I’m not a pipe smoker (yet), but some of my favorite memories of youth are associated with the smell of this tobacco wafting around my grandparents beautiful villa in the mountains of southern Spain . To me it’s the smell of home and missed loved ones
Another great review, Bradley. I always look forward to these. You have probably the most professional channel in the YTPC, at least in my opinion. Keep doing what you do man!
I smoked Balkan Sobranie once, in 1997, and untill today it is the best pipe tobacco I had. After that I never smoked it anymore because it's not commercialized here in Brazil. Congratullations for the channel.
Just had my first bowl of this. It's very good. I really appreciate your reviews. As a beginner your reviews are the best. And you turned me on to English blends.
Smoked it in the late 80's and the pall of smoke would have a nice blue hue to it. There was a point back then that they stopped producing it. When it was available again the taste had changed. Your point is spot on that the original is only a distant memory.
I am definitely a proud aros smoker but I know this will change as my journey of pipe smoking progresses into the future years. But so throughly enjoy your channel and all your reviews on tobaccos, pipes and all things pipe related.
No worries, I have connected with others in the YTPC and who review aros. So its all good. I just appreciate all you are doing for the community with these reviews. Plus, when I started out in August 2015 smoking a pipe, your videos helped guide me to packing a pipe. Still having issues but its all part of the smoking journey and I have become one with the process and just relax and enjoy.
Bradley great review! Shag is an appropriate description for the cut. I am going over to smoking pipes and get the email alert! Thanks for this review!
Thanks to you Bradley just placed an order for my very first English blends: Orlik golden sliced, dunhill early morning pipe and Samuel gawiths squadron leader. Hopefully will enjoy these blends:)
I enjoyed the review! I'll have to add it to the email alert list, along with all the Esoterica blends I would like to try but can never get my hands on. Wish I could have been smoking pipes long enough to know what older versions of this were like.
Your comments about the latest Balkan Sobranie are fair and accurate in my view. A good oriental mixture, but not exceptional. The version from the 60's and 70's WAS exceptional and highly distinctive: the Yenidge leaf had a unique, perfumed quality found nowhere else. Balkan tobacco leaf, typically grown in sunny climates in harsh soils, developed a protective waxy layer that trapped the essential oils, giving a highly fragrant and flavourful smoke despite the low nicotine. Little wonder these tobaccos were so prized. Regarding cut: the Germans have a good way of going about this by often specifying how broad the cut is, ranging typically from less than 1 mm (shag) to 4 mm (coarse). Current Sobranie appears to be a mixture of shag and finer ribbon cut. I agree that this is unfortunate. The original was a standard ribbon cut and, yes, you guessed it, perfect. Is it fair or productive to wail and moan about how great the past versions were? Of course it is. The solution is not to suppress criticism about current versions, but rather to encourage blenders and tobacco growers to take their art more seriously in reproducing past greats. Mark
+Bartholomew Fotheringay-Phipps - Thanks for your thoughts! Yenidge is indeed an interesting tobacco. I've had a bit in several blends, and I can't imagine NOT including such a distinctive flavor in the modern version of Sobranie when it WAS included in the past versions.
Interesting review as usual, Mr. Bradley. I've got a few tins of this but since there are so many terrific English/Balkan blends out there that I enjoy regularly, I'm inclined to let them age and consider them more valuable as a trading option , due to their scarcity, than a smoking option. Always enjoy your review, sir!
Thanks for this review of one of the holy grails of pipe smoking. I've been lucky enough to procure a tin a couple of months ago, but haven't opened it yet. Now I'm even looking foward to it more.
Last month I was LUCKY enough to find a white/black pouch I bought in Scotland in the 70's !!! I can't brink myself to smoke i, but do get lost just smelling it every once in a while.......
I have notice pipes&cigars at times price gouges sought after blends. Not all. But I have noticed with esoterica and now with Balkan Sobranie. But great review. Thank you.
hello, Bradley! Great review, really liked it. Maybe you would like to review Gawith&Hoggarth "Balkan mixture"? Or something from Mac Baren, like "Three nuns" or "Capstan"?
I'd be interested to hear your comparison of this to Match Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture, since it's easily available. I just received some from P&Cs and it's good. I almost think from your description that the latakia might be a little stronger in the Match version, but it's hard to say.
