Tobaccos McClelland - Syrian Full Balkan

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2014-06-29		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Ribbon cut of mostly black with some mahogany thrown in. Delicate tin aroma of a bit of the typical McClellands aroma, some aromatic orientals and the herbaceous, kind of "incense-y" aroma of Syrian latakia, a condiment with which I'm really just now exploring. Easy to load but I did find that I had to relight fairly often, as I preferred the flavor of this one when it contained some decent moisture content.

It's unfortunate name aside - perhaps the reference to "full" in this case really means that it isn't a "partial" Balkan, whatever that may mean - this is a mild and mellow blend but with a rich depth of flavor. McClellands is masterful at creating such mixtures that are easy on the palate, yet have a burst of flavor that keeps the taste buds hopping. Royal Cajun Ebony is another case in point. The latakia here is not of the smoky, woodsy variety of its Cyprian cousin, but rather a lightly spicy flavor with a very mild peppery quality. It melds beautifully with the orientals. And this one shows that not all tobaccos should be sipped slowly, as various internet pundits dubiously insist. Plop this one in a thimble-sized Group 3 while pushing for a 2 hour smoke and you'll miss the point. I found this needs to cook at a somewhat higher temp in a large bowl for best effect.

Surprisingly excellent blend, and is in the running for Best Tobacco Discovery of 2014 for me. Obviously, more is headed to my cellar. I need to try more Syrian blends! Is this really a Balkan? Well, if you're the type to argue for days over whether a particular pipe shape is a Rhodesian or a Bulldog, feel free to concern yourself. I just think this is a great blend, misleading name or not.

Pipe Used: meerschaum and morta

Age When Smoked: 1 year

18 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2006-04-08		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

The Syrian here, compared to the original is all fizzle and no sizzle. I'm not sure if the comparison was fair though, because I was hoping for the flavor I remembered from many moons ago. Certainly a full Balkan style blend with all the right elements blended together well. It's just that nostalga is a hard thing to give up. So, this one gets three stars.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Big (321)	2015-04-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Fragrant smooth Latakia , very "McC like" in the way the Latakia is used, not harsh or overpowering. Notes of coffee and chocolate make for an interesting background to the smoke. The Syrian Latakia is well balanced with the Virginias and makes for a sweet and sour fruitiness rather than a charcoal campfire flavor that I find more in a style of a C&D Cyprian Latakia offerings ( ex. Pirate kake). As compared to a C&D Latakia , I wouldn't really call this as FULL, which is typical of McC's offerings. Depending on my mood, I like both of these styles of Latakia use, but I feel this is easier to take as an all day smoke.

The above notes indicate the use of other Orientals in this blend, but these hide in the background and do not produce a spice. I find this feature makes for a blend that is nice for mornings as well as late night when my tongue has had enough of other blends. I don't want to come across as if this blend is bland, it still produces plenty of flavor and interest , even during relights. It doesn't have that "one" dominant feature, but rather is a blend that after your done with the bowl you say , " gee , I think I'll have another before moving on" ( wish this came in bulk)

Agree with reviewer "DK" review,. I don't understand all the 1& 2 star reviews, I think the "FULL" in the name is misleading.

Pipe Used: cob

Age When Smoked: 3 weeks open

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	scorpio2billion (9)	2010-10-29		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I think that if everyone would just try Full Balkan in a larger bowl, and pack a little tighter, a whole new tobacco would emerge for them! I first tried it in a little Savinelli billiard, and had much the same experience as most on here- unimpressed and in disbelief that McClelland would make such a flavorless blend. Then I got out my big (for me) Peterson 01, packed it snug, and voila! There was the richness and smokiness I was looking for. Keep in mind that the Syrian Latakia is more subtle than the Cyprian we're all used to, and I wish the Orientals were more abundant. This isn't Penzance. This is a little more contemplative, a little less knock-your-socks-off. I'd be interested in knowing if this works for anyone else! If it doesn't, I'll eat my own foot. And part of someone elses.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pryhosm (248)	2017-12-24		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

