Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Balkan Mixture
(3.17)
Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. takes the finest Virginia tobacco and dark fire-cured tobacco from India and expertly blends them with Latakia to give the smoker a unique taste and aroma for this Balkan Mixture.
Details
| Brand | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blended By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Manufactured By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Mixture |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, bulk |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| 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
Average Rating
|
3.17 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 101 - 110 of 121 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 01, 2004 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
When Balkan Sobranie died in the UK, G&H came up with their substitute... but it certainly isn't such a thing! It's a good lightweight Balkan, with some of the typical tastes and aromas of the recent incarnations of Sobranie (particularly the dry, spicy taste, the slight woody bitterness of the orientals and latakia) but which isn't a substitute by a long shot. The cut is very stringy, with thin and long ribbons, and the humidity in the tin is ridiculously high: you feel like you could squeeze the tobacco and juice would come out of it! Some drying to the open air is recommended, otherwise you will find it difficult to keep lit, soggy, and absolutely bland. If this precaution is taken, you will be rewarded by a nice very English smoke: while it's not a very full Balkan (let's say it's slightly fuller than GLPease Kensington), the right flavors are there. A pleasant tobacco, with a great nutty spiciness if exhaled through the nose and some rich nuances that speak a lot about the quality. I prefer GLPease balkans, but this one is a little more "English". But, please, don't compare it with Sobranie...
2012 Update: Since then, I have experienced several times the version in a pouch (sold in the UK as "Kendal tobacco - Balkan Mixture Latakia Blend", although inside the name Gawith & Hoggarth is clearly stated). No more to add to what I had previously said, as it is very consistent in quality. Moisture in the pouch is lower, at a perfect level for smoking. What I still complain about after many many bowls, is the overall lack of subtlety, the slight roughness of taste and the relative lack of backing creamy sweetness from the Virginias. While this one is good in "modern" terms, it sure is no Balkan Sobranie. With some effort, it might be compared to the last Balkan Sobranie pouches sold in the early '80s... certainly not to the older ones.
2012 Update: Since then, I have experienced several times the version in a pouch (sold in the UK as "Kendal tobacco - Balkan Mixture Latakia Blend", although inside the name Gawith & Hoggarth is clearly stated). No more to add to what I had previously said, as it is very consistent in quality. Moisture in the pouch is lower, at a perfect level for smoking. What I still complain about after many many bowls, is the overall lack of subtlety, the slight roughness of taste and the relative lack of backing creamy sweetness from the Virginias. While this one is good in "modern" terms, it sure is no Balkan Sobranie. With some effort, it might be compared to the last Balkan Sobranie pouches sold in the early '80s... certainly not to the older ones.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 30, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This is my second 50g pouch. I wanted something to replace the Balkan Sobrane, which I miss. This Kendal mix is just not the same. It is a bit too wet, cut in a shag style, it is ok to pack and light. It is, however a little harsh, and it burns too hot for me. It doesnt bite, but it not that tasty. It is ok, but I dont think I will buy it many more times. I much prefer the sheveringtons balkan mix which is much more similar to the sobranie Try the John Aylesbury Latakia Blend, which is not too bad. Shervingtons (337 High Holborn, WC1. Tel: 020 7405 2929) have their very nice balkan mix
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 20, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is another fine product by Gawith & Co., but the labeling IMO is not accurate. It has the aroma of a fine, smooth Balkan, rich in the pungent turkish and latakia (smells and looks like peat moss). The cut is a fine ribbon (packing was not too difficult), almost a shag. Moisture seemed high, but upon lighting, I didn't encounter any problems (three lights max). Flavor upon lighting: different, very smooth, but a floral aroma and flavor comes through. I am convinced that their "lakeland" style virginia is what is used in this blend. This blend does not taste at all like a typical "Balkan". I find it hard to catagorize it. It has the floral, perfume taste similar to "Bob's Chocolate flake (without the chocolate), but with a nice background of latakia and turkish leaf. It is very smooth with tongue-bite almost non-existent. It gathers strength slowly down the bowl, but not much overall. I smoked this all day for about three days in a row without any tiring due to fullness (my 2oz. went quick!). Leaves a fine dry ash when all is done with no dottle and a fine dusting in the bowl. This blend is not one I will buy again, but would not turn it down if offered to me. It is definitely worth trying for a change of pace.One note of warning, dedicate a pipe to this as it does leave that floral aroma in the pipe and the after taste in your mouth may not mix well with other blends. Overall I rate it 3.5 out of 5 points.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22, 2024 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
For me, I have difficulty distinguishing the differences between the many mixtures that contain Virginia, Latakia, and other orientals; they always taste the same to me. In my journey of exploring these types of blends, Balkan Mixture is the latest to come across my palate. Opening the tin reveals a mixture of dark brown, black, and some lighter ribbons and densely packed. There was a faint Lakeland smell that is typical of many of the G & H baccys that I have sampled containing Latakia. It was almost minty/menthol but did not translate into the smoke. While smoking, I would never consider this mixture a Lakeland in a blind test.