Stuff&Things Ah, I didn't realize you were in Washington. What a pain. That said, if you were somewhat underwhelmed by the hype surrounding this mixture, the Match BSOSM may not seem that alluring.
I checked Pipes and Cigars and it's currently not available which you mentioned. So I ordered a tin of H&H Marquee WhiteKnight which is Russ's clone of B.S. I like incense-y blends and I'm looking forward to trying something oriental forward. New territory for me. Thanks.
Just added Black House to my shopping cart at P&C. We'll see if a White Knight and a Black House produce some sort of medieval concoction. If anything, the names will look interesting on my tobacco shelf.
Thanks for this review. I have a few tins that are sitting. I think I mainly went for the nostalgic feel of it overall. Guess letting it age a bit longer won't result in me missing out. That email alert is a great tip- that is how I got 2 pouches of Salty Dogs a couple of days ago. Be Well.
Hello Bradley, I walked into the tobacco shop in round rock, tx to get a few ounces of haunted bookshop and noticed sobranie and sasieni on the self would the flavors meld with age or would the flavor mellow out sincerely GW
Good review as always,so thanks. Haven't tried this version but Gallaher's was a good blend. Have you smoked Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme. Have a pleasant weekend.
Very nice review. I last smoked this blend in the 70's and 80's and it was a strong tobacco as I recall. My wife did not like this at all in the room. The current blend seems to be much lighter as you remarked. I like oriental blends a lot so I might buy this if I come across it. Thanks. By the way, I watched this review while smoking the Manil Semois you previously reviewed. Different indeed. Thanks again!
Sobranie had two classic blends. Balkan Sobranie original or "white" and Sobranie 759 which came in black and gold tin. My father smoked 759. If you prefer Latakia forward blends you would have prefered 759 which was much richer and stronger. I remember freshly opened tins from the late 80's smelling like the diesel oil in a marine engine. Really unique and heady stuff. There is nothing out there like it now. If you want to explore Latakia in that amount I would recommend Bill Bailey's Balkan, Brebbia Balkan, GL Pease Westminster, and GL Pease Lagonda. Also C&D Star of the East Flake, but definitely add the first 4 to your next order. Cheers.
Hi Bradley - thanks for the review. We can't get this in the UK so I've never tried it myself. It's always been on my wish list ( I guess because of it's rarity and the surrounding hype). However, It doesn't sound like I'm really missing that much. At the moment I'm really enjoying Dunhill's 'Durbar' - how would you compare Balkan Sobranie to 'Durbar' or 'London Mixture'? Thanks again for your videos which I find really helpful.
I agree about the cut of JF Germain blends. It is very easy to overpack a bowl with them. I enjoy Balkan Sobronie, but I don't understand why the hype is so big surrounding it. There are several English blends I would just as soon have.
Good as always. Bradley could jot down here 3 of your favorite lower nic blends? (Im aware you are not a fan of aro's) Just off the top of your head? I believe you've mentioned Elizabethan Mix and Dunhill my mix 965...maybe one or two more you like? Thanks, thumbs up!
+J Ravenwood - Elizabethan is actually pretty high in nicotine. You could try Dunhill Standard Mixture Mellow, Gawith Squadron Leader, and Orlik Golden Sliced.
I have been meaning to ask, do you smoke any cobs? If so plans for any videos? I have also noticed that the taste of some tobaccos changes when I use a cob. At times taste better I think.
+Stuff&Things hey there, Bradley. i've been wondering the same. What about meerschaums? I'm curious as to your take on the "clean" aspect of the smoke and maybe even some opinions on colouring. But that's just me!
I've only ever owned one meerschaum. and the shank cracked right away, so I didn't get much chance to smoke it. Couldn't really form much of an opinion in that time. I'm sure I'll get another eventually though.
I'm on the email lists everywhere to try to get some of that with like every other pipe smoker penzanze and to bed and a couple others have you done a review on the peterson system by any chance
100% agree with your opinions on the mechanics. My first bowl was disappointing - I accidentally packed it too tightly, it burned hot, I had to relight constantly. I'm going to dry some again before I load another bowl, but do you have any other advice for properly packing these finicky shag cuts?
I really like Sobranie. I really love the VA and Orientals Germain's use. I can take or leave the Latakia which is why I think I prefer this over a blend like Penzance. Cheers!
Great review. I was wondering how it compares to Balkan Saseini. Would you consider doing a review of that? Balkan Saseini is a great blend in my opinion but I curious about your thoughts. Thanks again for the great reviews. Take care and enjoy the smokes.
