A must try! This is a pure Turkish smoking experience. I realize that even though The Balakan Sobranie is gone and that the tobaccos used in it's making are no more to be found, you can still get quality stuff from some dedicated blenders, finding them could be quite a challenge though. For those who liked the resinous Oriental perfume, Dunhill's Durbar is quite nice. There are no words to describe this wonderful, fantastic, exciting english mixture. Nic-hit was felt in the mouth and throat but nowhere else. A masterpiece, perfect to smoke in the evening. It probably was the best Balkan mixture long ago and it's a shame it disappeared. Pease Caravan. This is really your most fowl smelling tobacco! Is this THE Balkan Sobranie? The smoke note however was more like what I remembered, though for a more accurate Proustian journey I will have to try to obtain an unopened tin from the 1960's if they still exist. Cannot ship to Maine, South Dakota, Washington, Utah Maximum Purchase: 1 unit Free Shipping Orders over $95 in US Ship Worldwide : the above description is not an unattainable, sentimental concoction born of distorted, rosy memory: it is as accurate as I could make it. Outsanding!! I'll start with the presentation in the tin. 50g Ribbon Description I guess I'll just keep trying but i t very frustrating for those of us who haven't gotten to try these blends. Never bites. The Original BS smoked mellow, cool, dry and somewhat sweet. I usually don't enjoy latakia, but i do enjoy a balkan blend from time to time. I suggest trying to find your local brick and mortar because none of us will ever get it on here. Thousands of pipe smokers have been lamenting since. By entering this site, Ones ?below? Germain & Son willing to make the tobacco. So many talented blenders out there these days who have put their spin on it and have done well! tin. This one gets two stars. The virginias are of the higest grade. Its good. The stars are unrelated to this spectacular tobacco. (50 Grams) Packaging: Tin Limit One Tin Per Customer UPDATE February 2004: Ok, in the past 2 years I had the chance to smoke several tins of the old version of Original Mixture, and also of 759. We apologize, but this item is temporarily out of stock. If I had plenty of money, I'd have more Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture. The virginias appear to be aged nicely. Its post-modern re-incarnation, BALKAN SASIENI, is the same mix, yet not the same mix at all: the grade of tobaccos and the proportions may be the same, but modern-day orientals seem to be blander, more generic than formerly, and the Cypriot ?latakia?, a nice tobacco in itself, is like California ?chablis? Just like every other pipe smoker on the planet I really wanted to try this. It was like smoking butter. I'd do it again. If you can lay your hands on a pouch, do so. The cut was rather coarse and zigzagy, not quite a proper ribbon cut, and the tin note was tangy, sort of fermented, because of the orientals. WARNING: Smokingpipes.com does not sell tobacco or tobacco related products to anyone under the age of 21, nor do we sell cigarettes. I see why this blend commands a premium. Tin appearance of black, dark brown and medium dark leaf comprise this magical blend. The virginia presents itself in the form of a winelike aroma. I know it seems heresy to give this blend three stars. If you are asking if it's same blend as when it was smoked some time ago. 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. Surprisingly, Sutliff's recreation is close to the original. The tobacco came super-dry in the pouch and required almost a month of rehydration. Last year a friend picked up some pouches from Japan: the tobacco was good, but a pale shadow of its glorious former self. And I truly mean that. I said, no problem I'll buy it from you. It only was a matter of time when someone would want to bring out again the legend. Please check back with us in a few days. Yet at the same time, it is cool, smooth, soft, and velvetly. Original Review 12-25-11 This review is for the newly released J.F. Bottom of Bowl: It is over too quickly. copyright intellectual property of the reviewer and STC Holdings LLC and may not be Incense notes abound, the latakia is over the hill though. The light unflavored soda note or two along with some dry wood, earth, floralness from the yenidje is always noticeable. 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. Let the smoke slowly out of your mouth and inhale through your nose and you'll see what I mean, all the hype about this tobacco is true and th ats a rare thing, when it's available again, make sure you get some, because out of the hundreds of different tobaccos I've tried over the years this would have to be one of, if not the best I've ever had, just remember, if your not into latakia, don't bother, blue smokes a tanging, enjoy. It's clear to me that smoked fresh this is no lightweight English/balkan. And the latakia, for all that time, seems to have lost its oomph. There is also a very faint Virginia sweet note which comes through as well. Well, not a real review, just sharing my story. There is a constant swirl of flavors all in a perfect balance. Personally I've never smoked that real old version and I think there was not so much wrong with the pouch version. & Conditions | DMCA was it merely an oversight at the factory, or is this really some kind of mythic witches brew. I was lucky enough to snag a couple of tins when the past shipment arrived. 