Sobranie of London The Balkan Sobranie

Somewhat regarded as a classic and rightly so, however it has become somewhat degraded in recent years, no doubt a by-product of being taken over by the Gallaher tobacco conglomerate. That being said it hasn't degraded too much and still is a extremely fine tobacco.

If you like Latakia and lots of it, you will love this stuff, a true Balkan blend. The tobacco cut varies from rough to smooth and needs a bit of a rubbing out to help it burn evenly. The tobacco colour is very dark 50% very dark brown and 50% black. The pouch aroma is of very intense, almost overwhelming Latakia.

Lighting is easy enough, but you may need to tamp it a bit. The inital flavour is of that lovely nuttyness that only Latakia can provide. Mid way the orientals take over and some sublime spicyness tkaes over from the Latakia. Nearing the end of the bowl the nuttyness from the Latakia returns to round off a wonderfully smooth smoking experience. It smokes very cool, but I find it burns quite quickly even when quite moist, which is odd for such a cool smoking tobacco. A fine grey ash results and despite the high Latakia content it doesn't flavour the pipe too much.

Unfortunatley production of this tobacco will cease at the end of this year, so I will be stocking up as much of it as I can for the furure. A great tobacco, it will be shame to see it go.

Having heard so much about this blend I was prepared to be under whelmed, but it really does live up to the hype. It lights easily, requires little maintenance and gives the most rewarding smoke I?ve had to date (I've not been smoking very long though to be honest!). Flavour becomes nuttier as the bowl is smoked and gives off a subtle aroma with an aesthetically-pleasing white smoke too. Thoroughly enjoyable and deserves a quiet hour or so to smoke it and really enjoy it. The perfect aid to peace and contemplation.

The tobacco ? . This has more legends than any other and according to my tobacconist has been going downhill for years. When I first discovered it it had a unique quality, tasting like no other and though caused by the latakia which is present in large quantities, allegedly sprayed on by my doubting tobacconist. I thought I had found my tobacco. But 18 months ago the blend changed and was but a shadow of its former self, a truly dark day had dawned. But with the addition of straight cyprus Latakia about 33% seems to do the trick a very palatable smoke can be produced this is my tobacco.

Curisoty and the words of that tobacconist, got the better of me when I saw an unopened tin from the sixties on Ebay. Really this is different tale, but the 40 year old stuff is the real deal as far as im concerned . Trouble is finding it!.

Why on earth did they stop selling this stuff in America? The first time I tried this tobacco was recently; it was a 6 year old 50g packet that had been well kept. On opening the pack it has a strong balkan sweet and sour scent (big surprise). It is almost all black and had compressed, so I broke it and rubbed it out. Once rubbed out I could pretty much gravity feed it into a pipe that is currently dedicated to it - a small to medium sized bent Dunhill shell dublin collector. Lights easily. Initial smoke is full and sweet, and the mix of latakia and turkish is beautiful. As I smoke this down the flavors mix nicely, and I'm done too soon. Usually one tamp and relight. Burns to a fine grey ash. I'm nursing my limited supply. I try to pick a time when I can set aside an hour to sit quietly and enjoy this fine tobacco. 9 of 10. - Kelly