It was interesting and I tend to agree with this review. Last week of all things. I was with with my brother and he stepped out. I had my pipe and filled it with an unmarked jar of tobacco was smoking it and thought it was OK. When he came back he asked what I was smoking. It was Balkin Sobranie. I wonder if I would have changed my thinking had I known what I was smoking. I totally agree with you on this one. If I had it I would smoke and enjoy but probably not reorder. Have a great week my friend and happy Easter
I smoked the Balkan Sobranie frequently when I was a student (many years ago), it was enjoyable but I hadn't developed the palate to really appreciate it. I wish I'd had the foresight to put some away when I had the chance.
This is an excellent blend. I used to hate English mix until I had this(an extreme English). At first I hated it and was pissed for trying it then it grew on me then I got another tin and have a bowl every couple days for a mix up from my DNR & Elizabethan. Now I actually like an English once in a while now. It is funny how that all worked out.
My father is a pipe smoker since 50' and he is conserving few tins of Bs from the 70'.i had half of a tin and and few bowls of the actual Bs.sorry to say that the actual is a real BullS.all the best from milano
Have you tried Black House by Hearth and Home or White Knight by the same company, how would you Co pare those to Balkan Sobranie. Also, have you ever tried the Balkan Sasieni by Germain.
Had the chance to try Sobranie last week at the SPC meeting. It is just ok. There are definitely better Balkans out there. My recommendation for those that enjoy Balkans is SPC's Pike Place. I like to use the term Balkan which to me means a very Oriental forward English. Then I know what I'm getting into without further questions. Shag cut is a pain to pack and get right.
+Rob Copeland - Definitely lots of good Balkans out there. I just had a bowl of Peterson Balkan Delight. Not sure what I think yet, but it has potential.
Bradley, never saw this before! Based on what you said, this sounds nothing like the Balkan Sobranie of fifty years ago, which was then (according to Greg Pease) 50% Cyprian Latakia. That certainly accords with my memories of it, which still warm the cockles of my geriatric heart! It was rich and wonderful, oily and elegant. As for the "Balkan" moniker, Dunhill's London Mixture actually contained more Turkish tobacco than Balkan Sobranie. It's a fool's errand to try to re-create a blend long gone. Hell, not even Gallaher could do it 40 years ago. But to use the actual name is obscene.
Bradley, if you were sent to an island with no access to the outer world and you had the choice of taking with you only one kind of tobacco and one pipe, which ones will you choose and why? I apologize for putting you in a corner but your opinion really matters.
+Ramez Qubain - I don't think it's a secret that my favorite pipe tobacco is Dunhill Elizabethan mixture. I can't pick a favorite pipe though. I have several really great pipes, but no one pipe that's much better than all the others.
The Germain English blends all smell like a spicy root cellar to me haha. Like celery and carrots with hot pepper added. I'm kinda disappointed in this blend too, but since I didn't go out of my way to acquire it so I guess it's alright. Too wet and because of the cut all the Latakia ends up in a pile under the big clumps of shag Virginia and Orientals. It's ok once it dries out, but to me it's just Margate with a different label
Never seen the email notification work. I've set up notifications, from several companies, for several blends and never been notified. Pipes And Cigars got some Esoterica blends in the other day and I never received a notification. However, I was lucky enough to just so happen check the site around midnight and ordered a tin of Margate & And So To Bed. HOWEVER I only received the Margate. I called customer service as to why I didnt recieve the other tin and I was told they made a mistake and didnt have any in stock. I wont be ordering anything else from those clowns. Gotta make sure they get the orders filled of the asshole scalpers selling on Ebay, ya know?
good review .. it's a quality smoke.. you could try black house (which it was made to mimic balkan sobranie)... and it's brother whiteknight (meant to mimic balkan sobranie original smoking mixture).. i find them excellent smokes and you can get them whenever you want, but there's something satisfying about the hunt for something you're not supposed to get !
+Stuff&Things - speaking of orientals and balkans, heavy english, i've been burning pirate kake like cord wood, if you haven't tried it and you don't mind smoking campfire goodness, it's pretty interesting. keep the vids coming man, they're great.
