Peterson Balkan Delight
(3.16)
A traditional mixture comprising the finest of Virginia tobaccos plus a hint of Louisiana perique and a generous proportion of Cyprus Latakia. A delight for the seasoned pipe smoker.
Notes: Due to EU regulations, this is renamed and sold in those countries as "Balkan Mixture".
Details
| Brand | Peterson |
| Blended By | Peterson |
| Manufactured By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Latakia |
| Contents | Latakia, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.16 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 16 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2013 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
If you had to pick out a problem with this new blend from Peterson then I think top of most people's list would have to be the name. This just isn't what I think of as a Balkan. For a start, there are no oriental varietals in this blend - the tin description makes no mention of them and needs updating here. To me, a Balkan with no Orientals isn't a proper Balkan, so initially we have a blend with a misleading moniker (YMMV).
I also don't think there is really that much Latakia here. No orientals and no Latakia. Not much of a Balkan then! Sure, some Latakia is definitely present, but to me the dominant force in the blend is definitely the Perique, of which there is no small quantity.
So, not a Balkan, but a VA/Per/Lat mixture with an emphasis on the peppery and pungent perique. Having gotten my criticism out of the way, it's actually pretty awesome. Plenty strong and with plenty of flavour. I have been working through my tin at a rate of knots, but as another reviewer pointed out, it never leaves me feeling unsatisfied.
Very easy smoking in terms of moisture levels and relights. It is a little rough around the edges, but it's a new blend and I am sure that a tin with a few months of age on would smooth out considerably - in fact, it would probably benefit from this much more than the Lat-bomb Balkan I expected. I think it would also be an excellent candidate for seasoning to taste with a bit of blending Latakia (something I am coming to regard as an essential in my cellar). In fact, I think I might do that this evening.
In summary. Not what I was expecting, but an excellent companion for the likes of Artisan's Blend and GH&Co Balkan Mixture, sufficiently different from both of them, but offering similar levels of flavour and vitamin N.
Definitely 3 stars. A tin with a few months might well get 4. I should order some more and find out.
Edit in Response to Gentleman Zombie: You know, I have been wondering if I had fooled myself! Like I said, there's no mention of them, but sometimes I think they are there too. Nevertheless, if so then they certainly aren't that forward to my palate.
I also don't think there is really that much Latakia here. No orientals and no Latakia. Not much of a Balkan then! Sure, some Latakia is definitely present, but to me the dominant force in the blend is definitely the Perique, of which there is no small quantity.
So, not a Balkan, but a VA/Per/Lat mixture with an emphasis on the peppery and pungent perique. Having gotten my criticism out of the way, it's actually pretty awesome. Plenty strong and with plenty of flavour. I have been working through my tin at a rate of knots, but as another reviewer pointed out, it never leaves me feeling unsatisfied.
Very easy smoking in terms of moisture levels and relights. It is a little rough around the edges, but it's a new blend and I am sure that a tin with a few months of age on would smooth out considerably - in fact, it would probably benefit from this much more than the Lat-bomb Balkan I expected. I think it would also be an excellent candidate for seasoning to taste with a bit of blending Latakia (something I am coming to regard as an essential in my cellar). In fact, I think I might do that this evening.
In summary. Not what I was expecting, but an excellent companion for the likes of Artisan's Blend and GH&Co Balkan Mixture, sufficiently different from both of them, but offering similar levels of flavour and vitamin N.
Definitely 3 stars. A tin with a few months might well get 4. I should order some more and find out.
Edit in Response to Gentleman Zombie: You know, I have been wondering if I had fooled myself! Like I said, there's no mention of them, but sometimes I think they are there too. Nevertheless, if so then they certainly aren't that forward to my palate.
Pipe Used:
Blakemar 'bash, various cobs.
PurchasedFrom:
MySmokingShop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 03, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Balkan Delight is good. It's funny Peterson calls it Balkan when it has no Orientals into it. This VA/LA/PE is definitively dominated by the LA from beginning to end. The VA kick in every once in a while, bringing a sweet note to the smoking expoerience, and the PE starts manifesting itself, with its peppery notes, during the last third.
Not really complex, it's far from being monotonous. I find it balanced in its elements.
This tobacco burns extraordinarely fast for a LA/VA/PE but it's never hot.
Not really complex, it's far from being monotonous. I find it balanced in its elements.
This tobacco burns extraordinarely fast for a LA/VA/PE but it's never hot.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill, Chacom, Stanwell
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins.com
Age When Smoked:
Brand new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 22, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Having just now finished my first tin, I have decided to write. I bought this tin some time ago and left it to sit after the first 3 pipes I smoked of it for about 4 months. I vacuum seal what I plan to let be for awhile to see how it develops having been introduced to air. I bought this during my va/per phase, solely bc it said it had perique in it on the tin. The first smoke was pretty wet to my taste. I let the next few breathe a bit and it worked out better for me. After 4 months, it sang in comparison.
In the tin it presents as a standard peterson does, well mixed ribbon cut. There's little chunky pieces of what I think is the perique. This was one of my first dalliances with Latakia btw. Upon opening the tin, I was struck by how piney it smelled. A little smokey, with an underlying hint of peppery sourness that I did recognize immediately. It packed well enough, although it did better after it aged a bit.