For the original Latakia, this is an increasingly rare treat and interestingly enough for the newest generation of pipe smokers this Latakia is not what most people would consider the "real" Latakia. For the record I make the reference to real in the literal sense, Syrian Latakia is the original Latakia. I realize that Cyprian is the current norm and understand the reasons that has become the norm, I only mention it in the nostalgic and historical sense. The tin note is very appealing and not what you would expect, especially after visual inspection, this is a ribbon cut with loads of black ribbons of Latakia. The sweet spicy Latakia is evident and the typical McClelland Virginia is NOT as pronounced, in fact it is barely noticeable (the ketchup smell). Sweet lemony Virginia's and woody Orientals are evident in the tin note. The smoke is quite amazing. This is a very subtle, mellow smoke. Not a Lat bomb in the current vernacular. This is sweet and spicy (spicy like loaded with spices, not hot and peppery). The Syrian Latakia is among the best I ever had. I love HH Vintage Syrian and the quality of this leaf seems superior. This is slightly smokey and sweet and the sweetness is like that of molasses and honey. The Virginia's provide additional sweetness and some breadth and lemony notes while the Orientals provide wood (Cedar and Hickory). Their is a slight sourness from the Orientals as well. The magic is in the blend, this is masterfully blended, the select leaf from each category work to support one another in a way that they seem to blend together completely to form singular and unique favor. There is a malt flavor that hits you from the charring light and stays with you throughout the smoke. There is also a seltzer/soda like flavor on the retrohale. As stupid as this may sound this is what I picture the original Balkan Sobranie Smoking Mixture was like. This is a world class pipe tobacco and it pains me to know that the the tins are likely all sold and gone and what I have is it for me. If you can find it, buy it.

Pipe Used: Briars, Meerschaum and cobs

Age When Smoked: 3 years

Purchased From: B&M

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mike10 (17)	2015-09-02		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Having enjoyed Wilderness, I decided to try several other blends using Syrian Latakia. When opening the tin of Full Balkan, I found it quite pleasant and mild. After lighting some, I found the taste and feel of it matched the tin aroma. I'll admit, it almost seemed too mild or subtle in flavor at first, but I trusted that with time and some mindfulness of what could be expected, that it would yield more. It did. Full Balkan needs for you to relax and submit to its gentle flavors and mouth feel. It strikes the palate like a mildly-briny single malt like Inchgower does. It truly has a smoky-wine taste, and the feel is very much like Dark Star or other mild tobaccos (Yenidje, or any good red Virginias). I've smoked about half of the tin in the past month, and I've finally arrived at a positive appreciation of this blend. It helps to be in the mood for a mild, subtle tobacco when you decide to smoke this, rather than for something richer like a Va-Per or something with Kentucky leaf. I've enjoyed the Full Balkan so much that I'll continue my enjoyment of Syrian Latakia blends with a tin of Three Oaks Syrian I've just received.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	twaksak (54)	2015-03-28		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I agree with many reviewers...not really a FULL Balkan. Syrian Balkan or Syrian Mild Balkan would've been more descriptive. Nevertheless, not a bad tobacco.

Tin: Opening the tin you're greeted with a dark tobacco. I noted a spicy, curry (maybe masala) and turmeric aroma. Very little smokiness which one would've expected from the Latakia.

Taste: On first light, sweet notes were evident; kind off like toasted (dark) cocoa/chocolate. Together with the curry-like aroma, I could taste something like chilli-chocolate. As you progress through the bowl, the spiciness becomes more evident and even the smell of burning wood (like in camp fire). Definitely a mild tobacco.

The first bowl was indeed more disappointing than the following few bowls I had. But I got to like it more and more as I smoked more bowls of this.

EDIT: Every next bowl was indeed better than I thought. Get to start liking it more.

EDIT: 10/2015 - Tin aroma today while opening a new, I was greeted with a new sense of zesty, all spice aroma; kind-off like the fruit cake / mince pie aromas.

Pipe Used: Savinelli & Pietenpauw

Age When Smoked: 4 years

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-02-17		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Feb. 2005 update: This has really "just medium" taste, as it just reaches the medium flavor threshold. There is plenty of flavor, just not a symphony or wild-Balkan rhapsody

The Orientals and Virginia leaf are really more prominent here, but the Latakia is certainly no shirker. I think the name leads Latakia lunatics to expect Latakia apparitions to float from the bowls of their pipes.

