Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Erinmore Balkan Mixture

Being an aromatic smoker and at the same time detesting the other Erinmore blends, I took a chance on EBM with great suspicion. I wouldn't even think about it, if it wasn't SMOKETSES the one who insisted in this (he seldom goes wrong). Well, what a great smoke! Filling, packing, lighting and burning, though ideal, are side issues related to the quality of the leaf. In a few words: A worthy representative of oriental mixtures, a perfect combination of sweet and spicy bodies. You aromatic enthoustiasts, don't be afraid of the latakia; its low content, I estimate it at less than 20 percent, is only there to accomplish the symphony of this comer tobacco. And following the nice daydream of INTROIBO, I should hasten the over-10-years planned journey to the tobacco-growing roadways of Macedonia and Thrace-northern Greece, preferably during summer, with a couple of Erinmore Balkan Mixture tins in my baggage.

UPDATE 21 SEPTEMBER 2008 I did finish the pouch I was given and went so far as to buy a tin which I opened today, being on a Latakia thing, I lit a pipe whilst exercising the lawnmower, as this tabac is low maintenance it served well it's pupose, that is, sufficient vitamin N and taste whilst busy. For my personal view, although this may nor enter rotation, I can see myself buying more of this as I am fortunate enough to live on the North West coast and spend much time in the winter on the beach with my daughters Black Labrador. Here of course, a low maintenance and easy load / lighting tabac is a must, (try rubbing out a flake in a South Westerly) therefore, I feel I must join the consenus of opinion and up this to 4 stars.

ORIGINAL JULY 17 2008 Unlucky Rob, I was given a pouch of this as a gift, as soon as I saw the name, I gave it back. However, they insisted, so not to be unkind, I accepted. This is the first Balkan that I have tried, so I have nothing to compare it with thus I am unable to say whether this is a good Balkan or a poor imitation.

All I can say is that it packs easily, burns well and has an interesting taste and flavour, slightly sweet, cool smoking, the Latakia coming to the forefront without being overwhelming by any means, in fact the more I smoke it, the more I am inclined to seek out other Balkan blends and give them a try.

Seems to keep prety well, I've had this pouche open a week or so now, no evidence of drying out to dust. I could even be tempted to buy the occasional pouch of this, but it would be interesting to read the impressions of the more experienced Balkan boys. So for the moment, a cautious 3 stars.

Erinmore Balkan is recommended for what it is. Not the younger, shy, retiring brother of Balkan Sobranie, and certainly not a close friend or relative of the Squadron Leader and other famous balkan/orientals, Erinmore Balkan will disappoint you if you are looking for something along the lines of the great late-lamented blends.

However, if you are looking for excellent value for money, a light, well-balanced tobacco cut for easy packing, a blend that tastes oriental all the way to the end of the pipe, give it at least a couple of smokes in different pipes to see whether it is strong enough, has enough flavour and gives you the satisfaction that you get from other blends.

As always, I tried this out in several pipes. In a couple of them it was tasteless and laid a kind of greasy coating all over my mouth. In another pipe it was as if I was smoking ash. But, finally, in the right pipe, it starts with a strong, sweetish wiff of that familiar territory -- East of Italy, the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, down south of the Danube as far as the Bosphorous and beyond. I would like to say that you can almost hear the Orient Express whistling by, but that would be exaggerating.

You get brief waves of intensely oriental flavour -- the surf washing up on the shores of the Dardanelles -- and the Latakia lurks in the shadows, like Peter Lorre in a doorway filmed by Fritz Lang.

It is not, one hastens to add, a Sobranie. If pressed I would describe it as a little like Davidoff's Royalty, but with less of the Virginia and more straightforward oriental taste. A "by the numbers" oriental, but excellent value. I went out and ordered 10 50 gram cans. At at third of the price of Royalty, it is worth it.

Never likely to be an all day blend -- the orientals would prove too much of a good thing, I think.

A note about the tin -- it says "Murrays" on the top, but on the back "Orlik". I take it this was one of the blends that got transported to Germany. One can only suppose a couple of Macedonians employed in the Orlik factory persuaded the bosses to leave out the cavendish and aromatic flavouring.

this is the first balkan i have tried the smell did put me off a bit but it is a great taste it may be a bit like condor, a bit of a marmite thing, but if you are a bit adventures give it a try, and don,t let the smell put you off, i myself could not smoke it all day, but i do like to chop and change, between aromatics and strongish flakes