On the char, I choked a little lol. It wasn't what I expected at all. Very smokey, and a strong whiff of the pine forests of northern Maine after a strong rain. I could almost taste the pitch, which is not pleasant if you've been meaning to taste pine sap. I let it go out while I decided whether or not to smoke it. I decided I paid 15$ for it, so I was going to give it a chance.
The smokey flavor increases as it burns down to about halfway. The pine lets up considerably after the first quarter. The perique comes through nicely in the last third, which is what I bought it for anyway. I also notice a bit of that feeling in the back of my throat I get from Kentucky dark fired, although it's not listed. After it matured some in the tin, it performed much better with much the same taste. It burned much more cleanly and nice and dry. Excellent nic content
I would recommend this, as I have to come to appreciate it on a deep level. It is not my favorite, but it made a great transitionary blend that got me into the English varieties. Anyone who is considering trying some English, and is working mostly with va/pers or va/bur blends may find this to a great stepping stone.
In the tin it presents as a standard peterson does, well mixed ribbon cut. There's little chunky pieces of what I think is the perique. This was one of my first dalliances with Latakia btw. Upon opening the tin, I was struck by how piney it smelled. A little smokey, with an underlying hint of peppery sourness that I did recognize immediately. It packed well enough, although it did better after it aged a bit.
On the char, I choked a little lol. It wasn't what I expected at all. Very smokey, and a strong whiff of the pine forests of northern Maine after a strong rain. I could almost taste the pitch, which is not pleasant if you've been meaning to taste pine sap. I let it go out while I decided whether or not to smoke it. I decided I paid 15$ for it, so I was going to give it a chance.
The smokey flavor increases as it burns down to about halfway. The pine lets up considerably after the first quarter. The perique comes through nicely in the last third, which is what I bought it for anyway. I also notice a bit of that feeling in the back of my throat I get from Kentucky dark fired, although it's not listed. After it matured some in the tin, it performed much better with much the same taste. It burned much more cleanly and nice and dry. Excellent nic content
I would recommend this, as I have to come to appreciate it on a deep level. It is not my favorite, but it made a great transitionary blend that got me into the English varieties. Anyone who is considering trying some English, and is working mostly with va/pers or va/bur blends may find this to a great stepping stone.
Pipe Used:
MM Legend
PurchasedFrom:
Wallingford tobacco, Wallingford ct
Age When Smoked:
Fresh tin, left to sit
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 25, 2014 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Very quick burning for a Latakia Tobacco. The taste is somewhat "softer" than Samuels Gawith's Balkan Flake. The burning is much quicker and the VA is sweeter. A very good Tobacco even one you could smoke the whole day long ! The only problem is the quick drying of the Tobacco ones the tin is open. I surely will keep this Tobacco in my rotation.
Pipe Used:
Peterson S80 Bulldog
Age When Smoked:
brand new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 12, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
This is one of the best latakia blends ever tried! No bite, full of taste and smooth! Although not my cup of tea, I take my hut off to its high quality. I easily smoked a couple of pipes while watching a movie and I actually used the rest of the tin to give some roundness and smokiness to other blends that needed a character and nicotine touch with big success! If you like latakia you must have it! If you don't, you must try it! Well done peterson! You are back in the game again!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Ok, so is it a Balkan? Who knows and what's in a name anyway. My tin says Balkan mixture and by definition this isn't, but I digress. The Perique is a nose tickler and to me not overly done. The Virginia is layered in along with Latakia in equal amounts. Nicotine level is a notch above medium. I smoke my tins fresh and then with some age after opening as I find the intro of air can change the flavors and remove sharp edges.This lights and packs well, smokes with no bite, and leaves no moisture. Smoke it slow and it's wonderful, push it and it will flatten. Not an all day smoke, but it does go great with a nice lager or stout. If your sensitive to Nicotine be cautious. Recommend
Lager
Lager
Pipe Used:
Savs, Petersons
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking pipes
Age When Smoked:
New to 3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Balkan Delight’s tin note is smoky with a little bit our sour. I prefer my tobacco a little drier than this is out of the tin, so I did allow for a little bit of dry time. In the pipe it is a “woody,” smoky, slightly sweet blend that burns cool and without a bite. The Perique is very noticeable, but I wouldn’t call it overwhelming. It offers a pepper quality to the blend although I didn’t find it too spicy. The flavor is pretty rich and deep with moderate complexity. As each bowl progressed, I taste the Perique more and the spice does increase, but again, not over the top. The mild sweetness does diminish on the later stages of the bowl, but I really didn’t get the bitterness described in the notes. The ample amount of Latakia plays a leading role, but leaves enough room for the other component tobaccos. Peterson has their blends produced by more than one manufacturer and I am not sure who make this blend, but my guess is that it is German. Although very different blends, I enjoy this more than Old Dublin, although neither would be a four star blend for me.
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2023 | Medium | Medium to Strong | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
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
Pipe Used:
Italian Briar
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked:
1yr
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 16, 2019 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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
Pipe Used:
Peterson, straight buldog
Age When Smoked:
Tin 2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
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.
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.
Pipe Used:
Various briars and cobs
PurchasedFrom:
Cup O'Joes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
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