At least I find it impossible now to say from the room note alone what Balkan has been smoked, but with Balkan Sobranie there never was any ambiguity. No flavorin g detected. Great result are also obtained smoking for 5-10 minutes and then letting sit for about 12 hours. Rather sweet base, campfire room note. My Girlfriend hated it, told me I looked like a Hippie Farmer. Composition: The composition is that of the pouch version and the '80's Gallaher version. Well, it's nothing like the original one, but it still stands above the mass of English mixtures. Not sweet, but not really bitter like some oriental-heavy blends are. or related products to anyone under the age of 21. Very HIGHLY recommended. At a benefit concert at Town Hall in NYC in the 1960's, I watched Thelonius Monk shambling onto stage with a pipe in his mouth and a can of Sobranie in his hand, which can he proceeded to place on the piano before starting to play. I have drank from the Holy Grail and the wine was awesome! The strength is a couple of steps short of medium. On one hand I was glad I did, on the other I was sad because it was one of the few sachets circulating all over the world. Cest la vie! This is really your most fowl smelling tobacco! Pouches continued to be manufactured but this is another story. Please for the life of Pete, tell me where once again I may get this fine tobacco that I have been without now since the 1990's. Smoke a bowl and cherish it! Based on certain similarities of taste I suspect that Balkan Sobranie may have also contained some Maryland, but likely no more than ten percent. Maybe tobacco grown in the Balkan region has some affect on the flavor. It was cheaper, and it had the stronger flavor I liked without being Galoises(sp?). For the better part of the 20th Century, this blend was made by Sobranie House under the aegis of the Redstone family. When I first discovered it it had a unique quality, tasting like no other and though caused by the latakia which is present in large quantities, allegedly sprayed on by my doubting tobacconist. |, We use the SafeSurf Rating System to signify that PipesMagazine.com is for adults only. I notice that the Latakia is not at all heavy in this blend. My choice back in the 70's was the 759 more than the white. This was sampled from a fairly fresh eight year old, 50g Gallaher's pouch back in 2010; This BSOM makes you reach for that elusive, sweetness with each draw. Clean taste of mostly virgina and orientals through the bowl with just enough smokiness from the latakia. Appearance: Over 80% black leaf, with a few nut brown to dark brown strands, ready rubbed in a medium cut ribbon. Joe worked closely with GBD on developing new shapes, e.g., #263 extra long Canadian, the ?glass-blasted? Highly, highly recommended. Under no circumstances did it live up to everything I have heard and read all this time, unless it is not the same blend any more. No bite whatsoever. Also they have men in service that formerly worked for the House Sobranie. I simply loved the flavor. Its good. I often mixed it with other tobaccos to get something closer to what I wanted, sometimes adding some perique or cavendish. ** 4 tins per customer only, we will reduce any order to that, sometimes you have to share !! I am going to smoke this tin. Countless proficient blenders have tried hard to copy it. follow discussion on this recipe here and if you have anything to add please chime in. Especially, if it means spending outrageous sums of money. Is anyone else having the same problem? Purchased From: Pipestud's Consignment Shop. Balkan Sobranie $ 19.95 This traditional mixture of rich Virginia, Latakia and rare Yenidje tobaccos is Sobranie's oldest blend and offers a mild yet rich taste. I bought some in the spring from Boswells in Chambersburg, PA. The flavor is rich, dark, smokey, spicy, somewhat like a cigar, but ever so much more complex. For joy. The whole pouch seemed like a big pouch of black cav. I emptied the contents into a mixing bowl and began thoroughly mixing the contents, first by lightly tearing some of the longer shag strands and then pulling the Latakia from the bottom and sprinkling it throughout. The virginia presents itself in the form of a winelike aroma. I loved it. Well, I was not dissapointed. I could see this becoming my "go to" blend except that it to is mostly unavailable. In short..the blend against which all others must be compaired (save Red Raparee). As for flavorits ok. 5 smooth. Top of the top. The sad history of Balkan Sobranie after its initial sale, years later, is available in other reviews on this site. Much cheaper too, about $2.50/oz. More's that pity that it is now defunct. I feel I need more time to deliberate upon the subtley. I think it is awful, as I did the last tin of it. Like many of the more traditional English blends, Balkan Sobranie's original mixture has changed hands a number of times, leading to different versions. Try some Prilep. This