It is simply not full and rich like Caravan, Odyssey, Balkan Sasieni, or even as deep tasting as McClelland's own bulk Balkan (which can be a little oily or sooty, though nice for the price).

It is not Pirate Kake or Old Ironsides in terms of Latakia. It is an all-day Balkan with lively Virginia and Oriental leaf. Where this will land in the elusive Balkan Hall of Fame competition, time will tell. It is worth your attention.

_______

SFB burns to pure white ash and can be smoked throughout the day without penalty. SFB delivers clouds of smoke and demands exhaling through the nose. It is so satisfying that one bowl is enough, even hours after it has been consumed. Smokes very cool and dry.

The first third of a bowl is a lively interplay between the Virginia, Oriental and Latakia. There is lots of flavor from the beginning.

The mid-way point has the Latakia and Oriental taking turns charming you. The Virginia leaf moves to the rear seat. The Syrian leaf is herbaceous, smoky, and nutty. The Oriental contribution is manageably tangy and for moments a plastic-type odor comes and goes.

The last third to the end is more spicy, tangy and rich than at any point in the smoke. Never mercilessly sharp or sooty, this nonetheless gets close to edgy. I like it.

While lacking the familiar "ketchup" smell associated with McClelland Virginias, it has an unmistakable McClelland tang when whiffing the contents of the tin. McClelland flue-cured leaf is just amazingly special and delicious.

The lack of a heavy, Latakia smokiness in the tin aroma betrays the smoking properties SFB exhibits. There is more Latakia here than is found in most medium English blends.

This is easy to load, keep lit and enjoy outdoors as well as indoors. SFB is in the upper echelon of pipe tobacco blends in terms of quality, enjoyment and blending expertise.

Go for Penzance, Da Vinci, Mississippi Mud or Bow-Legged Bear if you desire Latakia dominance. Get King Charles, Margate, Red Rapparee, Durbar, Aperitif, and Crown Achievement if you want Orientals up front and controlling. My Mixture 965, Early Morning Pipe, Squadron Leader, Renaissance (though it is pretty nicely balanced), and Dorisco keep the Virginia varietals in charge.

Hello, McClelland: How about 8 oz. tins?

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	William H. Hardy (93)	2016-05-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Strong

Upon popping the tin, I was greeted with the familiar McVinegar of McClelland Virginias and the overt mustiness of McClelland Orientals and Syrian Latakia. To be honest, when I cracked it I actually found the odor displeasing, but the strength of the smell subsided after a few days and I actually looked forward to the "twangy" smells in this blend.

After smoking this blend almost exclusively over the past week and a half to two weeks, it has definitely grown on me. I have smoked other blends with Syrian Latakia in them (e.g. Gordon Pym, HH Vintage Syrian, and Orient 996), and I have liked them, Syrian Full Balkan was quite a bit different from those. This is a very dark Latakia mixture with very faint sweetness to it. Sour and dark are the two words that come to my mind every time I smoke it. I think I may actually prefer Orient 996 to this, but I need to spend more time with the Orient be certain.

As I stated earlier, this blend did grow on me, but it took a good deal of smoking it before I actually "got it." It is full of interesting flavors and is a very contemplative smoke. However, I must say that I prefer the tobaccos that I can light and enjoy without having to think too much while doing so. I think that's why I smoke; silently puffing and thinking of other things. Anyway, the wife thinks it smells dreadful, so I'll be cautious...

Pipe Used: Comoy's "Guildhall" Billiard

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2015-05-08		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have to wonder if McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan really has Syrian in it since it is so smooth. This is my first Syrian blend although I have been smoking pipes for around 40 years. Very smooth and tasty with a wine like taste and an incense like aroma. My tin was dated 2005 so it had ten years of age on it. I would not hesitate to recommend this blend to anyone that enjoys Balkans.

"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest." - Charles Lamb

Age When Smoked: 10 Years

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	oldmanpipe (62)	2006-12-06		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Though it would be unfair to say that McClelland's with a Latakia blend is like a whore with a baby (they just don't know what to do with it), it would not be wholly unjustified. Their specialties are Virginias, though not Virginias I care to smoke.