+RageXcalM lol, like cord wood. Me too but it was plum pudding, I burned through an entire tin of that so had to take a little break. I was so hooked on kake tobacco, but I just bought two tins of pirate which I have yet to try. I also want to get some different Frog morton blends.
lol. I've had the privilege of buying a sealed tin of the 60s version. I paid through the nose but it was a retirement gift. If happens that my Doctor was a former pipe smoker and he remembered the BS from his med school days. He described it as smelling like horse shit from the tin. I laughed until I opened the tin I bought. It is the perfect description. Horse shit. The smoke was quite wonderful though.
I smoked the BS original back in the early 90's and the current version has nothing in common with the newer JF Germain version to the point it's ridiculous to call it Balkan Sobranie. The original was so spectacular that it was the stepping stone, what got me into english tobacco from smoking things like Captain Black and that ilk. As opposed to the typical earthy smokiness and soot of typical english blends, BS had a sweet BBQ like smokiness and somewhat of a salty taste. The fact was it had casings, more so processed, not purer english tobacco like many of the Dunhill blends were. The closest thing you can get these days in comparison is probably some of McClellands english blends that have a high proportion of their stoved black virginias i.g. green label # 6, 12 & 14.
Easier to say "Balkan" than "Oriental forward English." Also, it's a reference to a very particular incense quality that Balkan smokers search for. No Oriental forward English, like LJ Peretti's Royal, satisfies a Balkan smoker.
I’m not a pipe smoker (yet), but some of my favorite memories of youth are associated with the smell of this tobacco wafting around my grandparents beautiful villa in the mountains of southern Spain . To me it’s the smell of home and missed loved ones
Probably the most useful tobacco reviews on TH-cam. Keep up the good work.
+Johnny Dingo - thanks so much!
Thanx Bradley! Great review as usual. I snatched a tin so now I'm ready to enjoy it . Your review really helps. Good stuff!
Another great review, Bradley. I always look forward to these. You have probably the most professional channel in the YTPC, at least in my opinion. Keep doing what you do man!
+Pipe Ramble - I appreciate that!
I smoked Balkan Sobranie once, in 1997, and untill today it is the best pipe tobacco I had. After that I never smoked it anymore because it's not commercialized here in Brazil. Congratullations for the channel.
This would be a great one to re review Bradley. For sure 👍
Just had my first bowl of this. It's very good. I really appreciate your reviews. As a beginner your reviews are the best. And you turned me on to English blends.
I really love this blend. The incense smell is very much in the forefront when retro haling. Definitely adding this to my rotation when it’s available
Excellent, excellent review. Congrats. I liked it very, very much. Thanks a lot.
+Challenger Dart - Thanks for watching!
Smoked it in the late 80's and the pall of smoke would have a nice blue hue to it. There was a point back then that they stopped producing it. When it was available again the taste had changed. Your point is spot on that the original is only a distant memory.
Ah yes, just as I am about to sleep, of course I get the upload notification. Great review, Bradley!
+Jay Ry - You could always save it for later!
You are killing us on the east coast. I too was about to hit the sack when the notification arrived.
I am definitely a proud aros smoker but I know this will change as my journey of pipe smoking progresses into the future years. But so throughly enjoy your channel and all your reviews on tobaccos, pipes and all things pipe related.
+Keith Catarius - I appreciate you watching even though I haven't reviewed any aros!
No worries, I have connected with others in the YTPC and who review aros. So its all good. I just appreciate all you are doing for the community with these reviews. Plus, when I started out in August 2015 smoking a pipe, your videos helped guide me to packing a pipe. Still having issues but its all part of the smoking journey and I have become one with the process and just relax and enjoy.
Looks wonderful!
Bradley great review! Shag is an appropriate description for the cut. I am going over to smoking pipes and get the email alert! Thanks for this review!
+Joe Puentes - Thanks for watching and good luck!
Thanks to you Bradley just placed an order for my very first English blends: Orlik golden sliced, dunhill early morning pipe and Samuel gawiths squadron leader. Hopefully will enjoy these blends:)
+seel1990 - Nice. Orlik is technically not an English though because it doesn't contain Latakia. Enjoy your tobaccos!
+Stuff&Things ah thanks for letting me know
I enjoyed the review! I'll have to add it to the email alert list, along with all the Esoterica blends I would like to try but can never get my hands on. Wish I could have been smoking pipes long enough to know what older versions of this were like.
+Minnesota Sones - I know what you mean. There are quite a few "mythical" blends that i was never able to try.
