I rarely smoke now. Nope. 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. I smoked it constantly from 1975 through the early eighties, sporadically since then till it's disappearance. However, how does one describe the indescribable? what i like most about it is not necessarily the overall impression.. i like the details and the subtlety. None came close to the White Tin with the neat wagon on the front of the tin. 1999, pretty nice but nothing compared by the old original. More so, for instance, than the "Frog Morton" which leans toward the Latakia; or Bill Bailey's, which is "over the edge" with Latakia. 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. Just lit you almost taste the pure latakia. leaves fingers a bit sticky from the natural tobacco oils, not from humectants. For a very broad reference I would say it is somewhere between Esotericas Penzance and G.L. If it's true that this means a tobacco never is as good as when fresh, this tobacco must be magical, as it is as good or better than any balkan I've ever smoked. Joe maintained that the curing after carving was determined by grade, Virgins, and later Pedigrees and Uniques, getting, of course, the longest cure.). After using the paper towel method and transferring the whole thing into a jar, I waited for a few days so that the tobacco flavors settle. BSOM brings me back to the mid 70's. copyright intellectual property of the reviewer and STC Holdings LLC and may not be But 18 months ago the blend changed and was but a shadow of its former self, a truly dark day had dawned. And when it is gone, I will miss it. Together with Penzance some of the best tin-smells ever. Room note is a killer to those who don't smoke. Penzance now that is another story :) Hope this helps those who can't get their hands on it I speak the truth, my friends. AhhhhhhBalkan Sobranie. The winelike aroma of the virginias translates to the flavor and is sublime in the mix. 10 it became kind of the Holy Grail of the pipe tobaccos. Out of stock tobaccos are still offered as always. So many talented blenders out there these days who have put their spin on it and have done well! I already once said before that I can instantly recognize latakia holding Dunhill tobaccos when I smoke them. In another order of things, the scores here should be granted for the tobacco's quality and not because someone failed to buy it. No latakia mouth. Unfortunately, the versions I've tried ranged from "decent but unspectacular" to "horrible." It's different, actually, in its deepness, due to different oriental leaves and the different proportions of the components. I have smoked quite a few BS "matches" and none come close to replicating this blend. My friends all wondered how I could smoke such strong tobacco. After waiting for over a year, I finally got a chance to try it. It was a beautiful blend just like it was in the 1980s. . It was a creamy, well rounded smoke with the perfect balance of Latakia, Virginias and Oriental tobacco. 5 This is one of the greats. The orientals were there, but didn't liven the mix as much as the only other balkan blend I've smelled (that being Crown Achievement from Lane). Tin appearance of black, dark brown and medium dark leaf comprise this magical blend. Otherwise who cares I will spend my tobacco money on something else!!!!!!! I am no expert, but this stash is an education for the senses. Secondly it is very balanced with each tobacco playing very well together. The finish was not abrupt, not harsh, it just sort of faded away. Middleton Pipe Tobacco The cut of the tobacco out of the pouch was very rough, and had a good number of twigs, etc. That being said it hasn't degraded too much and still is a extremely fine tobacco. They all have a little bit of the same taste, something typical Dunhill. I had never smoked a version of the tobacco in her presence but when I was puffing away a "Jeeeezzz.. What are YOU smoking?? If I had plenty of money, I'd have more Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture. My taste changed to a matured virgina, by 1966, especially in plug form and today is still my first choice. Sobranie Black Russian, Sobranie Blacks KS SS White, Sobranie Blue, Sobranie Cocktail, . It was the perfect blend IMHO. Regardless, it does have a decent nicotine punch, more so then Penzance or Caravan. smokers to be superior. What to compare it to? Ran out in the late 80's. JavaScript is disabled. Balkan was definitely true to the old bromide that the worse the room smelled, the better the tobacco (don't the girls just love the smell of Cherry Blend). Be The First To Know About Exclusive Products And Deals! Balkan Sobranie. A smooth mellow blend that is simply delicious. Before production ended, Balkan Sobranie suffered from a dumbed down recipe and its quality plummeted. Retailer name please. all of which I'll reach for before the new Balkan Sobranie. CAO Flavours Pipe Tobacco It only was a matter of time that someone would want to bring out the legend again. Something like an espresso without sugar. Germain & Son. And I am always happy to try and evaluate new mixtures. I never thought a blend