Dan Tobacco Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend

Revised 04-14-2005

Appearance and aroma: ahh... dark, musty, medium cut ribbons of latakia, turkish, and an ocassional speck of gold.

Packing and lighting: a little moist upon opening of tin, but packs and lights rather easily.

Initial flavor: This is a balkan! delicious!

Mid-bowl: flavor intensifies, a slight tingle from the perique, but not enough to trigger my allergy. The flavor is similar to "Nightcap" but not as much perique.

Bottom of bowl: more fullness, yumm.. Perique tingles a little more but does not overpower. Finishes dry with a fine medium grey ash and you are satiated.

Overall: This is a delicious Balkan, not quite as rich and complex as Pease's blends, but still in my top 10 of Balkan blends. It does pack a nicotine punch, but not as intense as Dunhill's Nightcap. Lastly, this will not bite and there is no need to puff stongly to get rich flavor.

I like this one. It is a good balkan blend. Good latakia and all the tobaccos work together.

Best on a winter's night. Not the same in the summer.

This blend is strong, and typical for the genre. There isn't anything special about this blend, but it doesn't disappoint either. You really cannot go wrong with it, as the components are well balanced. It packs a substantial nic hit, but can still be used as an all day smoke. Therein lies the appeal for Billy Bailey's Balkan blend. You can get a lot of mileage on this blend before it starts to bite.

3/4 solid daily Balkan for those of us who like our nicotine fix.

Quality tobacco. Latakia is main , Virginia assisting, Kentucky and Orientals in a support role. Smoke is medium-full, cool and dry. Aftertaste is lingering. Not an all day smoke. Worth to try it.

I gauge all Balkans by Balkan Sasieni as to me it is the absolute best Balkan I've had to date. Bill Bailey's Balkan is good, but comes up a bit short of Sasieni. BBB is stronger and sharper and seems to me more Latakia forward. The Kentucky adds backbone but cancels other components. Moisture level was good in the tin and could be smoked without drying but the mixture still seemed sharp. I let the tin sit for about two months and it seemed to calm down somewhat. Nicotine is above medium. You can push this and it won't bite, but if nicotine affects you beware. Not an everyday smoke, but good with an Ale, Lager or a good Scotch. Leaves a pleasant aftertaste. I think more aging may mellow it a bit and time will tell. Smoke in Peace-Lager

I've been smoking a pipe for a little over a year. The variety of tobacco is amazing, and a little overwhelming. In my limited range of experience ,Bill Bailey's Baklan Blend is hands down my favorite tobacco. It's powerful, strong latakia, a note of raisin or fig. The moisture content is perfect for me, and smokes wonderfully in my favorite pipe.

I liked the cut which packed well in the pipe. Lit after two lights and it stayed lit throughout the smoke. The taste confused me as there seemed to be a lot going on. Half way through the bowl I had to put it down because of so many flavors trying to compete made the taste very bad in my opinion.

I like this blend. I save a jar in my celler, i ll buy it again.

I am puzzled at some of the previous comments labeling this a one star tobacco. Perhaps these reviewers have had very little experience with a full bodied latakia tobacco. I found Bill Bailey's to be rich and creamy. Strong-yes, but quite satisfying after a good meal. Having said this I also found Bill Bailey's not the most complex blend or most interesting blend and thus not suitable for an every day smoke.

soli Deo gloria