Sutliff Tobacco Company Match Balkan Sobranie

(3.86)
From P&C's website: A legendary blend consisting of fragrant Macedonian Orientals including Yenidje, sweet Virginias and latakia had been a favorite among American pipe connoisseurs. Using similar components, this match blend delivers a memorable and familiar experience.
Notes: Also known as MATCH B.S.O.S.M.

Details

Brand Sutliff Tobacco Company
Blended By Russ Ouellette
Manufactured By Sutliff Tobacco Company
Blend Type Balkan
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging Bulk
Country United States
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.86 / 4
18

3

0

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 21 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 21, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable
This Match is based on the 1970s version, and not any later or current Sobranie productions. This is very similar to the ’70s Sobranie. The main differences are the Orientals are a shade spicier, there's a little less Latakia, and a little more creamy sweetness in the Match. It’s also missing the mild unflavored “soda” note from the Yenidje that the original had, though the woody, earthy, lightly buttery sweet and sour, floral Macedonia plays the very same background notes. The original was a slightly drier smoke. The yellow Virginia is lightly grassy and citrusy in both. The red Virginia offers lightly tangy dark fruit, and a touch of earth and wood. The Cyprian Latakia has the usual smokey sweet, earthy, musty, woodsy flavor, and is balanced nicely by the other components. The original used Syrian Latakia. While it appears that there are numerous differences between the original and the Match, they are minor and more of an indicator of nuance variations rather than big discrepancies. I was actively looking for contrast and comparison, so the description of divergences makes them seem greater than they are. The strength and taste levels just hit the medium mark. The nic-hit is in the center of mild to medium. Like the original, it is well balanced and burns clean at a moderate pace with few relights, a cool, consistent, fairly smooth flavor, and leaves virtually no dampness in the bowl. Won't bite or get harsh. Has a pleasant after taste. Can be an all day smoke.

I rated the original Balkan Sobranie at four stars in every version except for the latest production, which got two stars due to Germain's formula change, which has a lower quality than previous productions.

-JimInks
57 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 16, 2015 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Very Pleasant
The blend used for Russ and several other blenders to try to approximate the Original Balkan Sobranie was a tin of the pre-Gallaher era (historians argue between 1976 and 1980) Original. And because it was the Original and not the 759, that is why the Latakia does not overwhelm the Oriental components and those really shine with Balkan Sobranie Match. It is particularly remarkable to me how Russ found such quality Yenidje for this one. The flavor really did come through and reminded me of the Gallaher's era BS Original which also seemed to have more Yenidje present than did the original House of Sobranie. Some o the experts tell me that the House of Sobranie tins have had their Oriental and Latakia components mellow out considerably after such long stints in the tin, and that is why the flavor of the two components are not as noticeable as when first tinned.

A superior smoking experience, for sure. And be sure to get some Mason Jars and sock some away for future years when the aging will really make the blend curl your toes!

Pipestud
35 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 02, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Got this about a month ago and didn't much care for it. Orientals were sharp and the Latakia was nearly invisible making it top heavy with very little bottom note. Determined to give it a fair shot, I jarred it and placed it in my cabinet. Yesterday I broke it back out and tried it again. That nearly one month rest made a world of difference. The Orientals are buttery smooth with floral notes and a touch of sourness. The Latakia is smoky, woody, a little spicy and give firm support to the Orientals. The Virginias are tangy and sweet. This stuff is superb. I've had the current version of the original, but not the version that this is based on. Wish I could try that one.

Body is medium. Flavor is medium. Burns very well. Moisture content allows for immediate smoking. You gotta try this one.

Edit: Just looked at the label on the jar. It was jarred on 1-7-15, so it was nearly 2 months of rest, not one.
Pipe Used: MM General, MM Country Gentleman, MM Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom: pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked: 2 months
23 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jul 13, 2017 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable to Strong
From what i understand this bulk blend is the same as WhiteKnight but using lower quality leaf to keep the price down but using the same recipe. I have smoked through a half pound and have since fell in love with the Oriental Yenidje and what it adds to a blend. I enjoyed everything that this Balkan presented, the sweetness of the yellow and red Virginia, the smoky Latakia and the sour / musty Oriental, all working in concert to provide the smoker with ever changing complexity. I will order another pound to cellar and if it's true what i read about it's being the bulk equivalent of WhiteKnight, then several tins of that blend to keep on hand for winter. My favorite of the Balkan blends i have tried so far..
PurchasedFrom: Pipes and Cigars
15 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 16, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
My main BSO experience goes back to the mid 60's, so I'm having a bit of trouble remembering what I had for lunch let alone how this blend compares. My faded memory does agree with reviewer, " Jiminks 2015-01-21", in that this match is "slightly spicier and tangy" but missing the "Soda" note. Personally I would say it another way, "It's not quite as smooth while still having a Zest".

