Balkan Sobranie Throwdown 3rd Blend?

[GCW]

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere but I couldn't find it.

2011 Chicagoland Pipe Show Balkan Sobranie 759 Throwdown:

1st Prize - Black House (Russ Oullette of Hearth & Home)
2nd Prize - Blue Mountain / Balkan Blue (Mike McNeil of McClelland)

but what was the 3rd blend from Carl McAllister of Altadis?

​

 

[Chasing Embers]

but what was the 3rd blend from Carl McAllister of Altadis?

Balkan Luxury Blend 957

Discontinued long before the demise of McClelland. Blue Mountain won the people's choice award.

 

[GCW]

Balkan Luxury Blend 957

Discontinued long before the demise of McClelland. Blue Mountain won the people's choice award.

Thank you - was it close at all to the 759 intended to be emulated?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thank you - was it close at all to the 759 intended to be emulated?

Many believed Blue Mountain was the closest and before losing my taste for strong latakia blends, I would have placed the Altadis offering in second place with Black House at third.

 

[judcole]

Many believed Blue Mountain was the closest and before losing my taste for strong latakia blends, I would have placed the Altadis offering in second place with Black House at third.

I always preferred Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue to Black House.

 

[jguss]

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere but I couldn't find it.

2011 Chicagoland Pipe Show Balkan Sobranie 759 Throwdown:

1st Prize - Black House (Russ Oullette of Hearth & Home)
2nd Prize - Blue Mountain / Balkan Blue (Mike McNeil of McClelland)

but what was the 3rd blend from Carl McAllister of Altadis?

​

I’m glad this came up. Carl was a supremely talented blender and we were lucky to have him participate in the Throwdown. His entry was terrific and had many fans, both at the time and afterwards. Not everyone knows Sutliff already had its 957 on the market before the contest. In my opinion Paul Creasy, who ran Sutliff at the time, was wise to reformulate it using Carl’s creation in recognition of his (Carl’s) achievement.

 

[Mr_houston]

I know that Blackhouse had Syrian Latakia in it. I don’t think Blue Mountain did.
What about Balkan Luxury Blend 957?

 

[kcghost]

I liked the Blue Mountain quite a but. But it only reminded you of the Balkan Sobranie that they were trying to match.

 

[GCW]

I know that Blackhouse had Syrian Latakia in it. I don’t think Blue Mountain did.
What about Balkan Luxury Blend 957?

Tobacco reviews says it contained Cyprian