BUY BRITISH The Gawith Hoggarths Balkan Mixture is Kendal's answer to the prayers of all the Balkan Sobranie mourners out there. A number of companies tried to copy the blend when Gallaher de-listed the much loved Balkan Sobranie many years ago but have not come close. Our most popular substitutes are The Kendal Balkan Mixture and The Peter Stokkebye Balkan Mixture. Neither are exact copies but many smokers find them a quality substitute and in quite a few cases even prefer one or the other to the original.
Gawith Hoggarths Balkan Mixture is a true classic style Balkan blend, rich in Latakia, select Air Cured Virginias and Oriental tobacco leaves. This provides a rich, strong, earthy flavour, with that strong, characterful, Leathery burnt ash flavour willowing through from the Latakia, which you will either love or hate
Latakia: Latakia blends are the marmite of the tobacco world "Love it or hate it." Pure, it is mainly used as a blending tobacco due to the overpowering flavour it provides. The flavour has a very distinctive tarry odour accompanied by a characterful burnt ash taste, which is due to a long curing process over smokey fires. Most smokers buy small amounts and add a pinch to a bowl full to add depth and character to the smoke. The Latakia is an acquired taste and definitely wouldn't be recommended for the novice smoker.