Strong blend that, while very pleasing, rubs you raw after too many bowls. Still is. You are lucky indeed. I don't mind the premium prices this blend commands; it's worth it. Somewhat regarded as a classic and rightly so, however it has become somewhat degraded in recent years, no doubt a by-product of being taken over by the Gallaher tobacco conglomerate. Not really sure what Germain was going for with this, but don't bother. Aging has mellowed the virginia tobaccos while the orientals and latakia have become more pungent. And even with the utmost care and dedication it fatigues my palate after I'm done. I also liked other mixtures of Sobranie of London, like the rare Birdseye Cut, and the famous 759 for example. I wish I could. The "Junk" you're writing about is produced by J.F. 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. Pleasant smoky aroma, with a slight odor of burnt sugar. This is very rare and hard to get! I found it somewhat similar to penzance which I prefer over anything else. The yenidje seems to have been the same in all versions. Now I feel I am a changed person! Composition: The composition is that of the pouch version and the '80's Gallaher version. I can't make a comparison, but this Original Mixture seems very good to me. I still have a dozen unopened tins from 1981 and 1982. Is it as good as the original? I won't go into the more esoteric territories trying to describe it (others have done a good job on that already, both for the original and the reincarnation), suffice to say I do enjoy it, but not every day and in modest quantities. The high quality of the tobacco in Balkan might have been just as important as the types of tobacco in it. Only a few got somewhat near to it. I have opened two tins of this in the last 5 years both from t he original release 2011. Though I was not accustomed to latakias at the time, I instantly loved it, from the first smell from the can to the last puff. Maybe tobacco grown in the Balkan region has some affect on the flavor. All of that said this is a 4 star smoke. The smoky latakia was always there, but kind of pushed into the background by the orientals. Not everyone appreciated the room aroma. It was a full aroma latakia with a delightfully light body. Opinions are to Balkan Sobranie what armpits are to Vishnu. Since 1912, Providing Premium Cigars, Quality Pipes, High Grade Pipe Tobacco, I notice that the Latakia is not at all heavy in this blend. From the company's (the name and the recipe's) sale and in sale after sale after that the blend has been cheapened and diminished, with production moving to Jamaica (?Made in the U.K.?) Sampled from a fairly fresh 50g pouch; This BSOM makes you reach for that elusive flavor with each draw. Predominant Latakia did a good job of giving the mixture that full body which I like so much. On one hand I was glad I did, on the other I was sad because it was one of the few sachets circulating all over the world. I've heard that its inclusion is why Balkan was labelled a ?smoking mixture? I will endeavor to keep this easy smoking, great tasting blend stockpiled from now on. And there may have been some pressed bright Virginia as well. Having heard so much about this blend I was prepared to be under whelmed, but it really does live up to the hype. Given the legendary status of House of Sobranie tobaccos, I'm sure many will be dissapointed but the taste of the re-introduction--heritage and legend aside--makes it a staple for my rotation (at least to the extent that I can find it). Very tasty and I feel this blend is one most any pipe smoker would findpleasurable. The magic of the sensory delight linked to the focus of imagination. And when it is gone, I will miss it. The taste always had a somewhat bitter start - somewhat like Nightcap - but the rest of the experience was addictive. But I have since then tried a very well-kept tin from (I think) the 40s or 50s, which was a little dry (but moistened back up with a small piece of orange peel), inherited by a friend of mine by his late grandfather. Whatever or however the process, this is the Holy Grail of pipe tobacco. There were many incarnations of the Balkan Sobranie, and every reviewer here seems to be referring to a different one. This is not merely a Balkan, it can be said this is possibly the Balkan that the term Balkan refers to about similar blends. And I see no difference after the update and stuff. Not so much a difference of taste, as one of attitude! Layer after layer of astonishing tobacco flavor all perfectly put together. Texture of the cut is fine, mostly uniform ribbons which felt just a bit too wet. What I paid