Wilke No. 44

Wilke No. 44 is a mixture built outside the usual English blend mold. According to the maker's recipe, black cavendish forms the base, topped with finely cut Yenidje Oriental leaf, Virginia, Latakia, and Perique. Yenidje's spicy, floral character is the blend's most prominent trait; Cyprian Latakia is not a dominant component here, but rather an addition that keeps the smokiness in check.

Perique adds a dark, fruity, peppery edge that balances the sweetness of the cavendish base. The fine cut means the blend catches quickly, so it calls for a slow draw. It suits smokers seeking Oriental-forward English blends with controlled smokiness, where Latakia doesn't take the lead.