1999, pretty nice but nothing compared by the old original. After a few puffs, the tobacco flavors begin to meld & it just keeps getting better until the very end. I have several cans of each stashed away, based on the raving advice of a friend and colleague. In short, Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is back! I often mixed it with other tobaccos to get something closer to what I wanted, sometimes adding some perique or cavendish. Germain, not the "Real McCoy" or even the 2005 Gallaher version for that matter. Turkish and VA dominate the aroma, but latakia is still there firmly. The blend was found to be too costly to manufacture and so it was simplified, being produced by Gallaher through the 1970's, 80's and then finally ceasing in 1995, with the last tins reaching eager pipesters in 1996. 9 of 10. However, for many, the newer blends are just as enjoyable, if different. It's a crowning achievement in the tobacco procurement & blending craft without question. Add to Wishlist. If you air it out, the bite disappears. There were many incarnations of the Balkan Sobranie, and every reviewer here seems to be referring to a different one. It is very tasty and I feel this blend is one most any pipe smoker would findpleasurable. In its aged form, I still prefer 759. 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. But still a good 20 bowls worth of premium history. Kudos, friend. Happy Smoking! Appearance: Over 80% black leaf, with a few nut brown to dark brown strands, ready rubbed in a medium cut ribbon. The tobacco feels so soft and silky. Perhaps a Sobranie cocktail cigarette once every few months. I was telling that story to my wife a year ago, and started getting back int to the pipe since then. In short..the blend against which all others must be compaired (save Red Raparee). Try some Prilep. Ideally, I should have kept it in the freezer. Join Our Mailing List! Germain's Balkan Sobranie 3-Pack of 50g tins . I want to start this review by prefacing a few things. It has a peaty, brackish astringency that is quite unique as a taste?it reminds me of some olives, in a way. It is good smoke and I'm glad I got a hold of a couple of tins but, that's about it. I occasionally pack up some Sobranie just to enjoy it, and I fully believe the tales of yore about how good this blend was. smokers to be superior. Combustibility: As with every version I know, excellent. A LEGEND. The perfect aid to peace and contemplation. 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. The Virginia is semi-sweet, bready, touch of graham cracker, and in perfect harmony to round out this blend. Availability: . After a few puffs the sweetness comes forth, the Virginia's. The Latakia is leathery, smoky with an characteristic peat flavor. Balkan Sobranie. But let us be honest: the incredible variety of mixtures available today and there are a lot of excellent ones offer several perfectly acceptable and enjoyable alternatives for EVERY pipe smoker. During the pursuit of perfection, excellence was achieved. I loved it. Very rich complex flavors.. Worth every penny! It has a grayish hue to it, which upon closer inspection, is a wonderful sparkly crystallization. At least I find it impossible now to say from the room note alone what Balkan has been smoked, but with Balkan Sobranie there never was any ambiguity. In my opinion, no. I'm glad I bought a tin at the price I paid for the novelty and to satisfy my curiosity, but there are plenty of comparable blends that are frankly more pleasing to smoke. A fine grey ash results and despite the high Latakia content it doesn't flavour the pipe too much. The incense like aroma and fantastic taste is hard to describe and must be experienced at least once. So the turkish varieties did it, fine. http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-pipe-forum/109613-homemade- balkan-sorbanie-original-mixture.html. By clicking on the 'Email Me' link you are signing up for a One-Time Alert to be notified when this product's comes back in stock. Excellent smoke and very close to the original which is almost impossible to source and the reason why I am holding onto my last tin. 2001-2023 STC Holdings LLC, a division of Mac Baren USA. 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. I was fortunate enough to come across some on ebay at a resoanble price (of course it was only for the packaging). Similar Blends: Any latakia blend, but not quite. IMHO it is exactly the same blend, the difference is simply that the one has aged and the other is relatively new. . I already once said before that I can instantly recognize latakia holding Dunhill tobaccos when I smoke them. 910 864 5705 [email protected] Information. No pipecleaner needed during the smoke. When I first opened the tin and looked at the contents I was a little surprised. But. Probably. The quality of the tobacco is excellent. It is not a Latakia blast; however, the Latakia is more in the background keeping the groove solid as a drummer often does in jazz. I am no expert, but this stash is an education for the senses. leaves fingers a bit sticky from the natural tobacco oils, not from humectants. It contains sweetened black Cavendish and a fair amount of orientals and latakia, but I would not class it as a full Balkan. Nope. 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). A great tobacco, it will be shame to see it go. 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". It was, however, obvious that the tobacco had become thoroughly dried over the years. Finished! I first discovered this stuff in the early 90's, and was immediately hooked. 