Looking For A New Balkan Blend

[troyniss]

I'm on a Balkan kick right now.

So far I've tried:

CD Sunset Harbor Flake
Arango Balkan Supreme
SPC Plum Pudding


I was looking at GL Pease Abingdon or Charing Cross. I have a tin of Kensington and Westminster already but haven't tried it yet, but due to where I live I don't have it with me. I also have tins of Fusiliers Ration and Bengal Slices, which I have heard are similar to SPC PP, but don't have them on hand.

Can anyone me on a good Balkan to try, or give me some advice on the two GL Pease blends I'm considering?

Thank you!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Meridian
Balkan Sasieni
Presbyterian

 

[troyniss]

I should also mention I tried Presbyterian and Sasieni already! I'll take a look at Meridian.

 

[Chasing Embers]

LJ Peretti's Royal

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I really like GLPs Ashbury. It features a nice red Virginia to sweeten the incense-y orientals.

 

[mtwaller]

The Balkan’s you’ve mentioned are my all time favorite smokes. Love crumble cakes such as Plum Pudding and Bengal Slices. For something totally different than those, but still delicious, I’d recommend Hearth and Home Black House. It’s much lighter, and more delicate. A true all day smoke for me.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Davidoff Royalty is superb.

 

[Elric]

Meridian
Balkan Sasieni
Presbyterian

Interesting. I wouldn't have thought Presbyterian was a Balkan given how little Latakia is present. Mind you, it's one of my favorite blends, but it just goes to show the learning curve on smoking a pipe.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Park Lane Knightsbridge

 

[dmcmtk]

Charing Cross is an excellent Balkan IMHO. I haven't tried Abingdon (maybe I should).

 

[sandollars]

Peretti's Royal is the bomb!

Also,

Smokers' Haven "Our Best Blend" and "Exotique" . Surprisingly both available right now at Smokers' Haven. These are my 2 favorites so far. Even better than Penzance IMHO...

 

[greeneyes]

HU makes many wonderful tobaccos. They make many great Balkan mixtures and although I haven't tried them all, I did receive a sample of Tuarekh that I thought it was pretty damn impressive. A real top-quality 'luxurious' Balkan.

 

[dcon]

Abingdon is GLP’s best Balkan IMHO. I find it richer and more Oriental forward than Charing Cross which, is also, a great smoke. My favorite bulk Balkan is Sutliff Balkan II.
There are a lot of good to great blends in this genre and you should enjoy sampling a bunch of them. A lot of forum members recommend Balkan Supreme. I find this to be a MOR Balkan.

 

[alaskanpiper]

HU Zulu
Peretti Royal
Smoker's Haven Our Best Blend
Hearth and Home White Knight

You should try Plum Pudding Special Reserve too, if you liked the SPC PP.

If you can find it/afford it McClelland Balkan Blue is out of this world as well.

 

[bluegrasspipe]

Smokers Haven, Our Best Blend, or Exotique!! Both are excellent blends that aren't always available. And it's blended by J.F. Germaine & son.

 

[aquadoc]

H&H White Knight
Peretti Tashkent
Peretti Royal
Larry's Blend

 

[danimalia]

I loved my tin of Kensington which I just finished recently, and if Charing Cross is similar, but a bit fuller, I bet it would be great as well. I smoked a ton of Bengal Slices when the new version came out and it was my favorite tobacco for a while. It's a bit different because of the prominent topping. I didn't care as much for Abingdon when I tried it, but I was fairly new then and for whatever reason, it just never seemed as full-flavored and Lat-heavy as I was expecting at the time. Now, I actually prefer medium Latakia blends, so it might be better appreciated with another try. I don't know if they qualify as Balkan, but since you're considering Bengal Slices, I thought I'd also mention GLP's Blackpoint and Maltese Falcon, which are both wonderful as well.

 

[supdog]

You should try Star of the East Gold and Super Balkan both by C&D and available in bulk. One balkan that is unique and tasty is D&R Ramback Balkan.

 

[BROBS]

white knight