Cup O' Joes Anniversary Blend No. 24 Balkan Kake

Cup O' Joes - Anniversary Blend No. 24 Balkan Kake (Anniversary).

The same reaction, from me, as I had with their No. 23 last year...... a winner!!

The tin holds 2 equal size slices of kake and another smaller piece. These are very dark with lighter flecks across them. It smells of Latakia but not too harshly. The pieces crumble easily.

The smoke has an emphatic flavour of Latakia, although not too astringent or sharp; smoky but mildly so. The Orientals are more arboraceous than floral, and the 'mellowness' makes for a good pairing to the Lat'. Further down the spectrum are the Virginias. From these hails a fruity-sweet character rather than a lemon, grass, sharp one; again, complimenting the 'milder' nuance of the Lat' and Orientals. The burn from it's faultless, creating a typically Lat-cool smoke.

Nicotine: medium at a push. Room-note: maybe not great but I like it!

No. 24 Balkan Kake? Highly recommended:

Four stars.

The smoky, woody, earthy, floral, lightly leathery, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia is the lead component. The fermented Virginias offer some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, mild tart and tangy citrus, sugar, light floralness, a pinch of spice and a hint of vinegar. They play an important support role. The floral Orientals provide earth, wood, mild dry sourness, some buttery sweetness, herbs, vegetation, and light spice in the third position. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The taste is slot past that mark, almost reaching the medium mark. No chance of bite or harshness, and sports very few rough edges. This crumble kake is moist and easy to break apart, but I did not dry it. Your preference may vary. Burns cool, clean and a little slow with a very consistent smoky sweet and savory rich flavor that extends to the lightly lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a few relights. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

I received a sample of this with a recent pipe purchase which was great as I really enjoyed the No 23 last year and wanted to try the 24.

The moisture in the sample was perfect and did not require drying, the "bag" note was smoky. My sample was broken up so I'm not sure if that was done by the sender or if that is how it comes.

It was easy to light and keep burning. This tobacco generated some rich and creamy smoke each time from the get go. Probably more than any other blend I've recently smoked.

The taste was smoky/latakia forward keeping with the Balkan idea. There were some sweet notes which came through during the entire bowl. The taste was consistent and if you like a smoky, latakia treat I believe you'd really enjoy this one.

Room note: My wife threatened divorce if I ever lit this up in the car again (wink)

I'm looking forward to what Cup O' Joe's will come up with next year for their 25th anniversary.

Tin note of pungent sour, tart fruit and smoky. Tobacco is a Krumble Kake of marbled brown, dark brown, black and a little tan. Moisture content is great. Breaks apart and rubs out super easy, barely and inconvenience. Burns slow with a few extra relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of smoky, herbal floral, tangy citrus, incense, wood, toast, sugar, savory, mildly spicy, fermented sour, lemon grass, mildly acidic, orange peel, a peaty vegetation background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish, Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.