EN
JA
ZH
All New Pipes
Sold Out
Details
- Components: Virginia, Latakia
- Family: English
- Cut: Flake
About This Pipe Tobacco
A new blend from the tobacco master at Samuel Gawith, Balkan Flake has a big flavor with 70% Va leaf and 30% Latakia.
Customer Reviews
Criminally underrated.
December 24, 2025
Product: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake 50g
son.
And the longer version: The rating question here is how well this tobacco does as a simple, medium strength Virginia-Latakia combination. About half the reviews are about anything but. First, the only hint of even possible Lakeland essence I get is a little citrus on the Virginias, which can occur even in the absence of it. No old lady perfume. No detergent.
Second, with only two ingredients, we have those from both sides dinging the ratings a bit. The Lat hounds don't like it because it's a medium, and not a strong, Balkan blend, and the Virginia hounds want what amounts to Full Virginia Flake with a light Lat. topper, which isn't even a real Balkan. If that's you, buy some Lat. to sprinkle on your Virginia blends, because if this has too much Lat. for you, you won't likely find an English or Balkan blend you truly like.
First, with only two ingredients, you will indeed taste even the unaged Virginias more than in most English/Balkan blends. The typical Virginia sweetness is present. It's just in the background, as it's supposed to be (ironically, if you really want strong Virginias, go for the Burnt Ends version of this, which shortcuts the aging process and makes the Virginia sweeter and smokier, to meld with the Lat.) in even a light English/Balkan, and this is a legit. medium. Still, with no perique or orientals to confuse your palate, it's easy to pick out the Virginias.
Perfect balance, in fact, and will age well and to the thrill of Virginia fans. The flakes are moist and can be dried, but still burn well, and stay lit. Beautiful tin presentation. Flakes stay together for those of us who prefer to fold and stuff instead of rub out.
The overall feel here is of a tobacco with extremely high quality components and a simplicity that calls the mind back to a simpler time as well, so suitable for a company that got started in 1792.
You will probably only like this if you want a simple, classic, purist, medium Balkan (which by definition puts the Lat. out front at least a bit). It's what it claims to be, and it's what it is. If you want incredible complexity in all your English/Balkan blends, this isn't it, with only two ingredients. But this stuff is a high quality, smokey-sweet, nostalgic experience. And the smoke is the coolest I've found....Read More
And the longer version: The rating question here is how well this tobacco does as a simple, medium strength Virginia-Latakia combination. About half the reviews are about anything but. First, the only hint of even possible Lakeland essence I get is a little citrus on the Virginias, which can occur even in the absence of it. No old lady perfume. No detergent.
Second, with only two ingredients, we have those from both sides dinging the ratings a bit. The Lat hounds don't like it because it's a medium, and not a strong, Balkan blend, and the Virginia hounds want what amounts to Full Virginia Flake with a light Lat. topper, which isn't even a real Balkan. If that's you, buy some Lat. to sprinkle on your Virginia blends, because if this has too much Lat. for you, you won't likely find an English or Balkan blend you truly like.
First, with only two ingredients, you will indeed taste even the unaged Virginias more than in most English/Balkan blends. The typical Virginia sweetness is present. It's just in the background, as it's supposed to be (ironically, if you really want strong Virginias, go for the Burnt Ends version of this, which shortcuts the aging process and makes the Virginia sweeter and smokier, to meld with the Lat.) in even a light English/Balkan, and this is a legit. medium. Still, with no perique or orientals to confuse your palate, it's easy to pick out the Virginias.
Perfect balance, in fact, and will age well and to the thrill of Virginia fans. The flakes are moist and can be dried, but still burn well, and stay lit. Beautiful tin presentation. Flakes stay together for those of us who prefer to fold and stuff instead of rub out.
The overall feel here is of a tobacco with extremely high quality components and a simplicity that calls the mind back to a simpler time as well, so suitable for a company that got started in 1792.
You will probably only like this if you want a simple, classic, purist, medium Balkan (which by definition puts the Lat. out front at least a bit). It's what it claims to be, and it's what it is. If you want incredible complexity in all your English/Balkan blends, this isn't it, with only two ingredients. But this stuff is a high quality, smokey-sweet, nostalgic experience. And the smoke is the coolest I've found....Read More
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful?
7
Henry Thomas
January 07, 2025
By:
Henry
Product: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake 50g
n tins a few weeks ago. After finishing my first tin, it now ranks with Gawith's St. James Flake and C&D's Steam Works as my favorite tobacco, and it's a whole lot easier to get one's hands on than either of those. It comes from the tin nicely moist, but not too, and it rubs out somewhat less easily than C&D's broken flakes such as Steaam Works - about par with St. James and Full Virginia. It usually takes a couple of lights to get it going, but then it smokes well, with minimum relights, and what a terrific flavor. It doesn't have the acrid quality I associate with a lot of Latakia blends, and is smooth and cool. As always in a Gawith blend, the Virginias are top quality. A great tobacco....Read More
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful?
0
laundry detergent
October 15, 2024
By:
shifty
Product: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake 50g
ike the cleaning crew at the Gawith factory didn't rinse .. i hope it gets better with age ..PS reviews for grousemoor seem accurate for this aand apparently its normal for lakeland varieties to be like this i was trying not to buy any of those .. oh well...Read More
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful?
1
A journey in flake form
November 08, 2024
By:
Woodswalker
Product: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake 50g
ard yet subtle. Sweet and citrusy yet earthy and peaty. Aftertaste is just wonderful....Read More
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful?
0
Perfect in every way.
November 24, 2023
By:
Read a book,
Product: Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake 50g
This is one of the most sublime smoking mixtures I have tried this year. Satisfyingly smooth and piquant. Earthy, leathery, smokey and
Mellow.
Mellow.
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful?
2
