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
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 31 - 40 of 91 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 21, 2021 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
My palate hasn't decided yet whether I'm a fan of Balkan blends or not. There's no doubt that I enjoy certain Latakia/Balkan blends very much, but then there are some that I just don't want to put in my pipe, except for "let's give it another chance", not because they're bad blends, but because I feel like their Latakia/Balkan leaves come out too strongly for me.
Balkan Sasieni is somewhere in the middle. Some days I enjoy it a lot, some others I just don't feel like reaching to it. Today is a good day.
Once you open the tin you get nice smooth notes of leather from the Latakia and floral notes from the Balkan leaves. A bit of stout as well and a bit of sweetness from the Virginia.
The leading smoking notes for me are the Macedonian leaves. The Latakia is blended somewhere in there, but is definitely in supportive role. The Virginia is there because a blend needs a base. It adds volume and some sweetness by is not playing a major independent role. While the three main roles are somewhat easy to identify, I do think that there's some complexity to this blend. It takes several bowls to really "read" it. It's not boring by any means.
Very easy to work with. Easy packing and smoking. Comes at perfect moisture level, doesn't get hot and doesn't bite. Minimal relights, if any. The flavor remains constant throughout the bowl.
Mild-medium in body, mild in strength. This blend has tasted best in my bent apple Ena Brezo.
The balanced flavors, easy mechanics, and mild strength makes this a good all-day smoke for those who love Balkan blends. I'd rate it right at the middle with 2.5 stars simply because it's not in my top or near top Latakia/Balkan list, but because 2.5 isn't an option, and I do feel that it deserves more respect than two stars, I'll give this one a three.
Balkan Sasieni is somewhere in the middle. Some days I enjoy it a lot, some others I just don't feel like reaching to it. Today is a good day.
Once you open the tin you get nice smooth notes of leather from the Latakia and floral notes from the Balkan leaves. A bit of stout as well and a bit of sweetness from the Virginia.
The leading smoking notes for me are the Macedonian leaves. The Latakia is blended somewhere in there, but is definitely in supportive role. The Virginia is there because a blend needs a base. It adds volume and some sweetness by is not playing a major independent role. While the three main roles are somewhat easy to identify, I do think that there's some complexity to this blend. It takes several bowls to really "read" it. It's not boring by any means.
Very easy to work with. Easy packing and smoking. Comes at perfect moisture level, doesn't get hot and doesn't bite. Minimal relights, if any. The flavor remains constant throughout the bowl.
Mild-medium in body, mild in strength. This blend has tasted best in my bent apple Ena Brezo.
The balanced flavors, easy mechanics, and mild strength makes this a good all-day smoke for those who love Balkan blends. I'd rate it right at the middle with 2.5 stars simply because it's not in my top or near top Latakia/Balkan list, but because 2.5 isn't an option, and I do feel that it deserves more respect than two stars, I'll give this one a three.
Pipe Used:
"Ena" Brezo bent apple and Dr. Grabow prince.
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 02, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Presentation: White label with black text and an understated drawing of a fellow with his horse and carriage overlooking a tobacco field in a valley surrounded by mountains on the outskirts of a village.
Cut: A perfect ribbon cut. Moisture is perfect.
Tin note: Smells smoky and the slightest bit sweet.
Tasting notes: Mildly sweet, tangy, and earthy upon lighting. Once the blend gets rolling it has the slighest creamy sweetness on the draw followed by typical latakia smokiness (as you'd expect) with a nutty, earthy finish. The flavor starts rather sharp after lighting but will become very mellow (but still flavorful) and smooth. Flavor notes are rather consistent on every puff throughout, this is not an "ever changing flavor" type of blend.
Mechanics: You could be in hundred degree weather, sucking this thing down like a vacuum and it would still not heat up on you or bite. This is an incredibly cool smoking blend.
