Beginner’s Luck?

[AcesAndEights]

So I’m still pretty new to this sport, only been at it for about six months. After immersing myself in the culture for a bit, I got the impression that there are several highly sought-after “unicorn blends”, one of them being Balkan Sobranie. I managed to score a tin the other day. Is it really as hard to come by as I was lead to believe? Is this the only tin I’m likely to land this decade? Or did I not get as lucky as I thought I did?

 

[warren]

One smoker's "unicorn" blend is another smoker's "dreck". It all depends on your palate.

 

[FurCoat]

I run into them all the time at local B&Ms. I visit them once a week to see what treasures might pop up.

 

[karam]

So I’m still pretty new to this sport, only been at it for about six months. After immersing myself in the culture for a bit, I got the impression that there are several highly sought-after “unicorn blends”, one of them being Balkan Sobranie. I managed to score a tin the other day. Is it really as hard to come by as I was lead to believe? Is this the only tin I’m likely to land this decade? Or did I not get as lucky as I thought I did?

If it was the rerelease then it’s not rare, if it was the original with Syrian Latakia…then you’re very lucky indeed!

 

[kcghost]

What you almost certainly got was a re-released version of Balkan Sobranie (circa 2017??). Those can be had with some effort but they are available today. It is released in the states every four months or so in very limited quantities.

 

[Waning Embers]

2017?

I got these in 2014.

Is it really as hard to come by as I was lead to believe?

Excluding limited releases and discontinued blends, outside the internet there are no unicorns. They sit on B&M shelves while limited online stock feigns lack of availability.

 

[anotherbob]

I am of the opinion that there is plenty of great tobacco out there. That is widely or at least somewhat available. unicorns just aren't worth chasing.

 

[shanez]

unicorns just aren't worth chasing.

^^^^This!

 

[Grangerous]

I am of the opinion that there is plenty of great tobacco out there. That is widely or at least somewhat available. unicorns just aren't worth chasing.

This

It’s a whole lot easier with tastes like mine!

 

[anotherbob]

^^^^This!

And the funny thing is whatever you get is probably going to have something just as good and also very similar. Not for certain but.... Even my favorite stuff isn't worth hunting for.

 

[anotherbob]

This

It’s a whole lot easier with tastes like mine!

I have to admit I like tobacco some more then others. But unless it's horrible I'll enjoy it.

 

[shanez]

And the funny thing is whatever you get is probably going to have something just as good and also very similar. Not for certain but.... Even my favorite stuff isn't worth hunting for.

Though they may not be identical there are always alternate blends that will scratch an itch.

I was missing Dunhill Dark Flake until I discovered McConnell Black Flake. I think the perique is better in the Dunhill but the VA is better in the McConnell. Both are satisfying though.

 

[mso489]

Maybe I'm just looking through the wrong end of the telescope, but I put value in blenders that strive to meet supply and do good distribution. Going after the unicorns, though it is good sport, credits brands that don't meet the customer demand. William Maxwell, a novelist, was once praised by a critic for writing for the ease of the reader, and I give strong credit to pipe tobacco brands which blend for the ease of the pipe smoker.

 

[kcghost]

What you almost certainly got was a re-released version of Balkan Sobranie (circa 2014??).

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

I went through this exact same thing a while back. Found a tin of Sobranie at my local B&M thinking it was a real rare find. But smoking it I was unimpressed, I had better blends that were much more readily available already. Glad I got to try it, but it was a good lesson in hype.

 

[Mopiper]

There are so many great blends out there that chasing things down isnt for me.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

So I’m still pretty new to this sport, only been at it for about six months. After immersing myself in the culture for a bit, I got the impression that there are several highly sought-after “unicorn blends”, one of them being Balkan Sobranie. I managed to score a tin the other day. Is it really as hard to come by as I was lead to believe? Is this the only tin I’m likely to land this decade? Or did I not get as lucky as I thought I did?

Got lucky

 

[AcesAndEights]

I do enjoy the sport of chasing down certain blends. I’m sure that will fade, but I’m having fun with it for now.
Being from Colorado, almost all the “smoke” shops have become pot shops or vape shops. More profitable I reckon. I don’t really care to frequent them though. There is one here in town that I know of that has remained purely dedicated to tobacco, and he’s 99% cigars. There are about a dozen bulk blends to choose from, a small rack with maybe ten random tins, and a case with three Savinelli’s and two Nordings. And some pipe cleaners. That’s it. I’m stuck shopping online for the most part!