In 2011 there was a contest at the Chicagoland Pipe show to recreate the legendary Balkan Sobranie 759. The winner of this contest was a certain blend by Russ Ouellette called Black House. From its initial fame as a contest winner to a life of its own as the powerhouse of the Hearth and Home Marquis Series of tobaccos, Black House has found its way into the pipes and hearts of Balkan Lovers everywhere.
One of these Balkan loves was me, Baron Samedi. It was the second Balkan I ever tried and it hit me right where I live, prompting my second-ever tobacco review, entitled “I Bleed Black”, the title stolen from a song by Doom Metal band Saint Vitus.
The review also seemed to take on a life of its own, prompting emails and private messages from men and women all over the Pipes Magazine forums, including a couple from Russ O, himself! Eventually, the review became a link in my signature line and questions from new smokers in search of the Balkan experience were answered with not much more than an arrow pointing toward the sig.
Now the world of the Balkan has its own cult who crave Russ O’s dark masterpiece, The Blackbloods! Their mission is to spend their lives sharing the gospel of the true taste of Balkan goodness, the blend in the black tin with its leathery overtones and herbal sweetness. To hear and take heed to the words in the review of Baron Samedi and to enjoy the Black House until their veins run black as Latakia!
Long live the Black!
One of these Balkan loves was me, Baron Samedi. It was the second Balkan I ever tried and it hit me right where I live, prompting my second-ever tobacco review, entitled “I Bleed Black”, the title stolen from a song by Doom Metal band Saint Vitus.
The review also seemed to take on a life of its own, prompting emails and private messages from men and women all over the Pipes Magazine forums, including a couple from Russ O, himself! Eventually, the review became a link in my signature line and questions from new smokers in search of the Balkan experience were answered with not much more than an arrow pointing toward the sig.
Now the world of the Balkan has its own cult who crave Russ O’s dark masterpiece, The Blackbloods! Their mission is to spend their lives sharing the gospel of the true taste of Balkan goodness, the blend in the black tin with its leathery overtones and herbal sweetness. To hear and take heed to the words in the review of Baron Samedi and to enjoy the Black House until their veins run black as Latakia!
Long live the Black!
: Ill post up the email I sent to Russ although he has yet to respond haha