The Syrian Latakia is first-rate, but it will require a better nose than mine to sniff it when the tin is opened. That vile ketchup odor that is McClelland's dubious charm is all I can detect. My only advice is to ignore the smell as best you can, load a pipe, and fire it up.

For those unaccustomed to Syrian Latakia, do not expect the smoky, dry burst of its Cyprian cousin. Take your time to enjoy Syrian's subtle, wine-like taste, its delicate, ever-deepening flavor and aroma. Smoke this slowly, and you will get a hint of Syrian Latakia's now-gone magic. Though very old Balkan recepies call for far-less Latakia than we are used to today (because of Syrian's high nicotine content) the application here is too light to be called a Balkan in any sense of the word. This is more like Christmas Cheer (pick a year) with a smidge of Syrian thrown in, along with a dollop of McClelland's blending Turkish wafted over it.

If one is so fortunate to find a can of GL Pease's Bohemian Scandal...GRAB IT! You will have a far pleasanter experience. If you have to make the choice between McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan and their Super Balkan...Full Balkan is the one to pick.

Recommended simply because it is just about the only TRUE Syrian Latakia blend still reasonably available.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	zulujerk (146)	2005-09-07		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I got bit with the Syrian bug after hearing so many rave reviews and near cries over some supposed fire, so this was the blend I chose, of the few available.

Either Syrian Latakia entirely lacks the basic smokey essence of its Cyprian cousin, or McClelland just doesn't use much of it here. The characteristics that I traditionally associate with Latakia are entirely absent, to the point of near frustration. I even failed to get that nicotine hit I hear is so common to the Syrian leaf. So take note--this is an extremely mild blend with an almost flat flavor.

The tin exhibited the classic McClelland smell of ketchup or vinegar, depending on your opinion, but was a bit subdued from one of their typical Virginias. There was also a pronounced bite, though nothing overwhelming to the point of dissatisfaction. Apart from that, my tin was surprisingly dry, with very little moisture.

Nothing remarkable here. I hope it was the blend and not the Syrian stuff that caught my dislike.

I'll stick to Nightcap, thanks.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Leaf Packer (30)	2017-03-02		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

When purchased from smoking pipes I was buying any that said Balkan or Latakia,so I bought two ,smoked one saved one.That was 7/15.Opened the one I stashed this morning 3/2/17. Tin note the same,old,musty,leather,vinegar.McClellandis notorious for.

This ages well it has mellowed some just enough for my taste ,and still moist. Lights easy with instant presence of Orientals. Latakia has a strong presence through out bowel.The red ribbons I take for Virginia's can't taste I imagine for sweetness. All an all a once a day smoke maybe weekly .Leaves bowl dry burns slow with fine white ash.

Pipe Used: Prince of Wales 35 yrs.old

Age When Smoked: Fresh & 20 months

Purchased From: Smoking pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stefanos (222)	2016-09-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Tin note is smoky but not overpoweringly so, some sweet spice also emerges. Finely cut, it consists of mostly black and deep brown ribbons with a few lighter ones here and there. Upon lighting the smoky aroma of latakia emerges but very soon it sits back to blend with the virginias and orientals as an equal. You soon realise this is not a heavy latakia blend. It is a mild, flavorful blend where the latakia is subtle and elegant, not very smoky or charcoal-ly, not very pungent. A little leathery maybe. Does it have to do with the use of the Syrian instead of the Cypriot type? Still it blends well with the virginias which are sweet like brown sugar and I think orientals give the blend an additional sweet spiciness. This is a nice blend of high quality tobaccos mild and cool as the tin says but I do not know if I could call it rich and as to the reference of the word 'full' on the title, I guess it refers to the ample use of orientals in the blend and not to flavor, otherwise it would be a misnomer. Burns well and dry needing only a few relights and does not bite at all. Strength is medium as is nicotine level and room note is not overbearing. It's a nice blend as I said, high quality and elegant but it's my least favourite of the (few) McClelland blends I have tasted so far. As a matter of fact I used my tin mostly as a condiment to blends I make at home and found it very useful at adding a latakia flavour to them. I cannot fully recommend this blend but still it is of high quality, rather rare in that it contains the Syrian type and I can see why one can get to like it. Me on the other hand with so many tobaccos out there next time I will go for something new.

