Tobaccos 4noggins - Britt's Balkan

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SeoulSister (37)	2014-07-14		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

At first light this tobacco is sweet with a very faint vanilla flavor. This is a very smooth smoke and I get almost a bit of a nutty after note, I get no bite. Very enjoyable to smoke. Smokes nicely throughout the bowl. It smokes on the medium side. There is no bite at all. I really enjoyed this blend. The vanilla adds a really nice touch for anyone looking for a different kind of Balkan.

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2014-06-17		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Truly an outstanding smoke. All the components are of high quality. The key feature for me is the addition of the vanilla topping. It combines with the Orientals to create a fairly strong floral note that really makes this blend. There is also a gentle sweetness that is present from beginning to end. One of the best Balkan blends I've smoked. Mild to medium in body. Medium to full in flavor. A real treat.

Pipe Used: MM General, MM Country Gentleman

Age When Smoked: 3 months

Purchased From: 4noggins

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2010-01-13		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

A Balkan with a hint of vanilla? You Bet! This is one fine weed. At first blush, I thought that this blend from 4 Noggins was good, but not great. After a couple of months in a jar, I took it out for another try and boy, I'm glad I did. The hint of vanilla serves to just take the edge off and smooth out this cool burning blend. Everything just works well together here. I could understand why a "Balkan Purist" may be reluctant to try Britts because of the vanilla, but I suggest a small investment in a couple of ounces and see where it takes you. Britt's arrives a bit moist and I think it smokes best on the dry side. Britt's offers a nice complement to my other Balkan favorites without really straying off the farm. Highly recommended.

15 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	voodoochile62 (3)	2012-07-28		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I'm very impressed with this bulk offering from 4noggins. This is the best Balkan blend I've come across. The cut is somewhere between a shag and ribbon, beautiful coloring. It arrived just a tad moist, but, because of the thin ribbon cut, was perfect to smoke with just a few minutes of drying time. The aroma is one of fine Orientals and Latakia, with just a hint of vanilla from the Cavendish. This was my biggest concern when ordering 8 oz. without ever having tried it (something I rarely do). How would the slight vanilla flavoring affect my enjoyment of this blend? Well, I shouldn't have worried; it's pure bliss! It stays well in the background, smoothing out the Orientals and adding a wonderful sweetness to the room note. It packs and lights like a dream, needing virtually no relights, and burns to the bottom of the bowl leaving a wonderful white ash with little or no dottle. Because of the thin ribbon cut, it can burn more quickly than other coarser cut blends, so take your time and enjoy it. The Virginias are top- notch and add another dimension of sweetness along with the Cavendish. This is now one of my "go to" blends, and I'll soon be placing another order for a pound of this remarkable leaf. Four stars, without a doubt! Grab some and try it yourself!

13 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2080)	2017-03-11		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

4noggins - Britt's Balkan.

I wasn't aware that this had a slight topping, but when I took my first few puffs I thought "that is one seriously creamy Balkan, damn". Then, I logged on to Tobacco Reviews and things were made clear! If anything, that attests that the topping is noticeable! Mild yes, but present nevertheless. The tobaccos are balanced with one another nicely: it give a flavoursome smoke, but it has very little sharpness, or astringency. It would be wonderful for a beginner: a dichotomy of a soft aromatic, and a rich Balkan, with a medium amount of nicotine.

This wouldn't do me as a go-to, but it's easily worth a recommendation.

Three stars.

Pipe Used: Cob

Age When Smoked: Four months

Purchased From: 4noggins

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hillbilly08 (38)	2014-11-26		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

A complete surprise with this mild, if not complex, Balkan blend. Orientals and Virginia are the highlights with Latakia taking over from the Orientals about halfway through the bowl.

Do not be put off by the "Vanilla" label - you can hardly taste it and it is more of a subtle hint that binds the clean flavours of tobacco together. Smoked straight out of the pouch it is slightly moist but lights well and stays lit. Burns coolly and produces no bite at all, and offers no bitterness. Top class blend that kept me away from my usual aromatics.

Edit: after about half a year this blend continues to be a "quiet achiever". As with all 4noggins blends, its advantage lies in relative "sparseness" of flavours so they do not conflict with each other. There is no discernible taste of additives, so you only taste tobacco plus the gentle low-key undertone of vanilla. While it is an unusual to add any flavouring to a Balkan, it works a treat in this blend. Top marks again, Mr. Gottlieb.

Pipe Used: Stanwell Royal Briar #13 with a 9mm filter

Age When Smoked: fresh out of a pouch

Purchased From: 4noggins

Similar Blends: SG "Perfection" is the nearest I could think of. However, the SG offering requires more airing, possibly due to higher level of PPG. In contrast, the 4noggins blend is pretty much ready to smoke fresh, and yet it produces no "goop". Also, with "Britt's Balkan" the flavour remains even throughout the bowl, while SG "Perfection" tends to develop slightly sour overtones, almost cigarette-like, towards the end of the burn..

