The Orientals (Macedonia being one of them) provide a lot of earth, wood, floralness, a light dry sourness and buttery sweetness, along with a little spice and leather as a supporting player. Burns at a reasonable pace, cool, clean and moderately smooth with a very consistent, mildly sweet and floral, savory, campfire flavor. Starting off astringent and downright sour, the middle section is dominated by exotic spiciness, particularly of cedar. I've tried Balkan Sasieni, the current Balkan Sobranie, the current Best Blend from the current Smokers' Haven, and Balkan Sobranie throughout the '70s, '80s, 90's and '00s, as well as Margate (probably the currrent Best, as Germain now blends for Smokers' Haven, I've heard), Caravan, Penzance, McClelland's Yenidje Highlander and Yenidje Supreme (which lacks latakia), and countless other English/Balkan/Oriental blends from the late-lamented Dunhills to those corner tobacconist bulk-bought or hand blended attempts to clone Balkan. Germain has really done a fine job with this blend, so much so that for my personal taste, the new era BS wins hands down! I give it a 75. Updates on New Cigars, Pipes, Pipe Tobacco, Accessories, all of which I'll reach for before the new Balkan Sobranie. The blend was fairly dark and seemed to pack very well. I actually prefer it over Sobranie.. 3 Balkan Supreme. Is the tobacco as good as the '90's and beginning of 2000 version? The Latakia is signific antly more dry than the virginias and orientals, and perhaps because of that the mixture is not well blended. ==Highly Recommended!== prep. Medium bodied smoke, you get enough lat, but it's not really an extraordinary English. The Virginias offer some grass and hay, a little dark fruit, and a hint of citrus. Supremely rich and dense in flavor, yet as light as a souffle. The yenidje seems to have been the same in all versions. Tobaccos Treasure Island (Spiced Rum) Rated 4.89 out of 5 $ 5.50 - $ 54.99 Select options. It has a certain raw edge to it that I don't really care for, and I find it lighter in flavor. The very first thing that stands out for me is how "buttery" the Orientals are in this blend verses others. It came in a pouch and in a large tin. If I had to choose but one tobacco this would be it. I've never had tongue bite from a Balkan before. PS: Save your coin if you think that Sasieni is going to get you any closer to those bygone days I personally think it's somewhat better than BS but not much. Brand A - Z | Brand Z - A | Price Low - High | Price High - Low | Best Selling | New Arrivals Balkan Sobranie SKU: BALKSOB50 Limit 5 Per Customer Quick Specs View Your Price: $19.00 Temporarily out of stock. The last part of the bowl is the best as all the different tobaccos harmoniously sing together. It leaves a fine grey ash, and cakes poorly, so I tend to break my pipes in with something else. I thought to myself "Yes, this is exactly what my palate envisioned pipe smoking would be, and it is Good.". One of the best pipe tobaccos i have ever smoke. You could taste the latakia and orientals, but they were not ove rstated. It smells like sandlewood incense! I've always been curious about which type of Latakia was used maybe both? A very full taste, so well balanced that is impossible to immagine something better. review from a long-time pipe smoker who is neither a connoisseur nor a gourmet. I will always share a bowl of this with my best pipe friends, as everyone should have that luxury once in their life. Create New Wish List; SKU: 100-7906 UPC: 781755017115. Nope. copyright intellectual property of the reviewer and STC Holdings LLC and may not be It's kind of funny. Note that a bowl or two will ruin your taste buds for the night for any other subtle, delicate smoke! For those who appreciated the soggy aged Virginia note, try Germain's King Charles Mixture, Royal Jersey Latakia Mixture, or Esoterica's And So To Bed. This doesn't mean that there aren't better Balkans or latakia mixtures: it just means that Original still has something that makes it different and immediately recognizable, and which is missing from ALL other imitations. This is probably the most famous Balkan blend ever. The BS at that time was basically a latakia dump with just enough VA and oriental leaf to add a hint of sweetness. After waiting for over a year, I finally got a chance to try it. I don't know, but it should be among the top five. Packing and Lighting: easy to pack, but a little fussy to light. Somehow, with all of that, it managed a very pleasant room note. Virginias, and other fine tobaccos for a bold, earthy smoking experience with notes Ran out in the late 