Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake

A short while back, I ordered a big haul of different, all highly rated, latakia blends to become acquainted with a few new mixes and a few new manufacturers. Most, if not all, of the blends, had the same stereotypical latakia smell that we're all used to and for some, have grown to love. A fresh tin of Balkan Flake was the outlier of the bunch. Not even commonwealth was particularly interesting in comparison. A very creamy smell, a hint at what flavors it might produce. Absolutely not disappointed! I believe it's 30% lat, 70% va, and boy does it hit its' mark. A simple blend, of just two tobaccos, yet complex in it's own right. A beautiful, creamy flavor, that contends very readily with Penzance. No, there isn't quite the variety of flavors I'll say, but the two blends share a very ripe, soft, smoothness. I even came across a few tins from 2005, and being on the cusp of 2015 as I'm writing this, I have to say a decade of age does unbelievable things to this flake. Quite easily my favorite, possible (close) second to Penzance, tobacco. Very highly recommended.

It was very good tobacco, well blend it might because I'm a Latakia lover, very cool smoke can be a everyday smoke. Enjoy with coffee and good with after meal. Highly Recommended. It can be for those who started with latakia

Just finished my second tin of this absolutely lovely blend.Fruity aroma from (syrian) Latakia,not so over powering as cousin from Cyprus.Virginias mellows the another wise dark and full blend.Smoked one tin as rubbed and another as folded.As folded the flake itself has much smoother but stronger taste.Creamy,fruity just perfect.The room note not so pleasant have I heard from my pipe smoking mate who's in the aromatics.Just ordered 4 more tins.Brilliant smoke.

Instant "Go to" breakfast smoke

Upon opening the tin the thick, wet, mottled flakes reeked of that familiar Latakia smokiness. The appearance was rustic and left me anxious to fill the pipe, however a little drying time was in order.

I rubbed out the flake and set it out to air for about one hour or so prior to filling my favorite morning pipe. Although it took a little work to get a good burn, once alit it burned evenly to the bottom and left no dottle. The taste, however one dimensional, was sensational.

Since the first bowl, I knew this would make the cut in my tobacco rotation and it has sustained its merit throughout the tin. When it comes to Lat blends the options are many, but for me Balkan Flake provides a perfect smoke every time so I feel no need to look further. Sure I'll try other Latakias, but this one is here to stay.

There is not much else to say about Balkan Flake other than if you're in the mood for a straightforward Latakia blend, then this should get the job done.

I just found this tobacco very difficult to smoke, maybe, because of its flake/plug form. For one thing, this tobacco needs to be dried before being able to smoke it. Also, I found the flakes very difficult to crumble and, even when it is dry, I have been relighting every now and again to keep it going. And it smokes really hot in the bowl. Because of this, I haven't been able to enjoy it that much, but I'll come back to this post if anything changes as I am going to keep trying anyway. The smell of the tin seems to be very promising, but I did not find this an easy smoke at any rate.

Edit1. The tobacco wasn't properly dry when I first smoked it. After a month or so, I've come back to this mixture and the smoking experience has changed. I like the fact that the sweetness of this mixture is achieved with the Virginia without adding any cavendishes or additional toppings. The Latakia is so much in the forefront (it predominates), but does not kill the sweetness of the Virginia. On another note, I find the preparation quite messy (it stains your fingers and very difficult to crumble), but if packed properly a very small amount of it will keep you smoking for hours. It tastes quite leathery and I'd say this mixture is full bodied. It sort of reminds me of some cigars if you you obviate the apparent Virginia. You can more or less start enjoying this tobacco from the very beginning, but it builds up in strength and flavour as you go past every quarter of your bowl. As the different flavours are quite apparent, it can be smoked unthinkingly while you dedicate yourself to other tasks. It is true it smokes quite cool and, if smoked properly, it will leave very little dottle at the end of your smoke. In my personal opinion, this mixture smokes best in a meerschaum pipe. I cannot be objective on the room note as I cannot smell it while I am smoking it, but I'd say it is rather pleasant despite the Latakia, which is not room friendly at all. I am changing this to 3 stars.

ORIGINAL REVIEW 04/25/2005

Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake is the newest member of my top-tier-tobacco rotation. I've only smoked a few bowls of it, but that's all it's taken!

