The smoky latakia was always there, but kind of pushed into the background by the orientals. 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). 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. In its aged form, I still prefer 759. I thought to myself "Yes, this is exactly what my palate envisioned pipe smoking would be, and it is Good.". I was fortunate enough to come across some on ebay at a resoanble price (of course it was only for the packaging). Virginias, and other fine tobaccos for a bold, earthy smoking experience with notes (Whom, similarly, imported Sasieni) Upon opening the packet I was anxious to sample its aroma?it was still delightful, quite as you would expect from a fine, fresh English. |Radio Show So with that in mind, I find the new Original Mixture to have the same creamy/savory quality of the 90's mixture. Master blender Russ Ouellette was the hands-down winner, and this is his championship mixture: Black House, comprising a variety of tobacco for a complex English blend. Very very nice tobacco, I love it, If you can only choose one tobacco, I choose Sobranie. Balkan Sobranie $ 30.00. Together with Balkan Sobranie Mixture 759 and Balkan Sobranie Virginia no. sobranie cigarettes for sale: Search Result | eBay In short..the blend against which all others must be compaired (save Red Raparee). That being said it hasn't degraded too much and still is a extremely fine tobacco. I opened this tin given to me as a gift by dm14 and I thank him for it. Hard to find but worth the wait. Plenty of names of non site sponsors mentioned. It leaves a fine grey ash, and cakes poorly, so I tend to break my pipes in with something else. British pipes were it, and though Joe had other makes on hand, I don't remember any Danish or Italian goods. White tin - real McCoy. Primarily floral notes upon the nose, delicate once humified. Finally, even the Saseini was taken over by Orlik a few years ago, closing the chapter on the book of Sobranie with finality. The tin note is unmistakably dominated by the Latakia, but the Orientals and Virginias in the right proportion also add a lively distinction of their own. I picked up exactly that. The job ended before I did. Likewise akin to Smokers' Haven's Krumble Kake and Esoterica's Penzance in flavor and strength, but like comparing a profesional ice skater to a hockey player. Also there was yenidje in that one but that has become very scarce.. Is the tobacco as good as the beginning of the 80's version? Germain & Son. and elsewhere. It's similar to Sasieni, just the balance of the blend is more harmonious. By entering this site, It was actually in a can, not the tin shown above, and with black and white illustrations and lettering. This has more legends than any other and according to my tobacconist has been going downhill for years. The Virginias drive this tobacco for the most part, with the Orientals making an appearance from time to time, all this under the supervision of a most delicious Latakia that has a red wine like flavor. 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 BSOM makes you reach for that elusive flavor with each draw. by the House of Sobranie and now produced in the Esoterica Tobacciana No Syrian or Yenidje in it though. A great blend, but there are blends available all year long that are just as good by GL Pease, and also his Drucquer and Sons blends. The quality of the tobacco is very high. Does this sound contradictory? 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. 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. I have always liked this blend, and am in the process of smoking the last of my supply. Shows what they know. The first time I tried this tobacco was recently; it was a 6 year old 50g packet that had been well kept. Deep, rich, tarry, resinous. Just lit you almost taste the pure latakia. Starting off astringent and downright sour, the middle section is dominated by exotic spiciness, particularly of cedar. The other flavors always floated above it, with sweet and spicy notes. It seeped into my jackets and the children when young used to love sniffing at those jackets. And then, pure bliss. The heavy dense smoke floats lightly over the palate. My efforts were rewarded today with my first bowl ever of Balkan Sobranie. 309 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 Toll Seattle Pipe Club Pipe Tobacco Maybe tobacco grown in the Balkan region has some affect on the flavor. I have smoked it many times since, but it never became part of my standard repertory. I LOVE IT! Not sure what to make of this. That just isn't the case. The virginias are of the higest grade. I got my hands on a 25+ years old tin that needed rehydration. Product: Balkan Sobranie Balkan Sobranie 50g, Just a few hours after the e-mail, I miss it again, that only after a few hrs of being available it's again sold out Every new tobacco reviewer has to start with Balkan Sobranie - it might as well be the law. I kept the tin unsmoked for quite long time, just opening it and smelling that wonderful aroma. Not all will try it, but those who do will weep again. 