80's. |Radio Show This is a blend made for thoughtful and careful puffing. This is due to the blend's extremely limited production. I think it is awful, as I did the last tin of it. Its ash is light and gray, without noticeable cake. My choice back in the 70's was the 759 more than the white. This starts out with a nice, sharp flavor of latakia and orientals and is perfectly balanced. Primarily floral notes upon the nose, delicate once humified. Buy Sobranie Cigarettes online with free delivery today! This is the grail, the standard by which all other Balkans are measured, and with good reason. Questions, or to order by phone: 888-689-6876. I've never had anything labeled Balkan that was remotely close to this. Take care of and estimate your favourites, they may disappear as suddenly as TBS did. Many people say of the Balkan Sasieni, McClelland's Blue Montain are examples of tentatives from your blenders to get close of the Balkan Sobranie. I dont really find the blinds to be similar but this one stands on its own is a goo d Balkan. Really good stuff & I'm not a big Latakia fan but it facilitates this blend's sweet, creamy, smoky flavor. Never a dull or harsh moment, I savor every sip from the pipe. -----------------------------------------------------------------. First: I never really imagined smoke the legendary The Balkan Sobranie. And sadly the latakia does not age gracefully, losing much of its potency after 40 years in the tin. I was very sad. I wish more could be imported, I think I ordered a tin from here and I have gotten a few elsewhere. When taking the little built-in triangular ?knife? You know how things get distorted after so many years "ahh, those were the GOOD old days.". My tin was very damp. The lack of clarity is the fact that the site has two listings for BS [sic] THE B S. If Gary Pease ruled the world you'd all have your pipes confiscated and your palates tested for nerve damage. It almost borders on being monochromatic unless smoked slowly. As for flavorits ok. I am no expert, but this stash is an education for the senses. I shall give you my evaluation in a few days need I say more about the experience of the first bowl this morning. Balkan Sobranie. THE ORIGINAL BALKAN SOBRANIE PIPE TOBACCO IS BACK 50 GRAM 1.76OZ FOUNDED BY A RUSSIAN FAMILY 1879 THE ENGLISH MIXTURE WITH VIRGINIA AND MELLOW LATIKIA, ORIENTAL AND CAVENDISH LEAVES BALLANCE A ROUND FLAVOR MEDIUM TO ROBUST BODY. It seeped into my jackets and the children when young used to love sniffing at those jackets. A couple of random memories. This blend did not achieve legendary status for no reason. I can't describe it to you - I'm not a wordsmith. Is it as good as the original? CAO Flavours Pipe Tobacco The Va makes itself known in a very subtle way, lending a hint of sweetness to the mix. Add to Wishlist. of STC Holdings LLC. It contains sweetened black Cavendish and a fair amount of orientals and latakia, but I would not class it as a full Balkan. Rewarding to smoke. This is a ?blue-collar? The winelike aroma of the virginias translates to the flavor and is sublime in the mix. It's a great mouth pipe, hand pipe, and sitter. Pease Caravan. In my book this blend scores 5 points out of 5, which equates to 4 well deserved stars. It's a little like a bowl of Squadron Leader but even smoother and milder, and without the spicy and sometimes peppery 'orientals'. The origins of the Balkan Sobranie blend is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It was like a big glorious hit of midnote with some bottom. There are very few aromatics that I like anymore. Shipping. Because it is with this tobacco as with wine. It's been quite a long time since last time I had a bowl, but I was very familiar with this tobacco, so I can rely on many pleasant recollections to write this review. I need to first say that below, Leiconnsel's review must be the gold standard for all reviews on this amazing blend. Here is the thing, for those of you waiting patiently to try it, it's just ok. The overall flavor profile reminds me of a glass of Lagavulin scotch thoroughly diluted with seltzer water. Certified secure site accepts: Milan Tobacconists, Inc. Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is one of the most legendary Latakia-based blends in history. Secondly it is very balanced with each tobacco playing very well together. This was true for me into the 80s too, but by the time the 90s came about, the blend had changed and not for the better. Mixture is comprised primarily of Latakia with a mixture of Orientals, Regardless, it does have a decent nicotine punch, more so then Penzance or Caravan. 