Pipe Used: MM corn cobs

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: 4noggins

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CTS (138)	2014-11-03		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Maybe not so full, but very flavorful, nonetheless. Very easy to separate out the individual contributors. It is very cool burning, and doesn't leave any significant aftertaste - both positive attributes in my book. Burns easy and clean on one light directly from the tin - no charring light needed. Develops a bit more strength as you work your way through the bowl. 4-*.

Pipe Used: Neerup

Age When Smoked: Tin stamped 160513

Purchased From: Tinder Box, Mishawaka, IN

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Oldguy (9)	2011-05-09		Very Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant

I'm a big fan of English and Balkan-style blends. I bought this without having read the reviews. I read them before trying the blend, so I approached it with some trepidation. Here are my thoughts:

Tin aroma: McClelland

Is it a full Balkan? No way; it's far too light.

Is it even a Balkan? That depends on how far you want to stretch the definition.

Did I like it? Once I got past the conclusion that it is not a typical Balkan, I found myself enjoying a pleasant, rounded, intriguing flavor. Like the label says, it's a rich, mild, cool tobacco.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don't approach it expecting a Balkan experience or you will be disappointed, as many of the other reviewers were.

Would I buy it again? I think so. For sure, there are plenty of other good Balkans, and many blends with stronger taste, but this is a blend that I can enjoy year-round. It will warm you pleasantly on a cold winter night, but it is not too overbearing to smoke on a hot summer day. I agree with Scorpio2billion; for the best results choose a large bowl; pack it carefully and closely, but not too tight. Keep an open mind, savor it for what it is, and you just might agree that it's a nice occasional change of pace.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Demetri (113)	2009-04-23		Very Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I must echo what most of these earlier reviews state. This blend seems misnamed. It's not bad...it's not extraordinarily good either. Still, I have consumed over half a tin in three days, which must mean something. Mostly I've smoked this as a first bowl of day thing...a sort of "wake up the palate". Additional comments: I would not hesitate to recommend this light blend to new pipe smokers who come to pipeworld from cigarettes. It's so light that an accidental or intentional inhalation will not bring on a choking fit. And, my wife says it reminds her of incense in church. I thought she was mistaken until I left room and returned twenty minutes later and then detected the aroma she did.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-12-20		Medium	None Detected	Full	Strong

The tin aroma medium-cut, medium ribbon is dominated by the tang of syrian latakia and the spice of orientals. The unique McC VA tang is barely noticable.

This is loaded with mild and subdued orientals, fragrant and sophisticated, along with copious amounts of fine syrian leaf. The matured VAs, red and dark stoved, quietly provide backup.

This is a very agreeable and satisfying balkan, albeit a bit gentle on that scale. This went well in a chamber of any gauge.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-03-09		Very Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan is a charming and relaxing treat. The look of this weed is a pleasant spectrum of colours from black to tan (without one colour standing out from the other) and the tin's aroma is sweet like holiday pudding. This stuff packed and lit quite well. I noted sweet overtones and woody undertones in puffing. I have never been much for woody characteristics in tobacco and this is the only downfall here. If fact, Syrian Full Balkan burned very dry and made me reach for a glass of water (I would have preferred scotch and water but I was driving on the M5 and, with only one hand free, could not open the bottle). In my last review, discussing Butera's Royal Vintage Latakia No. 1, I neglected to note the orange-flavour that occasionally entered my buds. With this, I found that a taste of tinned sardines was an odd nuance. Citrus? Fish? Perhaps I am going a bit daft. I tell you, nevertheless, that flavour of tinned sardines is hidden in Syrian Full Balkan and occasionally jumps out like the whale from the waters of McClelland's logo. Syrian Full Balkan is extremely mild but not without flavour--worth a try and perhaps it is also something to keep in the cellar when fish and chips calls from the pub. Just stay away from the mushy peas. And be certain that you have something to drink for the cottonmouth that will undoubtedly occur.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-01-19		Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

When Frog Morton Across the Pond came out, it joined British Woods as my favorite McClelland blend. Now there is a new member at the top of the hierarchy. Syrian Full Balkan is a very nice, smooth, blend; unusually complex for a McClelland mixture. In some ways it seems to combine my two previous favorites. One could describe it as British Woods made with the Syrian latakia of the new Frog, or as Frog Across the Pond made with the orientals of British Woods and sans the black cav sweetness. Either way, it is a nice concoction. Not too moist, and the Worcestershire smell is minimal. A wonderful blend that can be smoked any time of day.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AL (26)	2004-07-04		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Being a fan of Latakia, Orientals, and the Balkan blends I thought I?d have to give this stuff a try.

