This is really your most fowl smelling tobacco! Like probably so many other pipers, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to find this blend in stock and purchase. The nicotine content is not heavy at all, but a solid medium. Those who regularly smoke them in the past, already know. The tin note was nice. The closest I've come to this heavenly blend is Macedonian Mixture by Compton's of Galashiels. Perhaps, despite the common wisdom, Balkan used it fresh. : the above description is not an unattainable, sentimental concoction born of distorted, rosy memory: it is as accurate as I could make it. - Kelly, Join over 18k members to reviewexclusive content. The cut is comprised very thin ribbons that are a little too moist, but given the cut, it dries quickly. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Fresh it is fairly straightforward, a little harsh, full flavored English tobacco. Balkan Sobranie: Balkan Sobranie 50g Pipe Tobacco Product Number: 003-513-0001 Among the most celebrated and legendary English blends, Balkan Sobranie dates to the 1920s when it was crafted by Sobranie of London a blending house established in 1879 by the Redstone family. Together with Balkan Sobranie Mixture 759 and Balkan Sobranie Virginia no. This is the grail, the standard by which all other Balkans are measured, and with good reason. After a few puffs, the tobacco flavors begin to meld & it just keeps getting better until the very end. Both generate wonderful clouds of leather and oak, and upset the women. It leaves a fine grey ash, and cakes poorly, so I tend to break my pipes in with something else. Especially, if it means spending outrageous sums of money. Packing first with the gravity technique, and finishing off with a medium pack. I don't see how one could find fault in this fine blend. People say 965 is the standard to judge English mixtures by. Four stars despite the number of changes that occurred. This was the case with the Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture. The flavor is very deep and rich and burns to a clean white ash. This is what a pipe tobacco is supposed to be! Certified secure site accepts: Milan Tobacconists, Inc. I've never had anything labeled Balkan that was remotely close to this. Vintage The Balkan Sobranie Cigarette Empty Tin Box Made In England Opens in a new window or tab. Tobacco is a thin ribbon cut of black and brown, with a little tan mixed in. And not unimportant, the topping is also spot on! leaves fingers a bit sticky from the natural tobacco oils, not from humectants. I spend a few days carefully rehydrating the contents to the perfect RH %. It is not really bad, but something got lost in the transition. A cool and long-lasting smoke. Outstanding. The finish was not abrupt, not harsh, it just sort of faded away. This starts out with a nice, sharp flavor of latakia and orientals and is perfectly balanced. Alot of people complaining that it is never available, most of the best tobaccos are hard to find which is one of the things that makes them so good. It was unavailable on any of the internet sites, so I called one of my local B&M suppliers and found he had 3 tins instock. The heavy dense smoke floats lightly over the palate. Sampled from a fairly fresh 50g pouch which would be almost twenty years old by now. Personally I've never smoked that real old version and I think there was not so much wrong with the pouch version. Burns moderate with few relights. As time went on and I matured, this blend slowly grew on me . This will provide you with the best smoking experience. I bought some in the spring from Boswells in Chambersburg, PA. Not when Hearth &am p; Home makes an equally good and much more available blend. The flowery notes are likely their stock of Yenidje. My humble recommendation: Try the Sobranie or Sasieni in larger pipes that have been broken in with other "Englishes"?.These blends are a treat, and relights are uniquely satisfying. This is a gentle mixture that I'd smoke any time of day were it not for its rarity. My tin was stored sealed from 1995 until 2002. 1 in stock. Westminster is a complex finely tuned mixture that will appeal to those who appreciated the splendid English blends that once were easily found, Red Odessa is a straightforward, profoundly old-fashioned English Blend that will bring back wonderful half-memories. Had a pleasant, lightly lingering after taste and room note. Pipe Tobacco 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. At the recent Chicago Pipe Show (2004) I found someone who was selling a 2 ounce "pop top" tin from the late 70's at a reasonable price and bought it. This is kind of like hearing a pipe organ with a big 32 foot stop after hearing smaller ones for a while. It's simply that good. Well, it was far less strong than I expect, and regarding the taste/body who knew anything about that? British pipes were it, and though Joe had other makes on hand, I don't remember any Danish or Italian goods. We will deny any order we believe has been placed by a minor. I thought to myself "Yes, this is exactly what my palate envisioned pipe smoking would be, and it is Good.". Anyway I am basically a English/ Balkan smoker Very few other satisfy. Too bad I was too young to try it when fresh and available. View All Close. The Yenidje is really nice and to my palate offers an ever so slight bit of creamy aromatic spice. Well, here in Italy the traditional and legendary 759 isn't available anymore, so I haven't had a chance to try it. Of course now it's a matter of reviewing the pouched version by Gallahers (Imperial?) If you ever get to try this blend, don't rush past savoring the pouch aroma! I think I'll pack another bowl! Super clean taste. This is very rare and hard to get! 