Great review as always! Have a great weekend.
+Big Al The Crusher - Thanks! You too.
Hey Bradley. great review. have you ever tried Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend...from Dan tobacco? love to get your thoughts on that blend.
+Barry Hinkeldey - I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list.
Your comments about the latest Balkan Sobranie are fair and accurate in my view. A good oriental mixture, but not exceptional.
The version from the 60's and 70's WAS exceptional and highly distinctive: the Yenidge leaf had a unique, perfumed quality found nowhere else. Balkan tobacco leaf, typically grown in sunny climates in harsh soils, developed a protective waxy layer that trapped the essential oils, giving a highly fragrant and flavourful smoke despite the low nicotine. Little wonder these tobaccos were so prized.
Regarding cut: the Germans have a good way of going about this by often specifying how broad the cut is, ranging typically from less than 1 mm (shag) to 4 mm (coarse). Current Sobranie appears to be a mixture of shag and finer ribbon cut. I agree that this is unfortunate. The original was a standard ribbon cut and, yes, you guessed it, perfect.
Is it fair or productive to wail and moan about how great the past versions were? Of course it is. The solution is not to suppress criticism about current versions, but rather to encourage blenders and tobacco growers to take their art more seriously in reproducing past greats. Mark
+Bartholomew Fotheringay-Phipps - Thanks for your thoughts! Yenidge is indeed an interesting tobacco. I've had a bit in several blends, and I can't imagine NOT including such a distinctive flavor in the modern version of Sobranie when it WAS included in the past versions.
Interesting review as usual, Mr. Bradley. I've got a few tins of this but since there are so many terrific English/Balkan blends out there that I enjoy regularly, I'm inclined to let them age and consider them more valuable as a trading option , due to their scarcity, than a smoking option. Always enjoy your review, sir!
+Who's Afraid of Erik Nørding? - I think that's a good plan. The aged-tin market can be lucrative. Nice to hear from you!
Thanks for this review of one of the holy grails of pipe smoking. I've been lucky enough to procure a tin a couple of months ago, but haven't opened it yet. Now I'm even looking foward to it more.
+Willy R - Nice. It's always pleasant to have a good blend to look forward to.
Great review, I totally agree about the Germain shag ribbon cut!
+Gus Evening - It makes me miss that lovely Dunhill ribbon.
Great Review Bradders!!! I can almost smell it!
+simon cooper - Thanks! It has a heady aroma indeed.
Last month I was LUCKY enough to find a white/black pouch I bought in Scotland in the 70's !!! I can't brink myself to smoke i, but do get lost just smelling it every once in a while.......
I have notice pipes&cigars at times price gouges sought after blends. Not all. But I have noticed with esoterica and now with Balkan Sobranie. But great review. Thank you.
+pipeheadOR - I don't order from them anyway since they won't ship to Washington State. I'm pretty happy with smokingpipes.com.
hello, Bradley! Great review, really liked it. Maybe you would like to review Gawith&Hoggarth "Balkan mixture"? Or something from Mac Baren, like "Three nuns" or "Capstan"?
+Anthony Burtoff - There are LOTS of blends I still need to review!
My wife has picked me up a couple of tins as she's in New York right now, I'm in the UK so looking forward to firing some up.
Hey Brad, I just found an original Tin of this stuff. Perfect seal, including tax stamp. Probably from the 50's. Apparently worth a fine nickel.
I'd be interested to hear your comparison of this to Match Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture, since it's easily available. I just received some from P&Cs and it's good. I almost think from your description that the latakia might be a little stronger in the Match version, but it's hard to say.
+k barber - I will definitely keep that in mind. P&C won't ship to Washington though, so it could be tough.
Stuff&Things Ah, I didn't realize you were in Washington. What a pain. That said, if you were somewhat underwhelmed by the hype surrounding this mixture, the Match BSOSM may not seem that alluring.
I checked Pipes and Cigars and it's currently not available which you mentioned. So I ordered a tin of H&H Marquee WhiteKnight which is Russ's clone of B.S. I like incense-y blends and I'm looking forward to trying something oriental forward. New territory for me. Thanks.
Also try Black House. It's a very good blend.
+John Brink - I haven't had "White Knight," but I have had Black House, and it was very tasty.
Just added Black House to my shopping cart at P&C. We'll see if a White Knight and a Black House produce some sort of medieval concoction. If anything, the names will look interesting on my tobacco shelf.