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3046)	2021-03-29		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

The fragrant, incense-like Orientals provide a lot of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, dry sourness, some spice, very mild buttery sweetness, and light smokiness. They are the lead components. The smoky, woody, earthy, musty, floral, vegetative Cyprian Latakia is a strong supporting player. The rather acidic, alkaline-like bright Virginia offers a lot of tart and tangy citrus, sourly tart lemon, bread, sugar, vegetation, floralness and spice. It sits in the third position. Giving the bright some competition is the red Virginia. Its aspects include tangy ripe dark fruit, earth wood, bread, sugar, vegetation, light floralness, a pinch or two of spice, and a slight vinegary McClelland essence. The rich vanilla topping moderately sublimate the tobaccos as it synergistically helps form a very consistent, creamy sweet and savory, floral, spicy, mildly sour, campfire flavor. The strength, nic-hit and taste levels are medium. It won’t bite, but the spice and floral content are high enough to recommend a slow sipping pace. Has a few small rough edges. Needs a light dry time. Well balanced, it burns clean, mostly cool, and if not dried, a tad slow. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. The lightly lingering after taste is marred by the alkaline/acidic notes. The room note is tolerable. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Polaris82 (22)	2013-01-09		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Over a year ago when buying some GL Pease blends from 4noggins and after going on reviews read here I decided to give Britts a try. I bought 8oz, gave 4oz to a friend and cellard my share in a large mason jar. I did give it a go right off the bat but felt it could benefit from some aging. 8 months later it was a joy to smoke after a long day. When opening my jar the first thing that you pick up on is smokey Latakia in the blend. Its not overpowering but is the frontrunner in the blend followed close behind by Orientals. Britts burns dry and cool and ive never have had gurgle, a hot pipe and never any bite. For some reason I have never been able to pick up on the vanilla that has been talked about so much. Im not an every day smoker but this is a blend that i would consider an every day smoke. Solid 3.

Update: over the 3 years that I've been familiar with this blend it has really grown on me. This can and does make a fine every day smoke as we'll as a bluebird day smoke. This is a great puff that in my opinion is under appreciated. I'm giving this that extra star.

Pipe Used: Ropp cherrywood

Age When Smoked: 3 years

Purchased From: 4 noggins

Similar Blends: Blackhouse.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CarolinaEsquire (13)	2018-03-24		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

When McClelland announced that it was closing its doors, I started thinking to myself, "How can I replace some of the blends I like?; and maybe it's time to start looking at really learning to blend on my own so I don't get left int he cold one day." The second thought is for another day, but how to replace an aromatic English blend? So I came upon 4Noggins and their Britt's Balkan. Glad I did. It's delicious!

I started off by buying a one pound bag. I'm thinking of buying a few more just to cellar. Again, it's delicious and creamy. Nice full smoke and terrific room note. I say, "room note", but I like to smoke outside. Still, half the enjoyment of smoking a pipe is reaching back out to smell the smoke in the air. I love it, and this one does not disappoint.

The quality of the tobacco is nice. Burned slow, burned cool. No bite and the lingering taste afterwards was nice. Had a nice little nicotine hit which I like. While I do enjoy the taste and smell of a good bowl, I also like a little nicotine punch. A bit of an extra reward, as I see it.

By the way, I think "aromatic" can get a bar rap out there. This has vanilla added to it. It's not over the top but does add a nice sweet and creamy layer to the blend. So if you're looking for a fine tasting, aromatic English, this should definitely be on your list. Stock up though.

Pipe Used: Savinelli

Age When Smoked: Smokes upon arrival. Cellaring rest.

Purchased From: 4noggins.com

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J.R. Patton (106)	2016-05-29		Medium to Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant

Holy smokes Rich hit it out of the park on this one! I keep 2 balkans on hand at all times. Britt's balkan and Larry's blend. Larry's for when I want to be kicked in the throat with top notch orientals, Britt's for when I crave a balkan but want something mellower and a tad sweeter. Whoever thought of a vanilla balkan? Rich did, that's who, and man I'm glad that he did. Tried on a small sample, quickly ordered 8 ounces, now down to scraps I am looking at a pound or two, or maybe 5. Smells like sweet oak sawdust in the bag, hits all the right sweet, sour and smoky notes when smoked...heavenly. Highly recommended, get over to 4Noggins and get you some.

