Quest for the Ultimate Balkan

[slowroll]

Well, I finally returned to pipe smoking after a 15+ year lay off, wherein I was just lazily smoking cigars. Stopped the pipe out of despair from the demise of Balkan Sobranie and rather than chasing for something else, just stayed with cigars. Finally decided to return to the little tobacco kiln after noticing the even more vast array available these days. Having more time at my disposal as a registered loafer now, I thought I would dedicate myself to the search for the ultimate evocation of my memories of the legendary Sobranie. It's going to be a hard slog, but someone has to do it for the benefit of other curmudgeons like myself. I'm sure it has been done before, but what the hell, another opinion is worth the money you pay for it. I might as well review and compare my impressions of them all --so, the question is --is this the right forum to present it ? While I suspect I won't be able to match the inestimable wordsmithing of the good Mr. G.L. Peace, I'll try not to bore you all.

 

[philobeddoe]

Buy a tin of Black House....enjoy!

 

[pagan]

Hearth & Home Marquee Series Magnum Opus would be my first choice, Blackhouse and Whiteknight close seconds

 

[okiebrad]

I did not have the honor of tasting the original Balkan Sobranie but the ones listed above are all great tasting tobaccos. To stay within that style of blend I would also add Exotique. But alas, it appears this one too shall pass.

 

[dread]

Hearth and Home keeps coming up, hmmmmmm. I throw my hat in for White Knight, great stuff.

 

[slowroll]

thanks for the advise all. I have tried White Knight, like it quite a bit. G.L. Peace's Westminster is outstanding, I think a bit more Sobranie-like than the H & H blends. Well, still more tobacco to research -- narrowed it down to about 20 mixtures -- ::

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Balkan Blue is a favorite of mine.

 

[warren]

IRC's Balkin Supreme fits my palate, no idea what would satisfy yours.

 

[ophiuchus]

There was a thread not too long ago that covered a really nice variety of the Balkan-oriented (and, by the way, this overly appended sentence is a link to that thread). ::
Oriental-forward Peter Stokkebye Balkan Supreme and mellow, Virginia/Oriental-sweet Frog Morton On The Town were my suggestions. Still are.

 

[ericusrex]

Brebbia Balkan is mighty fine

 

[owen]

Share your list please.

 

[oldmojo]

I have never tasted the original Sobranie. However, more experienced people who did judged Black House to be the best approximation currently available. It is one of my favorites. So is G.L.Pease Blackpoint. The two have similarities but are distinct as well. Chicago Pipe Club Scottish Blend is also in the neighborhood. All are (to me) delicious and highly enjoyable. Several others have been mentioned which I have not yet had the pleasure of smoking.

 

[jvnshr]

Brebbia Balkan is mighty fine

+1
Also, one of the underrated Balkans is C&D Byzantium in my opinion.

 

[slowroll]

Great info guys. I've found Super Balkan to be high on my enjoyment so far. I have ordered a tin of Byzantium, Looking forward to it. I'm making notes so I can bore or delight everyone here when I've burned thru a few more pounds of assorted leaf. Cheers for now.

 

[mso489]

C&D's Super Balkan is a good balanced version. I liked Russ O.'s Experimental Balkan M-61 as a quite mild version, but I'm not sure that one is being tweaked or carried forward. I don't think I've hit ultimate yet, but I may take some of the suggestions above, too. Thanks!

 

[fitzy]

My preferences are:
Blackhouse

Magnum Opus

White Knight

3 Oaks Syrian

Yenidje Highlander

Balkan Beauty

Exotique

 

[rigmedic1]

I never had the pleasure of enjoying a bowl of Balkan Sobranie. But as far a Latakia blends go, McClellands Balkan Blue is excellent, and my other favorites include Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader and Rattray's Red Rapparee.

 

[slowroll]

Thanks fitz and rigmedic, I've tried a couple of your suggestions already , but have not tried red rapparee, 3 Oaks syrian or magnum opus. I will order dome up. I do like Balkan Blue, it's pretty close to the canonized sobranie 759. I also like squadron Leader, it reminds me a lot of Balkan sobranie white label. I've now got 22 tins of tobacco to try out, I'll suffer thru it somehow. So far I'd say my order of preference for similarity to Sobranie 759 is Balkan Blue, GLP Westminster, H&H White Knight, Squadron Leader,(given my avatar, I've got to like that one),and an honorable mention to GLP Charing cross. I better get to work, lots of tobacco to get to.

 

[clickklick]

Balkan beauty. The end.

 

[slowroll]

Well, looks like I must also add Balkan Beauty to my list of trials since it's come up a few times. Guess I'll also look for IRC Balkan Supreme. Thanks folks. I've gone thru quite a few mighty tasty bowls so far. I'll keep at it :: TAD is setting in I guess.