Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake

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.

Very moist, takes for ever to dry. I can not seem to keep this tobacco lit. Very disappointed. I seem to have a problem with flake tobacco. I have tried many times and blends of pipe tobacco flakes. With not much luck. I am sure by other accounts of this tobacco that it is indeed a fine flake. But just do not seem to Know how to use them properly. Peace to you all.

I'm smoking it right now, as I'm writing this review. It's not a complex smoke, pretty much balanced, it needs a good amount of drying as every other SG flake tobacco. When dried a bit, goed smoothly, burns down to fine grey ash. I don't know why SG folks pack their tobacco so wet. (actually I know why, but it's not ok). Usually all attempts to make a latakia flake finish with an average and mediocre product, (except maybe Penzance) but this one is pretty good. Not as greasy as Penzance, not a Latakia bomb, strong underline VA body, and nice Latakia presence all the way. I enjoy it, it really is what it says on the description. A cool smoke. Latakia mixtures are like sex. When it's good it's good, when it's bad...... it's still pretty good. About the name "Balkan" flake, well, it is Balkan. I like it a lot. Not my favorite, but still good enough to want to smoke more of it. VA may be cased with some flavor, can't tell for sure.

Well, I'm not so expert in Latakia to provide a contribution to the "taxonomic" discussion Balkan or not Balkan: for me the English Mixtures are an occasional pleasant diversion, and this was particularly pleasant. Opening the tin the smell left no doubt about the composition, very classical and unflavored Va-Lat, as often with the flakes by S.G. the tobacco was covered with crystals sugar (good!) combined with the dark brown to black color, the result is that it looks like slate, very nice! Ignition and combustion are simpler than usual, the smoke is dry and cool, taste and flavor not complex but wide and deep with its unmistakable notes peaty, burnt-woody, zesty, balsamic and resinous, astringent but soft, round and smooth. Latakia here is not a curtain but a “velario”: it dominates the scene but without obscuring the flavors of Virginias always present in the background, discrete but with character. In the best tradition of the brand, only high quality leaves are used here.

As companion a good single malt like a delicate, dry and fragrant 10 years old Laphoroaig.

***UPDATED 11/22/09***

I've smoked only one other bowl of this, and find it much too strong for my palate. It's got a very strong leathery overtone that doesn't improve with age. For some reason, it doesn't agree with me nearly as much as the first try.

I've dialed my recommendation back to 2 stars from 3.

******

Although I've been a pipe "collector" (with about 30 pipes in my collection) and a smoker for 27 years, I'd never been to a pipe show. Some chaps in the local pipe group let me tag along to the show in Columbus, OH this last weekend. Not broke but badly bent, I made sure to have enough money in my accounts to purchase a decent amount of tobaccos while I was there.

There were two Samuel Gawith tobaccos I purchased, this one and their "St. James Flake".

When I cracked open this tin I was really surprised by the overly musty, almost sour smell rendered by the VA in the blend, and was afraid of what I was getting myself into despite the "Deliciously Cool" description on the label.

I was advised by the person selling this that it was absolutely necessary to fully rub the flakes out, and I was a bit shocked at how moist, almost sticky and pasty the flakes were to rub out. I've put this in a full-bent style pipe, and am thrilled with the taste and burn. It's no fault of the tobacco that I'm getting a fairly gurgly, wet burn. (This particular pipe has a wet smoke problem that I'm trying to solve).

Do I care whether or not it's a "true" Balkan, or a VA/Lat blend or whether or not it's got any Orientals in it? Not one wit. This is an amazing tobacco with a consistent flavor and one I've no doubt I will continue to purchase and smoke as long as tobacco can be had and is legal to consume!

Balkan or not Balkan I have here an enjoyable smoke with excellent tobacco quality and wonderful flake. Relaxing smoke, deep campfire taste, creamy, earthy, smoky, and soft on the palate and the tongue, easy to keep lit with clean burning properties.

I will finish the tin and will order some in bulk; I highly recommend it to anyone.

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.

THIS a BALKAN? Someone is pulling a trick on us, because it ISN'T.

Either someone forgot the orientals or they don't have the definition of Balkan very clear in their minds. Orientals aside, this is a flat, unidimensional, monotone flake.

If you desire a stoved Virginia, quite cool, with some Latakia which only makes its presence felt as a slight smokiness... this is the flake for you.

It's moist, dull, without nuances or complexities. Slightly better and tastier than the duller Navy Flake by the same maker... but that's not saying much.

Some drying helps in recovering a little taste, but it remains monochromatic and it does never become as refined as GLPease offerings (or a true Balkan like Gawith & Hoggarth's Balkan Mixture).

If you want a nice pressed Latakia-tasting tobacco, get Penzance instead.

Today I'm smoking Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake with a couple years of age on it. It's a simple flake with Virginia and Latakia tobaccos.

It's 9pm. Dark out. 67 degrees with a light wind. A nice night for a smoke!

The tin note is a three way mix of smoke, sour, and sweetness. I broke the flake up and crumbled it. Loaded the crumbs into my pipe.

It took a while to get it lit properly, which surprised me because the flake felt like it was at the right humidity for smoking. Oh well, not much of a bother.

The first thing I tasted was the smokey sour Cyprian Latakia with hints of leather and earth. Then I turned my attention to the sweet, aged Virginia with lemon and hay notes, slightly grassy with very light, barely discernable floral notes.

What mostly stands out though, is the sour essence. It's almost overwhelming. My mouth reacts by watering more than usual. If I didn't know better, I'd think this blend had Oriental/Turkish aspects (although it is missing the spiciness usually accompanying those elements).

Sour, sweet and savory. Salted Lemons and Leather.

It's a delightful, if somewhat simplistic smoke. So I'm enjoying it but I don't have much to say beyond what I've already said.

One thing I forgot to note is the beautiful sugar crystals that had formed on the Virginia stripes of the flake.

The flake burns cool and stays lit. The sour notes turn bitter when pushed too hard so I maintain a slow, easy cadence.

It finishes at the bottom with only minimal moisture in the bowl.

Overall this is a light, fun smoke. Light on the Latakia, medium on the sweetness, heavy on the sours. I think the sourness may turns some folks off, but I like. Just remember to take it slow.

Overall a it was a one dimensional flake that I still quite enjoyed. 3/5 Stars.