Thanks for this review. I have a few tins that are sitting. I think I mainly went for the nostalgic feel of it overall. Guess letting it age a bit longer won't result in me missing out. That email alert is a great tip- that is how I got 2 pouches of Salty Dogs a couple of days ago. Be Well.
+Colin Kelly - Good to hear from you, man. "A few tins"? There are many people who would be quite jealous of you.
I love the tin art
Today's is lacking Yendije leaf, which was a critical component in the previous version. Good review anyway.
Awesome reviews! Can you do a review of the Peterson Sunset Breeze? Regards from the Czech Republic, Thanks! :)
+Vašek Andrš - I'll try to get to it eventually!
Awesome, thanks!
Hello Bradley, I walked into the tobacco shop in round rock, tx to get a few ounces of haunted bookshop and noticed sobranie and sasieni on the self would the flavors meld with age or would the flavor mellow out sincerely GW
Good review as always,so thanks. Haven't tried this version but Gallaher's was a good blend. Have you smoked Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme. Have a pleasant weekend.
+Olle Wahlroos - I think I've had Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme. It was years ago though.
Very nice review. I last smoked this blend in the 70's and 80's and it was a strong tobacco as I recall. My wife did not like this at all in the room. The current blend seems to be much lighter as you remarked. I like oriental blends a lot so I might buy this if I come across it. Thanks. By the way, I watched this review while smoking the Manil Semois you previously reviewed. Different indeed. Thanks again!
+Michael Hammell - If you're a fan of Balkans, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. Germain produced blends are always quality.
Sobranie had two classic blends. Balkan Sobranie original or "white" and Sobranie 759 which came in black and gold tin. My father smoked 759. If you prefer Latakia forward blends you would have prefered 759 which was much richer and stronger. I remember freshly opened tins from the late 80's smelling like the diesel oil in a marine engine. Really unique and heady stuff. There is nothing out there like it now. If you want to explore Latakia in that amount I would recommend Bill Bailey's Balkan, Brebbia Balkan, GL Pease Westminster, and GL Pease Lagonda. Also C&D Star of the East Flake, but definitely add the first 4 to your next order. Cheers.
+GothamCitySmoker - I've had "Black House," which is supposed to be similar to 759. It definitely had that diesel aroma you mentioned.
I smoked it during the 70s and I loved it. If I could get it now, price would largely be irrelevant.
try white knight. checkout this guy's review on it
Hi Bradley - thanks for the review. We can't get this in the UK so I've never tried it myself. It's always been on my wish list ( I guess because of it's rarity and the surrounding hype). However, It doesn't sound like I'm really missing that much. At the moment I'm really enjoying Dunhill's 'Durbar' - how would you compare Balkan Sobranie to 'Durbar' or 'London Mixture'? Thanks again for your videos which I find really helpful.
+disjon316 - It's been a while since I had either, but I remember Durbar tasting fairly mild as well.
I agree about the cut of JF Germain blends. It is very easy to overpack a bowl with them.
I enjoy Balkan Sobronie, but I don't understand why the hype is so big surrounding it. There are several English blends I would just as soon have.
+Razorback Piper Guy - Yes, I think it's definitely a case of scarcity and the nostalgia around the name.
Good as always. Bradley could jot down here 3 of your favorite lower nic blends? (Im aware you are not a fan of aro's) Just off the top of your head? I believe you've mentioned Elizabethan Mix and Dunhill my mix 965...maybe one or two more you like? Thanks, thumbs up!
+J Ravenwood - Elizabethan is actually pretty high in nicotine. You could try Dunhill Standard Mixture Mellow, Gawith Squadron Leader, and Orlik Golden Sliced.
+Stuff&Things Thanks amigo!
I have been meaning to ask, do you smoke any cobs? If so plans for any videos? I have also noticed that the taste of some tobaccos changes when I use a cob. At times taste better I think.
+Angel Mayorga - I own a couple but I don't smoke them very often. Nothing wrong with them by any means, but I prefer my briars.
+Stuff&Things hey there, Bradley. i've been wondering the same. What about meerschaums? I'm curious as to your take on the "clean" aspect of the smoke and maybe even some opinions on colouring. But that's just me!
I've only ever owned one meerschaum. and the shank cracked right away, so I didn't get much chance to smoke it. Couldn't really form much of an opinion in that time. I'm sure I'll get another eventually though.