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. Clean taste of mostly virgina and orientals through the bowl with just enough smokiness from the latakia. Once it was in the 90s plastic fold up, the Latakia was more dominate and not due to the blend being less aged. Very happy to see it reintroduced. 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 a flavor additive? I would say this tobacco smokes better a bit drier that most others even of the same species. I'm impressed by the quality vs. price. It's all about the orientals. Yes, it is a nice baccy but, these days there are a TON out there that have tried to copy it over the years and some have absolutely succeeded. Especially, if it means spending outrageous sums of money. 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. Now I know how was the original and now i can compare. a pipe and Balkan Sobranie is to be savored. I have found many delicious blends that perfectly match my needs, and I enjoy smoking them as much as I did TBS. The Latakia was toned way down, yet was a presence. Quick view. I know of no other in which this essentially condimental tobacco is so much to the fore. After a few puffs, the tobacco flavors begin to meld & it just keeps getting better & better until the very end. Very tasty and I feel this blend is one most any pipe smoker would find pleasurable. The label on the tin is cheap looking and not printed well but I dont care I want whats inside. More recently Balkan Sobranie has reappeared, produced by S. F. Germain for persons having the legal right to the Sobranie name. In another order of things, the scores here should be granted for the tobacco's quality and not because someone failed to buy it. My lucky day. This review is not meant to disparage older versions of the BS, as I've never tried any of them. I love orientals, latakias, and Virginias, but burley gives me some trouble. Maybe these are the good old days! Although I prefer this indoors since it's extinct and demands my undivided attention, rightfully so. This blend did not achieve legendary status for no reason. Fresh it is fairly straightforward, a little harsh, full flavored English tobacco. If this is the case and the viewpoint hasn't been romanticized too much, I can see why this was a Hall of Fame blend as even the era that I smoked was excellent. The tobacco colour is very dark 50% very dark brown and 50% black. Most of what you can buy in auctions today is dry to varying degrees, but I'll instantly transfer it to a Mason jar, wet a paper towel with distilled water, lay it over the top, seal the jar, and let it slowly rehydrate. The tobacco presents a fine white ash when burnt. Tin note is mostly Virginia/ Oriental. I cannot say I was impressed with the last but at least it was not dominant. Thanks. I remember coming home with a can of Balkan Sobranie. Yes, the contents were a bit moist and could do with a couple of days' drying, and were springy thanks to the ribbon cut. Is it back in production or is this old stock? Here's the package of Balkan Sobranie cigarettes for the people never saw it. Balkan Sobranie - Anstead's Tobacco Company On opening the pack I was greeted by the well known Latakia scent, followed by sweetish notes of Virginia and the last came to my attention the Turkish tobacco, very much similar to cigarette tobacco. It smells like sandlewood incense! I suspect that one of the blending tobaccos was an unflavoured Cavendish. They also make all the Esotericas. Its available at pipesandcigars. One day the manufacturer stops making the blend or closes their doors. 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. Good smoke! I gave it a star because I think that it is probably a good blend,but it's always gone instantly. 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. Once the product has come back in stock, you'll need to resubscribe for future notifications. Because this is the weak spot of J.F. It is smooth but not overly so. J. F. Germain & Son - Balkan Sobranie 1.76 oz Tin - CDM Cigars It was truly like meeting an old friend, after many years of not seeing them, and picking right up where we left off. To this day I don't see why some blender with a microscope and a Japanese degree of patience couldn't reverse engineer a can of pre-sale Balkan strip by strip, testing the pieces against known samples and smoking from each separate pile to verify its identity as accurately as possible. Note to "sounds7": For your taste, how many "parts" of the Wellauers Latakia do you use? The incense like aroma and fantastic taste is hard to describe and must be experienced at least once. With the history and price tag/availability of this blend came concerns it could be a