containing Latakia could be enjoyed so much until I smoked The BSOM. It's deeply came to me with amazing satisfaction. of spice and a mild sweetness. At that time one never saw a fill in a GBD. Well, here in Italy the traditional and legendary 759 isn't available anymore, so I haven't had a chance to try it. Incense notes abound, the latakia is over the hill though. I've always been curious about which type of Latakia was used maybe both? Latakia plays a front role but is not overwhelming. A tin was once given to me as a Christmas gift by my sister-in-law. The last few years that this tobacco was marketed it was nothing like the blend that I experienced in the early 80's. Specifically, the yenidje! I remember the blend being "light and dark" ribbons but this 25 year old tin of tobacco (dated to 1979) was "dark and darker". The brand was originally produced by Sobranie of London in 1920, and became a top-selling brand worldwide. I deem this an excellent, one of the best Balkan blends ever & I'm not a big Latakia fan but it facilitates this blend's sweet, creamy, smoky flavor. I usually don't enjoy latakia, but i do enjoy a balkan blend from time to time. Ill post a screenshot of the tin as its listed on the site. I just opened a 200 gram gold foil bag of the three remaining I purchased in 1967. I will always thank him for his gift of friendship to a man 50 years his junior. There are many Balkan blends currently available on the market which are great in their own right without needing comparison with Balkan Sobranie, but nothing has quite matched the sensations of BS, at least in my experience, and judging by the affection displayed in many reviews, the experience of many others as well. None have answered, though many are excellent. Finally got to smoke my fabled white whale, Balkan Sobranie.TRANSCENDENCE!!! If you can find this blend, do yourself a favor. Cannot ship to Maine, South Dakota, Washington, Utah Maximum Purchase: 1 unit Free Shipping Orders over $95 in US Ship Worldwide I packed and lit it up. Leaves the bowl clean and dry, and leaves a clean refreshed smoky palate. It's a classic balkan blend with very little virginia and lots of latakia and turkish yenidje. And I truly mean that. Burns at a reasonable pace, cool, clean and moderately smooth with a very consistent, mildly sweet and floral, savory, campfire flavor. A few pouches from the mid-nineties survive and I hope they keep well. The original Balkan purportedly contained latakia (I don't know if it was Syrian, Cyprian or both), Virginia (I don't know the varieties, but none of these ingredients were toasted except, of course, the latakia), high grade English Cavendish, and Yenidje from Macedonia, as advertised on the can. Like everyone else who's been smoking as long as I have, I can confirm that this is nothing like the old tins we used to smoke decades ago. 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. Is this new iteration of the blend worthy of all the hype? This is what a pipe tobacco is supposed to be! The sad history of Balkan Sobranie after its initial sale, years later, is available in other reviews on this site. follow discussion on this recipe here and if you have anything to add please chime in. The heavy dense smoke floats lightly over the palate. Only a few got somewhat near to it. If this were not a gift, I could not justify the outrageous prices I have seen ($100-165. I signed up for email alerts thinking it would never happen. Germain & Son is the maker of some other legendary tobacco, Penzance. I feel elated and relieved that I managed to have TBS so that now, I can become a better judge when it comes to distinguish between, the somehow subjective appellations of "Balkan" and "English". Is it as good as the original? It was cheaper, and it had the stronger flavor I liked without being Galoises(sp?). Packs a punch! I thought to myself "Yes, this is exactly what my palate envisioned pipe smoking would be, and it is Good.". I bewailed the last tin in my Weed Store, sold to an undeserving oik who wanted to try 'Sumfin' new. Yesterday I opened my last remaining pouch of the 1994 Sobranie Mixture, to see whether it would bring back memories. Really great because you can taste the love and craftsmanship. You must be 21 years or older to make any selections on this site - by doing so, you are confirming that you are of legal age to purchase tobacco products or smoking accessories. I never thought the day would come and I would open it, but finally given to temptation here I amSo,the tobacco has indeed had quite a bit of age on it, but it was still quite moist and the surrounding paper stained. 