is SOMEWHAT of a comparision, understanding that I am comparing a new tin verses an aged tin and the 90's era Original Mixture was, by most accounts, not the best era of the blend. It is a quite good tobacco, which to me ranges somewhere in the medium spectrum of things, occasionally jumping up to full strength but never settling there. Flavour becomes nuttier as the bowl is smoked and gives off a subtle aroma with an aesthetically-pleasing white smoke too. You can see how it is a hard composition to blend, with ingredients often hard to obtain, and whose consistency over 130 years has been variable to say the least! I shall give you my evaluation in a few days need I say more about the experience of the first bowl this morning. Enjoyed the original many moons ago. The tobacco for what it is worth did seem a bit dry (just the way I like it). History. Notes: Presently, the best readily available production/date information is per John C Loring's "DATING ENGLISH TINNED TOBACCO", 1999: 1970s: (and prior) Sobranie Limited, Sobrainie House 1970s: (briefly) Sobranie Limited, 17 Worship Street 1970s: (late) Sobranie Limited, Chichester Road 1980s: (early) Sobranie of London, 65 Kingsway 1980s: Sobranie of London, 34 Burlington Arcade 1990s: Sobranie of London, 13 Old Bond Street. It has been almost 50 years since I last smoked the Sobranie Original Mixture in a pipe and yet I can remember it's taste and aroma as clearly as if it were yesterday. Yenidge bulk- Purchased from Carole at Pipeworks and Wilke. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review. It's a slow burning, cool and dry smoke with an incense like aroma, very smooth. I then flavored it in with the Syrian Latakia until it reached the smokiness I desired (I had some Sobranie on hand for comparison purposes). It was to me simply unique. Outstanding. It was velvety and luxurious, but I could tell that this would have floored me if it was ten years newer and the orientals could come out and play more. I've never had a freshly opened tin that was not perfect for smoking. This one is smooth and bold with good sourness from the orientals and slight smoke from the Latakia. The pouch aroma is of very intense, almost overwhelming Latakia. It almost borders on being monochromatic unless smoked slowly. It was dry as dust, despite being sealed. I actually prefer it over Sobranie.. 3 Balkan Supreme. His life experience was invaluable to me in many ways. Opinions are to Balkan Sobranie what armpits are to Vishnu. Same Day on in Stock Items If ordered before 10 am EST. Legendary. I myself reproduced the old artwork (tin and insert-card) and e-mailed that to Arango and Germain. $7.99. Perhaps all of the above. . Burns cool, clean and a tad fast as its thinner cut now. Pease Caravan. Pipe Collecting | The Virginias offer some grass and hay, a little dark fruit, and a hint of citrus. There are very few aromatics that I like anymore. JavaScript is disabled. Smokingpipes has been down for a few days for maint. In my book this blend scores 5 points out of 5, which equates to 4 well deserved stars. After reading the whole story about Balkan Sobranie I decided to buy a pack og 50g Gallaher packed tobacco, just to see will it live up to the reputation. A must try! The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. Not a lot of spring. Balkan Sobranie literally was Our Best Blend at that time. ==Highly Recommended!== prep. The tinned version (c. 20 years ago) had for me an almost mystical, incense-like quality, very powerful, that somehow induced a trance like state. Both generate wonderful clouds of leather and oak, and upset the women. She doesnt always have it in stock though. He also was the proprietor of the finest tobacconist in town; alas defunct due to the health Luddites and their diligent spreading of manure. This stuff have cool somoke, something light and very rich. I do not know if this is a result of aging or as it was at that time as I was an avid cigar smoker in those days and never smoked a new tin. It was smoked easily until the end of the bowl. So if you are going to feed me, feed me but don't dangle a carrot in front of me and then take it away because it makes me angry. I can't describe it to you - I'm not a wordsmith. The Balkan Sobranie Cigarettes Tobacco Tin - EMPTY - Medium Size $34.00 Free shipping Vintage, THE BALKAN SOBRANIE, No.759 MIXTURE, TOBACCO TIN (4 Inch Diameter) $8.50 $4.50 shipping Tobacco Tins Vintage EMPTY Lot 7 MY LADIES DUNHILL FLAKE BALKAN SOBRANIE & MORE $95.00 $20.15 shipping or Best Offer Peaty and earthy, briny, peppery and a little bitter, leaves a dry sensation on the tongue and a smoky mineral aftertaste. Germain version. What I remember about Sobranie is the "dirt" taste, similar to a Guiness Stout. If I had to choose but one tobacco this would be it. Strong but never overwhelming, after a bowl of BSOM I felt satisfied enough not to smoke again for a number of hours. Man oh man oh man! I