I'm on the email lists everywhere to try to get some of that with like every other pipe smoker penzanze and to bed and a couple others have you done a review on the peterson system by any chance
I remember this tobacco from the 1960s. It was good, and according to its enthusiasts, the greatest tobacco in the world. I didn't stay with it.
Do they still make this blend? Not seen hide nor hair of it anywhere online or in a B&M store.
100% agree with your opinions on the mechanics. My first bowl was disappointing - I accidentally packed it too tightly, it burned hot, I had to relight constantly. I'm going to dry some again before I load another bowl, but do you have any other advice for properly packing these finicky shag cuts?
I usually do a gravity fill (tap the edge of the bowl to allow the tobacco to settle) and a light tamp.
I really like Sobranie. I really love the VA and Orientals Germain's use. I can take or leave the Latakia which is why I think I prefer this over a blend like Penzance. Cheers!
+lunchie83 - Thanks for chiming in!
I've been wondering about this blend for a while now. If you are interested in more cigars I could write a list of some good tries!
+diomedes39 - I haven't really smoked any other cigars, but I'll let you know if I decide to try some more. Thanks for watching!
Great review. I was wondering how it compares to Balkan Saseini. Would you consider doing a review of that? Balkan Saseini is a great blend in my opinion but I curious about your thoughts. Thanks again for the great reviews. Take care and enjoy the smokes.
I definitely intend to review it in the future!
It was interesting and I tend to agree with this review. Last week of all things. I was with with my brother and he stepped out. I had my pipe and filled it with an unmarked jar of tobacco was smoking it and thought it was OK. When he came back he asked what I was smoking. It was Balkin Sobranie. I wonder if I would have changed my thinking had I known what I was smoking. I totally agree with you on this one. If I had it I would smoke and enjoy but probably not reorder. Have a great week my friend and happy Easter
+Bearcat Piper - It's cool that you had the opportunity for a blind taste test!
I smoked the Balkan Sobranie frequently when I was a student (many years ago), it was enjoyable but I hadn't developed the palate to really appreciate it.
I wish I'd had the foresight to put some away when I had the chance.
+asubjectiveopinion - I'm sure a lot of people regret not putting some away!
English translation of word Sobranie is Blend. Radek Veselý, Czech Republic
This is an excellent blend. I used to hate English mix until I had this(an extreme English). At first I hated it and was pissed for trying it then it grew on me then I got another tin and have a bowl every couple days for a mix up from my DNR & Elizabethan. Now I actually like an English once in a while now. It is funny how that all worked out.
+Charles Hibbs - Variety is always a good thing. Thanks for watching!
My father is a pipe smoker since 50' and he is conserving few tins of Bs from the 70'.i had half of a tin and and few bowls of the actual Bs.sorry to say that the actual is a real BullS.all the best from milano
+boiadedios - Thanks for watching! Sometimes a tin that old really looses a lot of its flavor, especially a blend with Latakia in it.
How about a review of DTM's Bill Bailey's Balkan?
Hi Bradley, since this tobacco is not available in Europe , what is a similar tobacco that is more available?
+Ramez Qubain - Well, perhaps not terribly similar but a great Balkan blend would be Durbar by Dunhill.
Have you tried Black House by Hearth and Home or White Knight by the same company, how would you Co pare those to Balkan Sobranie. Also, have you ever tried the Balkan Sasieni by Germain.
+sektion333 - I've tried both and just recently reviewed White Knight.
Given the cut and low Latakia content, it almost seems as though this blend would be better served rolled up in a cigarette.
Had the chance to try Sobranie last week at the SPC meeting. It is just ok. There are definitely better Balkans out there. My recommendation for those that enjoy Balkans is SPC's Pike Place.
I like to use the term Balkan which to me means a very Oriental forward English. Then I know what I'm getting into without further questions. Shag cut is a pain to pack and get right.
+Rob Copeland - Definitely lots of good Balkans out there. I just had a bowl of Peterson Balkan Delight. Not sure what I think yet, but it has potential.
Not available in UK. Why?
Bradley, never saw this before! Based on what you said, this sounds nothing like the Balkan Sobranie of fifty years ago, which was then (according to Greg Pease) 50% Cyprian Latakia. That certainly accords with my memories of it, which still warm the cockles of my geriatric heart! It was rich and wonderful, oily and elegant. As for the "Balkan" moniker, Dunhill's London Mixture actually contained more Turkish tobacco than Balkan Sobranie. It's a fool's errand to try to re-create a blend long gone. Hell, not even Gallaher could do it 40 years ago. But to use the actual name is obscene.
