Homemade Balkan Sorbanie Original Mixture?

[American Psycho-Analyst]

I've decided that, purely out curiosity, I would try to take several readily available blending tobaccos and see as to whether or not I could myself concoct a reasonable replacement for the sorely missed Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture. There is a recipe someone gave on TobaccoReviews.com for a homemade Sobranie mixture which consists of the following components:

Wellauer's Syrian Latakia
McCrannie's Red Ribbon
Sam Gawith Full Virginia Flake
McClelland Oriental Blending Tobacco
Bulk Yenidje
Unflavored bulk black cavendish.

According to the recipe, Yenidje, Virginias and orientals were blended in equal proportions with a smidgit of the unflavored black cavendish added last. Syrian latakia was sprinkled in to taste.

Now, because Wellauer's Syrian Latakia is not a tobacco I now how to get, I'm thinking about simply using McClelland's blending (Cyprian) latakia. Here arises my first question: will using a Cyrprian latakia in lieu of a Syrian latakia severely depress the taste of the overall blend?

Second, I don't see the point in getting two different Virginia flakes. Additionally, Red Ribbon is not widely available. Do you guys think that Gawith's Full Virginia Flake is thus the best place to go to secure the Virginia base for this homemade Sobranie?

Concerning Yenidje, I have a feeling that, when this recipe was created, the Grand Oriental's line from McClelland was not yet created. Consequently, I plan on using McClelland Yenidje Supreme as the Yenidje component for this blend. Comments?

Concerning the cavendish, did original Sobranie have cavendish???

Does anyone here have any recipe recommendations for blending a homemade Sobranie? Who knows, we must just get lucky here blending a 'CS Balkan'.

[mr.c]

lots of companies that tin tobacco have tried this. balkan saseni , c&d engine 99 might want to grab a tin and add to it ?

[JohnnyFlake]

I would not use Cyprian Latakia, the taste is completely different than Syrian Latakia. McClelland's, Rose of Latakia, is readily available and it is straight, pure Syrian Latakia.

I have also heard of a mixture that is said to be close to Balkan Sobranie, in taste. I have never tried it, so I cannot comment about it. It's a very simple mixture, using one pouch of Balkan Sasieni (50g), adding 10g of Yenidje and 10g of Syrian Latakia. Mix thoroughly, and then let rest for a week or two. I've been told by several people that the results is very similar to the Original Balkan Sobranie.

If anyone tries this, I'd be very interested in hearing what you think of the results! I do not have all the needed tobaccos, and I do not plan on buying any more tobacco, for a good long time. If I did have them, I would have tried it right away.

Johnny

[American Psycho-Analyst]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

I would not use Cyprian Latakia, the taste is completely different than Syrian Latakia. McClelland's, Rose of Latakia, is readily available and it is straight, pure Syrian Latakia.

I have also heard of a mixture that is said to be close to Balkan Sobranie, in taste. I have never tried it, so I cannot comment about it. It's a very simple mixture, using one pouch of Balkan Sasieni (50g), adding 10g of Yenidje and 10g of Syrian Latakia. Mix thoroughly, and then let rest for a week or two. I've been told by several people that the results is very similar to the Original Balkan Sobranie.

If anyone tries this, I'd be very interested in hearing what you think of the results! I do not have all the needed tobaccos, and I do not plan on buying any more tobacco, for a good long time. If I did have them, I would have tried it right away.
Johnny

I'll do this tomorrow. After letting it rest in a baggie for a week or so, I'll compare it head-to-head with the Sobranie that I have available. I'm also wondering what Nightcap might taste like with a Yenidje infusion?

[sounds7]

I came across your website and noticed someone is trying the recipe I put up on tobaccoreviews.com for the homemade Sobrane.

I ordered my 5 100gr Tins of the syrian latakia from a tobacconist in Switzerland. If you google the tobacco he should come up. It is very good quality. As for trying to alter the recipe, if you alter it in any way it may very well yield different and less desirable results than the recipe I discovered. If you know your tobaccos though you may discover something that works even better in which case i ask that you share the results with me at sounds7@aol.com

Thanks to all and happy smoking

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by sounds7

I came across your website and noticed someone is trying the recipe I put up on tobaccoreviews.com for the homemade Sobrane.

