| This is a decent Balkan mixture. In addiction of Turkish tobaccos, it haves also Latakia, Virginia, as classic Balkan mixtures.
The Orientals taste is distinguished and is little domninant over other tobaccos.
Is smokable, tastes good. Is not bad, low nicotine, but not a remark as blend.
It is less good than many other blends as Balkan Sasieni, Britt's Balkan, Balkan Supreme etc... Also some English mixtures are better: Presbyterian, Bald Headed Teacher, Chipmann Hill, Squadron Leader, 965, Altadis mixtures etc...
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| I got this blend as on a recommendation from the manufacturers as a "starter" tobacco for a cigar smoking friend who wanted to cut his teeth on pipe smoking and kept a little for me to try. Out of the pouch it has a pungent sour odor, not at all enticing. The cut is a medium fine short ribbon with lots of dark and maroon (fire and flue cured?) pieces that packs and burns well. I packed it light on a cheap XL meerschaum from Sinan Altinok that has an excellent architecture and I keep for first tries. The taste is very light, but not quite flat; the burning aroma is good tho.
The VA's are sweet albeit simple; tastes a bit like a drugstore brand, maybe like the old Half & Half. I cannot find the Orientals if they are there at all but theres a wee bit of Cyprian Latakia. It burns a litte hot so it needs attention to the draw. Probably needs some drying to make it cooler, as it comes out fairly damp. Not a choice mixture by any standard, however low. However, it's a good starter blend for somebody just starting out. It's a plain but not umpleasant smoke. Two stars.
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