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: 4noggins.com

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bteddy (23)	2012-08-31		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Tolerable

I'll make this short and sweet. This is one of the best Balkans made period. Full of flavor from beginning to end with a slight smooth touch of vanilla to keep your interest. Outstanding! I just wish it came in a tin for ease of storing.

Update: 2-24-13, Just opened up another 4oz to confirm my liking...a solid winner! I dare say better than that unmentioned Balkan standard of old.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Cappadoc (10)	2015-08-28		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A wonderful "tin note" upon opening tbe bag. Slight vanilla aroma, though I do not taste it much. Perfect moisture level on arrival. The orientals are rich and woody, the latakia provides a smoky backbone. The virginias make a nice base sweetness helped along by the vanilla topping, I would imagine. This tobacco was my first introduction Balkans. Since that time, I have tried at least 20 others and this remains a top 3 pick for me. This is a near perfect all day smoke. Not to strong or rich, complex and remains interesting throughout the bowl. The vanilla topping makes the room note much more tolerable to the wife than most Lat blends.

Pipe Used: Savinelli pot, prince and author, meerschaum

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: 4 noggins

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	derlict311 (71)	2011-07-09		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Pleasant

A full, rich Balkan style blend that seems to be similar to Samuel Gawith's Perfection (one of my absolute favorites). I can't say anything critical except I thought the vanilla note was a little much before letting it dry up a bit. Weeks later, after nearing the "buttered toast" point, it is near Perfection (no pun intended). BB is a very good, layered, full smoke that is at its best when you haven't smoked in a while. Try it and you'll know what I mean. There is enough nicotine to remind you why BB is not for the faint of heart, but not enough for a dizzy spell. The room note is pleasant with the vanilla, so the wife might like it, too. I enjoy this tobacco very much when I'm in the mood for a complex-ish smoke. Even though I prefer SG Perfection due to more spice and tang, BB is a well rounded, appropriate substitute.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Punchy (19)	2009-03-08		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

After several bowls in different pipes, I gave up on this blend. The pain to pleasure ratio was too much. Even after drying it to a crunchy consistency it bit for two thirds of the way down the bowl. I seem to have this problem with all "ribbon cut" (shag) mixtures. Maybe after a year of aging I'll try again.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Talltree (31)	2020-06-06		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The reviews spoke so highly of this tobacco that I had to try it. The first bag needed a little drying but this bag is perfect. Some people say it has a nic hit. I am negatively affected by nicotine and can honestly say it is not strong. It has never "stung" my tongue.

I really like it. It's not a sweet tobacco but the vanilla topping does something very subtle and nice for the flavor. It's very mild and it's growing on me. I'm going to give it 4 stars because of its quality. The vanilla is an unexpected nice touch although it is only in the background. Has become a part of my rotation.

Pipe Used: corncob

Age When Smoked: right out of the pouch

Purchased From: 4Noggins

Similar Blends: nothing like it.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-05-22		Medium	Mild	Full	Pleasant

I really can't improve on what Steel Cowboy said. He nailed it.

Amazingly well composed blend. Extra creamy. Surprisingly solid latakia presence here. Like any good English or Balkan the latakia should carry the day and it does. But the slight hint of vanilla makes it all work.

Excellent mouth feel. No bite at all. (I'm smoking soem now and it's excellent despite a slightly sore tongue from yesterday's bender.

Unlike Steel Cowboy I found it burned well right out of the bag the first time but it smokes equally as well after dried a bit just from opening and closing the bag.

I simply don't see how someone could not fall in love with this stuff. You really owe it to yourself to try it.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Capt (339)	2022-06-29		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I am an absolute sucker for a sweet Balkan/English blend. I've tried a lot of them. C&D Snug Harbor, Newminster English Luxus, Kramer's Danny Kaye, Planta Full English, just to name a few.

Opening the 1oz pouch, I was quite disappointed to find the number of twigs and stems in this blend! I'm not talking 2-3. I mean a solid dozen large stems in the minimal 1oz.

Pouch note of sweet and smoky Latakia, floral Orientals, and a sweet and tangy Virginia. It smells like love!

One thing I can really appreciate 4Noggins for is the heavy-duty quality bags they pack their bulk tobacco in. Couple that with squeezing absolutely all the air out and the quick shipping, nothing is lost from shop to doorstep.

Britt's packs with a lot of spring. But pack it on the loose side, and it will be easy to light.