I am by no means an expert on tobacco but here goes with the impressions of this Balkan. On opening the tin I found the tobacco to be at a good moisture content. The freshly opened tin had a vegetal smell to me that remained as the tobacco was used up. The tobacco is mostly brown, going from light brown to a very dark brown not quite full black. This tin only had a few strands that were close to a full black. The quality of the tobacco was excellent, there were no stiff pieces of veins or those teeny little sticks that you sometimes find, no dust, no oils, nothing gooey. The tobacco is somewhat springy but easy enough to pack. To me a fine ribbon cut tobacco is easy to pack but you need to be a careful, it should also be easy to draw when packed properly. While this tobacco does have an easy enough draw for the ribbon cut, its not quite as easy as others I have smoked. With every bowl that was smoked, I used two lights which is not unusual for me. Once the second light was made the tobacco stayed lit long enough for me to enjoy. The tobacco was smoked in both briar and in meers. As usual, the couple of pipes I have that always smoke better than the others played right along and made the tobacco the best it could be. I did find that a tall bowled Peterson System pipe did this tobacco some good, making for a longer smoke where the taste would build a little better at about the three quarter mark.

With most of a tin of the Syrian Full Balkan gone I have to ask where is the full part. This is to me a very mild form of a Balkan. But then they say mild on the tin so it is, as advertised. The ads also say rich aromatic character, but no one who was around me found this tobacco to be aromatic at all. Not topping aromatic or tobacco aromatic. My wife said that the tobacco aroma was noticeably lighter than other tobaccos I smoke. I enjoy the whiffs of smoke from the top of the bowl and get my greatest smoking sensation from them. It was hard to catch a really good whiff from this stuff to make you think what a great tobacco.

So far as taste goes I did not find this blend to have much taste for a Balkan, maybe the next tin needs to have some age on it prior to smoking. I found this tobacco to be about the same from top of the bowl all the way to the bottom with most pipes, very mild, enjoyable enough, but not my idea of a Full Balkan. Absolutly no bite, and the bowl temperature especially in the meers was noticably less than other tobacco. This tobacco burned surprisingly cool.

Balkans should have some zing, my perception is there isn?t much. To me, everything is muted. I found that there was little nicotine hit from this tobacco blend. This would in my humble opinion be a good tobacco for someone looking to try a non-aromatic. I?ll buy a few more tins and celler them for a while for the change of pace every now and then some time in the future. Maybe a year or two in the dark will bring this stuff to life for me.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	porshcigar (44)	2018-04-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

A wonderful blend. Rich but not overwhelming to my taste. Not the strongest Latakia blend that I smoke, but just right to satisfy my need for Latakia. A great blend if you can find it.

Pipe Used: Large bent chimney

Age When Smoked: 14 years

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tleek (51)	2012-05-27		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

This is an okay blend that i smoke on occasion. I have only gone through about a half a tin. I was expecting a very full flavor, based on the name, but it is in fact pretty mild. Does not really taste like a balkan blend very much to me, but more like a light english. It is decent, but like all McClelland tobaccos i find it hard to pack and keep lit. My first taste of Syrian latakia, and I have to admit i like that. It seems a little sweeter and less harsh than cyprian.