guess I hate the others - they only remind me of the real gal. Without question this was the most anticipated tin I have ever opened. SUTLIFF BALKAN SOBRANIE #759 MATCH. Unfortunatley production of this tobacco will cease at the end of this year, so I will be stocking up as much of it as I can for the furure. It's a classic balkan blend with very little virginia and lots of latakia and turkish yenidje. Yes, this tobacco is all that I remembered it to be. I guess I first tried it nearly 35 years ago. The tobacco feels so soft and silky. I could not smoke this all day, but could smoke 2-3 bowls in a row if this were still obtainable. Finally, even the Saseini was taken over by Orlik a few years ago, closing the chapter on the book of Sobranie with finality. During the Second World War Joe was stationed in England, where he visited Balkan Sobranie and made a deal with them to sell Balkan canned by them in London and labelled as Best, exclusively. I can only imagine how good the original issue was; I smoked it in my college days (1970s) and also smoked the Sobraine-made Smokers' Haven blends (which I still smoke in their Germain incarnation) but the taste memory has faded over the years. Pipe News |, |About A great tobacco, it will be shame to see it go. Filters. The "Junk" you're writing about is produced by J.F. Similar Blends: No other Balkan on the planet I've tried tastes as good but some have come close Really good stuff & I'm not a big Latakia fan but it facilitates this blend's sweet, creamy, smoky flavor. Perhaps, despite the common wisdom, Balkan used it fresh. Overall: A classic Balkan that I hope someone re-introduces again in its original form. on SP.com, with quantity-based discounts as well. It's a little like a bowl of Squadron Leader but even smoother and milder, and without the spicy and sometimes peppery 'orientals'. I've heard that its inclusion is why Balkan was labelled a ?smoking mixture? I wanted to make sure my review didn't reflect a myth. Ok ..lets all get over the Balkan Sobraine tag because this stuff isn't anything like the stuff I smoked in the '60's and 70's, in fact, it reminds me of Bill Baily's Balkan a bit. It was very simalar to the Original Mixture only much fresher and fuller in taste than those acient Tins you will find on ebay. but still smooth. It was always ?caviare for the general?, and not, lately, much of a money-maker: English tastes, in this as in everything else, have become coarsened and vulgarised; and so, once it was deprived of its big American public, this blend simply became problematic and unprofitable. The original Balkan purportedly contained latakia (I don't know if it was Syrian, Cyprian or both), Virginia (I don't know the varieties, but none of these ingredients were toasted except, of course, the latakia), high grade English Cavendish, and Yenidje from Macedonia, as advertised on the can. I prefer to take it slow, just so thin wisps of smoke emit from the pipe. I always found its sister blends, RATTRAY?s Red Raparee and DUNHILL?s London Mixture more conservatively and more finely integrated; in comparison, Sobranie seemed a little bloated sometimes, a little relentless. UPDATE February 2004: Ok, in the past 2 years I had the chance to smoke several tins of the old version of Original Mixture, and also of 759. You know how things get distorted after so many years "ahh, those were the GOOD old days.". The original Balkan Sobranie is the holy grail of pipe tobacco, and when even its subsequent, inferior versions garner four stars from virtually every reviewer in these pages, it deserves more than a few words from an old codger who's never found an acceptable substitute. I remembered a friend describing to me that the difference between the "old" and "new" is the Latakia in the "new" is more noticable. I'm getting low on Sutliff Balkan Sobranie 759 Match that I've enjoyed right along, from SP. An elderly and dear gentleman who resides on my street, was gracious enough to give me a couple of tins for Christmas. Nevertheless, if you palate is not used to the strength of mixtures like the Dunhill my mix 965 and similar, you will not enjoy this blend very much. Quite moist in the tin, it smokes fine directly from the tin but a little drying time is recommended. A masterpiece, perfect to smoke in the evening. Mac Baren Pipe Tobacco
