Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Balkan Sasieni
(3.08)
Original formula Balkan smoking mixture was created in London at the beginning of the century by the master of Tobacco Blenders who first combined the aromatic pleasures of the choicest of Macedonia and Latakia leaf with the richness of Old Virginia to give the pipe smoker an unrivaled smoking pleasure.
Details
| Brand | Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) |
| Blended By | Peter Stokkebye |
| Manufactured By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.08 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 91 - 100 of 119 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2003 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I smoked Balkan Sobranie many years ago and remember it to have been a solid, perhaps strong Latakia blend. This is a very fine improvement on that memory. The flavors are still solid but there is a finese that was lacking in its predecessor.
The tobacco has a strong Latakia component right off, which sets the tone for the ensuing smoke. It smokes cool and smooth throughout, with a sharp, nutty twang from the first light.
I find that tobaccos go through stages of appreciation, from first impression, to comparisons with similar blends to the refined judgement of experience over time and many smokings. This is an invariably good smoke.
My first impressions, as stated above was the sharp Latakia which was consistent from the pouch as well as in the pipe.
Compared to others - I have recently smoked several of the Dunhill blends, including 965, Durbar, London Blend and Early Morning Mixture, as well as Frog Morton on the Bayou. The Balkan Sasieni is clearly the purest expression of an English style Latakia blend. These others have their merits, but the Balkan Sasieni does not triffle with subtlty.
Over time - the tobacco is every bit a pleasing each and every time I smoke it.
This is a pleasure to smoke. It wears its stripes clearly on its arm but smokes coolly and comes across with a nice finese.
Enjoy!
The tobacco has a strong Latakia component right off, which sets the tone for the ensuing smoke. It smokes cool and smooth throughout, with a sharp, nutty twang from the first light.
I find that tobaccos go through stages of appreciation, from first impression, to comparisons with similar blends to the refined judgement of experience over time and many smokings. This is an invariably good smoke.
My first impressions, as stated above was the sharp Latakia which was consistent from the pouch as well as in the pipe.
Compared to others - I have recently smoked several of the Dunhill blends, including 965, Durbar, London Blend and Early Morning Mixture, as well as Frog Morton on the Bayou. The Balkan Sasieni is clearly the purest expression of an English style Latakia blend. These others have their merits, but the Balkan Sasieni does not triffle with subtlty.
Over time - the tobacco is every bit a pleasing each and every time I smoke it.
This is a pleasure to smoke. It wears its stripes clearly on its arm but smokes coolly and comes across with a nice finese.
Enjoy!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 23, 2002 | Medium | Medium to Strong | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I never had the pleasure of smoking any of the Balkan Sobranie blends, so I am in no position to make comparisons between those blends and Balkan Sasieni. I can, however, recommend this blend without hesitation.
I've typically favoured Virginia blends with a light casing (not outright aromatics, mind you), but Balkan Sasieni is a real treat indeed. The first time I tried it a long time ago, I didn't care for it at all, but further experience demonstrated that the hype surrounding this blend is well-founded. The aroma and flavour, whilst quite strong compared to what I am accustomed, are enticing. The only problem I have with it is that my tobacconist only sells it in the pouches and not in bulk.
If I had to choose only two blends with which to satisfy myself, this would definitely be one of them!
I've typically favoured Virginia blends with a light casing (not outright aromatics, mind you), but Balkan Sasieni is a real treat indeed. The first time I tried it a long time ago, I didn't care for it at all, but further experience demonstrated that the hype surrounding this blend is well-founded. The aroma and flavour, whilst quite strong compared to what I am accustomed, are enticing. The only problem I have with it is that my tobacconist only sells it in the pouches and not in bulk.