Overall, while it is not true to its name, it is still a decent tobacco but not a favorite by any means.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-06-21		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

This is not a bad tobacco; however, there are many house blends that are at least as good and much cheaper. If it's Syrian Latakia you're looking for, try HH Vintage Syrian.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	82piper (8)	2009-05-22		Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant to Tolerable

This tobacco has no flavor at all. I've never smoked a sheet of typing paper, but I think the two would have a lot in common.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-03-22		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This blend is in the my favorite category of tobaccos, Balkan, well sort of. While the name Full Balkan is on the tin, the blend is just barely a notch up from Rose of Latakia. The taste of this blend is slightly above average and given the predominate sweet Virginia taste this blend Balkan would not be the name I would give to this tobacco. There is also a subtle Oriental taste and barely a Latakia note. What Latakia is present is absolutely top shelf, but underwhelming to my taste buds. Tin note is slightly sweet, not smokey, and the typical McClelland vinegar. The burn is good, no tongue bite. The white ash at the bottom of the bowl is what you would expect out of a high quality blend. The big issue here is the lack of Latakia and Oriental assertiveness for a blend named Full Balkan.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Beer (345)	2005-03-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable to Strong

The tobacco has a wild cut and burns very well, with no excess moisture. It is a delicate English mixture, definitely not full and absolutely not a Balkan (that name is heresy for such a tobacco, as is the "full"). The taste of Syrian latakia is quite evident, though applied in a very subtle way. It's a better blend than most of McClelland's Cyprian latakia offerings, but frankly I find it quite flat. Good, mind you, but it doesn't have that extra layer of complexity and flavor of the equally delicate but more interesting Rose of Latakia. Yes, this is very similar to Rose of Latakia, but not as fruity and sweet. I am happy to have tried a tin, but I doubt I will buy another, as there are several more interesting tobaccos out there. The Syrian leaf is top quality, though.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WillBrown (137)	2013-12-14		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

===August, 2015 update==== This blend has been sitting around decanted in sealed mason jar now for better than three years, for a promised revisit. It's time has come. What struck me this time around was a scent and taste of rose or rose water. This surprised me somewhat as I didn't catch that the first time around. Secondly, the overall taste profile improved, but only marginally—this blend, now at least, has a taste all the way through the bowl, which is good. It's possible the pipe I used in the first review wasn't the best, a Savinelli King's Cross; a small pipe. For this revisit, I used a much larger pipe, and, sure enough, the taste expanded a bit. This time the blend performed better, though I still find it to be a 2 star experience (say a 2.5, rather than a grudging 2). In the end, then, aging this blend has improved it, but only marginally.

====Old review below==== I had an up and down experience with this one—literally. The first half of the bowl was interesting, smokey, BBQ-y, the latakia played well with whatever else is in this. Then, something very odd happened. About half way through the bowl the flavor dropped out! The damnedest thing. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. So, the best I can say for this 'baccy is that it was good up front, then, zippo! nada! One last observation, and pardon me if someone has stated this before, there is nothing particularly "Full" about this blend. I don't know where this comes from. I don't regret trying this one out—I'm aging the rest of the tin now, we'll see if that makes any difference down the line.

Cheers!

Pipe Used: Savinelli

Age When Smoked: ?

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	whitebriar (31)	2011-04-21		Extremely Mild	Very Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Unnoticeable

7-15-11 UPDATE

i am thinking a little more highly of this blend now--taking it for what it is, a very mild balkan, it isn't all that bad--i can now find the latakia--it's a blend i now enjoy as a last pipe before retiring--raise the rating from 2 to 2 1/2 stars--

8-8-11 UPDATE SFB grows on me as i continue smoking several tins--going to upgrade to 3 stars ______________________________ i always hesitate to rate something 'not recommended' -- this one comes close--for me there was no flavor and it smoked a bit warm, although no bite has been noted---what flavor i did get was faintly reminiscent of burning electrical circuitry--

the weed burner was my dependable old bent briar which is dedicated to all latakia blends--(i could detect no latakia in this blend)- - said pipe is a large capacity bent billiard which delivers a pretty honest survey of all latakia tobaccos--

it must be noted that i am basically a burley smoker, so one must keep that in mind while considering this review-- having said that, i keep an English/Balkan "leavings" jar (or dump jar depending upon your choice of phrase) that produces a much more enjoyable smoke--

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-06-03		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

There's something interesting and beguiling about the tin aroma; you would expect a stronger flavor, but alas the smoke is too cool. I like cool smokes, don't get me wrong, but this was too cool. Fortunately, I had an old tin of Esoterica's Margate on hand, I blended them together...Presto! Amazing smoke! I highly recommend blending the two.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Virginia lover (218)	2010-02-11		Extremely Mild	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable

The only thing strong about this tobacco is the ketchup smell. Light and bland, disappointing tobacco. McClelland Virginias or Va/Per are were the company shines so far.

