I finally broke into the 1oz sample of the current version of Balkan Sobranie which I picked up from the Canadian Box Pass (Thanks Ghost!). I have no way to compare this current BS to the previous iteration, and therefor will not.
Tobacco: Latakia (I am guessing it's Cypriot), Oriental (Macedonian?) and Virginias (no idea of origin)
Cut/Style: Ribbon Cut
Aroma: Sweet and peaty, smoked salt and a dead campfire
Drying: The tobacco is still springy and soft, it is spongy to pack but is dry to the touch. I packed it right out of the jar.
Pipe: LHS Sterncrest bowl size equivalent to a group 4
Prep: 3 step stuff, final pre-light draw is stiff, like drawing on a milkshake with the top of the tobacco resting about 1/8" from the top of the bowl
Charring light: Good expansion, Oriental forward with good balance from the Lat and Virginia, sweets are not as pronounced as I expected. Smoke texture is moderate, but not creamy or dense.
True light through first third: Orientals stay forward, but the smoke is not in anyway sharp, the Latakia comes in to provide an Islay like savoury quality in the mid range, Virginias are not noticeable individually except, perhaps, in the fact that there remains an underlying resonant toasty sweetness.
Second third: The flavour notes remain consistent, and the smoke consistency remains on the mild side of medium bodied.
Bottom third: The Orientals remain the hero here with the Latakias both amping up and developing an overall pine pitch spike to the flavour. Smoke consistency remains the same.
The bowl smoked to a fine, talc like, grey/white powder.
I enjoyed the bowl, but think that both Margate and Exotique (also both Germain joints) offer a more Oriental forward sharpness which I enjoy. Of the three, I also enjoyed the creamy body of Margate's smoke.
Given the availability of Margate and Exotique, I think I'll let others race to the e-tailer of choice to pick up BS the next time it finds it's way West from the Channel Islands.
I'd love to hear what others think of this blend.
Thanks for reading.
-- Pat
Tobacco: Latakia (I am guessing it's Cypriot), Oriental (Macedonian?) and Virginias (no idea of origin)
Cut/Style: Ribbon Cut
Aroma: Sweet and peaty, smoked salt and a dead campfire
Drying: The tobacco is still springy and soft, it is spongy to pack but is dry to the touch. I packed it right out of the jar.
Pipe: LHS Sterncrest bowl size equivalent to a group 4
Prep: 3 step stuff, final pre-light draw is stiff, like drawing on a milkshake with the top of the tobacco resting about 1/8" from the top of the bowl
Charring light: Good expansion, Oriental forward with good balance from the Lat and Virginia, sweets are not as pronounced as I expected. Smoke texture is moderate, but not creamy or dense.
True light through first third: Orientals stay forward, but the smoke is not in anyway sharp, the Latakia comes in to provide an Islay like savoury quality in the mid range, Virginias are not noticeable individually except, perhaps, in the fact that there remains an underlying resonant toasty sweetness.
Second third: The flavour notes remain consistent, and the smoke consistency remains on the mild side of medium bodied.
Bottom third: The Orientals remain the hero here with the Latakias both amping up and developing an overall pine pitch spike to the flavour. Smoke consistency remains the same.
The bowl smoked to a fine, talc like, grey/white powder.
I enjoyed the bowl, but think that both Margate and Exotique (also both Germain joints) offer a more Oriental forward sharpness which I enjoy. Of the three, I also enjoyed the creamy body of Margate's smoke.
Given the availability of Margate and Exotique, I think I'll let others race to the e-tailer of choice to pick up BS the next time it finds it's way West from the Channel Islands.
I'd love to hear what others think of this blend.
Thanks for reading.
-- Pat
