Rainier Levant

Rainier Levant is Seattle Pipe Club's Balkan-style blend. It consists of red Virginia, Turkish-Oriental leaf, and a generous amount of Cyprus Latakia. According to records, the blend's origin traces to Levant Mixture from Drucquer & Sons, once based in Berkeley, California; Joe Lankford developed his own take on the recipe starting from an old tin. It takes its name from Mount Rainier, which overlooks Seattle.

On the smoke, Latakia's smoky, resinous character leads, but it is balanced by the sour-spicy, orange-peel-like sweetness of the Oriental leaf and the bready base of the red Virginia; it is built as a layered Balkan blend rather than a straight pile of Latakia. Nicotine sits in the medium range. Aimed at smokers accustomed to unflavored, smoky blends and interested in classic Balkan recipes.