Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Balkan Sasieni

I have never smoked the Balkan Sobranie which seems to be adored by those who have smoked it. However, I love a good English or Balkan blend and was somewhat unenthused by this smoke. Too its credit, it smokes perfectly, clearly possesses high quality leaves, and is perfectly balanced almost too a fault. The orientals seem to dominate more in sweetness than spice and the latakia does poke its head out enough to keep one interested. What was missing was the full character of virginia leaves needed to round out a blend of this genre. Coming in a somewhat dry ribbon cut, this blend is easy too pack and tends to be better packed on the tighter/fuller side. Does better in smaller rather than larger pipes. The flavors detected range from salt and pepper to buttery sweet with the smoky campfire quality of latakia coming out mostly in the room note than taste. Can't give it three stars as I was quick to lose interest about halfway through the tin. Recommended for those seeking a VERY mild english or introduction to Balkans.

Unfortunately I've never had sobranie, so I cant make a comparison between the two (which seems to be the vogue thing to do). That aside, it seems (after just one tin) to be a fairly well balanced Balkan, with just a bit to much Latakia for my personal taste. Otherwise, no bite and no overt unpleasantness.

I had the opportunity to appreciate a pouch of this blend 7 years ago and I thought of it as a good medium strenght English Blend. I preffer blends with Syrian Latakia rather than Cyprus Latakia, my opinion i that the tastes are less rustic and with a bit more overtones. This is a good blend though, but there are other better blends out there as Penzance and Mac Barens HH Syrian Vintag blend.

This was my first foray into English/Balkan tobaccos, having begun my pipe-smoking career with American style aromatics (like many other people I am sure). When I first began smoking it, I thought I was onto something really worthwhile. However, after finishing the tin and trying several other Balkan blends in circulation, I realized Balkan Sasieni was only mediocre.

There's nothing especially bad about it, but there is nothing extraordinary either. Unless I do a major turn-about, I doubt I will ever buy another tin.

First the origin and blender of this tobacco is Peter Stokkebye in the USA specifically Charlotte NC http://www.peterstokkebye.com/pipe_tob.htm

Secondly concerning the description of leaf contained: the Latakia used here is from Northern Cypress and it uses Macedonian leaf for oriental. No specific Virginia types are mentioned. by comparison The original Balkan Sobrane used Syrian Latakia and Yenendje and red ribbon Virginia with some dark leaf virginia

The flavor of Balkan Sasieni is decent. It is a good tobacco but it is nothing like Sobranie because the tobaccos used in its creation are very different than the original Sobranie.

Perhaps it should be judged simply on its own merits and not any comparisons to past blends based off of psychology created by name and packaging likenesses. Lets face it, They are using those likenesses to get you to buy the tobacco and thats it. I could list a number of Balkans that are closer to sobranie than this mixture. Compton's Macedonia is one but even it is not really close to Balkan Sobranie. Until someone blends with Syrian Latakia, red Virginias, Yenendje and other orientals in the right proportions, there will be no Sobranie substitutes

3 stars as a Balkan/English blend 1 star as a Sobranie knockoff. That averages out to a 2 star rating

A good tobacco, but in my opinion there are much better balkan/english blends to be had. i.e. Westminster, Abington, Larrys Blend, and Penzance.

Cedar and mesquite. Smoked brisket without any sauce. A consistent campfire smoke that remains the same from bowl to bowl. I can understand why some like it - I also understand why some would expect something more.

I think it's ok. Between 2 and 3 stars right now. I might buy another tin.

I bought a pound of this in 2006. Smoked a number of bowls in different pipes and found it to be both harsh and strong. Set the rest aside in a ball jar and just recently tried it again. It had certainly improved! Of course, my tastes could have changed in the last couple years but more likely it is the tobac that has aged well. I like it enough to buy some more and let it sit a little while. Aged, it's a good Balkan at a good price.

Tin: Stokkebye blender, light smoky Latakia scent, light brown and black, supple and seemed to be at an optimal moisture level. Thin medium-lengthed ribbon cut. The flutted paper wrapping remniscent of a Dunhill, in a pancake tin.

Taste-Aroma: Top 1/3: Soft and smooth oriental and Latakia, but no where near the taste-aroma effusion of GLP's Odyssey. Odyssey is full, BS is medium.

Middle: From there, it went downhill, producing a peppery effect, or tongue bite, with an aromatic, raw cardboard taste and aroma.

Consecutive bowls had this diagreeable taste and classic tongue bite.

Nicotine: Medium strong

Room Note: Light, fragrant nutty

Overall: I don't know how one reviewer knows it has propylene glycol(PG) as a humectant but maybe this is the source of the cardboard taste or the tongue bite. It has great potential at the start but develops a poor quality down the bowl, and subsequent. I think it's overpriced. One star.