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
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 06, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The Turkish Izmir is the star flavor with a woodsy, smokey tangy sour quality, but the other components still have their say in the proceedings. The Virginias are citrusy, grassy, and the clean burning lemon Va. in particular is easy to spot. The fired-cured Virginias and Kentucky offer a little spicy, earthy, woody depth. The Cyprian latakia is a moderate ingredient, adding its own smokey, woody, lightly sweet flavor push. The minor players work well to create some complexity with full flavor and strength, getting stronger during the last third of the smoke. Has a decent sized nic-hit. No chance of bite or harshness. Burns clean and cool at a moderate pace with a consistent rich taste, and few relights, and only a slight bit of moisture at the very bottom. Has a pleasant after taste and stronger room note. Recommended to those who like a strong, filling mixture as this is not an all day experience.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 16, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Mostly tan but with a smattering of black, the 25 gram baggie is light on aroma but otherwise typical of Balkans. Sort of a Balkan Light, which I found interesting. If "Balkan" was a guitar amplifier, this one was set on about '3'... not enough to rattle your teeth but enough to mellow you out.
On the tastebuds, this was also light. The Izmir shined brightly with its herbaceous sour tang. When I think of Balkan, I think of latakia being a more vocal player but it was clearly in the background here. The Virginia lent a nice savory sweetness (light, however) and the Kentucky was nice and gritty, but it also made this less of a "classic" Balkan. Then again, how many more "classic" Balkans do we really need? This seemed to make more of a statement of Glynn Quelch, the artist. This struck me as masterfully blended as each component was in just the right amount as to play its part in concert with the whole. Nicotine seemed about midrange and I didn't catch much of any complexity. Good but not a rotation maker. Try it for GQ's take on the Balkan... quite different indeed.
On the tastebuds, this was also light. The Izmir shined brightly with its herbaceous sour tang. When I think of Balkan, I think of latakia being a more vocal player but it was clearly in the background here. The Virginia lent a nice savory sweetness (light, however) and the Kentucky was nice and gritty, but it also made this less of a "classic" Balkan. Then again, how many more "classic" Balkans do we really need? This seemed to make more of a statement of Glynn Quelch, the artist. This struck me as masterfully blended as each component was in just the right amount as to play its part in concert with the whole. Nicotine seemed about midrange and I didn't catch much of any complexity. Good but not a rotation maker. Try it for GQ's take on the Balkan... quite different indeed.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Got this from StevieB in a trade. Many thanks, Steve.
This can get a little hot causing some harshness on the retrohale. Having said that, I find that sipping rewards me with a cool and great tasting smoke. The key flavor feature, for me, is the combination of the Turkish with the Lemon Virginias. Wonderfully sour straw and wood. Love that part. There's just enough Lat to give a smoky background. Can't say that I can pick up the Kentucky. There's very little sweetness and a mild spice. It's a very nice smoke.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. No added flavoring. Burns just a little too well and quick.
This can get a little hot causing some harshness on the retrohale. Having said that, I find that sipping rewards me with a cool and great tasting smoke. The key flavor feature, for me, is the combination of the Turkish with the Lemon Virginias. Wonderfully sour straw and wood. Love that part. There's just enough Lat to give a smoky background. Can't say that I can pick up the Kentucky. There's very little sweetness and a mild spice. It's a very nice smoke.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. No added flavoring. Burns just a little too well and quick.
Pipe Used:
MM Marcus, Country Gentleman, Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
acquired in trade with StevieB
Age When Smoked:
Almost a year.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Very nice blend. Creaminess with a white pepper characteristic. Not overwhelming. Smoky but not a lat bomb. Would recommend if someone is getting into Latakia-based blends, especially if you are a cigar smoker. Edit: Towards the end of the bowl spice gradually ramps up quite significantly and is a very different tobacco towards the end. A bit on an experience to smoke it 🙂
Pipe Used:
Dunhill 9mm filter 2016
PurchasedFrom:
www.gqtobaccos.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year after purchase
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