My favorite came with a black label and I think it was called Mixture #759. It smells like sandlewood incense! Everything about this blend is perfectly balanced. Almond butter, butter cream frosting, meringue, brown bread, plum pudding, candied fruit, pinot noir, armagnac. On July 1, 1968, Gallaher Tobacco acquired the blend and the trademarked name. I remember smoking the tinned one a number of times and then the one in the metallic paper pouch. But also of the Smoker's Heaven tobaccos that for years counted as THE replacement for the original Balkan Sobranie tobaccos. With the history and price tag/availability of this blend came concerns it could be a bit of a letdown but those were swiftly erased almost immediately after lighting my first bowl of Balkan Sobranie. After a few puffs the sweetness comes forth, the Virginia's. Easily qualifies as a four star blendIMHO, of course!!! Price: At 4noggins a tin of this new version costs $10.19. Close . Inventory changes daily, call us at 630-834-7777 to place an order. The pipe smoking market appears to be . One day the manufacturer stops making the blend or closes their doors. Pease. 2000-2023 Laudisi Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. I started loving the pipe when I was a teen. If you want to obtain a tin you have to keep an eye out on international fora and tobacco sites and just be VERY lucky because when it is available, poefff it's already gone.. Finished! I almost feel that one star is too good for it! I smoked the Smoking Mixture for 11 years. Except the lucky few. Air time and letting it open a bit was all it took to take this to a new level. I smoked it constantly from 1975 through the early eighties, sporadically since then till it's disappearance. Quite frankly, this tobacco is much better than I remembered. It is my understanding that the version that I was smoking was not the quality of tins sold in the 1970's. I have smoked quite a few BS "matches" and none come close to replicating this blend. I bended my own Balkan Sobrane Original Mixture with these 6 top of the line tobaccos: Wellauers- Latakia .Which is true Syrian Latakia (The real thing)I had five tins sent from Tabac Rhein in Switzerland. But I have since then tried a very well-kept tin from (I think) the 40s or 50s, which was a little dry (but moistened back up with a small piece of orange peel), inherited by a friend of mine by his late grandfather. The virginias provide a solid backdrop for the supporting cast of Turkish tobacco of which, to my tastes at least, Smyrna (not izmir) is the star. Had a lightly lingering after taste and room note. 10 it became kind of the Holy Grail of the pipe tobaccos. Enjoy. I prefer it in the truck on a road trip, or in the evening sitting in my smoking chair. A very smooth first part with lots of latakia flavor and well balanced taste. AhhhhhhBalkan Sobranie. Otherwise who cares I will spend my tobacco money on something else!!!!!!! Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is one of the most legendary Latakia-based blends in history. And yesss, halfway the bowl the oriental tobaccos (I think Kavalla) are coming to the front. Now I feel I am a changed person! The deep bitter sweet undertones of the mixture, combined with a certain degree of mineral saltiness had me transfixed, as if submerged within Alban Berg's music; a beatific state interrupted only when the wife, alarmed at the strong odor, would barge into the room--broom in hand--to chase me out of the house. It was a little dry so I had to add a little humidor to revive it. You do not need to tamp it a lot and it burns down nicely to a grey ash. Only a few got somewhat near to it. Who knows? I can't make a comparison, but this Original Mixture seems very good to me. Germain Pipe Tobacco
It burns very cleanly and leaves a white/grey ash. Add to Wishlist. I'm no expert but I think that both today's Sobranie and Sasieni (made by Stokkebye) are using poor quality VA's that produce that (combined) effect and sensation of, as another reviewer has written, "smoking hot air". The sweet, smoky, woody germain Latakia is present with every puff and very enjoyable. The taste is medium. The Latakia is leathery, smoky with an characteristic peat flavor. My only gripe is that 70% of the blends that I smoke are made by Germain and most of them are almost impossible to come by. I feel it can be smoked anytime of the day accompanying many pleasurable activities be it reading a novel, fly fishing, walking the dogs, even after cigars and cask strength single malts. Old tins these days are just too mellow - although still MARVELOUS! Dan Tobacco Pipe Tobacco
I remember the room note. The latakia and yenidje play an excellent accompaniment, and all the flavors balance beautifully. Very tasty and I feel this blend is one most any pipe smoker would findpleasurable. I see why this blend commands a premium. There are some very good Balkan/heavy english mixtures available,but none can ever replace Balkan Sobranie. It clings to itself almost like a shag. I would not recommend it to very beginners (altrhough bit was one of my own choices in my early beginnings some 45 years ago), Pipe Used: all brands I posess (about 45), Purchased From: different tobacco stores all ovet the world. I open one of my remaining stock every 10 years and will savor each bowl over the next few months. But let us be honest: the incredible variety of mixtures available today and there are a lot of excellent ones offer several perfectly acceptable and enjoyable alternatives for EVERY pipe smoker. Every