Mullingar Kenmare

I've had the pleasure of snagging a tin of this old classic from time to time, but not often enough. One of the world's hidden treasures of the past. The reason the bidding gets so high on eBay is because the old times knew what treasures were within. Because most tins are now so old when purchased, the Latakia flavor has really dimmed, causing the Orientals (which have more staying power) to shine! It is a working class Balkan Sobranie White with a dash of Perique and Kentucky leaf to give added strength. If you can find a tin at an affordable price, it will be well worth the effort, IMO.

Pipestud

This was a tobacco I could definitely stay with for the long run. Balkan style, I believe, and not overwhelming Latakia wise, which was why I liked it. Too bad this stuff is not available any more. Why do we constantly get new entries into the pipe tobacco world that are BLAH, but we keep losing the tobaccos that most of us old timers call CLASSIC? Huh, huh? Great tobacco, though....if one gets a chance to nab an old tin on the Internet or wherever, grab it.

I was lucky enough to score an ounce of this mottled brown to black ready rubbed mixture from a friend. The cut is a rub that they didn't quite get to a ribbon - still some long, straight pieces. But it loads and lights easily.

The description doesn't mention orientals but I definitely get a sourish, malty flavor, particularly in the early goings. This settles down fairly quickly into a Virginia and burley sweet mixture, with the Cyprian latakia well to the rear... almost unnoticeable. The Syrian latakia still has it's spicy character that competes with the perique, which can't seem to decide if it wants to be peppery or fruity. The main players are the Virginia, which has a bread-like quality and traces of oats and the sweet, nutty burley. Lots of complexity here, with the flavors merging from an American blend with spice to an exotic Mediterranean savoriness to a malty, peppery Talisker-like scotch flavor and back again. I liked this one but it missed greatness for me. Perhaps a fresher batch with the Cyprian latakia being more of a player, but then again I wonder if another highly perceivable flavor may have thrown off the balance. I have no idea what became of this blender, but this blend's lofty goals and appreciable conception makes me want to do some research. I'm glad I was able to sample a small bit.

Although you rarely see tins of this for sale anymore, I feel it's helpful to post a review so you can have something to go by (even if it's just one person's opinion) in deciding whether or not to try it.

This is a Balkan mixture with Orientals, Virginias, Perique and Latakia, the Latakia being more evident in the aroma than in the flavor.

Starts off mild with the sweetness of the Virginias/Burley and the piquant flavor of Perique the first things you notice. The Latakia is barely noticeable in the background, but it provides an additional depth to the smoke that wouldn't be there otherwise.

Around mid bowl, the sweetness of the Virginias become more pronounced and it takes on a more Oriental character, becoming malty and tart but not bitter, as some Oriental mixtures can get.

As you near the bottom of the bowl, it becomes deep, peppery, malty and noticeably dusty but not smoky.

Overall a solid tasty smoke that burns down to virtually no ash.

The aroma is musty & slightly smoky with a malty undertone.