From the charring light of the first bowl, I was in love. Thick, rich clouds of sweet Virginia and Latakia filled the air. When a sweet component is added to Latakia, and it's done right, it's pure magic to me. The Virginia is sweet and slightly tart, the Orientals floral and just a touch of spice. The latakia has the right amount of saltiness, and chewiness. I blasted through the pouch I ordered, and I'll definitely be ordering a pound. I have only smoked this in the summer weather both indoors and outdoors. I can't wait to smoke this blend mixed in with the sights and sounds of a Michigan October. Solid 4 stars!! (Even with the twigs. lol)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	North by North Best (5)	2015-05-07		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Truly a fantastic blend. The latakia is never overpowering, and the vanilla flavor goes almost unnoticed, aside from the slightest sweetness on the draw. I have put a few ounces in my cellar to see how it evolves a few months down the road, but judging by the taste on arrival, it is a terrific blend that can only get better with time.

Pipe Used: Briar, Cob

Purchased From: 4 Noggins

Similar Blends: McClelland Frog Morton On the Town.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Geronimo Von Klaus (76)	2014-09-11		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Very nice, but a little monotone.

Standard good quality English with a very smooth and creamy delivery of the standard fare, and then in the back is just enough vanilla to add a tinge of sweetness and make this a crossover.

The English continues to evolve as the smoke goes on, the vanilla stays the same, so in essence it develops as it goes on, but not enough to stay interesting and it feels a little gimmicky at the end.

Still, very nice and smooth, and an interesting smoke.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tabaco (112)	2013-11-04		Mild to Medium	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I definately have a sensitive palate especially concerning tobacco pH, beit cigars or pipes.

This blend is a tad too alkaline for my liking; numbing the palate akin to baccy bite. Although it remains somewhat smokable I'm certain not tasting the full spectrum of this blend. Apart from that the bag aroma is very good, packs and burns very well. Alas I cannot recommend it since the combustion expereince is not enjoyable. This bag will be yet another donation to the baccy library at our local clubs haunt where I'm sure others will gladly partake and enjoy.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kremlin (4)	2013-08-31		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

If you take a Caol Ila and add Coke, you can't keep calling it Caol Ila... You should call it Cola Ila ...

Here, IMHO, it's more or less the same story... Very good tobacco, a good flavoring (indeed, not overwhelming) easy to lit and easy to smoke... but i can't call it a Balkan blend, let alone call it a true balkan.

Again, i would give 3 stars to this blend if the vanilla was not so present or if Rich Gottlieb called it Britt's Balkanilla :)

All that said, if you like SG Perfection and stuff like that, you'll enjoy 4noggins offer, as well.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2012-03-23		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

What a great smoke! I need to stop buying from 4noggins because everytime I get some samples with my orders I find yet another blend to stock up on. This is a very robust but easy-to-smoke blend. After at least a dozen bowls I have yet to experience even a hint of bite. I rate the nicotine hit as moderate and the flavor as full and textured. With each puff I detect 3 distinct 'layers' - first a rich, warmly soothing wave of smoke followed by a milder, cooler layer and, lastly, a tongue-tingling (not biting) follow-up. The last is what I experience with blends containing Perique, which this does not list. As soon as the tingling subsides I go for another hit; it's like a built-in timer. All subjective and individualistic, of course, but I really like this tobacco and it has rapidly become one of my favorites. It is perfect after a heavy meal or with a cup of strong coffee. Give it a try or request this as a sample with a purchase from 4noggins.com. Disclaimer: I have nothing whatever to do with 4noggins.com except that I purchase from them now and then and am increasingly intrigued by their house blends.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Merven the Great (18)	2011-01-03		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Loved it! my favorite Balkan at the moment. The hint of vanilla is very mild and not overpowering at all, in fact you may not taste/smell it at all....but its there, mostly the first 1/3. I think the vanilla improves the room note for others (if that's important??) while some other Balkan/English blends might make them move away. This blend plays the game very well, burns well leaving white ash and NO GOOP! Nic level is right where I like it, pretty strong but you can smoke a few of these little beauties a day if you desire. Some drying maybe required a few hours prior to puffin',depending on the moisture content, and if you bought it in 8oz baggy like me, get it in a sealed humidor asap. Cheers & Happy New Years

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mitland (7)	2010-06-14		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Tolerable

Based on the other reviews I have to wonder whether what I received had been poorly blended. What I got to smoke did not have a hint of vanilla, it reeked of vanilla. What little sweetness there was to the VA. was overwhelmed by the flavor additive. There was no apparent spicy, incense qualities to what ever Turkish and Oriental tobaccos in the blend. To call what I got a Balkan is a misnomer. I tried cutting it 1 part Britt's to 4 parts Stokkebye Balkan Supreme and it still reeked of vanilla. This was an aromatic not a Balkan. I'm not sure why a Balkan should need any additional flavors added anyway.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	thaimatt (3)	2010-06-14		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

IMHO Rich Gottlieb is a extraordinary blender. This is the third blend of his that I have tried and it, like the others, is balanced to perfection. Everything about this blend works with the unusual addition of a hint of vanilla elevating the tobacco to the level of a sure future classic smoke. Three of my top five tobaccos are now from Rich at 4noggins! What else can I say except: This is why I smoke a pipe. Fantastic!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	IMP guy (3)	2022-05-23		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

A very tasty Balken, sweetness intermingling with latakia making it (dare i say) an allday smoke (words not often mentioned when describing a Balken) Never to be confused with Odessey (G.L.Pease) as it is not the heavy puncher offered by the Pease blend, although remarkably enjoyable.

