What is the Best Balkan?

[chopper]

I've tried quite a few, to include Sasieni Balkan and Arango Balkan Supreme.

Which is the best?

Agree with the others who said "best" is subjective to ones personal preference.

I've not tried either SB or ABS but my favourite blend with Oriental is Jesses Own - Virginia, Oriental/Turkish, Maryland, Latakia and Perique.
The Orientals are a key component but doesn't overwhelm. In fact no one leaf dominates.
Very well balanced and surprisingly tasty for a milder blend.

 

[dunnyboy]

Haven't smoked it lately but I used to like GLP Abingdon.

 

[warren]

Which is the best?

Whichever appeals to your palate the most. Your palate differs from mine and everyone elses. Smoke what you prefer and enjoy.

 

[ak2000]

I haven't smoked it in a long time, I recall really enjoying Bill Baileys Balkan Blend, moreso than the others mentioned above.

 

[ClenchedBilliard]

Like most pipe nomenclature, Balkan is simply a word to give the smoker a heads up that the blend will contain latakia and a significant amount of other orientals. There's not really any hard n fast rules on genres per se, but if I see "Balkan" in the name I know generally what to expect. Having said all that, GLP Caravan is my favorite, though I'm expecting good things awaiting me inside those tins of C&D Palmetto Balkan I tucked away.

 

[bullet08]

With name like Balkan Supreme, how can it be not the best? Unless someone comes out with Balkan Ultimatum.

 

[Rpink53]

SH Exotique

 

[sleepy57]

The "Best" is the one "They " Dont Make anymore!

 

[mortonbriar]

GH Balkan flake is very good, it was overwhelming for me fresh (most 'balkan' blends are a bit much for my palate) but the tin I aged for 8 years and then dried right out was excellent. I have one more tin sitting there, I think it is 2013, so maybe I will pop that next year and put a review up.

 

[Steveage]

Another vote for White Knight, or even better, the bulk version.
The bulk is cheap.....just like me! ?

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I prefer C&D Engine 99... Just sayin

 

[runscott]

I've only just popped the tin and smoked one bowl, but HH Vintage Syrian is great - very smoky, but also very smooth. I have so many great balkans that I think my two tins of this will last a really long time; thus, I don't have a problem suggesting that you enthusiastically go hunt some down.

 

[lochinvar]

A couple of Balkans I like
-Balkan Sasieni
-Royal from Peretti
-White Knight H&H
Black House H&H
-Caravan Pease
-Ashbury Pease
-Odyssey Pease

 

[aquadoc]

Peretti Tashkent
Peretti Oriental #40
Peretti Royal
Sasieni
White Knight
Blue Mountain

I find Arango Balkan Supreme is over-rated and disappointing. It has a lot of rough edges and has a bitter note on retrohale. Very dry smoke.

 

[Chasing Embers]

White Knight

People rarely mention its much less expensive bulk version.

 

[aquadoc]

People rarely mention its much less expensive bulk version.

What is the Sutliff match for White Knight? I know you told me at one time but the multiple match blends confuse me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

What is the Sutliff match for White Knight? I know you told me at one time but the multiple match blends confuse me.

Sutliff Balkan Sobranie Original Match

 

[jpmcwjr]

There never is a "best" type of tobacco. Taste is up to the individual user. You meant your "favorite".

Yep!

My favorite is Aged Syrian and Margate, followed by Balkan Supreme.

 

[whitebar]

GLP Caravan is the one I settled on many years ago and I still like it. There is still a bunch of it in my cellar.

 

[motie2]

Old Balkan Sobranie, but barring that, I prefer Sasieni and White Knight.
Bat that's just my opinion; I could be wrong.