bit of a letdown but those were swiftly erased almost immediately after lighting my first bowl of Balkan Sobranie. The can was fitted with a new flip top key pull that unsealed the vacumn and aroma as you looked inside. I smoked a good amount of it, but largely because there were so few latakia blends that were easily available. An all day smoke that lacks the depth and complexity of past manufactures. Watch City's "Nor'easter" (Bulk by the Ounce) Watch City Tobacco Co. $5.49 Named for the infamous New England Winter . I'm going to miss this. This will provide you with the best smoking experience. Who knows? Join Our Mailing List! Man oh man oh man! Not a terribly expensive blend, so value is not really a concern. Majority of medium brown leaf, with specs of bright Va and black dark fired. Here's the deal, folksfor as long as it's available, I will own this. Joe made a similar agreement with GBD, and became the largest distributor of that pipe in the world. Hence the new blends simply could never be the same. When available. We're all poorer for the loss. Don't see something you want? Out of stock. All tobacco is made the old fashioned way. I've always been curious about which type of Latakia was used maybe both? in it. I do not like to smoke this outdoors. I was young and callous and therefore felt that this blend was very harsh. Smoked Balkan Supreme.love yet again. Orlik Pipe Tobacco I cannot compare this to the original, but on its own merit, this was one great smoke. I never thought a blend containing Latakia could be enjoyed so much until I smoked The BSOM. This is also the case with Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture. The origins of the Balkan Sobranie blend is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Pipe Tobacco 910 864 5705 [email protected] Information. Germain's Balkan Sobranie 3-Pack of 50g tins - Year 2022 It's a "Turkish cigarette" (Oriental blend) which means there's nothing in it but Oriental tobacco. This GeoTrust The Latakia is leathery, smoky with an characteristic peat flavor. 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(!) 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 could smoke it all day (and did). Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10 again One can only hope and pray.. The very first thing that stands out for me is how "buttery" the Orientals are in this blend verses others. This is really your most fowl smelling tobacco! Dating back to around the 1920s, this is a combination of wonderful Virginias, excellent Orientals and enough Latakia for a robust and flavorful mixture. IMO, the 70s version, which is the oldest I have smoked, was outstanding. Requires few relights, and leaves little dampness in the bowl. Please let me know: pearsond -at- odsgc.net. Well worth the wait , subscribe to be notified upon restock, and grab up as much as you can. Germain's Balkan Sobranie is a fantastic Balkan mixture. 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. 5 This is one of the greats. 50g Ribbon Description A crowning achievement in the tobacco blending craft without question. It works for me. Opinions are to Balkan Sobranie what armpits are to Vishnu. Luscious but actually capable of giving you a hangover if you smoke it all day. Wonderful tobacco provided by one of the best online tobacconists. I've never had tongue bite from a Balkan before. Rating?I can't smoke it "all the time", due to supply?however, this is a "Four Star Blend". . Misrepresentation of your Germain Pipe Tobacco Maybe tobacco grown in the Balkan region has some affect on the flavor. I see why this blend commands a premium. Ideally, I should have kept it in the freezer. It's clear to me that smoked fresh this is no lightweight English/balkan. Germain's Balkan Sobranie 3-Pack of 50g tins . Carey Magic Inch Briar Tobacco Smoking Pipes, Captain Black Pipe Tobacco Pouches & Cans, or for half the price, try our English Blend No. What I paid was ten times the original price tag still on it. I'd do it again. No latakia mouth. it has been 40 years since I have smoked any. Peterson Pipe Tobacco Balkan's near universal appeal in those days to lovers of English/Balkan/Oriental blends as a steady or special smoke attests to that fact. 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? Buttery is a nice description. Before lighting the first bowl I was scared by a possible great strength and power. I have several cans of each stashed away, based on the raving advice of a friend and colleague. History. Possibly both types of Latakia, maybe some unsweetened Black Cavendish, maybe a "smidgeon" of Deer Tongue or a pinch of Vanilla Cavendish, who knows? Interesting.. Package: A 50 gram tin with a somewhat cheap version of the old stately artwork. In my honest opinion J.F. Not so heavy, incredibly smooth tobacco, giving a gentle sweetness and a dry, salty smoking that reminds me of Syrian Latakia.