If I had to choose only two blends with which to satisfy myself, this would definitely be one of them!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 26, 2001 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
There has always been much discussion as to whether Balkan Sasieni was better, worse, or the same as the famed Balkan Sobraine. While it has been some time since I have tried Sobraine, I don't recall it being any finer than the Balkan Sasieni of today. Upon opening the pouch/tin one is greeted with a blend of mostly dark tobacco with some lighter strands mixed in (60%-40%). The aroma is that of a classic English blend - latakia first, orientals second, and if you mix it around the Virginias will appear. Balkan Sasieni is cut in ribbon fairly fine, and will pack into most pipes easily. This tobacco lights pretty easily after a charring light, and stays lit. There is nothing about Balkan Sasieni that sticks out, which, IMO, makes it a great English blend. It is complex, but remains easy to enjoy. The room aroma can be a little strong to those not used to a fuller English blend, and this sneaky devil can sneak up on you in the nicotine department - maybe just me as I load Sasieni up in a huge OomPaul. Balkan Sasieni is a great tobacco in it's own right, no matter if it looks like Sobraine of yore, or not. A solid recommendation.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is my first tobacco review, so reader beware. I’ve tried about 10 tobaccos in five different pipes so far, and this is among my favorites. It’s complex, it has a really nice dry complex smoke in the nose, and I find it relaxing.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 25, 2021 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Not having smoked many Balkan blends, I don't have a lot to compare this with. That said, this one is at the top of the heap for me. Well balanced blend of Orientals/Latakia, the Virginia somewhat buried in the mix. Lots of creamy, tasty smoke. The Macedonian leaf sort of has and leaves a hint of fresh dill... Burns well with minimal relights, nice room note. Leaves a bit of moisture in the bowl. I blindly purchased 20 tins for about $7.85/tin during a special, excellent value.
Pipe Used:
Rad Davis Prince
PurchasedFrom:
TobaccoPipes
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 04, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Open the tin of this fine tobacco and you will smell one of the very finest blends in the world. The tin aroma is simply delicious! Light it up and at once the sweet taste and aroma of bread baking in the oven wafts thru your senses. Not a heavy Latakia bomb at all. This one lets the Virginia shine brightly, while the Latakia adds a Sweet smokiness. Also, the room note is quite pleasant. As you would do with a good wine, open this tin, and let it take a good breath of air before enjoying it to its fullest. One of my favorite blends!
Pipe Used:
Dunhill shilling
PurchasedFrom:
Sp
Age When Smoked:
Week
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 10, 2013 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is my number 1 Balkan mixture that I keep in my cellar. 4 stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 22, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
An earthy darkly fragrant aroma with a variety of different subtleties greeted my nostrils upon opening my much anticipated order of Balkan Sasieni. My Fjord # 423 pipe had arrived simultaneously. Deliberation required the utmost discipline. 7th Heaven at 1st light. Balsamic, dark earthy peppery, rich full taste & aroma nearly overwhelmed my senses. Consistent hedonistic pleasure from false light to the modicum of fine ash at the bottom of the 2" bowl. No relights & no bite, just a perfectly mild tongue spice. Not too hot, minimal draw needed. Leaves a mellow gunpowder smoky aftertaste. Richly rewarding & relaxing to smoke at a leisurely, contemplative pace. Also very important: my much better half well tolerates the 'woody' room note nicely. cupojoes.com supplied me with a very clean lb at a reasonable price, timely order processing /shipping, outstanding customer service, & even a handwritten thank you note. Highly recommend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 06, 2012 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Spicy smoky flavor, no bite. I am happy with one or two bowls a week and i higly recommend it to everyone.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 10, 2011 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
2021: I have to update my review of this blend because I bought a tin of recent production and the previous review is 10yrs old. Balkan Sasieni is not a tobacco for noobs. I don’t know how else to say it. That, or maybe I got a bad tin. But I am now a more seasoned and experienced pipe smoker and I can’t recommend this blend highly enough. It’s really good, if you know what to look for. It’s got an excellent blend of Lat and Turkish, very fragrant. Little to no bite, burns cool enough, and lasts quite a long time in a pouch. Go slow, build your flavor profile before trying this one.
Review from 2011: I've only been smoking a pipe for 3 years. This blend was my introduction to non-aromatics. I was surprised so many people said this is mild. When I opened the tin the smell was very strong. To me it smelled like old flowers; not really bad, but not good either. I smoked it and it just tasted like something musty and stale. I let it dry for a few days, but it didn't help much. I smoked about half the tin, using different pipes, "giving it a chance" before I just couldn't take it anymore. I threw the rest of the tin in the garbage. I can't recommend it.
Review from 2011: I've only been smoking a pipe for 3 years. This blend was my introduction to non-aromatics. I was surprised so many people said this is mild. When I opened the tin the smell was very strong. To me it smelled like old flowers; not really bad, but not good either. I smoked it and it just tasted like something musty and stale. I let it dry for a few days, but it didn't help much. I smoked about half the tin, using different pipes, "giving it a chance" before I just couldn't take it anymore. I threw the rest of the tin in the garbage. I can't recommend it.
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