Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Balkan Mixture

Light on Latakia but heavy on Lavender or whatever the heck it is that Gawith and Hoggarth like to lace their tobaccos with - I guess the quantity of this topping must be inconsistent between batches because this was very noticeable, indeed dominant, in the pouch I have.

This is an okay English blend but for me not in the same league, for example as the Dunhill Early Morning or Standard and couldn't seriously be mentioned in the same breath as Balkan Sobranie, tasting quite different and lacking its weight, complexity and gravitas. A little too sweet and cloying for my taste, the flavour never really changes or develops down the bowl. Sweet Virginias predominate, a bit or richness from the Lat and then that soapy Lakeland taste just sits on top from the first puff to the last. I can't recommend it and will have difficulty finishing this pouch - and the topping means I wouldn't try to blend with it either.

Balkan blend with lakeland essence added. The tin note is all Latakia and lakeland essence. The topping is very mild but ever present. The flavor profile is as unique as they come. If I could give a half star this would be 2.5. The latakia is the star of this show and is present from the char. The Turkish/Orientals provide a woody/sour note to the sweet smokey Latakia and the Virgina's provide additional sweetness and some grassy notes. The lakeland taste is there throughout the smoke but not like in other blends. I do not get the soapy flavor I get in other blends, a very subtle floral flavor that is hard to pin down. I think that the woods used with the Latakia change the flavor profile of the topping and make it rather pleasant, if not distracting as I constantly try to identify the flavor and how it compliments the tobacco...like an itch you can't scratch but you miss when it is gone. More vitamin N than I was prepared for on the first smoke, lit up at lunch after no breakfast and prior to eating and it got my attention pretty quick. On a full stomach it is very manageable. Nice blend for an occasional smoke. UPDATE 8/18. I am not really sure what has changed for me: did my taste change? do I have more experience with G&H Lakeland blends? Did the last year change the tobaccco? Maybe some, all or none...I am not sure. He is what I know. I smoked this tobacco 3x this week and I really like it. The Lakeland essence is lightly applied and at least to me, with the Latakia and Orientals it takes on a much different flavor than on the VA based G&H blends. The tobacco’s and the topping remind me of an old library. That malty flavor the is the hallmark of a good Balkan melds with the Lakeland essence and creates something very unique that supports the tobacco flavor and does not overpower. I have also been complimented on the room note: twice indoors and once outside by a stranger. This is going to be a re buy for me

The unique, typical Kendal soapiness (the same, I think, used in the Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Coniston) in an English Mixture! Latakia is present but not overbearing. The soapy note gives a cool, fresh smoke, and it slows a little bit after the first third of the bowl, leaving the features of a great quality EM. Quite memorable. The greatest EM, IMO. 5/5 in my personal rating system.

I received a tin of this by mistake. I had ordered Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake and was surprised to find a tin of this instead. A simple mix-up that the vendor quickly resolved by sending me the Balkan Flake and allowing me, quite generously, to keep the Balkan Mixture.

If you like traditional blends, this is the place to start your Balkan adventure. It's a very, very approachable mixture for newcomers and sturdy enough for experienced smokers to enjoy. Each variety of leaf is represented nicely and balanced quite well. Balkan Mixture delivers a broad spectrum of flavors on top of a mouthfeel that is more delicate, for lack of a better term, than some of the powerhouse Balkans or Balkan-style English blends, such as Abingdon or Odyssey from G.L. Pease or Margate from Esoterica.

THIS TOBACCO IS NOT FLAVORED IN ANY WAY!!!

This is not a tobacco in my regular stable of Balkans, as I require more body and mouthfeel; however, Balkan Mixture is a great change of pace for me. Its quality makes it an extremely worthy choice, and its superb execution makes it a fine point of entry for those who are looking for their first Balkan blend.

Back in Apr 2019, I bought this in bulk at my local pipe and tobacco store where we also use to have our pipe club meetings before the COVID consumed the public’s every waking hour ad nauseum. I am sure I smoked a few bowls but put it on the shelf until this past week after over a year. It is hard for me to describe Latakia and Oriental blends other than this has a rich sort of leathery smell to it? It seemed fairly moist in the jar but am wondering if it may be from the oils of the tobacco from the curing process. This is a really robust blend with little sweetness, more leather, spice, etc. The more I smoked it this past week the more I liked it. I found for me, smoking it in a larger bowl gave me more flavor to appreciate while smoking. I also did not detect any Lakeland essence whatsoever. This one is a keeper, maybe not the greatest but no detractions were noted by yours truly. Plus with over 100 reviews, this must be pretty popular.

What a great example of a simple but tasty Balkan. I would say this is a great started blend to get into the world of English/Balkans and out of the world of plain old virginia, cavendish and burley. This will have all the flavor hallmarks of a great blend. And the tobacco is quality enough to leave you wanting more.

Tin appearance/aroma:

Uniform thin ribbons of varying degrees of brown colored tobacco, with specs of bright Virginia, and dark Latakia. Deep aroma of rich latakia, with a sweet, grassy Virginia. Delicate aroma of the orientals. I know G&H state there is no essence added, but I can't help but detect a slight CR Flake odor in the pouch

Packing/lighting/smoking: Due to some moisture, this can be packed too tightly if care is not taken. on a few initial bowls, I made that mistake. I just pulled the plug out, and started all over again. Lighting takes more than the usual light, tamp, light. More like light, tamp light, light, light, light, pay attention, light.

This is medium to full strength nicotine wise, but a very bold, robust , mixture. First 1/3 of the bowl the Latakia is front and center. Charred meat flavors, rich, chewy smoke. Very woody, reminds me of the chimney smoke on a cold January day when the woodstove is loaded with a mix of oak and cherry wood. I do detect a slight lake essence, but if you don't concentrate, it sneaks by.

2nd third is where this blend really changes. The orientals really stand out with a spicy, almost minty profile. Offers some mustiness as well. The Latakia really stands back.

last 1/3 of the bowl: I really never smoke much past the 2/3 of a bowl on any tobacco. Just personal preference. Because I like to smoke this blend in the evenings after work while completing the required daily paperwork, sometimes I would get so caught up in what I was doing that I found myself still puffing to the heel. It turns quite ashy tasting, and the orientals really kick up the spice. Don't unpleasant in the least!

This Blend will always be in my cellar. A bold, strong Balkan that will leave you satisfied, but Craving more the next day Solid 4 stars!!!

Yes, baby!

An English with Lakeland essence. Moreso from the tin aroma than in the ensuing smoke but does occasionally appear. Absolutely beautiful and quite spicy out the nose.

Best smoked at night.

That is all.

This is a wonderful latakia blend. Slight lakeland aroma in the bag, but the smoke is like tasting smokey leather. Heavy on the tongue, delightful. You won't ghost a pipe with it I don't think, but you can detect that lakeland essence as you smoke.