Pipe Used: Castello ' sea rock apple'

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: 4noggins

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2022-01-09		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I can safely say my familiarity with flavoured Balkan blends is restricted to this tobacco. Reason being the idea strikes me as attractive as putting Cream Soda in my brandy.

I didn't read the product description before ordering so I ended up with a tobacco I would not otherwise have tried.

Turns out it's quite good.

The vanilla fair hits you in the face when opening the package. That and the Latakia. It's a weird combination. But I don't smoke a pipe to enjoy (or not) sniffing tobacco. Fortunately, the vanilla settles back into being a 'supporting player', as one of our more notorious tobacco reviewers would put it.

Oddly enough it works. I have a better appreciation of why this sort of thing was popular in the US in the mid 20th Century. The sweetness and freshness of that little bit of vanilla helps balance out the sourness of the Orientals and the smokiness of the Latakia. The result is a leisurely and flavoursome smoke.

I know eyes will roll when I say it burns down to a fine white ash. But honestly, assuming you have all your pipe fundamentals in order, this is a really easy smoke.

I was also a bit surprised by this being on the stronger side of medium for nicotine. I assume the Red Virginias are carrying the weight in that regard. Recommended.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Timoth Q Billingsly (2)	2020-12-27		Medium	Medium	Medium	Strong

My my, once the tin is opened you're instantaneously enamored by the gapeseed enigma, lifting you off to timbuktu in a roomnote of pure garbanzo gala.

A truest delight is midway through the smoke- Hark! A field of the tree-est bark. Be cautious, as the smoke may become pernicious when guzzled. A mouthfeel only to be described through the following quote: “I guess the real reason that my wife and I had children is the same reason that Napoleon had for invading Russia: it seemed like a good idea at the time.” ― Bill Cosby

3 stars

(My wife found the roomnote frisky, and in turn became frisky)

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	FrostyPipe (7)	2020-08-02		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Blending is the art of taking constituents and marrying them into something better. And if subtly is the pinnacle of blending, it has been achieved here.

I prefer Balkans as my go to, and of the many I’ve tried, this is one of the top 3.

Smoky, spicy, lush, creamy, and subtle.

The vanilla in its very minor portion is absolutely perfect. Latakia loves vanilla. It adds a vague sweet aroma that is in perfect harmony with the smoke and leather of the Latakia.

This blend has an almost incense like perfume, cedar notes, leather, hint of sweet, woodsmoke, and faint cardamom spice.

If you like English blends and prefer the ‘extra’ of Balkans, I would be surprised if you didn’t love this on some level. It has become my daily smoke.

Smoke this slow. Not to avoid any pitfalls, but the nuances will shine and the fullest of flavours present themselves when enjoyed in a quiet measured smoke.

Zero bite. No gurgle. Cool if not pushed. It comes delivered with an excellent moisture level; drying though, makes this blend become it’s best.

Vanilla in a Balkan? Some say sacrilege...I say brilliance, and kudos to the blender.

Pipe Used: Various bulldogs, billiards, System pipes

Age When Smoked: Fresh to aged

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2019-01-16		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is a review from notes in 2011. I don't even know if it can still be purchased these days. It smells like a good Balkan blend in the pouch. I use a tiny "smidgeon" of vanilla flavored Black Cavendish when I blend my own Balkans & maybe use it along with some unsweetened Black Cavendish & Yenidje & or other Orientals to improve the taste of an overladen, English Latakia bomb. Upon first light, my initial impression was too much vanilla flavoring in my mixture. Maybe the blender stubbed his toe while mixing my batch. Other than that... not bad & I still rather liked it. I was hoping the vanilla taste would subside and leave a more Balkan-like flavor in the smoke but it hung in there all the way to the very end.

Well, FWIW & IMHO, just a tiny pinch of vanilla might have worked better. An excessive amount of vanilla flavoring didn't work well in this Balkan but just the right amount is, in my opinion, needed in a good Balkan blend to bring out more flavor and give it that extra dimension. I decided to sample this because the description stated a "slight hint" of vanilla. That slight hint was overwhelming to me & I have since been blending my own Balkan mixtures. It could have been a very good Balkan but instead, my sample was simply an above average aromatic. It burned cool & didn't produce much condensation & burned down to a semi-dry gray ash. A lot depends on the pipe used, however.

