Why do English/Balkan Blends Burn so Well?

[fishmansf]

Title edited for caps and brevity. Original:

"Why do English/Balkan blends burn so smoothly and evenly compared to other blends?"


I haven't smoked a single English/Balkan blend that I haven't been able to smoke to the bottom of the bowl. No tongue bite, no overheating, just a solid tasty smoke throughout the whole bowl. On the other hand, when I am smoking Burleys or Virginias I don't think I have once in my six years of pipe smoking ever been able to smoke past the halfway point of the bowl because it simply will not keep an ember. Any idea why this is?

 

[fireground_piper]

Individual technique. I usually have the best experiences with Virginias and aromatics.

I’d probably smoke English blends a little more if they didn’t perform so bad for me.

 

[tobakenist]

I have been smoking English and Balkan blends for over 50yrs, I also like Lakelands and a few others but for a Perfect smoke I stick to English and Balkans, perfect smoke for me is SG Perfection, why ? because it's Perfect, can't say anything about Perfection other than Perfect, did I mention Perfection ? hope you can get it in the USA.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd check the moisture levels on those blends that poop out.

 

[woodsroad]

“They’re Toasted!”

 

[badbriar]

Could be me, but I believe that Latakia seems to take to a flame very well and burns nicely!
Like you, I occasionally have challenges with keeping Virginias properly burning.

 

[kcghost]

I think the cut they use on these is very easy to light and keep lit.

 

[anotherbob]

Well one of the reasons I dry my tobacco out is I like I burn qualities of drier tobaccos.

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

Englishes are the just easiest to smoke in general, outside of some specifically formulated codgers like Prince Albert.

The biggest reason in my mind is the Latakia. It's basically preburnt and because of that takes and keeps flame easily. It's just like char cloth. To make it even better it's one of the few tobaccos that I think improves with aggressive puffing. All around a fantastic blend type for newer smokers, why anyone recommends them aromatics is beyond me.

 

[Sigmund]

I think people start on Aromatics becuase they go to the nearest store and that is what is on the shelf. Also they labels make them sound way better than they are.

As for lat blends. I think its beacuse they are already toasted. Most my lat blends (HH aside) have a pretty low moisture level to begin with. At least my memory says so.

 

[elvishrunes]

I think this is true, although I never actually thought of it. These days I only smoke well prepared flakes, and English is the only ribbon cut I smoke because you get a good burn and full mouthfeel. I find other ribbons to be too thin, but would certainly smoke them if that’s all I had, just don’t buy them anymore.

 

[FLDRD]

Virginia and burley burn great in a shag cut.
Dark Bird's Eye...

 

[ThermionicScott]

Title edited for caps and brevity. Original:

"Why do English/Balkan blends burn so smoothly and evenly compared to other blends?"


I haven't smoked a single English/Balkan blend that I haven't been able to smoke to the bottom of the bowl. No tongue bite, no overheating, just a solid tasty smoke throughout the whole bowl. On the other hand, when I am smoking Burleys or Virginias I don't think I have once in my six years of pipe smoking ever been able to smoke past the halfway point of the bowl because it simply will not keep an ember. Any idea why this is?

My understanding is that the Latakia slows down the overall burn rate and the Orientals/Latakia/whatever else help compensate for the pH and sugar of the Virginias, so it's just a slow gentle smoke to begin with. And since English/Balkan blends have so much flavor, there is much less temptation to puff hard to get it. So you can just relax and it comes to you. It's easy to see why people often fall in love and evangelize once they try these blends.

 

[Searock Fan]

Why do English/Balkan Blends Burn so Well?

Do they? Try some Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake.... better bring a lot of matches!

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

I'd check the moisture levels on those blends that poop out.

Yeah for sure! Pooped out blends are super fresh and juicy depending on what went into them, like Taco Bell hehe

 

[tobakenist]

Nobody replied to me that you can get Samuel Gawith's Perfection in the US, it's wonderful and if you can't, complain, it is the smoothest English that you could smoke, I am never without it, I buy it in bulk, my second is Balkan Flake, plus a few other's.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Nobody replied to me that you can get Samuel Gawith's Perfection in the US, it's wonderful and if you can't, complain, it is the smoothest English that you could smoke, I am never without it, I buy it in bulk, my second is Balkan Flake, plus a few other's.

Yes you can. I love the stuff! I like Skiff Mixture a bit more, but Perfection is right behind it followed by Squadron Leader. Some of my favorite tobaccos. I have it in bulk as well as tins. I always recommend Perfection for someone looking to try an English blend.

 

[fishmansf]

Why do English/Balkan Blends Burn so Well?

Do they? Try some Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake.... better bring a lot of matches!

Hah! I don't think I have ever smoked a Gawith blend I have enjoyed. They are all so wet that even after hours of drying, I cant keep it lit. Gave up on then a year ago

 

[burleybreath]

Hah! I don't think I have ever smoked a Gawith blend I have enjoyed. They are all so wet that even after hours of drying, I cant keep it lit. Gave up on then a year ago

You can dry it for days. Just sayin', as I'm not sure that will help either.

 

[FLDRD]

Hah! I don't think I have ever smoked a Gawith blend I have enjoyed. They are all so wet that even after hours of drying, I cant keep it lit. Gave up on then a year ago

Smoke their shag.
Awesome.
No problems getting / keeping lit.