One half Latakia with a generous portion of Turkish and sweetened with stoved red Virginia.
Review by Steve Laug:
Just in the midst of a second bowl of C&D Star of the East. It is a strong Latakia blend. The label says it has 50% latakia blended with Turkish Izmir and Stoved Red Virginia. If you are a Latakia lover this is one for you. The latakia is predominant and powerful throughout the bowl. The initial light is smokey and rich. The Virginia gives it a bit of a sweet bottom but is pretty much overpowered by the lat. The Izmir comes through on the edges of the tongue as a kind of "bitter" taste not unlike alum.
It is actually a nice smoke. Very smooth and heady. Mid bowl is much the same as the beginning with a deepening of the Va taste. The end of the bowl is a bit sweeter with the Virginia coming out. Latakia carries the taste to the end of the bowl. The ash is a nice grayish white powder with no dottle left over.