Pipe Used: Size 2 Stanwell

Age When Smoked: Fresh Pouch

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: Nothing comes to mind at present. Rather unique..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Raines (52)	2016-05-04		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

As every tobacco with latakia, the room note is rather strong but the taste is sweet. Take care of not smoke too quickly or the taste will be bitter with a queasy aftertaste. Prefer to smoke it in a airy place, mostly if you're not alone.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	point9 (114)	2015-06-13		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

A typical Balkan blend with some vanilla topping. Kind of ironic but the melt in wonderfully. The negative side is not the vanilla topping; it's the mild flavor that bothers me.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Trainman (4)	2015-02-24		Mild	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

A perfect introduction to the world of eastern varieties, for the profane. The vanilla element will satisfy the aromatic camp although it may seem a bit too much to the Latakia devotees. A satisfying all day smoke, which won't bother your company with its smell.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ap (57)	2014-04-26		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Creamy smoke loaded with Oriental flavours and a pinch (very, very light) of something sweet (can't tell its vanilla , just a sweet taste) ! Rich is an amazing blender!

Pipe Used: Radice Morta , Radice Rind

Age When Smoked: fresh bulk

Purchased From: 4noggins

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mac (20)	2013-07-17		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have had this one in a jar for over a year.A fantastic Balkan blend that is well worth seeking out.This with Essence Of Vermont also from 4Noggins are in my top ten tobaccos.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AlexL (26)	2012-08-18		Strong	Mild	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

This is interesting mix that should be treated with all due respect because of its strength. I recommend giving this one a test run.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	albfneto (184)	2012-06-12		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable

This is excelent Balkan Mixture,

however, may be smoked slowly and in small ammount since may charged in Nicotine (as Presbyterian).

Latakia is slighly dominant over the Orientals.

Although the comparison is not rigorous (since some are Balkan Mixtures and other are English mixtures) between the 4 Stars reviewed by me, this is the third favorite:

1) Chipman Hill 2) Penzance 4) Britt's Balkan 4) Bald Headed Teacher

Even better than Balkan Supreme, Altadis similar 965,Presbyterian and Three Blind Moose.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wellpipe (66)	2011-06-27		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I really enjoy the room note of this tobacco and my wife likes it too, but I have to agree with the review from Punchy farther down - the pain to pleasure ratio for me with this blend is too far out of balance. I've tried in multiple pipes, varying degrees of drying out, drawing very carefully, and still consistently get a bite from this blend. This one's not for me.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-04-01		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A surprising twist on an English-style blend. A 4Noggins house blend, I received a sample of this. Great that 4Noggins will send a sample of any of their house blends upon request with any order placed.

My sample arrived at just about the right moisture level. loads and lights easily and stays lit. Slow burning, no gurgle and no bite. The Virginia does come through but sting is tempered by the other components. I tasted no vanilla, but the room note does have just a slight, pleasant sweetness to it, which makes the typical "burning rubber" smell of latakia much more tolerable, and also perhaps due to the quantity of latakia in it vis a vis the amount of oriental.

A "full" classic Balkan? I'm not sure I'd go that far. Another house blend Balkan I keep in my rotation, Blatter's Reserve, is a whole lot "fuller", and tastier than this blend or even P.S. Balkan Supreme, for that matter, which I rated as wimpy. But I don't think this blend is intended to be an intense Balkan, rather, an easy-going, friendly English with a nice twist.

If I could compare it to another brand, it reminded me of a milder version of Blatter's Oriental Pleasure (very nice) and Peter Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme (far from supreme) with a nice accoutrement.

An all-day smoke? Well, I think more than a couple of bowls in a day may just eventually sting the tongue somewhat, but it is absolutely delightful to smoke daily, for sure. I love it!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-01-28		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Too much vanilla! Smells like a Balkan blend with a vanilla topping/casing. Upon first light, my initial impression...too much vanilla flavoring. Other than that...not bad. The flavoring hangs in there throughout the entire bowl. I was hoping the vanilla taste would subside and leave a more Balkan-like flavor in the smoke.

Well, FWIW & IMHO, just a tiny pinch of vanilla might have worked better. Excessive amounts of vanilla flavoring doesn't work well in this Balkan. I decided to sample this because the description stated a "slight hint" of vanilla. That "slight hint" was overwhelming to me. It could have been a very good Balkan but instead, this is simply an above average aromatic. 2.4 stars.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-08-21		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I like the complexity of this blend, there are subtle flavors that I can detect but do not over power. BB is a regular in my rotation and has replaced SG's Perfection. An enjoyable blend at a good price !

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-06-19		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

Great great great magic Rich!

