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MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:30 pm
by slowroll
Finally tried a few bowls of this. Like many others, I've been curious to see how it stacks up (pun) to HH Vintage Syrian.
Nice tin note reminiscent of many good English blends over the years, smoky and with a detectable oriental and bright Virginia presence. The smoking, however, is not at all close to HH Syrian. It has less of the full bodied flavor, that nice round and rich mouthfeel that HH Syrian has. What it does have is more of the astringency of Orientals and maybe the bright Va contributing to a Sharpish taste. The latakia is not as dominant as in the HH Syrian. To me, HH Syrian resembles an old English mixed with ODF. This one doesn't strike me that way. What it makes me think of is Squadron Leader mixed with C&D Byzantium and Smyrna. Not a bad tobac, but not overwhelming IMO. When my Vintage Syrian runs out, I'll be smoking more C&D Engine 99.

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:46 pm
by Fr_Tom
This is a good review. There was always a slightly "meaty" quality to Vintage Syrian. It had just the right amount of spicy and smokey for me. It was easily my favorite English. Thanks!

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:13 pm
by slowroll
Meaty is a good description of Vintage Syrian. My description of HH ODF has always been that it reminds my of a seared Filet Mignon. The Syrian is like that with latakia dominant .

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:05 pm
by Middle Earth
I expect I will like it
A lot
Only HH blend I have not tried as the are no freaking one pound boxes yet.

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:02 am
by Houtenziel
Even after a few bowls of Vintage Syrian, I am feeling the loss. I almost wish I had never smoked it, so that I could just be blissfully ignorant. VS hits all the right notes for me, and I've yet to find any other Latakia mixture that doesn't taste a little out of balance at some point in the bowl. :cry:
The search will continue..

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:56 pm
by Middle Earth
HH Latakia Flake floats many a smoker's boat.
Rated the same by the pipe smoking community.
Regardless of reviews or ratings it only opinion that matters is the one smoking it.
Having smoked both, I will take Latakia Flake every day over Vintage Syrian, which was real good. Just not as good.

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 3:58 pm
by Houtenziel
Middle Earth wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:56 pm HH Latakia Flake floats many a smoker's boat.
Rated the same by the pipe smoking community.
Regardless of reviews or ratings it only opinion that matters is the one smoking it.
Having smoked both, I will take Latakia Flake every day over Vintage Syrian, which was real good. Just not as good.
Latakia flake is great, but to me Vintage Syrian is next level. They are somewhat dissimilar flavor wise, so I am not sure it's really a good comparison.

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:34 pm
by MikeDennison
Who is the blender of Vintage Syrian? You guys have piqued my interest!

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:51 pm
by Houtenziel
MikeDennison wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:34 pm Who is the blender of Vintage Syrian? You guys have piqued my interest!
Mac Baren. Unfortunately Syrian Latakia is extinct, so the blend went off the market. The supposed replacement was HH Balkan Blend, but it sounds like a completely different mix.

Re: MacBaren HH Balkan Blend

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:38 pm
by MikeDennison
houtenziel wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:51 pm
MikeDennison wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:34 pm Who is the blender of Vintage Syrian? You guys have piqued my interest!
Mac Baren. Unfortunately Syrian Latakia is extinct, so the blend went off the market. The supposed replacement was HH Balkan Blend, but it sounds like a completely different mix.
Oh. Ok. Too bad. You guys were making it sounds really good!