Here we have a marvelous English flake, despite its name. I'll allow for some artistic license in that department from the folks at SG. They could call it Steamrolled Rhino Shit and I'd still smoke it.

The flakes are lovely, and the scent is inviting to point that I have to fight a strong urge to eat the stuff. Balkan Flake is an easy pack, easy light, and easy smoke. Charring light reveals a top-quality Latakia -- rich and satisfying. The VA component is presented nicely as well, though it opens up a few puffs after. It's naturally sweet and free of bite. Together, these two present the lucky smoker with a round, tasty, superb experience.

Top third is wonderful. Excellence in simplicity -- nothing to hide. Second third evens out, drops half a notch in intensity, and is a real performer. This is great for when you want to divert your attention back to the task at hand, whether it's driving, reading, relaxing, etc. Delicious! (I wouldn't blame you for ceasing your activity to celebrate this tobacco from charring light to pipe heel.) Bottom third brings a bit more body to the smoke -- a bit more than the top third and a full step up from mid-bowl. However, it's not harsh in the least.

Overall, the maturity, quality, and execution of this blend yields a remarkably smooth, cool, creamy, bite-free, and mellow mouthfeel. Again, there are no sharp edges to detract from the awesome flavors that leap from the leaves. This blend also relights after several hours of rest without a harsh or bitter introduction.

A bit more fullness in the mid-bowl puffs wouldn't hurt, but I believe that the gents at SG really got it right, all told, with Balkan Flake. When I'm in the mood for a high-grade, classy, and rewarding all-day English, this is it.

ADDED 03/01/2006

As you read the reviews of this magnificent blend, you'll come upon one that suggests Balkan Flake is flavored with a cherry essence. In fact, it is not. I contacted Samuel Gawith Co. in December 2005 to put to rest the notion that Balkan Flake is topped. The response I received from Mr. Bob Gregory follows.

"There are no flavourings whatsoever in Balkan Flake. Perhaps some smokers are using pipes that have been smoked using a flavoured tobacco which, on occasion, leaves a residue in the briar."

My purpose in presenting this information is not to attack a fellow reviewer; rather, I feel obligated to clear up a misconception about this tobacco. Pipes in which aromatics (flavored tobaccos) are smoked are not good candidates for tastings -- even when sampling other aromatics.

A nice take on the English theme! Beautiful sweet Virginias together with smooth and tasty Latakia which despite its high percentage does not overwhelm them. Naturally the absence of Oriental varieties is obvious, but Balkan Flake is none the worse because of it. Though the Virginias are sweet the overall impression of Balkan Flake is of a rather drier character than most English mixtures. Moreover, the absence of Orientals is somewhat offset by a slight floral topping which I believe is present. Latakia is very tasty indeed but in a sort of bitter-chocolate way and not so much camp-fire like.

The flakes in my tin where at just about the right moisture to smoke straight away and they are thin enough to fold and staff but I prefer rubbing out which is easy. The little dust from the Latakia can be placed on top of the loaded tobacco to facilitate lighting. I also found that for me it smokes better in bigger bowls.

Smokes cool, slow and relatively dry. Strength is medium but taste is really robust so I use it sort of like a desert tobacco once in a while, not all day. Definitely four stars.

Similarities to Lancers Slices and Old Ironsides are valid but the quality of the Virginias (from the Balkan region) used and the discreet floral topping which sublimates the tobaccos, makes Balkan Flake preferable to me than both the above. As for room note expect what holds for most Latakia mixtures, though myself I like it and anyway Balkan Flake is a great outdoors/cold weather tobacco.

Very nice if you like latakia blends. Smokes well. Im not really into latakia but understand if you are. I can easily see why this one gets good reviews. Pretty good and of the highest quality.

Loved this baccy from the first bowl, and it still remains one of my favorites and also is for me the best out of SG. The smell of this stuff is smokey delicious latakia. The taste in the beginning is full on latakia of course but after it gets going it turns into a rounded smoke with the virginia sweetness and the deep latakia with a thick smokey/chocolaty flavour. This baccy burns like a dream, i only needed one light after the charring light to keep smoking this till the very bottom. Third of the bowl still tastes very nice having a sweet and salty type taste. I can't express how much i enjoy this flake you just have to experience it yourself.