F & K Sterling Balkan 759

This blend shipped very dry in bulk. I ordered 4 oz of it from P&C, and I was quite certain they had send a pound due to how large the bag was. However, this was a result of not having any excess moisture in the product. The aroma is your typical Balkan, bready, and smoky. Some sourness/floral come from the Orientals, but it's very subdued. Packing can be difficult due to the dryness of the tobacco, but once lit it tamps down quite well.

This is a wonderful, all day Balkan that won't tire your senses, or palate. The Virginia's are sweet and bready, and the Oriental condiment lends just a touch of spice. Leaves a bit of a tingle on the palate, but I find it quite enjoyable. This is a great indoor smoke, as the Latakia is subdued to the back of this blend. Paired well with the morning's coffee, and also great with the evening whisky.

F & K - Sterling Balkan.

The moisture of my pouch is perfect, with the composition of the blend being two thirds ribbons and one third broken flake. It contains a few yellows, but it's mostly browns: medium and dark.

I expect more of a smoky taste when the description says (as this one does) a hearty amount of Latakia. The Latakia's there, but equalled, if not beaten, by the Oriental's with their sweet and sour vigour. The Latakia doesn't have much of a crude smokiness, it's tamer than that. Sterling burns well, but the smoke can give me a little bite if I strain my puffing.

The nicotine's medium, and I think the room-note's very pleasant.

Sterling Balkan's a good smoke, but not a great smoke:

Three stars.

I quite enjoy this, three ingredients played hand in hand together, no particular one outshines each other, quite balance here! I notice some fruit topping which reminds me an aromatic, no, not quite, only a minor topping here! The sweetness of the Virginia forms the tone, along with the smokiness of the jack black Cyprian-Latakia and the mustiness of the Orientals-Turkish is playing its key role, fragrant and in a good balance! Does it live up to the great Balkan blend? I don't have a clue honestly, I never tried that great masterpiece before, but this one is definitely a very good puff!

3.5 out of 4

I used to smoke BS 759 back when I lived in Blighty. I moved to this (left) side of The Pond in 1983, and only recently (5 years ago) resumed smoking a pipe once more. English blends are my favourites and this one is particularly tasty.

Not as widely available as the F&K tinned blends, this bulk offering is sold by at least three online sources that I know of. The other bulk blend, Bayou Mist, which I will also review, is perhaps more distinctive but with some ‘flaws’ while this one is perhaps more typical, even generic, but without much to criticize.

Slightly soapy hit when first set to flame it then settles down with some nice nutty undertones which certain Turkish tobaccos are known to provide (I get sunflower seed and pine nuts). I wouldn’t call this full-bodied blend by any means, the Latakia presence is light throughout. At least there is no sooty creosote, and the Virginias sweet and burn smooth without excess heat. Nothing unpleasant here, but not especially distinctive. That description may sound more like two-star “Somewhat recommended” level of enthusiasm, but in several side-by-side comparisons this did hold its own against some well-regarded three star blends.

However, I wouldn’t really compare this to Balkan Sobranie 759 as some have mentioned; while it has been many years since I last had that, the types of Turkish tobacco used seem entirely different to me, and the level of Latakia here a tad lighter. The real BS 759 had Yenidje and Syrian Latakia, this tastes like a mix of Basma and Samsun. Maybe we need Jim Inks to weigh in on the matter as he likely has a supply on hand of BS 759 to make a direct comparison.

Will I buy again? No. The only F&K blend I will keep on hand is one that the brand took on during a merger/acquisition and that is Lancer’s Slices.

This isn't terrible but it does have some type of fruity, berry sort of addition that I did not appreciate.

I didn't bother finishing the first bowl, and binned the rest. I'm certain this would not have grown on me, as some tobaccos can.