Peterson Balkan Delight

At the moment of writing, I have just tried this tobacco for the first time. I had 3 bowls almost back to back. Honestly, there’s nothing too overwhelming, and there’s nothing to distinct. This is definitely a Latakia forward blend, and I love it for that. The Virginian definitely shines in the retro. Many characteristics similar to nightcap. Simple and good tobacco, I definitely enjoyed this

Wow - I think I've met my match. Or rather, I've met an english blend that is too 'strong' for me. For comparison, I do enjoy blends such as Old Dublin and Nightcap, and find them miles lighter and tastier than this. To be honest, it's a bit like trying to smoke a railway sleeper - already when opening the tin, the tobacco has the same colour, and the tin note resembles a burnt-out campfire made from splinters of old sleepers. Not bad enough to throw away either, but definitely not an all-day smoke for me and needs to be sipped in small quantities with black coffee, cognac or something like that as a chaser.

Many seem to say that it's the perique that makes this strong, but to my taste it's the latakia that sovereignly dominates this - I have not noticed the same effect in other perique-heavy blends that I have generally liked. Also, other reviewers point out that this isn't really a 'Balkan' blend without the oriental leaf, which only makes me more intrigued to try a true 'Balkan' blend now.

So, add that to the shopping list and cross out Balkan Delight from the 'English blends to be bought again'-list. Only recommended for fans of latakia/english blends, cautiously.

Smokes very cool, taste very straight all smoking time. Have to humidate. Wait twenty eight days after humidation. No rest need while smoking. Better with thick bowl pipes

Unusual mixture, and the name, as others mentioned, is misleading. Still, it's a pleasant enough smoke if you like Latakia-Virginia mixtures.

Open the tin and the aroma is predominantly latakia smokiness. This doesn't mean it's a very heavy latakia blend, but the Virginia and Perique don't make themselves prominent at this stage. The leaf is cut very unevenly, some very fine shag, some wide ribbon, and various bits of broken up Perique. Mostly brown peppered with black, some flecks of gold. The last few bowls from a tin will be mostly crumbs, which worsens its tendency to burn away quite fast.

It takes a flame easily, and will burn all the way to the end without relights. The flavour is mild to begin with, the Virginia and Latakia harmonising to make a flavour like well done toast. As it progresses the flavour before richer, with some leathery notes making themselves known, and the Perique adds a subtle spice and sourness toward the end. The Latakia is never heavy, but its the main player here. It's not a big nicotine hit, but satisfies, and there's no tongue bite.

Overall, it's a bit one dimensional, but I may be biased as I like a good dose of Oriental leaf in my English mixtures. Worth a try for a change of pace if nothing else, I can't think of a mixture quite like it, it's just tickling the upper end of medium in terms of flavour and strength for a mixture.

This blend is a strange one, but in a good way.

The ribbon cut and moisture content are ideal. It's cool smoking, and my first bowl needed no relights.

The strange part: The 3 listed components are present in balanced proportions, but I swear it seems like there are some Orientals in it. Maybe it's the power of suggestion from the name, or maybe it's a "secret ingredient" consisting of Orientals. It could be the way the tobaccos interact that gives it bit of an incense-like note. At any rate, it's very well put together and should appeal to fans of both English and Balkan blends.

UPDATE 5/12/2019: I just learned that Balkan Delight has been renamed Balkan Mixture and, according to Smokingpipes.com, it contains Orientals.

It could be nice tobacco but peppery taste of perique, gives a nasty bite in my mouth, which ruin the smooth taste of latakia and virginias. Only for perique lovers, for me it's way too hot. Balkan Flake or Commonwealth Mixture in my opinion are much better choice, if somone is looking for this kind of blends.

Nice, strong tin smell, plenty of fermented Perique and smoky, woody Latakia.

Taste is similar, but with more earthy Virginia notes coming through after a little while. Peterson have succeeded well in making the Latakia and Perique play in harmony. The smoke becomes deeper and more complex mid-bowl, and I taste something sour and spicy in the background which I would have thought was Turkish (maybe Samsun), although this blend is supposed to have no Orientals at all (but then why call it a Balkan?).

Nevertheless, this is very good tobacco for your money. Pretty strong room note, but that is unavoidable with healthy doses of Perique and Latakia in the mix.

I don't really understand why Peterson makes such a secret of the presence of Oriental Tobaccos in Balkan Delight. I can't imagine other source of that extra bit of typically Oriental tang in Balkan Delight than Orientals. Naming the blend a Balkan and not mentioning Oriental content in it leads (as we may see from so many reviews, including this one) to a lot of argument, conspiracy theories and hype. Which, essentialy, well might be the desired effect! What if they try to follow the ingenious marketing strategy of Presbyterian Mixture, when the maker by nor confirming neither defying the presence of Latakia leaves the mystery on customers' own guess, adding in this way to the popularity of the product?

All in all, Balkan Delight is a good tobacco. It's rich, bold and flavoursome. Fairly full of nicotine and generous in good Latakia. A true delight to savour.

Highly recommended.

This blend was a very pleasant surprise. English/latakia blends are my absolute favorites and I was a little sceptical trying a "new" blend that was light on latakia. Also, some light latakia blends disappoint me because they don't satisfy my Vitamin L requirement. Balkan Delight is not one of them. The latakia flavor was smooth and omnipresent without reaching medium strength and accompanied by the very nice spicy touch of the perique. A very satisfying all day smoke. I smoked the tin along with one of Nightcap and can attest it is notably lighter on latakia than the Dunhill mix. Similar to My Mixture 965. An excellent smoke. Bought 02/2014, opened 07/2016, finished 12/2017.