Favorite Balkan/English And Why?
- Thread starter anthonyrosenthal74
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Maybe it’s me and my limited exposure to these blends but it’s really really good.
I’ll buy some more next time I feel like buying
Surprised more people didn't say this, but SPC Plum Pudding and its sister blend Potlatch are REALLY good balkans. I just smoke the base Plum Pudding because the high falutin' stuff is SO expensive. I was blessed to be at the SPC meeting where they rolled out Potlatch, Deception Pass, and the extinct (branding issues) Pike Place. Very good blends.
Mac Baren Vintage Syrian is awesome.
Russ Ouellette's White Knight, Black House, and 10 to Midnight are great.
Abingdon and Charing Cross are two great Balkans from GL Pease.
For English blends, I like Star of the East, Pirate Kake, and Engine 99 from C&D. I also like Quiet Nights, Gaslight, and Westminster from Pease. I also have always enjoyed Dunhill EMP and Nightcap. I've not had the Peterson versions.
Mac Baren Vintage Syrian is awesome.
Russ Ouellette's White Knight, Black House, and 10 to Midnight are great.
Abingdon and Charing Cross are two great Balkans from GL Pease.
For English blends, I like Star of the East, Pirate Kake, and Engine 99 from C&D. I also like Quiet Nights, Gaslight, and Westminster from Pease. I also have always enjoyed Dunhill EMP and Nightcap. I've not had the Peterson versions.
I dislike Plum Pudding so much so that I've no interest in trying the other SPC blends. Part of my dislike is due to SPC's elevated prices. A blend that is unimpressive is even more so when its expensive.
So I’m really new to all this but English and Balkan blends are by far my favorite smoke so far. I like the meaty campfire and subtle sweetness that these blends bring. My first ever was Nightcap and I was just blown away. Ive since tried a few others and my favorites so far have been Ashton’s Artisans blend and Arango Balkan Supreme. Both have huge flavor and that Smokey sweetness. This thread has been great for me because I can’t wait to try more of the often mentioned blends. Especially the GL Pease stuff. I also want to try a few highly regarded Dan Tobacco blends. Gordon Pym is probably the only blend I’ve been able to find that still uses Syrian Latakia. Hmm, wonder if I should have kept that to myself haha. 
No revelations here, in the past year I’m smoking fewer English blends, especially Lat-bombs. But I enjoy:
Dunhill (Murray) - (I haven’t tried the Peterson versions) :
Finally, Lane HGL - definitely a crossover/aromatic English. I like how the Latakia plays a supportive role, like a seasoning which highlights the other flavors. Aromatic (I pick up vanilla and honey), this is the best smelling Latakia blend I’ve found (even generates compliments from the wife), nice sweet flavor. Also the only crossover blend I’ve found which fulfills my requirements for both English and Aromatic (many fail in both categories). Enough N for satisfaction and relaxation (perhaps from the Burley). Often my last pipe of the day, which leaves a pleasant and sweet odor- the smell many people imagine when they think of good pipe tobacco. Good for smoking in public while also satisfying the smoker (YMMV).
Dunhill (Murray) - (I haven’t tried the Peterson versions) :
- Early Morning Pipe - nice light English, for me it has a unique flavor of the roasted lamb I enjoy from a local Syrian restaurant- i haven’t nailed down the source of the flavor. I also like this one as it’s light enough not to ruin my pallet for the day. Interestingly, I’ve found that I prefer this one fresh, and that the flavors become somewhat muted and mixed after ten years of age.
- My Mixture 965 - for me this blend leans toward a Scottish mixture (with the inclusion of Cavendish). I find that the orientals fill out the profile. Great, full flavor, and best room note I’ve found in a full English. This was my every day smoke for several years. I find this similar to Rattray’s Red Rappary (another favorite). I used to have a large stash, but smoked most of it. One of my “desert island” blends. I recently picked up a couple more Peterson tins for the cellar.
- Nightcap - great full-bodied blend, like the older and more intense sibling of the two above. Has a great hint of plum pudding flavor (perhaps from the small amount of Perique). I also pick up the roasted lamb flavor I like in EMP. I’m guessing this is from the play of orientals and Latakia. Good Nicotine, and great evening smoke. Very relaxing just like the name describes. I have a large stash of ten year old jars, which are likely near their peak. One of my favorite choices for when I’m camping beside a fire.
Finally, Lane HGL - definitely a crossover/aromatic English. I like how the Latakia plays a supportive role, like a seasoning which highlights the other flavors. Aromatic (I pick up vanilla and honey), this is the best smelling Latakia blend I’ve found (even generates compliments from the wife), nice sweet flavor. Also the only crossover blend I’ve found which fulfills my requirements for both English and Aromatic (many fail in both categories). Enough N for satisfaction and relaxation (perhaps from the Burley). Often my last pipe of the day, which leaves a pleasant and sweet odor- the smell many people imagine when they think of good pipe tobacco. Good for smoking in public while also satisfying the smoker (YMMV).