I've never smoked anything with a taste so unique. I do not want to add adjectives, just say, get pleasantly surprised by this masterpiece! I suggest in pipe with large capacity.

When dawn embraces the sunset....... in the sky........ there is something special ---------yes .... special!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-09-16		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Outstanding! Rich has blended a remarkable combination of woodsy English tobacco and just a dash of vanilla to smooth the smoke and scent the air. As an English smoker for over 40 years, this is the first blend I've discovered that fully delivers on taste without tongue bite or overheating. My wife loves the refined room note.It has quickly beome my everyday favorite. Go get some and you'll see what I mean!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-05-29		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

An other very pleasent smoke from Rich of 4noggins. I ordered just 2oz but thankfuly my friend Alfami oredered for me an other 8oz and Lman an other 16oz.

An amazing BALKAN tobacco with enough portion of oriental and Latakia along with golden and red Virginia to make taste sweet. It also gives an indiscreet scent of vanila that for me makes great difference and makes me love this paricular tobacco. Perfect humidity, no tonque bite, easy bowl filling, you can smoke it all the way to the end and leaves a nice white ash. I smoke it pleasently, in smole portions so that it will not run out soon, all day long. It also leaves a very nice scent on the pipe it self.

It was the first time my wife didn't wine cause she coonfused latakia with vanila!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-02-17		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Purchased some 4 noggins for three blind moose and bald headed professor. This 4 oz filled out the box what a pleasant surprise i enjoy a balkan type blend but never understand what balken sobraines taste i am comparing it to. i used to smoke Sobraine and do not remember it being a classical smoke but i am older now and enjoyed this blend immensely. I was on the ocean and perhaps the salt air and the sights helped me appreicate it more but one of the most pleasant bowls i have had in quite some time the spice was just enough to let you know it was there and the latakia present but not overpowering

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-02-06		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

For 30+ years I have added Vanilla Cavendish to my English/Balkan blends for an improved roomnote when social situations demanded it. This delightful blend is perfect. A nice taste and fullness with a delightful roomnote and presence. Clean burning and great tasting.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-12-20		Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

Fans of McClelland?s FROGGIE, listen up! When I got this as a sample from Rich Gottlieb, proprietor of 4Noggins.com, I gave the pouch aroma a ?pppfew, vanilla!? & set it down. Went back a few days later, tried a bowl, then went through the entire sample in the next 48 hrs. I had to wait ?til payday to order another 4oz. I used to smoak Balkan Sobaranie ?back in the day??not all the time, but I went through a fair number of the white tins. I have no idea whether or not this compares in any way to that--it?s just been too many years?but if any other smoaker can comment, I?m listening. I suspect the vanilla top-note makes it some kind of ?aromatic Balkan.? I call it ?Froggie in the Balkans??and I hate to use the ?if you like...? cliché, but there?s no way to get around it: if you like Frog Morton on the Town or Frog Morton Across the Pond, you just might love this. It will be part of my regular rotation, along with Frog/Pond, Frog/Town, Hal O'the Wynd, and St. James Flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-09-26		Mild	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I recieved a free sample of this and liked it so much I ordered 16oz. Burns down to fine ash, easy to keep lit and I love the vanilla, though I usually stay away from anything even approaching an aromatic. I have been impressed with everything from Rich so far and this is probably the best.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipe4ever (204)	2008-09-26		Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Review based on 1/2 oz free sample.

Oriental flavored blend with little vanilla flavoring but not much, Nutty, dry and clean burning property, easy to pack and smoke, medium strength.Great tobacco!

I like this blend a lot, I need at least 4oz to evaluate and know a blend

I will be ordering some more.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-09-23		Medium	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

This is my favorite blend. Period. First tried this last December (2007), after having received a sample of it from Rich, along with an order from 4Noggins. Smoked my first bowl on a crisp, star filled night - on the patio, watching through the dining room windows as Mrs. Irishpiper strung lights on our Christmas tree. It was a magical, enchanting smoke. Perfect balance, pleasant to nose and tongue. Though I love and frequently smoke other, "heavier" latakia blends - this one became my "go to" blend. Fast forward to this past weekend. My supply of Britt's Balkan was getting low - only a few bowls left in a small mason jar. Hoping to save it and savor it - I searched through the other tins and jars in my tobacco cabinet - and - Saints preserve us! - I found a mason jar FULL of Britt's Balkan, tucked away, untouched since an order received in late Spring. The aroma upon release of the lid was rich, sweet, and nutty. The charring light filled the air with the aroma of toasted marshmellows over the campfire. As the bowl settled in, the latakias and virginias combined to provide a smooth, sweet, balanced taste - nutmeg to me, easy to light and keep lit, not too moist - not too dry. I highly recommend it to those of you who are English or Balkan fans! (It you're not - perhaps this one will change your mind!)

