. It also serves as a bridge in Latakia-based English and Balkan-style mixtures. The brand is Belfast in origin; production today is carried out in Germany.