Suggest a Light Balkan Bulk?

cosmicfolklore · Dec 6, 2013

I've usually avoided latakia blends, since I had one of the Froggy blends split my tongue with bite. I couldn't smoke for a week after that experience. But, I've recently found that I love Ashbury of GL Pease's Fog City Series. It's described as a light Balkan blend of Virginia, small leafed orientals, and Cyprus Latakia.

It has an almost incense like aroma, but very light, and makes a great all day smoke. I stocked up on a few tins, but I would love to explore this genre of Lat blends a little more. Can anyone suggest either another light Balkan that might have some of the light and smooth qualities? In either tin or bulk?
Thanks!

dcrguns · Dec 6, 2013

You can't go wrong with McCllend 5110 dark English full. A great Balkan blend. Smooth and sweet.

philobeddoe · Dec 6, 2013

Dunhill 965

petes03 · Dec 6, 2013

You had one of the Frogs bite you? Wow, I can't imagine getting tongue bite from one of them!

Anyway, I'd suggest The McC 5110 Dark English as well. Also, McC 2030 Grade 1. Balkan, and H&H Black House. All three of these are quality blends.

judcole · Dec 6, 2013

Hm. I am assuming that by "light" you mean "light on the latakia"? I am quite fond of H&H Larry's Blend, and Altadis Balkan but I would not consider either one a light Balkan. (H&H Black House definitely is not light.)
You might try McClelland's Yenindje Highlander.

cosmicfolklore · Dec 6, 2013

Thank you,

I may be using the term "Balkan" wrong, but it is how it is described on the tin. All of the "Fog City" blends by Pease favor a light mix on the Virginia, with the Virginias stepping forward on the palate. Ashbury is more like a light Balkan for the Virginia fan, IMO. I like it, but it's not a part of my everyday rotation. But, I was just wondering what might be out there with similarities.
Yes, when I was a few months into the pipe, I tried the original FM as well as EMP and a bulk blend that was just labelled Old English. I really liked the taste at first, but at first I noticed that if I smoked a lat blend, it ruined my whole mouth for the day and had to break from the pipe altogether. Then after a few of the FM bowls in one day, my tongue cracked. My tobacconist and I speculated that it might have been the burlys or the lat, but I wasn't having issues at the time with burly heavy aros, so...
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone might recommend. I will make a list of these and drop by my briary after work to check these out. Thanks!

escioe · Dec 6, 2013

I'm pretty familiar with Ashbury and the GL Pease range in general, so let me suggest a few Pease tins worth trying if you like Ashbury.
Piccadilly: lots of Virginias with pinches of both perique and latakia.

Chelsea Morning: Virginias with sprinklings of orientals, latakia, and perique. To me, this is the benchmark for a light latakia mixture.

Lombard: something a little goofier for VA fans who want just a tick of latakia with a bunch of bright VAs and perique. Such an underrated blend to me.

rigmedic1 · Dec 6, 2013

Chief Catoonah's Princes Street Blend, available in tin or bulk. I keep plenty on hand. It is not Latakia heavy, and has a touch of sweetness without being overpowering. Was the 2012 John Cotton Throwdown winner. The Peoples Choice award went to Lane's LEO blend, but that is tinned only, as far as I know. I like the LEO, but it is slightly sour to the Princes Street sweetness.

shutterbugg · Dec 6, 2013

Have you tried Sutliff Private Stock Bosphorus Cruise? I find it a pleasing smoke. I also smoke Nightcap, but for me it's an occasional short smoke. Bosphorus I can smoke regularly and in a larger pipe. I like that it has no Perique, so it's more sweet than tangy to the taste, and the Latakia level is just right for me.

cosmicfolklore · Dec 6, 2013

Thanks guys, I am making my list... and of course it's the time of year to check it twice. I did pick up some Chelsea Morning. So far, everything Pease has mixed has been a blessing to my taste buds. However, I will pick up a few of the others suggested to continue the journey. Some however, I have smelled enough burning in the Briary to know that I might sidestep those. But, all recommendations are appreciated.

I don't see making a Balkan an all day or every day for me, because I am very much in love with the Va/VaPer genre, but I do like to give my taste buds something new to chew on occasionally. Thanks again, gentlemen.

escioe · Dec 6, 2013

What VA ands Vapers do you like?

cosmicfolklore · Dec 6, 2013

Astley's #109 is my goto, but McClelland's Red Cake, Fillmore, and AJ's are trusty smokes for me too. , Haddo's Delight & Dark Star (occasionally)

mso489 · Dec 6, 2013

I enjoyed Altadis Bulkan II; I don't think it had any Latakia, but it's been a while.

supdog · Dec 10, 2013

You might enjoy Sunjammer and Mt Marcy, both from H&H. Just the other day I smoked Altadis Balkan I & II, and I liked I better than II. I found it to be a little more oriental forward.

cosmicfolklore · Dec 10, 2013

Thank you! Oriental forward sounds like what I'm looking for.

wingsfan · Dec 11, 2013

I am a fan of Peter Stokebeyes Balkan Supreme, I've been smoking it for a couple months now.

Suggest a Light Balkan Bulk?

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