was ten times the original price tag still on it. The female nose is especially not fond of its room note. This is probably the best English/Balkan type tobacco I ever had and I can only wonder if I will ever smoke it again. http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-pipe-forum/109613-homemade-. smokers to be superior. Mo's flavor profile seems right to me. The tobacco was a little wet in the tin so some airtime was mandatory. Why no other blender has ever been able to recapture the amazing balance, complexity, creaminess, coolness, and wonder of Balkan Sobranie, I don't know. I've never seen a tobacco change so much even from year to year (maybe just the Dunhill 965 did). It's the smokiest smoke I've ever had. If you like Latakia and lots of it, you will love this stuff, a true Balkan blend. Thoroughly enjoyable and deserves a quiet hour or so to smoke it and really enjoy it. 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. We will deny any order we believe has been placed by a minor. in the lid of the old Balkan Sobranie, retracting it from the lip and reclosing the can, thus piercing the inner tin lid, the escaping hiss was divine. it was distinctive enough to evoke comment and to me had a more than discernible hint of leaves being burned on a damp Autumn day in England. I dont really find the blinds to be similar but this one stands on its own is a goo d Balkan. Whatever Balkan Sobranie used to be (as I said, it's built on a famous name), there are numerous better, and more available, blends out there. 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. I don't see how one could find fault in this fine blend. Germain & Son have experience in "imitating" the House Sobranie products. |Retailer Directory I smoked it constantly from 1975 through the early eighties, sporadically since then till it's disappearance. It smokes very cool, but I find it burns quite quickly even when quite moist, which is odd for such a cool smoking tobacco. . Once my pipe was filled I went out in the hall of the resort to light it. Big, full, round, heavy, large, expansive. . The can was fitted with a new flip top key pull that unsealed the vacumn and aroma as you looked inside. This is probably the most famous Balkan blend ever. I've tried a number of blends that tout themselves as a "replacement" for Balkan Sobranie and I dreamed of what the original must be like. I had no trouble keeping the pipe lit, and was pleased I chose a group six pipe to smoke it in. I never had the original one, but this tobacco is quite good in its own right. Smoked slowly, this is cool, deep and satisfying without being overwhelming. Individual reviews are the opinion(s) of the contributor and do not reflect the opinion(s) Air time and letting it open a bit was all it took to take this to a new level. Please let me know: pearsond -at- odsgc.net. 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. At least for this one time, the cost of the tin was well worth it. Won't bite or get harsh. The deep bitter sweet undertones of the mixture, combined with a certain degree of mineral saltiness had me transfixed, as if submerged within Alban Berg's music; a beatific state interrupted only when the wife, alarmed at the strong odor, would barge into the room--broom in hand--to chase me out of the house. My first experience with this mixture dates to 1962 when I was given a tin by a friend who had been in London on vacation. This stuff tasted so good in fact, it makes me ponder; How does a tobacco blend that tastes this good, be made without a topping or flavor additive? And the latakia, for all that time, seems to have lost its oomph. As for flavorits ok. I said, no problem I'll buy it from you. Especially, if it means spending outrageous sums of money. BSOM has been the very first meeting with latakia mixtures (the second was the John Cotton's 1&2). escaped her lips. But not in a bad way, think Crme Brule. In my personal rating (from 1 to 10) here is the perfection and my score is 10 with eulogy and obviously 4 stars. The orientals are definitely the main player here, they're spicy and complex. It's similar to Sasieni, just the balance of the blend is more harmonious. Packing first with the gravity technique, and finishing off with a medium pack. BUT it is a very nice baccy all the same; mild, well-behaved and very smooth indeed. Recent pouches were also drier. The 1990s and later versions have drier in taste than it was in the 1980s, due to the decrease in the red Virginia, which disappeared by the mid-1990s. It was velvety and luxurious, but I could tell that this would have floored me if it was ten years newer and the orientals could come out and play more. I left out room note as I lived alone at that time. Originally there was Syrian latakia in it but for yeeaaars that was no longer the case.. To say the least, Ed's Balkan is superb, try it and see if it matches the Sobranie blend. 