Tranters used to do an oustanding latakia, no idea if its still made for them but it was truly exceptional.
Not to get too far afield here, but do most tobacco stores in urban areas (US) carry latakia pipe tobacco, and is that how one would ask for it? I don’t want to look like too much a fool when I go shopping, but I think I’d like to try a nice latakia snuff, even if homemade. Any advice appreciated.
For advice on anything to do with pipes or pipe tobacco the best person to ask is Martin Mcgahey. He does an online Q and A on his site. @ddavelarsen http://www.the-tobacconist.co.uk/
@ddavelarson most pipe shops will have plain latakia as a condiment leaf. However, latakia is really not meant to be consumed alone but to complement a blend. I would not make a straight Lat snuff any more than I would smoke straight lat in a pipe any more than I would drink mustard straight from the bottle Instead Look for a English or Balkan blend of tobacco. Ask for one that is stronger in Latakia. Rattrays Black Mallory Esoterica Penzance Dunhill My mixture or just the house English they sell in the shop Any of these will be a good place to start
I’d wage that the smokey aroma of the said snuffs hail from Kentucky burley. It’s fire-cured, stout tobacco. When blended with other tobaccos it can be easily mistaken for latakia.
@all:Thanks for all the kind words. From the message of PhilipS you know how Latakia Ao 1860 came about. It was the first snuff we produced in the windmills since in the first half of the twentieth century the production reduced to zero. We only had partial recipes in a small book which survived the destruction of De Ster by two fires and showed us the route to revive historical snuffs. Jaap Bes.
Hey all, thanks for the suggestions re Latakia! That will be most helpful in my search. My grinder came today, and I’m just itching to make some snuff… 
Burley is nutty when done right, bitter when done wrong, and bland when a cheaper cut IMHO Latikia’s profile is completely distinct just as a Virginia is distinct from an oriental. I think it would be hard to imitate one by using the another To the same degree that I think it would be hard to present mustard as mayonnaise But that’s just me
Hey now snifsdog…I present mustard as mayonnaise quite often, and get away with it too! 
@snifs: Latakias have indeed very distinct aroma compared many other tobaccos. It’s because it’s fire cured oriental leaf. The smokiness in the aroma is quite clear. What comes closest is an another fire cured type, namely kentucky. As far as know, it’s the only fire cured burley there is. Quite different from other burleys. It’s smokiness is not as pronounced as latakia’s, but when acting as a part of blend it can be mistaken for latakia. It has a higher nicotine content than latakia and it’s often used to prop up a blend in the strength department. Also, as Jaap of Molens attests, “Latakia Ao 1860” is a blend of virginia and kentucky tobaccos. And what a fine blend it is!
Latakia as snuff was not what I expected. It is very different than when smoked in a pipe, so is Perique for that matter. Ooh! Latakia/Perique snuff! Time for me to get some blending Latakia.
I smoke Pure Latakia straight in my pipe and love it. I’ve also made pure Latakia snuff but it was so strong in smell, I had to mix in a lot of natural tobacco to make it useable. I think I’ve sent Xander or Cstokes4 a sample and although whoever received it, complimented me on the taste I’m pretty sure he just dumped it!
@PieterClaassen: I still have the Latakia snuff you sent me. I can’t use it very often, but when I do, I enjoy it. At the moment it needs rehydration though. I have a couple tonka beans (split) sitting in it to soften the flavor a bit. I might just rehydrate the beans, and let them rehydrate the snuff.
@Jari T Upon reflection I think I will have to concur with you on this one. I’m not a big burley fan and so its been a while since I’ve had any on purpose…………but if memory serves you are indeed correct
Most snuffs are made with burley. Most of the ones that are not clearly note the distinction. Gold Label being one example.
Damn…all this time I thought they were made with tobacco…silly me!!
Really? Is there something else called burley that is not tobacco?
I’ve met some barmaids that were pretty burley!
That one doesn’t work either with the pronunciation not being the same. All the while detracting from the broader subject of tobacco types.
Quite sorry sir, certainly did not mean to offend.