Virginia lover

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bent-1 (39)	2009-08-11		Extremely Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Tolerable

There's some fine tobacco's in this blend, but in it's current mixture, it's just plain boring. A sweet VA taste dominates the blend, and the Syrian is nice, but it's missing something. I almost wish there was some burley mixed into the blend.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-02-18		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

As a balkan fan, I must say I was a little disappointed in this one. It was okay. There is no need to buy this when there are several other great balkans out there.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sasha (228)	2006-09-29		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

My second try into the McClelland Syrian blends has been a lower success than the first (Rose of Latakia). This one is a less classic English Mixture, with a definite sour taste that could suggest the presence of Perique, though not declared by the brand. As other testers already said, the leaf is top quality, it's just a pity it is so light: the "Full Balkan" label suggested a stronger experience.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-05-06		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another blend that I wanted to like because of it's Syrian tobacco. However, after nearly finishing a 50g tin of this I could no longer deal with the bizarre sweet/sour additives. The last few bowls went into the trash. It's a shame because the syrian tobacco is very nice and incense like. The cut and quality of the tobacco is good. I smoke mostly blends by LJ Peretti's, Hearth and Home, Rattray's, and do because they are natural and clean tasting. The difference between those blends and this one is remarkable. I taste that McClelland's sourness the next morning and it is awful.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-03-31		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

My review for SFB will not deviate too far from previous entries; it is quality leaf and a smart blend, but, for my personal taste, either the quality of the latakia makes it somewhat weak in flavor or the quantity of latakia is too low, or possibly both.

In other words, the radio is on the right station, but the volume is too low to be able to dance to it.

Other than that, what is here is a nice blend that provides a unique VA/Lat flavor. The leaf is quality, the components are well-married, and though I won't smoke it too often, I will purchase more of this blend to keep on hand.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-12-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This has quickly become one of my go-to blends for flavor and enjoyment. I don't have to stay attentive for subtle nuances anymore than I would have to strain to become engrossed in low down jazz in a gin joint on New Year's eve. The multicolored flecks of tobac glisten in a display of tan, orange, yellow and muted dark leaf while the tangy bouquet makes promises of shameless indulgence. Sometimes, it gets my pipe talking with a soft gurgle and I like it. This is passion evoked from it's primal slumber with no pretense for proper conventions. Nothing is held back. Yes, I've been with others whose charms held me captive but not quite so willingly. From start to finish, a real memory maker. If you miss this... pity. In the symphony of tobacco blends, this is the horn section gone native.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a CAO Dunhill Man Pasha Meer

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-07-19		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Akin to Rose of Latakia. This one has a nice subtle complexity that got me through a whole tin. Of the three advertised "Syrian" blends, this one afforded the most flavor and smokiness.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pounder 5000 (178)	2005-01-31		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

More Syrian than Rose of Latakia, which in this case is not a good thing. It came too moist and burned hot even after letting it dry out. Not good stuff.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RCUSElder (244)	2005-01-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

01-11-2005 An OK Syrian Blend.

Appearance and Tin Aroma: Medium Dark to Black ribbon some lighter leaf, but not much. This one was a surprise to me in that it did not smell as rich as the other syrian blends by the same belding house.

Packing and Lighting: Very easy with moisture perfect out of the tin (uncommon for MCC) 2-3 lights max.

Initial Flavor: Too light, the Syrian is to muted IMO

Mid-Bowl: Not much increase in flavor or complexity. Is my pipe lit?

Bottom of Bowl: Yes, my pipe was lit, but the flavor was not enough for this piper.

Overall: This blend may be a good intro to a classic style light Balkan, but that is about it. My favorite from MCC in the Syrian series is still Frog Morton across the pond. That blend IMO captures the sublime Syrian Latakia best. This blend just was too bland for my palate.

Rating: 3 out of 5 points.

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