Arango Balkan Supreme

As its name indicates, it is a good quality Balkan blend, with a good balance between smooth and tasty. It produces a smoke with a silky texture that is very pleasant to the mouth. I have the impression that it burns faster than average. Highly recommended

I first tried Balkan Supreme last summer after receiving a generous sample from one of our members (thebriarpatchforum.com). It lasted about a week. This review is based on that sample and many subsequent bowls.

Sometimes a smell or odor reminds me of a person or event from my past. This can be pleasant, but sometimes not so much. In the case of Balkan Supreme, the tin note took my mind on a journey that I could only describe as intoxicatingly nostalgic.

It’s a cold, clear and very quiet night. I’m alone in a rural setting. It’s likely late November. The stillness is broken when I smell smoke from a nearby chimney. That’s my impression of the tin note.

The tobacco barely contains any moisture. Upon lighting, my olfactory senses are blissfully flooded. I note wood, incense, campfire notes , and a mouthwatering citrus-sour note that’s sweet. It’s essentially smokey, leathery, and creamy.

It burns at a moderate pace. It’s full in body, and the nicotine level is slightly less than medium. It’s never harsh, even with quick puffing. It smokes well in cobs and various briars.

Balkan Supreme is not an all day smoke. It works best for me at the end of the day. I highly recommend it.

I guess I'm officially a Balkan fan now, after falling in love first with C&D's Super Balkan, and now this one.

A full but soft and sweet smoke. Wonderful to smoke, but even better in the after taste, where I'm getting loads of lingering woody sweetness, probably mostly from Samsun -- though I'm guessing the Black Cavendish and Virginia contribute.

Comparing this to Super Balkan, I can guess at how it is different because of the absence of Perique: especially because Balkan Supreme is a bit softer and cedar-like. I love them both a ton, but I have to say that this may be the better offering (though these are both effortless 4 star blends)!

If you are wanting an approachable smoker, that is still very satisfying for the experienced smoker, you may try this before Super Balkan. If you want that Perique spice and kick, go for C&D's excellent offering. Get them both to compare.

Highly recommended. Will definitely return to this in greater quantities.

A wonderful mid-strength Balkan, leans toward the English side. Big, rich flavor is the selling point. Smooth start, gradual flavor ramp-up, wonderful smoke to the end of the bowl. Arrived in bulk bag ready to smoke, no drying necessary. Upon researching the brand's media presence I would call it highly underrated. A great smoke by any measure.

Smoking some of this that has been jarred for 2yrs. Insanely smooth! You'd need to smoke a BIG bowl to push any strength out of this. Upper end of mild I say. A little lighter than I like for evening, but this is one creamy, chocolatey, woody sweet, leathery masterpiece. Not sugar sweet, but natural tobacco sweetness comes thru. The latakia, for me is subdued. It's almost as if the other components are toying with the latakia and won't quite let it reach the top of the heap- but in a good way. If gentle lat blends are your thing, look no further. Great morning/ all day smoke.

What high end Cabernet Sauvignon is to a wine aficionado this is to Latakia laden balken lovers. The difference? The price tag fits us middle of the roade incomers. This is a superb blend in every aspect of pipe smoking blends. I don't apologize for being a Latakia freak. Inserting whatever adjective or sensory perception I have for this tobacco seems shallow compared to me imploring to you Latakia lovers who haven't tried this blend yet:" DON'T DENY YOURSELF A BOWL!"

first, about me a little. I keep 40-50 tins of various blends on hand for at least a year before cracking open. I keep 6-8 pounds of various blends in ball 1-gallon jars on hand for everyday pleasure. a few quart jars of aromatics for when I have the urge. my primary go to is English and Balkan mixtures. This one and c&d super Balken are my favorites. super has perique and this one doesn't. this on rivals any out there no matter the cost. spicy, creamy, leather goodness. believe the reviews. its good. as a Virginia native I love my tobacco. learned to appreciate it years ago in the navy. if you are new to the pipe, relax your taste buds will change and adapt over time. just find what you like and enjoy.

The king of Balkans - I've tried many and few match the flavor, barbeque-esque smokiness, and full body of the smoke. Great evening smoke that leaves a very pleasant aftertaste in the mouth.

I taste orientals first and foremost, the Latakia presence isnt super strong and is well balanced. Sweet and sour, earthy, floral, a bit of woody smokiness which is all very buttery and creamy. A little bit of grassy, hay, and cocoa too. Surprisingly complex and builds in complexity there more you smoke it. Very light in body and low in nicotine. Super smooth, easy smoke. Packs well and rarely needs a relight.

Balkan supreme makes me wonder if I even need to try other balkan blends. It's that good. There's few lat blends I could smoke with frequency quite like this. Its the perfect "all-day" balkan/English. I don't plan on ever not having a huge jar of this around.