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. Very minimal relights, burns down to a fine, dark gray ash. Digging my memories I still remember the great surprise I received from this incredible, incense-like, perfume. Packaging: Tin Tobacconists does not sell cigarettes on this site, nor do we sell tobacco To be a very good blend in the downfall years speaks to how excellent it was in years past. I wish I could. View All Close. I was very sad. People say 965 is the standard to judge English mixtures by. I almost feel that one star is too good for it! Better! SUTLIFF BALKAN SOBRANIE #759 MATCH. Rating?I can't smoke it "all the time", due to supply?however, this is a "Four Star Blend". The Latakia-based blends status as a legend is due to the exceptional sweet and rich qualities of this particular tobacco mix. Good smoke! I love Abingdon by GL pease, adirondack campfire by cupojoes, mclelland british woods as much more pleasant, complex and satsifying balkan styled blends. Also, I'd not get any sweet or earthy notes from the virginia leaf. Note: It is easy to go overboard with the Syrian (The stuff is so delicious! The high quality of the tobacco in Balkan might have been just as important as the types of tobacco in it. The tobacco cut varies from rough to smooth and needs a bit of a rubbing out to help it burn evenly. Strong but never overwhelming, after a bowl of BSOM I felt satisfied enough not to smoke again for a number of hours. Last year a friend picked up some pouches from Japan: the tobacco was good, but a pale shadow of its glorious former self. I do not know if this is a result of aging or as it was at that time as I was an avid cigar smoker in those days and never smoked a new tin. Will definantly get next time some shows up here in the US. There has been said a lot about this tobacco, mostly praised to the skies, it's all true. Comparisons to Balkan Sasieni are obvious due to the tin art but Sobranie is miles ahead in flavor and depth. I was young and callous and therefore felt that this blend was very harsh. Enjoy. So it is a keeper. I noticed today on a certain online retailer (theyre not a site sponsor so Im not sure if its cool to name them) that Balkan Sobranie was for sale$25.99 per tin, limit one per customer. I smoke this in a group 5 straight billiard and it is quite nice with hot tea, coffee, or in the evening with a fine single malt scotch. Never a dull or harsh moment, I savor every sip from the pipe. Notes: Presently, the best readily available production/date information is per John C Loring's "DATING ENGLISH TINNED TOBACCO", 1999: 1970s: (and prior) Sobranie Limited, Sobrainie House 1970s: (briefly) Sobranie Limited, 17 Worship Street 1970s: (late) Sobranie Limited, Chichester Road 1980s: (early) Sobranie of London, 65 Kingsway 1980s: Sobranie of London, 34 Burlington Arcade 1990s: Sobranie of London, 13 Old Bond Street. This has more legends than any other and according to my tobacconist has been going downhill for years. Two days ago I got my paws on an old tin of BS. When taking the little built-in triangular ?knife? This is not merely a Balkan, it can be said this is possibly the Balkan that the term Balkan refers to about similar blends. British tobacco was it, too. I sampled a 50 gram foil pack from Italy vintage 2007. Don't see something you want? Not a terribly expensive blend, so value is not really a concern. Mixture is comprised primarily of Latakia with a mixture of Orientals, In comparison with all those others, Sobranie certainly stands up well, even at this late date. But not in a bad way, think Crme Brule. Pease Caravan. Plenty of names of non site sponsors mentioned. My choice back in the 70's was the 759 more than the white. I find Nightcap, Penzance and Black Mallory to be more complex. I was impatient while filling my first bowl straight out of the pack which I later regretted, but I will come to that. Once open the tobacco rests in a paper as is often customary with on top of that a thin round insert with nothing on it. I'm glad to hear your thoughts. Is it back in production or is this old stock? 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. Finished! The Original BS smoked mellow, cool, dry and somewhat sweet. It is incredibly smooth and creamy, with a mild sweetness and a dry, salty smokiness that reminds me more of Syrian Latakia than Cyprian (I don't know for sure which one is present). It reminds me of two blends sort of: Pease's Charing Cross and Bohemian Scandal. This was one of the first pipe-tobaccos that I really enjoyed on all levels, and, naturally, it was the pipe-tobacco everyone else hated. Balkan Sobranie literally was Our Best Blend at that time. When the product becomes available, the alerts will be sent in the order in which customers signed up for the alerts. I follow the Machiavalian point of..availability. This was the only pack left. But who could resist, especially after retrieval of an eight ounce can from a ten can rotation, grabbing an immediate smoke? Their room note bespeaks a gentleman's presence. A cool and long-lasting smoke. Oriental tobacco was standardized and sold uniformly, no more to be readily had as the local varietals with exotic names. All of that said this is a 4 star smoke. The tin note was nice. They, too, were masterpieces. 