Riegel’s Balkan Sobranie Black

This house blend was designed to be like Balkan Sobranie, and though there are a few similarities, the differences are enough (i.e. no yenidje) that I’ll forgo the comparison. The smoky, woody, very lightly musty and leathery Syrian latakia is the lead component. The dry, buttery sweet and more sour, woody, earthy, floral McClelland Turkish ribbon is a supporting player. The earthy, nutty fairly sweet Stokkebye burley plays just below the level of the Turkish. Though black cavendish isn’t mentioned as being in the mix, I sense a hint of its sugary presence at times, but I'm not certain BC is present. These varietals lightly mute the familiar wine-like essence of the Syrian latakia. The strength is just short of medium, while the taste hits the medium mark. The nic-hit is in the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite, but has a rough edge at times. Burns a tad warm and very clean at a reasonable pace with a mostly consistent mildly sweet and a touch more savory flavor to the finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasant, short lived after taste. Can be an all day smoke.