Balkan Sasieni Pipe Tobacco Review
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Kevin Godbee - Jul 15, 2010
- 3 min read
Balkan Sasieni is kind of an almost famous tobacco … sort of. It’s name implies (and many have suggested, and others have disagreed) that it may be a substitute for the long gone, legendary Balkan Sobranie. I can’t tell you if it is, as I never had the opportunity to smoke Balkan Sobranie. Who cares!?! Balkan Sasieni is here and it’s great, and Balkan Sobranie no longer exists. Get over it! There’s tons and tons of awesome tobaccos and Balkan Sasieni should be on every Latakia Lover’s list. There’s no guessing what this tobacco will deliver as soon as you open the tin – Bam! There’s a smoky smoky Latakia tin aroma that immediately dispels any doubt, and makes you confident that this will be an enjoyable smoke. But wait … there’s more to it than that.
At first light, Balkan Sasieni seems like a standard Latakia blend, but as it progresses, the "Balkanness" starts to reveal itself. What does that mean? "Balkan Tobacco" is generally a blend that has Latakia, Oriental and Virginia. If you’ve got some time on your hands start "Googling" Balkan Tobacco Definition and you will find that not everybody agrees on the exact definition, but that is generally it. As Balkan Sasieni progresses, the Latakia starts to make room for the Orientals and Virginias, adding some nice spice and sweetness to make it more interesting than just a straight Latakia blend.
Balkan Sasieni is an interesting blend. It has that nice full flavor and aroma that English smokers will enjoy, and it does impart a subtle tangy floral aftertaste on the tongue. It’s a little bit exotic. I’m imagining myself overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and wondering what other exotic delicacies await as I stroll with my pipe through this crossroads of various cultures. However, Balkan Sasieni’s origins are in London, just like the defunct Sobraine, which is in line with it’s implication as a replacement for such. The tin states, "Original formula Balkan smoking mixture was created in London at the beginning of the century by the master of Tobacco Blenders who first combined the aromatic pleasures of the choicest of Macedonia and Latakia leaf with the richness of Old Virginia to give the pipe smoker an unrivalled smoking pleasure."
I don’t know if it’s unrivalled, but it’s certainly up there with the real good stuff. Balkan Sasieni is something I could be happy smoking any day, any time. This is good, high quality pipe tobacco. If you are strictly an aromatic smoker, then it is definitely not for you. It’s full of pungent, exotic, smoky, tangy, sweet flavors, but doesn’t make the room spin for us lightweights when it comes to nicotine. I’ve read in other reviews that the tobacco was a little too moist out of the tin, but that didn’t happen to me. Goldilocks would have liked it, as it wasn’t too wet, or too dry, it was just right. She probably could have chilled out Papa Bear by offering him some too. I will add Balkan Sasieni to my little club that includes Maltese Falcon, Frog Morton and Samuel Gawith’s Commonwealth.
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| A look inside the tin at Balkan Sasieni (Click for a Larger Image) |
Close-up of Balkan Sasieni Virginia, Oriental, and Latakia Tobaccos (Click for a Larger Image) |
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| Back of the Tin Label of Balkan Sasieni Pipe Tobacco (Click for Larger Image) |
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Brand: Balkan Sasieni
Blender: Peter Stokkebye Tobaksfabrik A/S
Tin Description: Original formula Balkan smoking mixture was created in London at the beginning of the century by the master of Tobacco Blenders who first combined the aromatic pleasures of the choicest of Macedonia and Latakia leaf with the richness of Old Virginia to give the pipe smoker an unrivalled smoking pleasure.
Country of Origin: Denmark
Curing Group: Air Cured
Contents: Virginia, Latakia, Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: Medium
Flavoring: Extremely Mild
Taste: Medium
Room Note: Tolerable
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
SPONSORED LINK: Balkan Sasieni Pipe Tobacco – Click Here to Order Now!
SPONSORED LINK: Balkan Sasieni Pipe Tobacco – Click Here to Order Now!
Read more reviews of Balkan Sasieni on LuxuryTobaccoReviews.com
Written by Kevin Godbee
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Great review that adds to the other reviews I’ve read on this intriguing tobacco and why I made a point to order a tim of this.
Way to support you local tobacconist! The picture on the back of the tin shows a price of $18.10 and at the end of the review is a link to order it for $6.99.
Glad you liked the review.
Yes, I did in fact purchase that tin from a local tobacconist for retail of $18.10 here in Florida. I think we have the 2nd or 3rd highest tobacco tax rate in the country.
This is what I would call a perfect review of what to my taste has consistently seemed to be a perfect tobacco.
Great review Kevin!
I have a tin of this in my cellar that I have not got around to trying yet. This review makes me want to go and open it up. As the saying goes; So much tobacco, so little time.
I received a tin of Balkan Sasieni for my third place showing in the last Briary Slow Smoke. I have enjoyed it very much. It is an excellent tobacco.
Great Review Kevin.
And, Bob…. break it out man… you don’t know what you are missing.
Great review of a great tobacco. This product shouldn’t have to defend it’s name or quality from anyone. It is a wonderful blend that stands on it’s own merits. Brown Clunie doesn’t have to defend its name from the lovers of Brown Flake,and this tobacco shouldn’t have to defend itself from the lovers of a long dead blend that changed a couple of times in the course of it’s lifetime and no one remembers anyway.
Good blend, good price, good review. ‘nuf said.
It is a good blend no doubt. I have had the chance to smoke a good bit of the white pouch and gold pouch original blends and they are so much better than anything like the new ones.
I guess I’m jaded after getting my hands on some very old blends:-)
Cup O’ Joes sells a bulk version of Balkan Sasieni. Has anyone tried this? Is it the same blend?
And now, I must buy some. Also, Frog Morton and Commonwealth. Thanks big time Kevin.