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. I would light up and after the first few puffs, everything around me would cease to be important. The tinned version (c. 20 years ago) had for me an almost mystical, incense-like quality, very powerful, that somehow induced a trance like state. Pre-Owned. Maybe the preparation or selection of red & brown Virginias topped off with tasty Yenidje, possibly a Coumarin infusion? The fine ribbon cut needs some airing out. The pipe smoking market appears to be . If you smoke yourself you will not notice that but people around you will utter their displeasure. I'm missing it. To be able to enter the world of English/Balkan mixtures this way, spoiled me. 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. I now understand why so many bemoan the exodus of this from the US market. Lots of moisture. First the mixture is not homogeneous in any respect. I would have rated this version of the BS as a two star blend, or maybe 2.5 if I were feeling generous. Germaine is producing some of the finest tobacco available and this is no exception. It was a little dry so I had to add a little humidor to revive it. Originally there was Syrian latakia in it but for yeeaaars that was no longer the case.. The quality of the tobacco is very high. This blend is the peak for me: 10+ out of 10! Comparing old tins of 759 and Original sees 759 as the winner: sweeter, rounder, tastier. The unflavored soda note from the yenidje is virtually missing. It's the real deal. The unequalled art of original TBS and 759 is the most perfect ever marriage of the very best Latakia with the very best Orientals in a bed of robust Virginia, delivering an overwhelming palette of aromas. While he had Baby's Bottom, Three Nuns, various Dunhill blends and many others, along with a logically progressing series of tinned, Lane-blended American tobaccos exclusive to the store, the main event was a complete line of English tobaccos based on Balkan/Best. It has a slight, salty flavor in the Orientals from the ocean breeze blowing onto the leaf & has an enticing aroma. The taste is a step past that center. Deep, rich, tarry, resinous. Having smoked the late 1960s and the 1960 versions, I found the red Virginia was a little more prominent, and the wine-like, earthy, woody, floral Syrian Latakia was used, which created a drier, lightly less fragrant smoke. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most prized and well blended orientals that you can get your hands on. 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. 2001-2023 STC Holdings LLC, a division of Mac Baren USA. I will always share a bowl of this with my best pipe friends, as everyone should have that luxury once in their life. Afterwards, it loaded nicely and lit without trouble. 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. Its good. This is the grail, the standard by which all other Balkans are measured, and with good reason. On opening the pack it has a strong balkan sweet and sour scent (big surprise). The special cut of Virginia & Perique has a place in almost anyone's rotation. The "Next" Balkan Sobranie is the blend that you and everyone else smoked and enjoyed but you all decided not to purchased in large quantities. Supply < Demand, . Despite the pouch, the tobacco comes rather humid, and needs to be broken a bit to be packed correctly. I am rooting for them as this is very highly recommended! There is also a very faint Virginia sweet note which comes through as well. I'd do it again. I say ?real? During the pursuit of perfection, excellence was achieved. Taste of Virginia was somewhat subtle but in good manners, any stronger taste would, in my opinion, interfere with the Latakia and spoil that special feeling. Germain's Balkan Sobranie is a fantastic Balkan mixture. I have about 1.5 ounces left and it will only be smoked with good friends. or Best Offer +$5.40 shipping. It came in a pouch and in a large tin. The tobacco feels so soft and silky. The medium to fine ribbon cut lights easily, the intoxicating flavor is instantly upon me. Buy Sobranie Cigarettes online with free delivery today! Now I really hope that Arango and Germain also will bring out Mixture 759 and Virginia no. Unlike most Latakia blends, the room not of Balkan Sobranie is rich and pleasant, think incense or a just-spent fire. And then, pure bliss. Germain & Son has succeeded in producing a worthy version of the legendary Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture! | Unfortunatley production of this tobacco will cease at the end of this year, so I will be stocking up as much of it as I can for the furure. Notify me when this product becomes available! I found it somewhat similar to penzance which I prefer over anything else. Escudo Navy De Luxe Pipe Tobacco I see why this blend commands a premium. Is the tobacco as good as the '90's and beginning of 2000 version? As time went on and I matured, this blend slowly grew on me . 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. Not really sure what Germain was going for with this, but don't bother. This tobacco is unique.. Smoking this mixture was a unique experience. So the turkish varieties did it, fine. I have drank from the Holy Grail and the wine was awesome! I remember coming home with a can of Balkan Sobranie. I am still smoking it occasionally, out of tins remaining from the 70's through the 90's. 