F & K Sterling Balkan 759
(3.33)
Sterling Balkan 759 is a full and rich tobacco consisting of fine matured Virginias, zesty Oriental leaf and a hearty amount of latakia. It has a character similar to a number of Orientals-forward latakia blends of the past
Notes: Sporting a generous portion of Latakia, F&K's Sterling Balkan is a full bodied English mixture, nonetheless delightfully smooth and cool burning with hints of sweetness.
Details
| Brand | F & K |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Mixture |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 01, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
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.
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.
Pipe Used:
Rattrays Six Freinds Oom Paul
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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.
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.
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