Extra Remarks: I smoked this blend in the very beginnings of my pipe smoking journey about 3 years ago, sometime in 2017. It was good then and it's good now. Not really a complex blend but a delicious blend and a super easy blend to pack and smoke. Very forgiving blend for beginners still trying to figure out how to get the best out of their pipe. This also a great representative for what a balkan blend is to those who are not familiar. Not much bad to say about this blend other than vets might find it a bit boring. Regardless, awesome blend. 3 stars.
Cut: A perfect ribbon cut. Moisture is perfect.
Tin note: Smells smoky and the slightest bit sweet.
Tasting notes: Mildly sweet, tangy, and earthy upon lighting. Once the blend gets rolling it has the slighest creamy sweetness on the draw followed by typical latakia smokiness (as you'd expect) with a nutty, earthy finish. The flavor starts rather sharp after lighting but will become very mellow (but still flavorful) and smooth. Flavor notes are rather consistent on every puff throughout, this is not an "ever changing flavor" type of blend.
Mechanics: You could be in hundred degree weather, sucking this thing down like a vacuum and it would still not heat up on you or bite. This is an incredibly cool smoking blend.
Extra Remarks: I smoked this blend in the very beginnings of my pipe smoking journey about 3 years ago, sometime in 2017. It was good then and it's good now. Not really a complex blend but a delicious blend and a super easy blend to pack and smoke. Very forgiving blend for beginners still trying to figure out how to get the best out of their pipe. This also a great representative for what a balkan blend is to those who are not familiar. Not much bad to say about this blend other than vets might find it a bit boring. Regardless, awesome blend. 3 stars.
Pipe Used:
IMP Straight Billiard Meer for the review
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin to 3 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 04, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This is a very well balanced blend. There are hints of vanilla and stewed fruit that work well with the more dominant brininess and earth. The tobacco lights up very easily and required only a few relights. It was a little too moist for my liking right out of the tin, but with not more than 10 or 15 minutes of drying time on a paper towel, the tobacco was ready to smoke. I can also say that this blend ages quite well. I was able to try some from a tin that had been aged for several years, and it maintained the strength and flavor from the fresh tin.
Pipe Used:
Meerschaum
Age When Smoked:
3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The special thing about this tobacco is that it is a very basic Balkan blend in an unassuming manner. It is not complex, and its sourness contributes to its natural rural-like beauty.
It is never creamy or chocolaty, but it surely delivers that raw enjoyment that real tobacco is supposed to evoke. However, to do this blend justice, do not smoke it prior to ensuring a minimum of one-year aging. When smoked without aging, it loses almost half its beauty. Three and a half stars.
It is never creamy or chocolaty, but it surely delivers that raw enjoyment that real tobacco is supposed to evoke. However, to do this blend justice, do not smoke it prior to ensuring a minimum of one-year aging. When smoked without aging, it loses almost half its beauty. Three and a half stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 30, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
When I was brand new to pipe smoking, I noticed this tin on the shelf at my local tobacconist. The tin art reminded me of Balkan Sobranie, the magical blend of 60s and 70s lore that I had read somewhere everyone sorely missed. I bought it as a last minute birthday gift for my college roommate and drove home. When I arrived and pulled my purchase out of the bag, I though to myself, "What if this blend is awful? Maybe I should get the tin note to see if it smells ok." I opened the tin, partially (I'll admit) just to hear that popping sound that new tins make when you open them. (Everyone loves that sound, even it they deny it!) After being deftly caressed by what I now know are masterfully blended Macedonias and Latakias, I thought, "I really should try this for my roommate's sake. It would be a shame to give him a blend that is terrible." The tobacco was not too wet or dry, and it lit evenly. At least some of the Latakias must be Syrian, because for all of the depth and complexity of this blend, it is immensely smooth! It's a blend for all seasons and times of the day, whose carefully layered flavors and aromas made me picky early on about the quality of blends I buy. I loved it then, and have revisited this excellent blend many times since. When I saw my roommate later that evening, I put on my best sheepish, apologetic face and told him that his gift had not yet come in the mail.
PurchasedFrom:
Local Tobacconist
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 13, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I use these reviews to record all the blends I have tasted. Four stars: a classic, love at first puff, definitely in my rotation and will buy more; 3 stars: great smoke, may place reorders and recommend to all; 2 stars: well, something worth trying, but not for me; one star: I should have saved the money.
