Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Balkan Sasieni

Let me preface this by saying I'm a huge lover of Balkan blends and even most English. This one is not unlike the others, except in delivery. While some try to blow you away with strength and latakia, Balkan Sasieni is smooth and soothing. An all day smoke for me. Not mucb in room note, but big on flavor and high quality Orientals. Ya just wanna climb inside the tin, cover yourself up with the stuff and never crawl back out... it's that comforting!

Would give it 5 stars if I could. A solid 4 stars instead! Well worth the coin...

This is perhaps my second favorite blend after Dunhill's London Mixture, which is typically my all day smoke. This is lighter in Vitamin N than London Mixure, and typical to a Balkan blend, Latakia is the star of the show (as opposed to the Oriental/Turkish forward London Mixture).

Both the tin note and after taste are closer to that of an English Mixture than say Durbar or Nightcap, and certainly it has a more mild taste and nicotine content. If you are looking for a very smoke-able all day Balkan, you could certainly do worse.

When I first opened the tin, I wasn't super impressed by the initial smokes. I was glad that I was able to smoke it straight out of the tin though.

While I know there's history here and that that this isn't the original, (nor is it Sobranie, which I never tried either) I've had enough Latakia/Oriental blends to say that this is very decent stuff. And yes, certainly there is likely better, but for how much more money? The price is just too right, and it's also readily available these days.

As far as it compares to Peter S Balkan Supreme- that's got way more Latakia. I find all the PS tobaccos to be Lat. bombs. Don't get me wrong, I like Latakia, but I'm tired of being beaten in the face by it. I'm a Balkan guy now, thank you.

I've been smoking Sasieni sparingly since it really started to grow on me; I might not be able to order another tin soon. What secured my sympathies for this blend is a note of clove which probably is not actually clove, but some element sure does come off like it. I didn't detect it at first, but within several weeks of opening the tin, it's there now. Subtle and complex as well, but the snobs might not agree. No bite either.

I'd consider buying this in a pound bag if it was available. 4 stars, and yes I know I'm reverent.

Excellent balkan blend. Full flavor without being a nicotine bomb. Very balanced in which the Orientals interweave with the Latakia tobacco. If you like Balkan blends you should give this one a try.

Is this the original Balkan Sorbane? Close, but no cigar. That does not mean this is an inferior blend. Quite the contrary, I found this to be a very nice English Oriental, with a bit more of a smoky taste than the original Sorbane. A quality smoke, smooth, rich and not overwhelming. I like it. Is the difference between the Sorbane and Sasieni extreme. No, but I think this one will certainly tie neck and neck with quality of flavor. If they took this one off the market, it too would become the Holy Grail for some.

I prefer this blend over any of the other Balkans I've tried including Bill Bailey's blend.

Balance is the word used alot and I could not agree more. This is a wonderful balkan that rings all the bells for me. No sharp edges, not a lat bomb, smokes clean and packs easy. I smoked this long ago when it was offered in a pouch but did not care for it. But then I was into aros and cav blends. Times change, tastes change I guess. Is it the original formula? Who cares as this is what is here now. If you push this it can turn harsh so go slow and easy. Since STG is so huge it kinda makes you wonder what is in most of the tins you buy now days anyway. Same smoke, different label??? If you want to delve into the world of Balkans, this is a great starting point. Update: I'm upgrading to 4 stars as this is a great blend and continues to impress the hell out of me! Smoke in peace-Lager

Balkan Sasieni is an archetypical old school English blend; an excellent example of its genre. It’s not heavy on the Latakia, but it’s not light either – smokier than EMP, Durbar, Presbyterian and Campanille. It is harmonious, loads easily and burns well, does not bite and has the perfect moisture to smoke straight from the tin. It does not have anything distinctive to set it apart from classic blends of this style, for me it’s interchangeable with some of the best and this is not a bad thing at all, especially when Sasieni comes at a lower price.

If you like or are interested in oriental tobaccos, this would be an excellent place to start. A while back i forgot a nearly full, opened tin of this in my drawer. When i found it perhaps 6 months later it was extremely dry, and rather than rehydrate it i just loosely packed a balkan cob and gently fired it up. My memory of it moist isn't perfect I'm sure, but this blend was utterly engaging, sweet, sharp and musty dry. It is exceptionally punchy in the oriental department and they seem to be extra resinous and herbal and piney in flavor in the best possible way. The latakia is softer as well and its flavor begins seamlessly at the lower end of the orientals' flavor spectrum, creating a lovely whole. I shouldnt say i recommend everyone to dry their tin till its crispy, however that is how i will be enjoying my balkan sasieni from now on. An excellent value, a truly flavorful balkan and a solid intro to the genre. I prefer this to the new sobranie iteration, though they are similar. Easy to recommend. If you find the Pease stable of balkans a bit too rich, this would be an excellent choice. Conversely if you love them, this may be a bit more subdued than you may like.