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. I bewailed the last tin in my Weed Store, sold to an undeserving oik who wanted to try 'Sumfin' new. 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. An all day well balanced smoke. The fine ribbon cut needs some airing out. The Latakia was toned way down, yet was a presence. However, for many, the newer blends are just as enjoyable, if different. I hope that the folks at Germain have considered the demand and are prepared to meet it rather than leaving pipe smokers frustrated with a lack of supply. Absolutely wonderfully done by J. F. Germain & Son who prove their well earned reputation! Now I really hope that Arango and Germain also will bring out Mixture 759 and Virginia no. Ok, I'm a bit of a nicotine wuss so I do not smoke it on an empty stomach. 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. But, I don't care. It is however, most complex and rich tasting, with a very unique nasal almost heady quality which I really enjoy; different than nicotine. Sobranie Black Russian, Sobranie Blacks KS SS White, Sobranie Blue, Sobranie Cocktail, . Packing and Lighting: easy to pack, but a little fussy to light. Mo's flavor profile seems right to me. I find it to be better balanced and the flavor is outstanding. That's about all I can say. I don't know if he wholesaled GBD to other dealers in the U.S., but certainly he bought his stock directly, and at all times had just about every grade of every shape they made on hand and available in the periodic brochures he sent to those on his huge mailing list. Initial lighting the Orientals show their true floral, slightly spiced flavors. This GeoTrust in it. These packets, though lacking any dating, were "Made in the United Kingdom" and were imported by (the now defunct) James B. Russell, Inc. of Upper Saddle River, NJ. So I will back off of this stuff until there is an adequate supply and then I will buy a truck load of it because I really like it. This used to be my favorite English blend before it became so hard to get. Most of the time, I like stronger blends over weaker ones and in larger pipes than smaller ones. What I remember about Sobranie is the "dirt" taste, similar to a Guiness Stout. Its moderately smooth with a very consistent, mildly sweet and savory, lightly floral, very grassy flavor. Its hard not to look at the whole ball of wax and not say that this was one of best blends ever made. This review is not meant to disparage older versions of the BS, as I've never tried any of them. Lucky for me the Turkish did not impose itself too much so I just ignored it. I hear you can get this across the pond. Customer satisfaction Over 30.000 customers. (Or by virtue of present supply, Sasieni). Top of the top. 1981, transition year to the Gallaher production, good but really just not it. I've heard that its inclusion is why Balkan was labelled a ?smoking mixture? No latakia mouth. There were also undertones of olives and spice. Not terrible, but nowhere as good as the many Dunhill mixtures I occassionally got to try. Without question this was the most anticipated tin I have ever opened. Gross!" It was new and perfect one ! Whatever or however the process, this is the Holy Grail of pipe tobacco. Medium strangth was fascinated me, nearly full taste was enchanted me. Once lit, I walked back through the cloud of smoke that had been produced and of course, a rush of great memories came back to me. This is not present in the taste, but it stays in the room note from match to the end. Whatever or however the process, this is the Holy Grail of pipe tobacco. Please for the life of Pete, tell me where once again I may get this fine tobacco that I have been without now since the 1990's. Packaging: Tin Now it seems to follow the path outlined by Balkan Sasieni, since it looks like that more and more: same cut, same colour, almost same taste. Purchased a new tin of The Balkan Sobranie when a small batch became available on SmokingPipes.com in December 2019 for about $15. This is a 2.5 star blend compared to Black House or Nat Sherman 536, rating it "recommended" only if you're determined to try it and can find a tin cheap. Latakia plays a front role but is not overwhelming. It's a great mouth pipe, hand pipe, and sitter. Not really sure what Germain was going for with this, but don't bother. The newer version seems to me drier, saltier and sour. I want to start this review by prefacing a few things. It's similar to Sasieni, just