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Archdeacon Grantly (4)	2008-08-03		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a very good English blend by the 4 Noggins folks. It is very flavorful without being harsh or strong. It has a touch of sweetness that is nice and does not make it an aromatic by any means. I received this as a free sample when I ordered some Dunhill 965 and Early Morning Pipe, and was frankly surprised at how well this compared to the Dunhill classics (or former classics as some believe).

I highly recommend and English smokers try this, especially if some of your English blends taste harsh. This compares favorably with GL Pease's Maltese Falcon.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	OleFattGuy (27)	2008-06-21		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Full	Tolerable

This is a truly great tobacco by Rich at 4noggins who has acquired his own reputation as a master blender by now.

Smells smokey and nice in the bag, but a bit moist to smoke right away .

A nice medium American English with a marked sweetness not unlike Frog Morton ATP. I thought I could detect some vanilla topping in the first puffs but it could have been ghosts in the bowl. A lot of nuttiness towards the end of the bowl and that slight irritation in the tongue root that I get from Burley told me this one has enough Vitamin N to make itself felt!

The Orientals makes this a great smoke, a nutty earthinees that (almost) convinces me there must be Burley in this one (there is none) among the VA(Yellow Lemon? or Red? or both?) and enough Latakia to give that camp-fire smell and taste that I love so much.

A great smoke all in all, the BB is full and satisfying without being overwhelming. A perfect all-day smoke for the seasoned American English lover.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	smoking-rob (79)	2008-06-14		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Aother bulk offering from Rich at 4noggins, one of the most friendly and trustworthy internet suppliers of pipe tobacco. Britt's Balkan is a very satisfying Balkan type of pipe tobacco, with a good balance between all the ingredients. While it does not stand out between similar offerings from other makers, it is nonetheless a solid and safe smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Brunello (166)	2023-01-12		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

If you are less sensitive to additives and humectants than I, the basic blend here is enjoyable in a sort of uncritical way. Probably three-star territory for most. But I can’t get past the truly odd flavor here that has nothing to do with any natural tobacco tastes (as an avid blender I’ve done my share of processing natural leaf).

As we all know, there is more than one type of humectant permissible for use in pipe tobacco – propandiol, propylene glycol, triethylene - and additives may legally account for up to 2.4% of weight by volume. I’ve noted in a couple of other reviews a soapy taste, especially during lights. This is more of a baby powder taste, and if you ever breathed it in when over powdering your slippers, you know the distinctive taste and how much effort it is to get it out of your mouth and sinuses. No, I haven’t used any in years, so that’s not the issue here, but one never forgets that taste.

As I said, the basic recipe here, with a little spritz of vanilla, seems perfectly acceptable for a slightly sweeter style Balkan. Honestly, the vanilla is so light that it only registers as a slight sweetness, especially on the retrohale. The only method I found where I could get through a whole bowl of this was a rather extreme solution: using the chalk and charcoal method in a meerschaum pipe. Most experienced pipers will know this trick to make a non-filtered pipe act more like a filtered pipe, using a little piece of chalk on the bottom of the bowl, and sprinkling the charcoal bits out of a 9mm filter. In this case I had to use two filters worth to clean up the taste enough to derive some enjoyment. And no, my taste buds aren’t off, because I did a little side-by-side comparison with Arango Balkan Supreme and C&D Super Balkan – both enjoyable.

Final point, which is kind of disheartening: some of the best blends on my Top Ten are from boutique blenders who mix in small batches. But some of the worst experiences I’ve had are also from the small blenders. This is because only the large-scale manufacturers like Mac Baren and Kohlhase Kopp have the resources to maintain a fairly strict quality control. To sample every blending component before it is used. So I’m always wondering when I give a negative review if maybe the batch I received had a little too much spray, or that some ingredient didn’t get measured correctly. Maybe that explains the positive reviews elsewhere. But it also makes me wonder why hardly any other reviewers ever mention this issue, that there is an assumed confidence that what they tasted ten years ago remains unerringly the same to this day. As I said: disheartening.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pinko (52)	2016-07-18		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I guess crossover Balkans aren’t for me. The sweet topping doesn’t play so well with the Turkish- and Latakia-forward flavor that I’m looking for. This is one of those cases of subtraction by addition - I’d be much happier with Britt’s if they left the top flavor off.

And who decided that Balkan blends needed to be sweet in the first place? It’s kind of jarring in a way that doesn’t happen with balanced English blends that have been given the crossover treatment. The sweetness doesn’t belong.

There’s a quality smoke suffocating underneath all that vanilla, which is a shame. But there’s 1,000 Balkan blends to try, no need to waste your time with this one.

Nobody has rated this review yet.