I started out with drug store blends in the 70's and was oblivious to Latakia until my first visit to the Tinder Box where I was impressed by the smell of the shop. I bought two of their Tinder Box blends, Epicurean and Connoisseur and enjoyed them. I like the smell of the tobacco itself in a room. I smoke English blends every once in a while but mostly smoke Virginias and/or Burleys, sometimes with Perique.