|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Apr 25, 2018 12:46:44 GMT -5
To my novice, uneducated, simple mind, it seems like an English, but yet it is labelled, marketed as a Balkan. So what makes the difference?
|
|
|
|
Post by zambini on Apr 25, 2018 12:53:25 GMT -5
The basic idea is that it's a subtype of an English blend in which the oriental tobaccos are pushed forward or emphasized in the style of Balkan Sobranie.
|
|
|
|
Post by slowroll on Apr 25, 2018 13:12:44 GMT -5
Yep, zambini has it right. Orientals are a bigger percentage than the Virginia. However, the percentage, hence definition, is in the eye (nose?) Of the blender, so it's kinda fuzzy. After all, they're all Balkans, because they have latakia. Greg Pease just calls them all latakia blends, he says the distinction is meaningless.
|
|
|
|
Post by peteguy on Apr 25, 2018 14:03:19 GMT -5
Stolen from Magazonia:
Mary: The term ‘Balkan Blend’ is a loosely used term referring to any blend that contains Balkan tobaccos. Generally speaking, we tend to define it as a Balkan blend if it has a pretty good amount of Balkan tobaccos in it.
Russ: Over the years it has come to mean, to me, a Latakia blend in which Orientals are the secondary note. So that means that after the main influence of Latakia, the next thing that you notice is the influence of the Oriental and Turkish tobaccos. That then, to me, fulfills the kind of antiquated description of Balkan.
GLP: I can’t answer that question because, as I said in my article - What is a Balkan Blend?, I think the term is pretty much meaningless. But it does bring up some interesting points for discussion.
Craig: Our description of a Balkan Blend is as follows: Latakia and Orientals are added to a base of Virginias. English blends may or may not have a percentage of Orientals but Balkans will always have a percentage of Orientals.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Apr 25, 2018 14:12:54 GMT -5
no wonder i'm gravitating toward Balkan blends, cause I love those Orientals.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 15:52:18 GMT -5
I agree with zambini , too, when it comes to how the term is commonly understood. But... neither SG Balkan Flake nor Peterson Balkan Delight have Orientals in them. I guess you could argue that makes them not Balkans and that the manufacturers don't know what the hell they're talking about.  There's never an easy, definitive answer when it comes to pipe smoking.  |
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Apr 25, 2018 16:38:23 GMT -5
I'd have to agree with you. *sigh* that means I'm gonna remove Balkan Delight from my cart....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 16:45:12 GMT -5
I'd have to agree with you. *sigh* that means I'm gonna remove Balkan Delight from my cart.... Who knows, it might be a great blends. Sounds like the Perique is fairly prominent, so that's kind of a deal breaker for me - at this point in my piping career, anyway! The SG Balkan Flak, on the other, hand is on my must-try list. |
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Apr 25, 2018 19:40:07 GMT -5
I like perique  |
|
|
|
Post by slowroll on Apr 25, 2018 19:46:13 GMT -5
I find perique to be an interesting tobacco. Mixed into a heavy, harsh blend it smooths it out and gives a figgy or raisin flavor. In a mild blend, it can get sharp.
|
|
There's never an easy, definitive answer when it comes to pipe smoking. 