Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Balkan Sasieni

I'm reviewing Balkan Sasieni's 2008 version, the 50g, tinned blend that is now being produced by Peter Stokkebye.

Balkans are my favorite style of blends. My experience with this blend -- and perhaps others here have been reviewing different versions -- differs somewhat from what other reviewers have noted.

Oriental flavors are forceful and very much present from the very first light. They dominate the first half of the bowl, then they give way -- completely -- to the latakia, which is the dominant flavor for the remainder of the smoke. The Virginias remain always in the background (which is what I expect from them in a Balkan blend).

There is very little time, over the course of a smoke, when the oriental and latakia flavors actually overlap and interact. In a dozen pipefuls -- smoked in a variety of pipes dedicated to Balkan blends -- the results have been identical: First half: Orientals; Second half: latakia. As a result, the two elements never seem able to combine for that indescribable oriental-latakia creaminess that the best Balkans deliver. And while I love latakia, for some reason I don't like what this becomes in the second half of the bowl.

In all of my experience as a pipe smoker of 28 years, I've never before encountered a blend that seemed so decisively divided in character down the bowl. As a result, this is not, in my opinion, the "standard" by which one should judge other Balkans.

In fact, after numerous bowls, I have come to a disheartening yet strong suspicion: That this "new" version of Balkan Sasieni (the tinned blend from Villiger/Stokkebye) actually is relying on oriental FLAVORING rather than actual quantities of high-quality leaf. My theory may be off-base. But the only other blends I've smoked that behaved this way -- that lost their predominating flavor halfway down the bowl and then just got unappealing -- were cheaply made aromatics with added flavorings that burnt off halfway down the bowl. (And flavorings, in lieu of leaf, would also account for the "competitive" pricing that some reviewers have noted.)

Whether I'm right or wrong, I still hope this blend can improve with age, because I stocked up, based on the blend's earlier reputation. For now, I'm going to toss the rest of my tin. I'll wait to see what happens in a couple of years with the other tins.

It has been years since I've burned the Sobranie, unfortunately. This incarnation has none of the magic that I remember. On this, my first purchase, I chose wisely to obtain a small amount. The contents of the pouch had long since dryed out and required artful resurrection by steam. It's not a bad blend, simply inadequate. Maybe a coarser cut would benefit the smoking experience. To me, it seems an unfinished work - incomplete, where some of the elements left out prove to be the better parts. I think I'll keep my memories without further desecration by this feeble offering.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a no name rusticated bent meer acquired long ago

I admit to being a rank amateur up against the many seasoned veterans on this site, but the environment seems to be convivial and open to all who find pleasure in the pipe. This being stated, I must admit to being disappointed by this blend, the one said to be a worthy replacement for the venerable (and very expensive, rare) Balkan Sobranie. My dad turned me on to this devilish habit in the first place, and although he was primarily a burley fan, he did enjoy the occasional Sobranie and I have fond memories of he and his brothers lighting up this rich and spicy classic.

I do prefer latakia-forward blends so of course I was drawn to this but I must agree with some of the less-favorable commentary here that it is not the most satisfying of the category. Of the four or five tobacco blends I usually have in rotation, this is the one I least go to. Up front, it starts out well, with the exotic and complex elements that you would expect, but things go downhill rather quickly as the bowl heats up. Some unpleasant tongue bite, accompanied by a slight bitterness and a very quick-burning stack; with about a third of the bowl to go, I found myself relighting ash. Also, the room smell was a notch below another latakia-based blend I am using, LEO. Not to take away from the inherent "quality" of the product, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I wanted to like this. I tried to like this. Bought based on favorable reviews and wanted to try a Balkan smoke. I can't do it. I am a pansy flower, aromatic guy, so this stuff just was not for me. The taste just was not for me. Reminded me too much of crappy cigars I have smoked.

This was a truly horrid smoking experience. I purchased a tin several years ago in Austin, Texas. I love Balkan blends. Love oriental tobacco. Love latekia. And I own a meerschaum that I am finally able to smoke again after defiling it with this hellish abomination four years ago. I have used gallons of grain alcohol and hundreds of hours in sunlight over a 4 year period. And the $300 pipe still reeks of this blend.

I also had severe stomach cramps for literally weeks after my encounter with this blend. Food didn't taste right. I wondered at times if it would ever end.

It took months of therapy and a lot of support from friends to even pick up a pipe after this experience. My pallette is probably scarred for life. No drugstore tobacco could be even remotely as bad as this tinned nightmare. And I absolutely despise drugstore blends.

I don't like to write negative reviews, but to fail to warn my brothers in briar of this fuming menace would be criminal.

It was kind of like smoking napalm mixed with Brut aftershave, with not so subtle hints of bus exhaust. On top of that was an overpowering sickening sweetness that reminded me of the smell of a dead cat under the house.

If only we could require cigarette makers to lace their product with even a little of this stuff the public health problems would disappear overnight.

Appearance is a mixture of light and dark brown ribbons. Tin smells lightly of smoke, iodine, and musty room. Tastes bitter and sour.

One need not wonder why it is so inexpensive. This is one of the worst non-aromatics I have ever smoked. Biting, bitter, and just unpleasant.

Having had the wonderful experience of smoking the original from the late 60s until it's greatly mourned demise, I approached this review very carefully. So much so that I have sampled the blend in a variety of pipes over a prolonged period of time(2yr). The tin/pack note is similar to the original. The first puffs are thick and familiar. At this point in the smoke a sour astringency pops up. I had hoped this to be the fault of one pack, but is has proved to be consistent. The sweetness of the Latakia is greater than in the original and I personally appreciate it. Unfortunately the sweetness slowley disappears and is replaced by a mildly bitter taste; a sort of "spoiled oriental" if there is such a term. This latter note has been consistent in several different packs. I really wanted to like this as it had been described to me as the closest to the original by several trusted friends. Alas I found them to be wrong, although I do plan to give this one final trial in the summer.

---

July. Unfortunately no change in the above review except for a greater astringency. Too bad; either my memory is fading (along with other anatomical parts), or Stokkeybe's is . I pray it is the latter.

I cannot recommend this blend. For all the great reviews I have heard, I thought I had found the holy grail of Balkan blends. I find this very upsetting because the blend packs and burns so well.

In a word, the blend tastes 'artificial'. The topping used by Stokkebye taste so apparent and terrible, I am completely surprised that it has gained such a favorable following. This goes for the other blends I have had from this blender as well.

Smoking this blend has really helped me appreciate the fine tobaccos available to us.

The price should be an indicator of the quality of ingredients this blend is made from.

Not my cup of tea. Flat taste, ordinary quality. It smells better unlit in the tin than it tastes smoked in a pipe. I mixed the tin with Commonwealth mixture and some Black Cavendish for a decent Latakia mixture.

Virginia lover