Loading and lighting was quite easy as well as keeping it lit. It did not smoke hot nor have any bite. Again, its taste is similar to many in the genre, but what I did notice was a very nice smokey after taste and aroma left in the room, and very pleasing at that. Not much else for me to say about this one. I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars and will definitely revisit on a regular basis.
Loading and lighting was quite easy as well as keeping it lit. It did not smoke hot nor have any bite. Again, its taste is similar to many in the genre, but what I did notice was a very nice smokey after taste and aroma left in the room, and very pleasing at that. Not much else for me to say about this one. I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars and will definitely revisit on a regular basis.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Belgique
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 25, 2024 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
G, H, & Co.'s Balkan Mixture has a bag note that is smoky, creamy, and sweet. The smoke is a beautiful example of how cadence can change the flavor. On the lighting and subsequent puffing to get it going the smoke is woodsy, earthy, smoky, and spicy. So much so it touches the bottom of med. full. If one continues to puff heartily this is all that you get. However, backing off and sipping slowly, keeping it just at a smolder there is so much more. The smoky Lat. leads the way but only by a little. The Indian leaf along with it is very woody, earthy, floral, and spicy. The VA's are tart and tangy, bready, and grassy. Subtle notes of black tea and citrus move in and out along with a hint of creaminess and a slight mustiness that rounds out the smoke. The finish is med. to long with notes of campfire smokiness and earth and wood. I do get the faintest trace of Lakeland scent, but unless you just hate it, it will not take away from the smoking experience. The overall strength is at the upper end of med. The nic hit is solidly at the med. level as is the overall taste. The room note will not win any compliments from others. This is slightly different from most Balkans and does not fall into the remarkable smoke category for me but I could easily see how it would for others. If you enjoy lat. blends in general this is one to try. A solid 3 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 03, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This is a Latakia forward medium Balkan. The Orientals are subsumed by the Lat. it’s tasty but … not in a ‘stand out from the crowd’ way. This blend is competent. I have a 50g tin with no discernible date. 2.5 stars rounded to 3 for solid effort. If you like Latakia then this is a good one; the other elements take a backseat.
Pipe Used:
Altinay Meerschaum
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 11, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Strong |
Smell: Distinctive good smell of mixtures with a good portion of Latakia. Not overwhelming, but definitely rich, complex and tempting.
Taste: Latakia-oriented. Latakia is well mixed with the other components, resulting in a delicious blend. Very flavorful and satisfying indeed. I do not detect any particular spiciness from the orientals (maybe to be expected for a balkan blend?), but the spectrum of flavors is far from boring.
Ratio Smell/Taste: The smell from the tin reflects very well in the smoke. Maybe the taste gives a little more sweetness than you might expect from the smell. It may be subjective though.
Moisture: Almost ready to be smoked. Maybe a few minutes for drying is not bad.
Filter: Without.
Ghosting: Mild.
Taste: Latakia-oriented. Latakia is well mixed with the other components, resulting in a delicious blend. Very flavorful and satisfying indeed. I do not detect any particular spiciness from the orientals (maybe to be expected for a balkan blend?), but the spectrum of flavors is far from boring.
Ratio Smell/Taste: The smell from the tin reflects very well in the smoke. Maybe the taste gives a little more sweetness than you might expect from the smell. It may be subjective though.
Moisture: Almost ready to be smoked. Maybe a few minutes for drying is not bad.
Filter: Without.
Ghosting: Mild.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 2023 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
Tin note is Latakia forward with a bit of musk and some lite sweetness. My sample was 6 years old and aged nicely. Moisture level was sill fine in a sealed Mylar pouch. Packs very easley for a medium ribbon cut. First lighting is Orientals and Turkish, the latakia is defiantly there but balanced with the Orientals. I suspect if there were any toppings on this they are long gone from the aging. This is really just a lite English blend with very little sweetness. I found nothing wrong with the blend other than its just so so.
Pipe Used:
Morta
PurchasedFrom:
friend gift
Age When Smoked:
6 years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Package note of campfire, sour, and a slight stewed fruit. The ribbon cut tobacco is mostly brown with a little tan and black. Tobacco is dry and needs no prep. Burns is normal with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. No flavoring detected; thou I feel it could benefit from some. Taste is medium and consistent, with notes of mild sweet grass, lemony, smoky wood, leather, floral, earth, and quite spicy. Latakia is being molested by Indian cured leaf on a bed of Virginias, very unique. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is not bad, but not great either and lingers in the back of my mouth.
Pipe Used:
2013 J.M. Boswell Poker
Age When Smoked:
13 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2021 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Preparation & Burn: 10/10 Easy, spongy ribbon.
Taste: 17/20 This is a tasty and subtle smoke. Seems aged and mellowed. Incredibly balanced and smooth.
Mildness: 7/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. Not much nicotine!
Total: 34/40
Taste: 17/20 This is a tasty and subtle smoke. Seems aged and mellowed. Incredibly balanced and smooth.
Mildness: 7/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. Not much nicotine!
Total: 34/40
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