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've never had anything labeled Balkan that was remotely close to this. Be The First To Know About Exclusive Products And Deals! Being a master, he didn't start me on the kiddie-poo dessert blends like Black&Gold, no, no. Current Stock: Decrease Quantity: Increase Quantity: Add to Wish List. Everyone has different tastes, that's what makes the world go round. Lots of moisture. The original Balkan Sobranie is the holy grail of pipe tobacco, and when even its subsequent, inferior versions garner four stars from virtually every reviewer in these pages, it deserves more than a few words from an old codger who's never found an acceptable substitute. Specifically, the yenidje! in Slavic languages) either there or in London, their eventual home, along with their delightful, white Turkish cigarettes, and their renowned Russian Black and Gold (- tipped) cigarettes. Dating back to around the 1920s, this is a combination of wonderful Virginias, excellent Orientals and enough Latakia for a robust and flavorful mixture. Nice rough cut and really slow burning. Packaging: Tin Very little hydration needed. The Virginias had darkened quite a bit. Balkan Sasieni, while good, is not close to the original. I came to the pipe in the latter part of my smoking career, since I was and still am a cigar enthusiast. 2011.. Arango Cigar Co. became the one that acquired the rights of Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture. 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. Creamy, smoky and sweet. Not sure what to make of this. I dont really find the blinds to be similar but this one stands on its own is a goo d Balkan. The flavors are deep and I really can't do justice in words how great the aroma is, both from the tin and the smoke, just exquisite. The ribbon cut was tricky to load, and if clumped up could cause voids. For me, this is a very difficult tobacco to review as I don't really have anything to compare it to. 2000-2023 Milan Tobacconists, I was gifted a fair number of bowls of the new Germain production BS and smoked it side by side with my remaining 1990's era BS. In my honest opinion the best choice that they could have made! And when dried properly, leaves no dottle in the bowl. During the pursuit of perfection, excellence was achieved. Not sweet, but not really bitter like some oriental-heavy blends are. 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. In America these days, if I remember correctly, there's a bunch of funny self help ladies running around talking about 'Aroma-therapy'. BUT it is a very nice baccy all the same; mild, well-behaved and very smooth indeed. A wonderful smoke. My friends all wondered how I could smoke such strong tobacco. I remember this was what it was to smoke a pipe. Since our culture today is one of over-blown expectations and manufactured exclusivity I was a tad sceptical. Rather sweet base, campfire room note. 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. I gave it a star because I think that it is probably a good blend,but it's always gone instantly. 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. Primarily floral notes upon the nose, delicate once humified. I first tried this in college. 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 has cost 8 Euros for 50 grams and I have no problem with that, I'd pay twice the price. Especially in its latest version, which I bought in december 2003 in Venice, the tobacco is drier and stronger and thus obligates me to enjoy it only occasionally. The same topping as the 1981 and pouch version. Germain & Son has succeeded in producing a worthy version of the legendary Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture! Very neutral aroma that does not disturbs the room. !Thats my opinion.Exellent in all respects. 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. Who knows for sure, really? I've finished two of them. This is a gentle mixture that I'd smoke any time of day were it not for its rarity. It was totally different with other balkan or other latakia. Also, I'd not get any sweet or earthy notes from the virginia leaf. AAHhhhhhhh. I can easily believe they were every bit as great as their reputation claims. Germain & Son have experience in "imitating" the House Sobranie products. I would call it a shame, but there are too many truly great mixtures around now to mourn this stuff at all. 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. I try to pick a time when I can set aside an hour to sit quietly and enjoy this fine tobacco. I get my email notification go straight there to order & poof gone! Many other blends have the same problem. Not all will try it, but those who do will weep again. Min: $ 0. 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. Despite that I was allowed to finish the bowl, the darling :) So here also: points for authenticity! A typical English blend, in the vein of Dunhill London Mixture and 965, but more rounded and less full in its taste. Lighting is easy enough, but you may need to tamp it a bit. 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. Not sure what to make of this. The flavor becomes more balanced as you get into the first quarter of the bowl. Balkan Sobranie Pipe Tobacco (1.76oz) $ 21.98. Conclusion: Applause! I suppose I should move on and find something that grants me such pleasure again. 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? It's different, actually, in its deepness, due to different oriental leaves and the different proportions of the components. I could tell it was loaded with my beloved Syrian Latakia and something else I might have tasted just the barest hint of in Balkan Sasieni, probably the Yenidje. The resurrection of this blend has been so well received there are continuing shortages. A crowning achievement in the tobacco blending craft without question. The medium to fine ribbon cut lights easily, the intoxicating flavor is instantly upon me. On the contrary! This is a tobacco that evolved quite nicely as you progressed with you smoke, never got dull or sour. In the first years of the new millennium only a pouch version was available. . It hints at this blend -- maybe it needs more Yenidje?? Maybe these are the good old days! (I use quotes here because I know it has gone through several incarnations and is quite different than what it was decades ago.) All of that said this is a 4 star smoke. Lucky for me the Turkish did not impose itself too much so I just ignored it.