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. A weak version of the original from the 70's, 60's and before that. Again the Latakia had a tendency to separate but with a thorough mixing it is much improved of you stay vigilant! Maybe the preparation or selection of red & brown Virginias topped off with tasty Yenidje, possibly a Coumarin infusion? I've never had any version other than Germain's entry and again it's "Junk"! What can I say for me this is the gold standard for Balkans. The sad part is that this tobacco is no more. Not a terribly expensive blend, so value is not really a concern. I could not smoke this all day, but could smoke 2-3 bowls in a row if this were still obtainable. It is good smoke and I'm glad I got a hold of a couple of tins but, that's about it. Joe worked closely with GBD on developing new shapes, e.g., #263 extra long Canadian, the ?glass-blasted? Blend with a characteristic, a bit stronger room note and taste. The new pouched version of Original, while good, is vastly inferior to both 759 and Original of old: not as rich, and sometimes a bit too pungent and harsh, a bit out of balance. This is something everyone should try and find. Great stuff and ill be stocking up. All in all, it was a very pleasant experience and I am looking forward to repeating it. The special cut of Virginia & Perique has a place in almost anyone's rotation. Bright spices highlight carefully layered creamy notes of full creosote and there is an unidentifiable charming "classic" room note surrounding it all.The gravity and power are there too, so it must be respected.Let it brood and let it come in its own time. Good smoke! Are there better bl ends? If you want to obtain a tin you have to keep an eye out on international fora and tobacco sites and just be VERY lucky because when it is available, poefff it's already gone.. This blend consists of dark brown and black ribbons in the pouch along with a few flecks of tan. When he passed, I was notified by his widow that I had been left his cellar and pipe collection. It was all I'd hoped it would be and so much more! Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos I am however glad I got a pouch for the sake of having tried it, but I doubt I'll go hunting for another pouch in the future. This stuff tasted so good in fact, it makes me ponder; How does a tobacco blend that tastes this good, be made without a topping or flavor additive? This was an open secret at the store by the '60s, and many's the two, four or eight ounce can of Our Best Blend we opened and found inside the Balkan Sobranie rice paper or card stock insert. I simply do not like cigarettes and the foul smell and taste of such tobacco! Taste: Smoky-sweet, nutty, round, mellow. It was to me simply unique. I am rooting for them as this is very highly recommended! Taste is medium and consistent, with notes of smoky, very bitter wood, floral, toasted bread, leather, musty herbal vegetation, incense, dry earth, acidic/spicy, citrus peel/zest, a mildly sweet stewed tangy fruit background note, and a very peppery retro. The Orientals are less potent, offering earth, wood, floralness, a light dry sourness and a touch of buttery sweetness, along with a little spice as a supporting player. I feel it can be smoked anytime of the day accompanying many pleasurable activities be it reading a novel, fly fishing, walking the dogs, even after cigars and cask strength single malts. Retailer name please. The newer version seems to me drier, saltier and sour. Easy to understand why it is treated as the gold standard in Balkan style blends. I stumbled onto it in the late 1950's, having started as a punk kid with drugstore blends like Mixture 79 (I am embarrassed to admit). It leaves the pipe rather clean. I have read so much about this blend I had to try it. Quick view. Flavour stran gely was strong in what seemed nicotine?, not harsh and upon exhale a taste, I assume of the "mountain blue Laktakia" and "macedonian orientals". Not so heavy, incredibly smooth tobacco, giving a gentle sweetness and a dry, salty smoking that reminds me of Syrian Latakia. Well worth the wait , subscribe to be notified upon restock, and grab up as much as you can. I don't blame smoking pipes, these things happen sometimes I reckon.
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balkan sobranie in stock