GQ Tobaccos Classic Balkan (Izmir)
(3.40)
A Balkan blend is often comprised of Virginia, Orientals and latakia, with the Oriental being the main component in the flavour profile. Our Izmir Classic is just that, a complex and honest Balkan blend using Turkish Izmir tobacco. The tobacco’s origin began with our Breakfast Blend by means of the addition of a few differing Virginias and of course, latakia. This tobacco was first blended in 2010 after a request from a member of the Nottingham Pipe Club and it now has a few “to die for” fans. The addition of sweet, grassy, lemony Virginias from the New World gives a light and refreshing edge to the blend. Fire cured Virginias and burley (Kentucky), even in the amounts used on this blend keep the smoke leathery and earthy. While the combination of latakia and Izmir adds a wonderful creamy smoky core that runs all the way through the tobacco.
Even with this wide selection of tobaccos, we have carefully blended them to create a symphony of flavours that will appeal to most Oriental smokers. The relatively light body (compared to our other latakia blends) makes this a great introduction to Oriental blends with latakia.
Details
Brand | GQ Tobaccos |
Series | House Series |
Blended By | Glynn Quelch |
Manufactured By | Glynn Quelch |
Blend Type | Balkan |
Contents | Kentucky, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
Flavoring | |
Cut | Ribbon |
Packaging | Bulk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Production | No longer in production |
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
3.40 / 4
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Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 Reviews
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2014 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Very Strong |
Visually an interesting mix of short ribbon of varying size cut. Overall quite a bright mix. The tin, well bag, note is sweet and smoky.
Once lit the predominant aroma is of burning pine needles and cedar. This wanes over the course of the bowl and the last half sweet and sour, somewhat cigar like, aromas emerge.
This tobacco burns a little on the hot and fast side and produced a fair amount of moisture in the shank and stem. I don't know what the Kentucky adds here except to ramp up the strength of the smoke. I didn't find this blend to be creamy at all, but rather on the harsh side.
I can't help but think there is a loss of subtlety and complexity in this blend despite its various individual components.
Once lit the predominant aroma is of burning pine needles and cedar. This wanes over the course of the bowl and the last half sweet and sour, somewhat cigar like, aromas emerge.
This tobacco burns a little on the hot and fast side and produced a fair amount of moisture in the shank and stem. I don't know what the Kentucky adds here except to ramp up the strength of the smoke. I didn't find this blend to be creamy at all, but rather on the harsh side.
I can't help but think there is a loss of subtlety and complexity in this blend despite its various individual components.