the balance of the blend is more harmonious. Don't forget: this is a one time alert. Strong but never overwhelming, after a bowl of BSOM I felt satisfied enough not to smoke again for a number of hours. Incense notes abound, the latakia is over the hill though. The Latakia is leathery, smoky with an characteristic peat flavor. Blended and aged in the British Isles, Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is comprised primarily of Latakia with a mixture of Orientals, Virginias, and other fine tobaccos for a bold, earthy smoking experience with notes of spice and a mild sweetness. and elsewhere. But also of the Smoker's Heaven tobaccos that for years counted as THE replacement for the original Balkan Sobranie tobaccos. So you should keep that in mind reading this review. Unflavored black Cavendish also bulk from "PW&W". Deep, rich, tarry, resinous. In my typically college age bulletproof life of 35+ years ago, I remember buying the weird knife top tin of this spectacular baccy in Peterson's on 42nd St in NYC. This is probably the best English/Balkan type tobacco I ever had and I can only wonder if I will ever smoke it again. Great stuff and ill be stocking up. Enjoyed the original many moons ago. Meticulously recreated by JF Germain in England. And sometimes I cut in some Turkish. Well, it was one of the most pleasant, smooth and complex mixtures I've ever smoked. I gently separated the cake and allowed it to absorb some of the water vapor from the water below. Comparisons: Similar to the GL Pease blends in the same way a red crayon drawing resembles Rothko's "Red on Maroon"; the flavors are there; but this is infinitely more complex and more subtle. During the pursuit of perfection, excellence was achieved. If you try this, the best thing to do is open the tin, put it in a jar and introduce air every so often(read once per day) for a couple of weeks. The king of balkans! Balkan Sobranie is, perhaps, the most legendary pipe tobacco on the market. 2001-2023 STC Holdings LLC, a division of Mac Baren USA. Plenty of names of non site sponsors mentioned. Nice detail, previously the House Sobranie made the Smoker's Heaven tobaccos.. What I paid was ten times the original price tag still on it. I said, no problem I'll buy it from you. No flavorin g detected. Not so much a difference of taste, as one of attitude! And there may have been some pressed bright Virginia as well. I received the full can, but it was open and dry. Virginias, and other fine tobaccos for a bold, earthy smoking experience with notes In fact, I'm now finding some of my previous favorite blends to be lacking. Not sure what to say but it nothing like the original and there are FAR better quality pipe blends than this. It remains extremely consistent throughout the bowl and I frequently smoke it to the bottom without realizing it at all. Packing/lighting: Packs well with a lot of spring. I removed the cake of tobacco and set out to re-hydrate it thus: Placed in a kitchen type strainer (sieve) over a pot of boiling water for a few moments the tobacco softened. 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 like this blend, holp it will be steady supplied. Specifically, the yenidje! so my 2 cents are- don't expect to be knocked on the head with epic greatness, don't listen to all the flowery stanzas.. just smoke it and see for yourself.. i like it very much, update: I found a small clump of hairs in my tin.. couldnt tell if they were of human or animal origin.. could this be the secret ingredient to balkan sobranie? 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. I would like to start out by saying that i am extremely annoyed by the two main ways this blend seems to be reviewed.. on the one hand, there is the reactionary camp who compare their current experience to the echoes of memories of long lost years.. then there is a progressive camp that seems all too willing to embrace and wax poetic on something they have recently discovered. It is less overwhelming and subtler, perhaps more suited to all-day smoke. or Best Offer +$5.40 shipping. The origins of the Balkan Sobranie blend is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Finally I snagged a few tins of this blend. 'But none' have even come mildly close in anyway-as far as I am concerned. Clean taste of mostly virgina and orientals through the bowl with just enough smokiness from the latakia. Over the past year I have been slowly smoking 50gm's from the early 1990's and this review is based on that now finished tobacco. Perfectly worth buying here, and wildly overpriced on the secondary market everywhere else. This is due to the blend's extremely limited production. As for flavorits ok. It was a little dry so I had to add a little humidor to revive it. From 1962-63 through 1978 when I stopped smoking a pipe regularly, my tobacconist sent me two 8 ox tins of Balkan Sobranie each month and that included my tour in Vietnam in 1967-68. Pouches continued to be manufactured but this is another story. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most prized and well blended orientals that you can get your hands on. I am not going into the subtle differences of these two blends of heaven. The strength is a couple of steps short of medium. 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. In all other respects, the tobacco is identical. I don't mind the premium prices this blend commands; it's worth it. I was telling that story to my wife a year ago, and started getting back int to the pipe since then. And it is worth every dollar cent! All of that said this is a 4 star smoke. Germain's Balkan Sobranie 3-Pack of 50g tins . Phone/office hours are 9am-7pm US/Eastern (GMT -5:00) Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturdays, and 12pm-4pm on Sundays. Borkum Riff Pipe Tobacco I wish I could, but that just ain?t happenin?. So many of the reviews for this mixture are perorations for something beautiful that is gone, and entirely appropriately so. This was the only pack left. Not so heavy, incredibly smooth tobacco, giving a gentle sweetness and a dry, salty smoking that reminds me of Syrian Latakia. This is not merely a Balkan, it can be said this is possibly the Balkan that the term Balkan refers to about similar blends. Mac Baren Pipe Tobacco The middle part was a bit heavier but still a good medium taste with a full room note and ample white smoke. I simply loved the flavor. Cannot ship to Maine, South Dakota, Washington, Utah Maximum Purchase: 1 unit Free Shipping Orders over $95 in US Ship Worldwide Ran out in the late 80's. I guess I'll just keep trying but i t very frustrating for those of us who haven't gotten to try these blends. . Disclaimer: This review is based on four bowls as this is a late 80's tin and I am savoring it slowly due to its demise. Quick view. Notify me when this product becomes available! This review covers the latest, pouch version. This review is for the old, original Balkan Sobranie, prior to the removal from the US market. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to smoke plenty of TBS for many years. A calm and smooth creamy smoke with hints of that 'Turkish' taste here and there - but they are very very mild indeed; so mild that you will often forget that they are even there. After waiting for over a year, I finally got a chance to try it. I can see why this tobacco is the one that started the whole "Balkan" designation. The tobacco for what it is worth did seem a bit dry (just the way I like it). I sprang for two pouches of this from someone selling the stuff in Spain. For those who like how the Latakia played with the Turkish, and both were supported by Virginias, smoke either GLPease's Westminster, or Cornell & Diehl's 968R (Red Odessa). I don't know what it used to taste like but I have an extremely difficult time believing this current offering to be lacking in anyways. A very smooth first part with lots of latakia flavor and well balanced taste. The quality of the tobacco is excellent. I have read so much about this blend I had to try it. 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". !Thats my opinion.Exellent in all respects. The flavor is rich, dark, smokey, spicy, somewhat like a cigar, but ever so much more complex. Policy | Terms So the turkish varieties did it, fine. The taste is silky, rich, complex. If you like Balkans, what's not to like here? Perhaps it was the tin that attracted me, the white one with the two women on the front. Every new tobacco reviewer has to start with Balkan Sobranie - it might as well be the law. Nevertheless, if you palate is not used to the strength of mixtures like the Dunhill my mix 965 and similar, you will not enjoy this blend very much. It is smooth but not overly so. The stars are unrelated to this spectacular tobacco. I have opened two tins of this in the last 5 years both from t he original release 2011. There are other options like the mentioned here from Peretti and White Knight , Magnum Opus and others. Very tasty and I feel this blend is one most any pipe smoker would findpleasurable. Posted by Bob Sizemore on 8th Jan 2023 Didn't particular like. Not so heavy, incredibly smooth tobacco, giving a gentle sweetness and a dry, salty smoking that reminds me of Syrian Latakia.It was smoked easily until the end of the bowl. Maybe the preparation or selection of red & brown Virginias topped off with tasty Yenidje? For my next smoke I will prepare a bit better though, I will leave the tobacco to dry for 15 minutes or so and also I will accompany my pipe with a bottle of strong red Argentinian Syrah or Californian Zinfandel, maybe even Croatian Dingac if my wallet allows it. Overall: A classic Balkan that I hope someone re-introduces again in its original form. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Milan 5 years from now, a tin of this stuff will be as sought after as the old stuff. Never a dull or harsh moment, I savor every sip from the pipe. Won't bite or get harsh. although i have nothing of great worth to say to sway someone one way or the other i can try to describe my own subjective opinion briefly and to the point, but the ultimate judgement or perception is up to you.

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