Babylonia is the least "Balkan" of the three, but is the smoothest. It comes as a black and brown ribbon that is well cut, but a little too moist for me. To date I have found no drawback in Babylonia except that it is not as strong as I like in the late evening.

I love to fiddle with tobaccos, always feeling I can create something better than the original. Usually I end up with something awful, however I have found that mixing anywhere from a 1 to 2 or a 2 to 1 mixture of Babylonia and Charing Cross produces some really good Balkans that are to me better than either alone. The Babylonia tends to smooth out Charing Cross' harshness and the Charing Cross adds more Balkan oomph.

Babylonia stands well on its own and it would take months of switching between Sasieni, Babylonia and Charing Cross to really determine the best. It's a tough job, but I'm up to it.

I don?t recall having smoked ever before a blend with stoved Latakia, but if this is what it tastes like, I should recommend other blenders to include some in their English-Balkan blends!. The Turkish and the Pèrique seem to complement each other, forming a peculiar sweet-sour undertone that enlivens the smoke, and the presence of the Black Cavendish was innocuous. In fact, in spite of that ingredient this blend tastes nothing like 965 or Astley?s 99. I really must congratulate the blender of Babylonia, for he has achieved a unique and exciting mixture, a true tobacco symphony, full of varied flavors and melodies. Excellent medium to full smoke, not at all overwhelming, yet a true Balkan.

Physical Characteristics: A medium to long ribbon cut blend, nicely balanced between dark brown, light brown and blondish pieces. A stem or two in there, but nothing to worry about. Packs easily, though I do dry it out a tiny bit before smoking. Takes the charring light easily, and burns cleanly to a very fine white ash, almost dust. Builds cake well as a result of that.

Notes: Ahh, a wonderful heavy blend. I have been smoking a good bit of this recently, and like it late at night, mostly outdoors, with a steaming mug of strong coffee. It is high in Latakia, but not as overpowering as, say, Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend. The perique is negligable, actually, I had a hard time picking it out, but there is no doubt that it lends to the overall spicy/sweet character. It is simply the perfect percentage of perique for me. The two cavendish's keep the blend cool and smokeable all day long. I was initially worried about them, as I detest the taste of too mcuh cavendish, but they are also minor actors on this stage, taking their proper places next to the perique, in supporting roles. The virginias provide a nice base, and the Turksih used in this blend is absolutely of the highest quality.