Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is one of the most legendary Latakia-based blends in history. Dating back to around the 1920s, this is a combination of wonderful Virginias, excellent Orientals and enough Latakia for a robust and flavorful mixture. The balance of tobaccos gives the smoker a sweet and smoky experience, with a finish unlike anything else. The aroma is so bright that it has an incense-like scent that will thrill the senses. Since the Original has gone through a number of iterations over the years, it’s impossible to say if it will remind you of the one you smoked years ago, but it’s a terrific smoke in its own right.
A brand new tin won at our monthly pipe club raffle. It appears to be a Germain product. A fine ribbon cut that is firmly packed in its tin with a paper cover and the typical fluted paper liner. I couldn’t wait to try it out so next morning for my second bowl, I unsealed it and located a nice thick walled 1/4 bent yacht from Nottingham as the smoking tool.
First impression; it’s very moist and I knew that without some drying time, it would be hot and steamy. I fluffed up a bunch and let it sit in our very dry climate for about a half hour before packing the bowl. Even with a good charring light, it took three try’s to get it lit and keep it going. Top of the bowl wasn’t too impressive...hot, steamy and with little flavor but as I smoked it down, the authoritative aroma, peppery nose note and subtle Latakia began to appear. By mid bowl, it was doing well...no bite and plenty of flavor. Finishing up was good and it went to the bottom of the bowl with only a little tamping and one relight. It finished a little hot but still with no bite and good flavor. It’s been 40 or so years since my last Sobranie adventure, too long to do a fair comparison. I liked it and will let it sit and dry for the day...I’m sure it will be improved. It is what it is, a good tobacco blend with good flavor and aroma...wife didn’t complain about the room note either. Germaine has been doing fine tobaccos for almost 100 years so I figure they’re doing the best they can and I won’t be complaining...it ain’t cheap though...I was very lucky with my $1 raffle ticket. I like it and will work through the tin certain that some drying will improve it.
1 out of 5
It Takes More Than Tin Art and A Name To Make A Balkan Sobranie
Jul 01, 2017
Having smoked plenty of Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture in the past, I was very pleasantly surprised to hear of its re-release by Germain's. I bought a stack of tins, no problem a few years ago, and eagerly opened one. It was one of the ugliest smokes I've ever experienced. That's the only way that I can describe it - just ugly. The balances were off and the orientals weren't of the same quality. Naturally the Latakia was different. But the result was, well, ugly tasting. WhiteKnight, on the other hand, is a really good match to the Balkan Sobranie of old. Having smoked Germains changeling, and WhiteKnight against some 35 year old Balkan Sobranie, I'd have to pass the mantle to WhiteKNight. Germains may have the recipe, but WhiteKnight has the flavor. I don't smoke recipes. I smoke flavors.
4 out of 5
Balkan Sobranie
Jan 30, 2017
I'm a new pipe smoker. But did discover early on that I'm a fan of Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia blends. When I started researching them, I of course found many posts and tales of Balkan Sobranie of days gone by. So after discovering J.F. Germain & Son Eighteen Twenty and it becoming one of my favorites, I saw they made the current version of Balkan Sobranie and was willing to try it. Well I found it to be one of my favorites now. No bite, little moisture in the bowl and requires few relights, but does need to be dried out a bit first.
3 out of 5
Pretty good tobacco
Jan 28, 2017
Supply and demand
This tobacco is expensive.
Good structure. Well balanced. Good at mid bowl.
This blend will benefit with at least 5 years.
Three stars good for a young blend.
Its just going to have to age.
5 out of 5
Sophisticated
Jan 24, 2017
This is by far the smoothest Balkan blend. It is strong and bold but does not bite the tongue or burn the palate. Such strength and enjoyable complexity in a smooth smoke can only be described as sophistication. Thank you for providing Balkan Sobranie. Hopefully Pipes and Cigars will be able to provide more in the future that we may purchase it!
5 out of 5
Tobacco review Bockin Sobranie
Sep 23, 2016
superb English blend seems to have all the right proportions which makes it to me anyway a favorite.
5 out of 5
Balkin
Aug 10, 2016
This is one I had waited for about 3 times till I got it one day when it happened to be in stock. I like it what can I say.
Customer Testimonials
Recently Pipes and Cigars added an "Attention" to their offering of Balkan Sobranie. They suggested trying their White Knight due to their inability to keep up with the demand of B.S.
I concur wholeheartedly. I've stopped smoking B.S. Mainly due to lack of availability and purchased 10 tins of W.K. It's a superior blend and tastes more like the 1970's original version of B.S. that I remember, and I still have 8oz of that 70's blend in storage. W.K. also costs 1/3 the price of B.S.
Even with B.S offered by other vendors, when available, at a lower price, W.K. Is still less expensive.
I still say that W.K. Is the best tobacco I've ever smoked in all of my 51 years of pipe smoking.
Try W.K. And see for yourself !
CL of Dresher, PA
For those who can't obtain Balkan Sobranie give Balkan Sasieni a try---similar condimental tobaccos and similar taste, or for a great substitute try
White Knight ----it tastes to me like the Balkan Sobranie of the 1970's.
For those with tongue bite try rinsing with S.T. 37---an oral pain reliever product which you can order from your Drug Store---it works great !---although I dilute it with a "small" amount of water (experiment).
CL of Dresher, PA
At $34.00 a pop this blend should be good, and it is. In 1968 I was in Ireland and I purchased a peterson pipe and a tin of balkan sobranie. Oh how I loved that stuff and I remember it we'll but the new blend is not the same. However it stands on its own and is a major delicious tobacco none-the- less. I also give it a rousing 10 !
CL of Dresher, PA
This blend, although hard to find is well worth the wait. Its a smooth and steady latakia all the way down, a great burning blend right out of the tin. Balkan Sobranie is at the top of my favorite list and I recommend you give it a try. I give it a solid 10!
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