Still, a very nice blend that brings some "Flashbacks" of the original and at bulk prices. I feel that 6 months in a Mason jar will take care of any smoothness issues I have and I will be stocking more ( agree with "Gentleman Zombie" on aging this a little).

Updated 7/21/2016- From the same batch of bulk with a little over a year of aging : this has really smoothed out. Worth stocking up for some cellar time.
Pipe Used: cob
Age When Smoked: 1 month/revised 16 months
15 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 08, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant to Tolerable
I have never smoked the original so I cannot attest to how close this comes to it. On its own merits this is another great achievement by Russ. Wow, talk about a flavor burst - rich leather, bright and sweet, tangy and sour, a tiny bit of butter, and all holding steady for the duration of the bowl. The flavors reminded me of Three Oaks Syrian but with the spice dialed back just a bit. Tin note and feel between the fingers a lot like Peretti Royal Blend. Moisture level just a shade dry but perfect for smoking right out of the package. Stayed lit nicely but watch it doesn't overheat. I did pick out a couple of stems.

In addition to being tasty this blend has a great price point especially considering the high quality. Stock up.
12 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 13, 2015 Mild None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Wow!!! Russ really nailed this. A true Balkan blend. Delicate interplay of smoke, spice, and sweet. I've been looking for this for 5 years. Everything is harmonious all the way down to ashes. Exotic oriental, sweet virgina's, and just the right amount of latakia to be smoky but not overwhelming. This is my number 1 smoke. Not a lot of nic kick but very satisfying. I've have found my holy grail. Forget the tinned version that's $25.00 for 50 grams, that dosent come close. I waited forever to get that one and couldn't smoke 2 bowls of it. My other favs are White Knight, Great Hiatus, and Margate. Don't ever stop making this one!
Pipe Used: cassano calabash
PurchasedFrom: pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked: fresh
11 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 07, 2019 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant
Sutliff Tobacco Co. - Match Balkan Sobranie.

I haven't yet smoked the original, I'm saving the tin I have in my cellar! So, this is my view based on this one's exclusive factors, regardless of the original. But, if that's as good as this I won't complain!

The ribbons are chunky and it isn't too dark a Balkan. About 75-25% brown to black. Being from bulk it's aired in the pouch, diminishing excess moisture. So, it's a case of fill, light, smoke; no drying needed!

I discern the flavour as a lighter, more sprightly, Balkan. The tobaccos are well balanced. The Oriental leaf forms the leading flavour. At first the Oriental seems one dimensional, just a bit buttery, but after a quarter bowl a delicately floral nuance becomes apparent. The Latakia feels a lot lighter; giving a smokiness, but nothing too pungent. To me the Virginia sits right at the back; definitely in last place! As the ribbons are on the coarser side it burns quite slow and cool.

Nicotine: I've had stronger Balkans. Room-note: I like it!

Match Balkan Sobranie? I love the stuff. Highly recommended:

Four stars.
Pipe Used: Ben Wade Einstein
PurchasedFrom: Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked: New
10 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 30, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant
This is such a great blend I can't imagine paying premium prices for the storied blend that it emulates. Smoky Latakia, sweet Virginias and orientals, smooth and perfectly blended. Available in bulk, this is a real winner. As always, thanks Russ!!
Pipe Used: Moonshine Cutty
PurchasedFrom: P&C
Age When Smoked: 11 months
8 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 26, 2020 Medium Extremely Mild Medium Pleasant
Not an exact match of the Balkan Sobranie I know, but quite good in its own right anyway. The cut is quite rough and uneven, which is something that evokes the original mixture. The tin note is not even close, and it lacks the robustness of the latter, which I remember quite well to be full-bodied. I detect dry fruit and sour notes on the positive side. Also, it does not seem to develop rough edges as you progress with your smoke, but it comes quite moist in the bag, which is not necessarily a bad thing. At this price range, it is a steal for the 8oz bag and I can see the cellaring potential, so I am considering the possibility.
7 people found this review helpful.
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