As everyone else has observed, there's no oriental in this "Balkan" flake, just virginia and latakia as advertised. (Though a couple reviewers, including Pseudo Nim who contacted SG about it, learned it's called a Balkan flake because the virginia originates from the Balkans.)

This reminds me very much of Commonwealth, but subtler, richer and more complex. Though SG usually brags about adding some special "essence" to their flakes, they are conspicuously silent about it with this one. Maybe there isn't one here; but I would be very surprised if there isn't, because I don't know how else this flake's unique hints of cool sweetness would occur otherwise. It's not like the whiff of vanilla added to Perfection, but something slightly minty, or menthol (as others have suggested), or even "medicinal" as one reviewer put it. Indeed it's vaguely reminiscent, to me, of that unique flavor in old-school cough syrup that was a kind of cool metholated herbal mint which I loved as a child. This very subtle sweet coolness, whatever it is, perfectly fills an interstice between the not overly sweet virginia and smoky latakia, and it's lovely. The sugar crystals that cover the flakes like the dusted frosting on a powdered donut (in my tin, at least) augment the delicate sweetness to push the experience to the next level.

The flakes are thick and moist. I find that drying them for an hour really brings them to life. And I didn't see a need to rub them out -- folding worked just fine; and a single double-light was usually all that was required for the entire bowl.

A topnotch flake for the latakia lover. This one's a keeper for sure. Highly recommended!

Anyway on to the review. Balkan happens to be one of my favorite tobaccos to keep around. It's just complex enough flavor wise to always keep. As far as the tin aroma, someone mentioned meatballs. It just smells like lat and dark va's to me, however I do find it rather yummy as far as aroma goes.

Ive tried both methods on burning, the fold and stuff, as well as rubbing it out (ha), both work fine. I usually fold when I am feeling lazy and just want something to puff on. And that is the good thing about this product. The flavor and aroma stays there. Once you are familiar with it you know what you are getting. Always consistant.

I rank this bad boy above all others in the SG line even FVF (which I was never crazy over) and she is the one I consistantly go back to like the lady you didn't really like too much or too often, but every now and again provided ample entertainment.

Type: VaLat flake ; Contents: Virginia, Latakia ; Flavoring: Menthol? ; Cut: Flake ; Humidity: tends to wet, I reccomend a little drying (become much better) ; Lighting: Easy and constant despite the cut ; Pipe recommended: I prefer straight ones or maybe slightly bent, with a medium size bowl, a Dublin or a Bulldog for example.

It's a bit strong for my tastes, but I'm admittedly a huge lightweight... and even as such I rather enjoy this when I want something more than a very-mild.

My first bowl burned for over two hours, I had to put it out because it just kept burning and burning and burning. Never got hot. Left a good taste on my mouth, but the balkans leave something to be desired on my clothing.

I suggest this if you can get past the tin.

To mask the cheap Virginia in this blend, SG has employed the usual aromatic tactics, this time lacing the cheap tobacco with some kind of medicine-tasting casing and maybe a bit of menthol. The menthol is working - no matter how hard you puff on this flake - it will burn cool. The medicine flavor is really weird, it smells just like old pharmacies used to, back in the days, when they actually made drugs on premises.

In a nutshell, if you are looking to try the weirdest aromatic blends, SG does not disappoint. If you want something that even remotely resembles tobacco taste, this manufacturer is not the one.

Soli Deo gloria!

So, this one is the typical Sam Gawith flake - variable thickness, damp in the pack (mine was a bulk pack), moderately difficult to rub out. All of that is part of the charm to me - it seems sort of a cottage industry tobacco, rustic and somehow more "real" than the very orderly rows of perfect flakes in, say, Orlick Golden Sliced or Dunhill Flake. This is chalky-sticky to the touch (if that makes sense) - sort of a crumbly texture, with a very strong Latakia tin note. The Latakia smell adheres to the fingers even after washing with soap.

Once the labor of rubbing out this tobacco has been put in, the pipe loosely packed and the lighting effected (this takes a bit of effort), the reward is a slow-burning Latakia treat. Pungent and coarse, it satisfies the desire for clean, strong Latakia taste in a mid-strength tobacco (from a nicotine point of view). Very one-dimensional (no complexities or development of flavor profile); but it is an excellent dimension to be in.

But stinky - hated by all who come within odor-range, even on the clothes. Good for loners and the socially challenged; use near family with discretion.

This too shall pass.

to be honest I'm not fond of SG flakes for obvious reasons. wet wet wet, inconsistent cut, compared to other brands you get half amount of baccy out a tin --I'm not convinced we are getting 50gr tobacco-- overly pressed very tight flakes, hard to rub when wet, even harder when dry. I can't say WOW I'M IMPRESSED except golden glow and that was broken flake.