I wish I could have been around to try the original!
Bradley, if you were sent to an island with no access to the outer world and you had the choice of taking with you only one kind of tobacco and one pipe, which ones will you choose and why? I apologize for putting you in a corner but your opinion really matters.
+Ramez Qubain - I don't think it's a secret that my favorite pipe tobacco is Dunhill Elizabethan mixture. I can't pick a favorite pipe though. I have several really great pipes, but no one pipe that's much better than all the others.
Always preferred the 759 myself.
Is this the same blend that is now sold on pipesandcigars as "Balkan Supreme"?
No
Hey Bradley I was wondering if you ever visit r/pipetobacco?
+Connor Osborne - Nope. I know I should check it out, but posting videos and answering comments here takes up much of my computer time.
That smoke looks very creamy and billowy.
The Germain English blends all smell like a spicy root cellar to me haha. Like celery and carrots with hot pepper added. I'm kinda disappointed in this blend too, but since I didn't go out of my way to acquire it so I guess it's alright. Too wet and because of the cut all the Latakia ends up in a pile under the big clumps of shag Virginia and Orientals. It's ok once it dries out, but to me it's just Margate with a different label
Never seen the email notification work. I've set up notifications, from several companies, for several blends and never been notified. Pipes And Cigars got some Esoterica blends in the other day and I never received a notification. However, I was lucky enough to just so happen check the site around midnight and ordered a tin of Margate & And So To Bed. HOWEVER I only received the Margate. I called customer service as to why I didnt recieve the other tin and I was told they made a mistake and didnt have any in stock. I wont be ordering anything else from those clowns. Gotta make sure they get the orders filled of the asshole scalpers selling on Ebay, ya know?
good review .. it's a quality smoke.. you could try black house (which it was made to mimic balkan sobranie)... and it's brother whiteknight (meant to mimic balkan sobranie original smoking mixture).. i find them excellent smokes and you can get them whenever you want, but there's something satisfying about the hunt for something you're not supposed to get !
+RageXcalM - I HAVE had Black House, though I haven't reviewed it yet. I still need to try White Knight though.
+Stuff&Things - speaking of orientals and balkans, heavy english, i've been burning pirate kake like cord wood, if you haven't tried it and you don't mind smoking campfire goodness, it's pretty interesting. keep the vids coming man, they're great.
+RageXcalM lol, like cord wood. Me too but it was plum pudding, I burned through an entire tin of that so had to take a little break. I was so hooked on kake tobacco, but I just bought two tins of pirate which I have yet to try. I also want to get some different Frog morton blends.
Just got my restock email and bought 2 tins from Iwan Ries . com!! Won't last long!
I think Balkan Sobraine and Stonehaven is more rare to get than Penzance or equally.
You might be right.
lol. I've had the privilege of buying a sealed tin of the 60s version. I paid through the nose but it was a retirement gift. If happens that my Doctor was a former pipe smoker and he remembered the BS from his med school days. He described it as smelling like horse shit from the tin. I laughed until I opened the tin I bought. It is the perfect description. Horse shit. The smoke was quite wonderful though.
I smoked the BS original back in the early 90's and the current version
has nothing in common with the newer JF Germain version to the point
it's ridiculous to call it Balkan Sobranie. The original was so
spectacular that it was the stepping stone, what got me into english
tobacco from smoking things like Captain Black and that ilk. As opposed
to the typical earthy smokiness and soot of typical english blends, BS
had a sweet BBQ like smokiness and somewhat of a salty taste. The fact
was it had casings, more so processed, not purer english tobacco like
many of the Dunhill blends were. The closest thing you can get these
days in comparison is probably some of McClellands english blends that
have a high proportion of their stoved black virginias i.g. green label #
6, 12 & 14.
+NGC6144 - I can't compare it to the original, but I wasn't blown away either. Thanks for watching!
Easier to say "Balkan" than "Oriental forward English." Also, it's a reference to a very particular incense quality that Balkan smokers search for. No Oriental forward English, like LJ Peretti's Royal, satisfies a Balkan smoker.
Yes! Call it a shag, because it is a shag. Amen. Lol