Mac Baren HH Balkan Blend

Pipers here on Tobacco Reviews who have a penchant for Balkan blends probably have reservations pertaining to Mac Baren's HH Balkan Blend. I don't know when it became available on the market because I've been out of the hobby for at least five years. I'm writing this review from the charring light to the finish & will try it in two different pipes before making a final evaluation. The tin note is that of a sweet, sour, fermented smoky aroma. Those of you who've smoked Balkan blends know what I'm referring to even though I may not have pinned the aroma down specifically.

However, a strength test noted that the Burley was condimental only & barely noticeable but probably added to the strength along with the Perique which also seemed lightly applied but noticeable in the flavoring. I was also able to determine that the Cyprian Latakia was the main player initially in the tin note as well as through the smoking session but tones down about the halfway point as all the varietals interact and come on in to join the party. So far as I can tell this is a quality Balkan but will know more when I sample my next bowl in a Missouri Meerschaum that's caked up.

OK... dried out another bowlful quantity and put fire to it... not much flavor other than the Cyprian presence & a bit of harshness initially which is usually the case when lighting up. Set the pipe down a short while & fired up again & was better this time around... less harshness, & more of a milder flavor. After another short break in the action, tamped it down a bit & fired back up... much better. Very little bite or harshness. I'm about 1/3 the way through my second bowl & I'm not as yet getting much sweetness & the Cyprian presence is still most notable & there is still a little harshness but we have a ways to go yet. I'm approaching the halfway point now & noticing a very slight sweetness as the varietals are beginning to interact but I'm cooling my pipe at this point & taking a quick break.

OK... it is only about the halfway point that you'll finally experience that tasty interaction process. It just seems to take a while for this flavor to finally develop but when it does, Balkan lovers can expect that alluring & elusive flavor that we expect from a good Balkan. From my experience thus far, it would seem that this blend would be better served up in a deeper bowl... at least 1 3/8 inches or more... similar to what we might use to smoke a Virginia blend. FWIW, I liked this better than the HH Vintage Syrian Balkan because HH VS contained an abundance of Syrian Latakia that sort of overwhelmed the Orientals but then again, they are two different animals... one heavy Syrian & the other Cyprian in moderation.

The HH VS was a real treat straight from the tin but much better after I tamed it down with a combination of Yenidje, Green River Black Cavendish, and a little more Red Ribbon. I guess I just favor a sweeter Syrian Balkan. This HH Balkan was/is better than anticipated. Also, it's hard for me to determine which of the Latakias I like best... they're both good but I think I would use the Syrian if I were going to mix a "great" Balkan... I'm thinking some vintage Wellhauers would work really well for a Syrian & McConnell's Cyprian for the other. I plan on mixing some up in the very near future.

My blending experiments are still an ongoing process & we'll see how things turn out & if something extraordinary develops, I'll pass my notes on to all interested parties. I hope this review helped those who are as yet undecided on whether or not to try Mac Baren's HH Balkan Blend. I think it's a very good Cyprian Balkan... better than most I've sampled so far with a reasonable price tag. I was smoking my pipe as I was editing my reviews & momentarily forgot what blend I was smoking & halfway down I began thinking... hey, this stuff is pretty darn good. Then, after a few seconds of thought, it dawned on me... I was puffing on the HH Balkan Blend! Anybody else ever done that? Come on, now!

Mac Baren HH Balkan Blend- I would say it is very balanced between all the tobacco leaves including the burley although the Dark Fired is barely noticeable. It seems “Balkan Blend “ can vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer . I looked at the ingredients before I bought it so thats how I will review it . It is full flavored like Bill Bailey’s Balkan . No component takes over and it stays the same throughout the bowl . Nutty burley . Semi sweet Virginias, buttery Orientals and fairly smokey Latakia . I would have probably preferred less burley and more turkish . It is enjoyable though and I would rate it a 3 . If you like your English blends with a good helping of Burley then it’s probably up your alley .

First off, I noted that the Burley was condimental only & barely noticeable but probably added to the strength along with the Perique which also seemed lightly applied but noticeable in the flavoring. I was also able to determine that the Cyprian Latakia was the main player initially in the tin note as well as through the smoking session but tones down about the halfway point as all the varietals interact and come on in to join the party.

OK... it's only at the halfway point & toward the end of the bowl that you'll finally come to that tasty interaction point. It just seems to take a while for this flavor to finally develop but when it does, Balkan lovers can expect that alluring & elusive flavor that we expect from a good Balkan blend. From my experience it would seem that this blend would be better served up in a deep bowl... at least 1 1/2 inches or more... similar to what we might use to smoke a Virginia blend

I very much enjoy Balkans, this one is no exception. HH Balkan is different to me though, like when you smoke it you are transported into a freshly-built but unfinished cedar closet with really good lighting. It has all the same things I like about Balkans in general, but somehow they made the experience more fresh, woody, and light. You've got to try this one.

Tin date Nov 2019 has note of smoky, fermented sour, and mild fruit. Tobacco ribbons are brown and black with a little tan. Moisture content is good, dry but soft and not sticky, so no drying needed. Burns slow with a few extra relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with notes of very smoky, spicy, leather, herbal floral, very woody, spices, dry earth, sweet grass, bitter cocoa, lemon peel, a buttery sweet nutty background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia and Orientals are leading with Virginias, Burleys and Kentucky supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Not much flavor to write about. Has a slight salty piquant taste. Mostly cigarette flavor. Very disappointed as I really enjoy Acadian perique and old dark fired. Nothing here to reccomend. The most redeeming quality about this blend is that it doesn't bite.