1, I'm not quite sure how old this can is as it was a gift and 2, I did not smoke my usual 2oz for the review. Before production ended, Balkan Sobranie suffered from a dumbed down recipe and its quality plummeted. To my knowledge, the only other ingredient, that which imparted some of the creaminess and the hint of vanilla, was deer tongue, the leaf of a weed(!) I haven't gotten the percentages down to a science but I started with equal portions of the virginia's, Orientals, and Yenidge. Only a few got somewhat near to it. And sometimes I cut in some Turkish. It was totally different with other balkan or other latakia. It is IPSD 2013 and I finally broke into my one and only tin of Balkan Sobranie! It's the real deal. Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Connecticut, Aganorsa Leaf Guardian of the Farm Cerberus, Alec Bradley Black Market Filthy Hooligan, A. Fuente Don Carlos Edicion De Aniversrio, Cavalier Geneve Black Series II Visa Jalapa, Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Sun Grown, Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking World Championship, RoMa Craft Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion, Romeo y Julieta 1875 Connecticut Nicaragua. Balkan Sasieni It is considered as The Holy Grail of Pipe Tobacco! It was dry as dust, despite being sealed. Since 1912, Providing Premium Cigars, Quality Pipes, High Grade Pipe Tobacco, Initial lighting the Orientals show their true floral, slightly spiced flavors. This is, indeed, an excellent balkan. Once the ember gets going it gets much better. I left out room note as I lived alone at that time. White tin - real McCoy. The smoke was so creamy and rich, yet light and subtle, so sweet yet so interesting, it was magical. The cut is a fine shag like the ribbon which is a little finicky getting lit and keeping it so but chalking that up to a moisture thing mostly I believe. I first tried this in college. Enjoyed the original many moons ago. Germain's Balkan Sobranie is a fantastic Balkan mixture. Like many of the more traditional English blends, Balkan Sobranie's original mixture has changed hands a number of times, leading to different versions. Appearance: Over 80% black leaf, with a few nut brown to dark brown strands, ready rubbed in a medium cut ribbon. This is everything I'd hoped for in a Balkan - a much stronger version of Balkan Sasieni, which this is and more. A smooth mellow blend that is simply delicious. I get my email notification go straight there to order & poof gone! Many other blends have the same problem. People say 965 is the standard to judge English mixtures by. The taste is medium. Orders over $95 in US, Safe Payments As for the nicotine it was rather medium, but that was offset with the full-bodied smoking experience. by the House of Sobranie and now produced in the Esoterica Tobacciana it touches upon every flavor component.. sweet, bitter, salty, sour, savory, spicy etc.. but it remains one package.. it is not a shocking experience.. it is kind of gentle and simple in a way. However, how does one describe the indescribable? : the more it tries to be, the more it is not. I gently separated the cake and allowed it to absorb some of the water vapor from the water below. Creamy, smoky and sweet. Orlik Pipe Tobacco The production ceased in 2005. It has a slight, salty flavor in the Orientals from the ocean breeze blowing onto the leaf & has an enticing aroma. This is what a pipe tobacco is supposed to be! I hope that I hear something of it.. |Pipe Shows, |Pipe & Tobacco Reviews What else can I say about this blend that hasn?t already been said? Well worth the wait , subscribe to be notified upon restock, and grab up as much as you can. Similar Blends: Any latakia blend, but not quite. The Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture Pipe Tobacco The dominating Virginias bring a good amount of tang and subdued sweetness that sometimes, play with the Orientals that are deliciously sour with a sparkling taste, for lack of a better word. I can easily believe they were every bit as great as their reputation claims. Germain & Son has succeeded in producing a worthy version of the legendary Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture! Germaine is producing some of the finest tobacco available and this is no exception. If you air it out, the bite disappears. My friends all wondered how I could smoke such strong tobacco. This is what a pipe tobacco is supposed to be! Germain & Son have experience in "imitating" the House Sobranie products. Pleasant smoky aroma, with a slight odor of burnt sugar. Those who regularly smoke them in the past, already