I ordered my 5 100gr Tins of the syrian latakia from a tobacconist in Switzerland. If you google the tobacco he should come up. It is very good quality. As for trying to alter the recipe, if you alter it in any way it may very well yield different and less desirable results than the recipe I discovered. If you know your tobaccos though you may discover something that works even better in which case i ask that you share the results with me at sounds7@aol.com

Thanks to all and happy smoking

That's exactly what I thought when this thread first went around. To anyone who takes the time to read the thread McClelland Rose of Latakia isn't straight Syrian, its a VA/syrian blend. If you want straight syrian McConnells Pure Latakia is the only one I know of. Would the McConnells be compatible in your recipe Sounds? Also I read that C&D Odessa was a BS clone. Do you have an opinion on that? Thanks

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

That's exactly what I thought when this thread first went around. To anyone who takes the time to read the thread McClelland Rose of Latakia isn't straight Syrian, its a VA/syrian blend. If you want straight syrian McConnells Pure Latakia is the only one I know of. Would the McConnells be compatible in your recipe Sounds? Also I read that C&D Odessa was a BS clone. Do you have an opinion on that? Thanks

To be quite honest this recipe came about two years ago before there were other Syrian Latakia products like the McConells available. I purchased a rather large quantity of the Syrian from Switzerland and havent really needed to explore the recent additions like the McConnells. So I must first try it before I can give an honest comparison.

One rule I made when formulating this recipe is that I would use the finest tobaccos available as this is exactly what made the Balkan Sobrane so great. Spare no expense if you want a fine smoke.

For now please describe as best you can the McConnells pure Latakia, how is the aroma when you first open the can? Describe the taste if you smoke it pure. Thanks

PS I have C&D Odessa and its not even close. In fact I stopped trying these blends that boasted their similarities because they don't have one bit of Syrian leaf in it.

[Mad Hatter]

I figured the Odessa was probably a long shot from the mark. I was thinking it has perique in it too although I won't swear to it. I haven't smoked any of the McConnells but if you'd like a sample I can send it your way. I can't even remember if the tin was opened or not and to be honest about it, I have so little experience with syrian I wouldn't be able to tell good from bad.

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I figured the Odessa was probably a long shot from the mark. I was thinking it has perique in it too although I won't swear to it. I haven't smoked any of the McConnells but if you'd like a sample I can send it your way. I can't even remember if the tin was opened or not and to be honest about it, I have so little experience with syrian I wouldn't be able to tell good from bad.

Thats O.K. I just ordered a Tin from "cup o Joes". If its close it is certainly more attainable than the swiss brand I purchased.

[marcovgv]

rose of latakia is not pure syrian latakia. I have some and its not even cloe to pure latakia

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

I would not use Cyprian Latakia, the taste is completely different than Syrian Latakia. McClelland's, Rose of Latakia, is readily available and it is straight, pure Syrian Latakia.

I have also heard of a mixture that is said to be close to Balkan Sobranie, in taste. I have never tried it, so I cannot comment about it. It's a very simple mixture, using one pouch of Balkan Sasieni (50g), adding 10g of Yenidje and 10g of Syrian Latakia. Mix thoroughly, and then let rest for a week or two. I've been told by several people that the results is very similar to the Original Balkan Sobranie.

If anyone tries this, I'd be very interested in hearing what you think of the results! I do not have all the needed tobaccos, and I do not plan on buying any more tobacco, for a good long time. If I did have them, I would have tried it right away.

Johnny

[marcovgv]

Well I am going to try this recipe out. I already have tins of the Full Virgina flake, Oriental and Red Ribbon. I just ordered the Mcconnel Syrian, Pipeworks Black Cavendish and Yenidje. I am going to be mixing up quite a bit as I do not smoke the red ribbon or FVF that much anymore. Let me know if you guys want a sample of the stuff i blend up.

I am going to experiment with some of the mixture and press it in to a cake.. see what it dose for it under preasure and time.

Did the bs original mixture contain deer tungue? i read that somewhere I think....

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by marcovgv

Well I am going to try this recipe out. I already have tins of the Full Virgina flake, Oriental and Red Ribbon. I just ordered the Mcconnel Syrian, Pipeworks Black Cavendish and Yenidje. I am going to be mixing up quite a bit as I do not smoke the red ribbon or FVF that much anymore. Let me know if you guys want a sample of the stuff i blend up.

I am going to experiment with some of the mixture and press it in to a cake.. see what it dose for it under preasure and time.

Did the bs original mixture contain deer tungue? i read that somewhere I think....

I have not read anywhere that it used deer tongue but that does not mean it didn't. if you use it though use it in moderation as Deer Tongue gives it a slightly tart taste You dont want it to overpower the mixture.
By the way I enjoy this blend the most in my Dunhill shell straight billiard that has been dedicated strickly to Sobranie and like Balkans. I really do think the pipe makes a difference just like sipping fine wine from a certain glass gives the flavor more character.

By the way put me down for a pressed sample of yours when your done

[Mad Hatter]

I might be down for a sample trade on that too Marco

[plexiprs]

I love it when everyone gets out their Mad Scientist tobacco blending kit and starts up. I hope this thread stays up to date! I'm ordering some blending stock even as I type this reply!

[morefifemusicanyone]

I totally want to try too! Is the only place to order Red Ribbon from McCrannie's? I would like to order all my baccy in one place.

At any rate, I would be down for trading for a sample when its done.

-Tyler