Sutliff Tobacco Company Match Balkan Sobranie 759

My experience with the original blend was from the 60's , way too many years ago to remember details. I'm actually reluctant to make this posting as my recollections don't agree with most of the previous reviews and comparisons .This match was a little one dimensional, I seem to remember the original had that special winey fruitiness that sneaked in and out around what was the ample Syrian Latakia, ( maybe also a touch of Black Cavendish ?), this was lacking in the match ? My memory could be very wrong, but I thought the original was closer to McC "Aston Revival Old Dog ", or " Balkan Blue" ?

Now that I told you what this blend isn't like, on its own, this is an OK blend. However, I did find it to be an uneventful smoke. The ribbon cut makes for easy packing and has a good burn at a sip. Not a heavy Latakia, but well balanced with the Oriental and Virginia, although, I do have to really search for the flavors.

I also feel this match needs some aging as it has some harshness. I do like the "BS Original Match" better. By MY rating system, this gets 2 stars, as I probably won't buy again, not that it's bad , I just have other blends that fill this niche better.

Revised 7/29/2016- After over a year in the cellar this has improved. The flavors are smoother and more distinguishable. Personally there are better blends to give cellar space to, however, this now is a 3 star blend that I will retain as 2 star from my original experience.