Balkan Blends: What's in a name?
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:34 am
For those who want background, here's Pease on the term "Balkan":
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that- ... kan-blend/
But hold that for later.
The argument has been made that the Balkans, English and Orientals are all variations of the same components but in different measure. Now as a Compleat Idiot my impression is that what we'd call English has more to do with Latakia component, ibid for the Oriental blends (featuring the Oriental component).
It seems that Latakia - like a good Islay whisky - is an acquired preference.
Recently my local tobacconist got a shipment of discounted Sutliff tins, just $6 for 1.5 to 2 oz, a good deal. One of them is called "Bosphorus Cruise" which is promoted as a Balkan blend of Lat, Virginia and Orientals. The TR review (which really tells the story) is quite attractive to me as I'm not a big Lat fan, so this blend's more balanced approach, with less Lat influence seems appealing.
It gets an impressive 3.3, especially for a blend that is extremely economical, yet praised for its quality. Stay tuned, I plan to buy and try...
*******
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/409 ... rus-cruise
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that- ... kan-blend/
But hold that for later.
The argument has been made that the Balkans, English and Orientals are all variations of the same components but in different measure. Now as a Compleat Idiot my impression is that what we'd call English has more to do with Latakia component, ibid for the Oriental blends (featuring the Oriental component).
It seems that Latakia - like a good Islay whisky - is an acquired preference.
Recently my local tobacconist got a shipment of discounted Sutliff tins, just $6 for 1.5 to 2 oz, a good deal. One of them is called "Bosphorus Cruise" which is promoted as a Balkan blend of Lat, Virginia and Orientals. The TR review (which really tells the story) is quite attractive to me as I'm not a big Lat fan, so this blend's more balanced approach, with less Lat influence seems appealing.
It gets an impressive 3.3, especially for a blend that is extremely economical, yet praised for its quality. Stay tuned, I plan to buy and try...
*******
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/409 ... rus-cruise