What is a Balkan blend?
I would say that when the Latakia and Orientals take the driver’s seat, supported by the Virginias, then it is a “Balkan”. Sean Chercover, 2002-12-19 Balkan blends use a heavy proportion of oriental tobaccos sourced from the Balkans (mostly the former Yugoslavia and the northern reaches of Greece.) For Balkan Sobranie, the source and inspiration of the appellation, that tobacco was mostly Yenidje, but since these pure oriental varieties are apparently unavailable to blenders these days, ‘balkan blend’ today refers to anything that resembles the old classic Sobranies – i.e., a rich tasting English with plenty of turkish/oriental in addition to the customary latakia. Paul Szabady A Balkan, on the other hand, is predominately based on oriental tobaccos and Latakia, and just enough Virginia is used to provide structure and balance. GL Pease, 2002-09-07 (from his FAQ) Balkans. Aaaah…Balkans! My favorite class of blends! To my thinking (and I think to most pipesmokers), Balkans can be cons