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 is IPSD 2013 and I finally broke into my one and only tin of Balkan Sobranie! It's in current production. It works for me. I withhold most further details of the shop on the unlikely chance I can return someday and the remaining tin will be up there on the top shelf, having once been stuffed back to make room for more recent things. Related products. Having said that, however, this old Balkan Sobranie White (truly made by Sobranie) is the best tobacco I've ever, ever smoked. Without question this was the most anticipated tin I have ever opened. Very rich complex flavors.. Worth every penny! I can easily believe they were every bit as great as their reputation claims. A very good pipe tobacco is that there are few opportunities to buy it. The smoky latakia was always there, but kind of pushed into the background by the orientals. The Latakia is signific antly more dry than the virginias and orientals, and perhaps because of that the mixture is not well blended. So it was very perplexing when I got tongue bite, tongue bite, tongue bite. It has a grayish hue to it, which upon closer inspection, is a wonderful sparkly crystallization. I had the good luck to come across a previously opened but sealed tin, half full, stored in a consistent temperature. 'Perfection' I have tried many different brand's over the year's,that claim to be a near perfect copy. Balkan Sobranie Mixture Tobacco Tin 50g $20.00 14 reviews Write a Review Previous Next Out of Stock Add to Wish List SKU: 100-7971 UPC: 781755017016 Availability: *Limit* Only 1 per order / person per day. Nearing the end of the bowl the nuttyness from the Latakia returns to round off a wonderfully smooth smoking experience. 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. Seattle Pipe Club Pipe Tobacco What can I say about this blend. Thanks for the recommendations! I could see this becoming my "go to" blend except that it to is mostly unavailable. It's just I don't think there is anything quite so good. A deserved reputation. 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. I get my email notification go straight there to order & poof gone! Many other blends have the same problem. Sponsored. Exceptionally over-hyped based on the name alone. Both reek marvelously, are roughly at the half-way mark as far as Latakia, and seem to have less Oriental than either the Pease mixture mentioned above, or the Cornell & Diehl mixture. I gently separated the cake and allowed it to absorb some of the water vapor from the water below. It's one of those tobaccos that you can't help smoking an immediate second bowl of, and I caught myself doing just that numerous times. One cannot regret smoking this, it really is a great smoke. Age will make all the difference. I first discovered this stuff in the early 90's, and was immediately hooked. For my tastes, the #1 of all of these Hall of Fame blends. I cannot say I was impressed with the last but at least it was not dominant. It remains extremely consistent throughout the bowl and I frequently smoke it to the bottom without realizing it at all. Initial Flavor: Pungently sweet! Note that a bowl or two will ruin your taste buds for the night for any other subtle, delicate smoke! It's deep richness with a most profound & perfect taste is just so wonderful,that I can not begin to imagine it ever being captured again! I never smoked any other version of this, but the original had to be 100% better than this flavorless stuff to acquire it's legendary status. 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. I do not like to smoke this outdoors. The burn is cool, smooth and easy to maintain. Sampled from a fairly fresh 50g pouch which would be almost twenty years old by now. This pipeweed is certainly an icon and one of the best oriental blends out there. View All (61) Balkan Sobranie Balkan Sobranie 50g Reviews. Usually one tamp and relight. Highly, highly recommended. Not sweet, but not really bitter like some oriental-heavy blends are. Germain Pipe Tobacco IMO, the 70s version, which is the oldest I have smoked, was outstanding. Posted by Andrew P on Jun 13th 2022. In just a few minutes I judged that the tobacco was moist enough, placed it on a dish and then a few minutes later, into a "ZipLock"?.After allowing the moisture to migrate throughout, overnight: Sobranie vs. Sasieni The pouch aroma is very inviting (noticeably more so than Sasieni). escaped her lips. Waited a few days until I was off work to try it, opened it up, and found mold growing on it. Lucky for me the Turkish did not impose itself too much so I just ignored it. Sutliff Match Pipe Tobacco Victorian (Dunhill Elizabethan) $2.68 - $146.87. The above review doesn't cover the current version. I haven't gotten the percentages down to a science but I started with equal portions of the virginia's, Orientals, and Yenidge. The room note is unique. Initial lighting the Orientals show their true floral, slightly spiced flavors. Having said that, I want to be perfectly c lear I DO believe it is a solid tobacco blend worthy of some distinction. I just received 50 more grams of it in today's mail.
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