bowl. As one spun the lid, cutting out the inner lid, one caught the full old-leather, old-whisky, old-wood aroma that promised the same consistent taste as always. After losing one of my 80s pouches to mold, I've now jarred all of them up in Mason jars in the basement and sealed them up tight. It hints at this blend -- maybe it needs more Yenidje?? Strength: Room Note: Taste: Customer Reviews (22 Total) Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars | Sitemap, J.J. Fox Provost Mixture Pipe Tobacco Tin - 50g, J.J. Fox Squires Mixture Pipe Tobacco Tin - 50g, Robert Lewis Wingfield Mixture Pipe Tobacco Tin - 50g, Sutliff Balkan Sobranie 759 Match Pipe Tobacco, Balkan Sasieni Original Formula Pipe Tobacco. Never bites. Since 1912, Providing Premium Cigars, Quality Pipes, High Grade Pipe Tobacco,
So I will back off of this stuff until there is an adequate supply and then I will buy a truck load of it because I really like it. Questions, or to order by phone: 888-689-6876. It is surprisingly mellow and not at all high in nicotine. Not much piquant, pretty monochrome. Its ash is light and gray, without noticeable cake. Aroma: Smoke, sweet vinegar, wood chips, cherry pit, concentrated fig, pomegranate jam. Specifically, the yenidje! It probably was the best Balkan mixture long ago and it's a shame it disappeared. . smokers to be superior. I never had the original one, but this tobacco is quite good in its own right. because that was the last of it. On one hand I was glad I did, on the other I was sad because it was one of the few sachets circulating all over the world. 10+10 out of 10. |Forums The Virginias had darkened quite a bit. I simply loved the flavor. Taste of Virginia was somewhat subtle but in good manners, any stronger taste would, in my opinion, interfere with the Latakia and spoil that special feeling. It seeped into my jackets and the children when young used to love sniffing at those jackets. On ebay, astronomical amounts were (and still are) asked and paid for these tobaccos. Maybe the preparation or selection of red & brown Virginias topped off with tasty Yenidje, possibly a Coumarin infusion? Comparing old tins of 759 and Original sees 759 as the winner: sweeter, rounder, tastier. Maybe the preparation or selection of red & brown Virginias topped off with tasty Yenidje? . Germain & Son is the maker of some other legendary tobacco, Penzance. 2000-2023 Milan Tobacconists,
PS: Save your coin if you think that Sasieni is going to get you any closer to those bygone days I personally think it's somewhat better than BS but not much. )which would make this more of an english blend than a Balkan. Likewise akin to Smokers' Haven's Krumble Kake and Esoterica's Penzance in flavor and strength, but like comparing a profesional ice skater to a hockey player. This is also the case with Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture. Is it as good as the 70's, 60's and before version? in Slavic languages) either there or in London, their eventual home, along with their delightful, white Turkish cigarettes, and their renowned Russian Black and Gold (- tipped) cigarettes. It's clear to me that smoked fresh this is no lightweight English/balkan. Unfortunately, the versions I've tried ranged from "decent but unspectacular" to "horrible." A very full taste, so well balanced that is impossible to immagine something better. I have smoked it many times since, but it never became part of my standard repertory. It's just really hard to find. After using the paper towel method and transferring the whole thing into a jar, I waited for a few days so that the tobacco flavors settle. It is too late and the tins that are still around are selling for hundreds each or more. Put my name on the list to try the new one out. The same topping as the 1981 and pouch version. Never a dull or harsh moment, I savor every sip from the pipe. I cannot say I was impressed with the last but at least it was not dominant. My initiation into pipe smoking was with a tin of this 'nectar' Yes, I was permanently spoiled. It lights easily, requires little maintenance and gives the most rewarding smoke I?ve had to date (I've not been smoking very long though to be honest!). None came close to the White Tin with the neat wagon on the front of the tin. The middle part was a bit heavier but still a good medium taste with a full room note and ample white smoke. Medium bodied smoke, you get enough lat, but it's not really an extraordinary English. I don't see how one could find fault in this fine blend. Won't bite or get harsh. This spectacular blend stands on top of the rostrum of the Hall of Fame, together with famous 759, and only few others. The Orientals (Macedonia being one of them) provide a lot of earth, wood, floralness, a light dry sourness and buttery sweetness, along with a little spice and leather as a supporting player. Current Stock: Decrease Quantity: Increase Quantity: Add to Wish List. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Milan