The very first Balkan in my life. A little musty and monotone. When I get to the liking of Balkan blends, this seems somehow ordinary. Now I have many better choices, but I still have a tin saved away to be re-evaluate in a couple of years from now.
The very first Balkan in my life. A little musty and monotone. When I get to the liking of Balkan blends, this seems somehow ordinary. Now I have many better choices, but I still have a tin saved away to be re-evaluate in a couple of years from now.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 11, 2015 | Medium | Medium | Full | Pleasant |
First impression of tin aroma is smoky meat. Not too sure how this going to taste in the pipe.Tobacco moisture content lighty damp to dry. Initial charring light reveals a nice smoky to spicy taste. The flavor gets better throughout the bowl with no bite. Definitely will be one my go to tobaccos.
Pipe Used:
FeRo billiard straight stem
PurchasedFrom:
Emersons Tobacco
Age When Smoked:
right out of the tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 16, 2015 | Strong | Strong | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I want to start out by agreeing with reviewer DK (2011) that I tricked myself into automatically thinking that this was a Sobranie Mixture wannabe. It has a black and white label and it shows a scene from the growing cycle of pipe tobacco, so right? I don't think so; BS is both darker in color than any tin I ever opened of BSM in the past, has a stronger aroma and smokes farther up the English blend scale. If anything, it might be a Sobranie 759 wannabe. I liked it on the first smoke and felt in familiar medium/heavy English territory. It was strong enough, stout enough, smoky enough, fragrant enough and Balkan enough. I also found it a tad harsh and somewhat sour, contrary to the many reviewers who said it was sweet. I do remember smoking BS out of the roll-up pouch era and agree with some reviewers that it was then darker, cut into thinner ribbons and smoked sweeter. All in all, not a bad smoke but not quite up to four star standards.
Pipe Used:
Ardor Urano Giant 1/2 bent billiard
PurchasedFrom:
friend
Age When Smoked:
current
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 29, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A nice middle of the road English/Balkan. Flavor was good, smoky, sweetish/salty, savory and burned very well. This blend is quite inexpensive so when I finished this and tasted an odd aftertaste (humectant?) I was not too disappointed. I smoked the rest of the tin but will not be getting this Sasieni again. If you do not taste the aftertaste or can get by it, this is a great find. JS
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 24, 2014 | Strong | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
After doing a little research before committing to the purchase, I became excited to smoke this tobacco. Unfortunately I do not have the privilege to compare Balkan Sasieni to Balkan Sobranie, but nonetheless I will offer... "my two cents", is it?
Begin a beginner pipe smoker and Virginia/Burley/Cavendish lover, I don't get as much satisfaction from Balkan blends, but still enjoy them at times very much. This blend caught me offguard upon opening the tin. I had previously smoked some heavy English tobacco, but when I opened this tin it smelt of a barn. This produced an awkward response...I both enjoyed its barn like smell and was repelled with fear of something new.
Smoking it was a pleasure, it always put me in a concentrated mood where I could focus on my tasks and become serious. The tobacco itself has a little bit of bite on the tongue and can get rough depending on how you smoke it (for myself its in a rush). Overall I think it is a pleasant tobacco and well balanced.
Begin a beginner pipe smoker and Virginia/Burley/Cavendish lover, I don't get as much satisfaction from Balkan blends, but still enjoy them at times very much. This blend caught me offguard upon opening the tin. I had previously smoked some heavy English tobacco, but when I opened this tin it smelt of a barn. This produced an awkward response...I both enjoyed its barn like smell and was repelled with fear of something new.
Smoking it was a pleasure, it always put me in a concentrated mood where I could focus on my tasks and become serious. The tobacco itself has a little bit of bite on the tongue and can get rough depending on how you smoke it (for myself its in a rush). Overall I think it is a pleasant tobacco and well balanced.
Pipe Used:
Lorenzetti Constantine 24
target="_blank"