know. I can only imagine how good the original issue was; I smoked it in my college days (1970s) and also smoked the Sobraine-made Smokers' Haven blends (which I still smoke in their Germain incarnation) but the taste memory has faded over the years. This was sampled from a fairly fresh eight year old, 50g Gallaher's pouch back in 2010; This BSOM makes you reach for that elusive, sweetness with each draw. I just opened a 200 gram gold foil bag of the three remaining I purchased in 1967. We opened this tin of tobacco at the Chicago Show and laid a portion out on a newspaper to dry a bit. As Balkan blends are a bit lighter on the Latakia and heavy on the Orientals it is a bit different than a regular English blend, but not as light as P resbyterian Mixture. The third part was on the strong side. Possibly both types of Latakia, maybe some unsweetened Black Cavendish, maybe a "smidgeon" of Deer Tongue or a pinch of Vanilla Cavendish, who knows? I now understand why so many bemoan the exodus of this from the US market. Easily qualifies as a four star blend off the chart IMHO, of course!!! The orientals jump to the fore at the match, producing thick clouds of creamy, heavy smoke. Limit One Tin Per Customer I always try new tobacco with completely dry pipe 3 or 4 days without being smoked, and then I dedicate that pipe to that tin for the duration of said tobacco. Being a master, he didn't start me on the kiddie-poo dessert blends like Black&Gold, no, no. So J.F. I was expecting a bold flavorful balkan blend but what I got was a mild english with a cut that did not seem to load well into my pipe. I'm anxious to try the new Grand Orientals series from McClelland to see how they compare to BS (specifically, Yenidje Supreme, Yenidje Highlander, and Yenice Agonya) and will update this review at that time. The above review doesn't cover the current version. This because J.F. Something that was better in the pouch version. I still have a dozen unopened tins from 1981 and 1982. BUT it is a very nice baccy all the same; mild, well-behaved and very smooth indeed. In the full-English range, so over forty percent Latakia, and around twenty five percent Oriental. The mixture was overwhelmingly harsh and acrid really vile stuff. Ok, now to the tobacco. In my opinion , Balkan Sobranie is just a name for a tobacco not available since circa 1980. Ill post a screenshot of the tin as its listed on the site. I believe that now there are better blends of this kind. Having never tried the original might have made me impervious to the persuasion of the brand name, but to be perfectly honest, the tobacco that was inside my pouch came across as highly overrated and ultimately a pretty unremarkable affair to me. Not a lot of spring. He was instrumental in my starting to smoke a pipe in the early 80's as he hated my cigarette habit. WARNING: Smokingpipes.com does not sell tobacco or tobacco related products to anyone under the age of 21, nor do we sell cigarettes. Perhaps a Sobranie cocktail cigarette once every few months. I have been told that Smoker's Haven 'Our Best Blend' is a near-match to the Balkan Sobranie white, and that their Exotique is very similar to the Balkan Sobranie black. Burns moderate with few relights. Now to describe the taste! Pouches continued to be manufactured but this is another story. In another order of things, the scores here should be granted for the tobacco's quality and not because someone failed to buy it. It only was a matter of time when someone would want to bring out again the legend. Whatever or however the process, this is the Holy Grail of pipe tobacco & if I could even come close to another blend that was as tasty as the BSOM, I'd be a happy camper for sure. This GeoTrust Size: 1.76 Oz. Legends. I've never had the old Sobranie from the golden age, so I cannot compare them but will review this blend on its own merits. I've been smoking this as long as it's been an option to me- the last four years. Posted by Andrew P on Jun 13th 2022. Im not one of the people who grabs everything to sell on eBay or put in a cellar for their great grandchildren to smoke. Is this new iteration of the blend worthy of all the hype? Four Big Stars for the new Original Mixture! I'm no expert but I think that both today's Sobranie and Sasieni (made by Stokkebye) are using poor quality VA's that produce that (combined) effect and sensation of, as another reviewer has written, "smoking hot air". I just smoked one of my last bowls. We will deny any order we believe has been placed by a minor. As far as Italy is concerned BSOM does remain the only mixture you can truly name "balkan".