Cannot ship to Maine, South Dakota, Washington, Utah Maximum Purchase: 1 unit Free Shipping Orders over $95 in US Ship Worldwide A calm and smooth creamy smoke with hints of that 'Turkish' taste here and there - but they are very very mild indeed; so mild that you will often forget that they are even there. It smokes very cool, but I find it burns quite quickly even when quite moist, which is odd for such a cool smoking tobacco. The smell alone is divine. It may need a couple of relightings, but after each one of them the taste seems to get even better and richer. Seems all the latakia smokers I know in person prefer Balkan Sasieni to Sobranie - insofar as the contemporary blends are concerned. I smoked a good amount of it, but largely because there were so few latakia blends that were easily available. Four Big Stars for the new Original Mixture! It is not nearly as heavy with Latakia that Penzance is, nor is it quite as creamy regarding the mouth feel although there's some. I will always thank him for his gift of friendship to a man 50 years his junior. I've been at it for about 3 weeks to revive the Balkan as it was dryer then the Gobi desert, but I had good faith as the smell of the tobacco was really good and strong. The third part was on the strong side. It still is a very tasty, oriental-dominated blend, and one which has no equals. This is what a pipe tobacco is supposed to be! It has a sweet & salty flavor with an enticing aroma. The first time I tried this tobacco was recently; it was a 6 year old 50g packet that had been well kept. 1981, transition year to the Gallaher production, good but really just not it. This is a 2.5 star blend compared to Black House or Nat Sherman 536, rating it "recommended" only if you're determined to try it and can find a tin cheap. It's definitely not worth that kind of price. Like everyone else who's been smoking as long as I have, I can confirm that this is nothing like the old tins we used to smoke decades ago. All tobacco is made the old fashioned way. The more recent version, however, was absolutely disgusting. I simply do not like cigarettes and the foul smell and taste of such tobacco! If I had plenty of money, I'd have more Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture. Posted by Andrew P on Jun 13th 2022. And I am always happy to try and evaluate new mixtures. Size: 1.76 Oz. I guess I'll just keep trying but i t very frustrating for those of us who haven't gotten to try these blends. The outstanding characteristic of this blend, to me, is the complexity and changing nature through the course of the bowl. I think most of us, especially new to the community, think its some mythical blend that would be our holy grail in our modest cellar. -----------------------------------------------------------------. When I first opened the tin and looked at the contents I was a little surprised. The Redstones were a Jewish family who left (fled?) This tobacco is so fine that if it was food you were eating, you'd want to regurgitate it and eat it again. And the latakia, for all that time, seems to have lost its oomph. Waited a few days until I was off work to try it, opened it up, and found mold growing on it. Aging will do wonders to this I'm sure. I realize that even though The Balakan Sobranie is gone and that the tobaccos used in it's making are no more to be found, you can still get quality stuff from some dedicated blenders, finding them could be quite a challenge though. I won't waste time on deep rambling discourse. Balkan was definitely true to the old bromide that the worse the room smelled, the better the tobacco (don't the girls just love the smell of Cherry Blend). The mixture was overwhelmingly harsh and acrid really vile stuff. The subtle interplay between the Orientals and the Latakia along with the suspected aged virginias became sublime.as well as whatever word denotes that which is greater than sublime. although i have nothing of great worth to say to sway someone one way or the other i can try to describe my own subjective opinion briefly and to the point, but the ultimate judgement or perception is up to you. White tin - real McCoy. I need to first say that below, Leiconnsel's review must be the gold standard for all reviews on this amazing blend. Since in Italy it's still fully available, I can submit a review of the latest pouches. Has a rich experience for me and this tobacco was a unique in months because even when stored for so long, still provided good smoked, full of flavor. This tobacco is unique.. . Updates on New Cigars, Pipes, Pipe Tobacco, Accessories,
Anyway I am basically a English/ Balkan smoker Very few other satisfy. Out of stock tobaccos are still offered as always. Very nice once-a-day smoke. A deserved reputation. Recent pouches were also drier. It remains extremely consistent throughout the bowl and I frequently smoke it to the bottom without realizing it at all.