Balkan Flake

Balkan Flake is an unflavored English blend produced by pressing Virginia and latakia leaves into flake form. The tin yields high-moisture, thickly cut flakes; airing before lighting and packing without compressing into the pipe are needed.

Smoked at a calm pace, latakia's smoky flavor and Virginia's mature sweetness separate out distinctly; as the pace picks up, a spicy, bitterish direction comes forward, and the tendency to go out and gurgle at the bottom increases. A single bowl can take over an hour. Suited to smokers accustomed to Latakia-bearing blends and flake smoking who can spare the time.