Balkan Sasieni Pipe Tobacco

Excellent

Many years ago I smoked Balkan Sobrani and was disappointed when I could not source it again. However the Sasieni blend is very similar and a great smoke which I fully recommend to people looking for quality tobacco.

Would buy again

Having had some time to compare this bulk version with the tinned version, it is very clear that they are the same. What you get with Sasieni is a blissful smoking experience. The latakia used here is unique among smoking blends, very intriguing, fruity and bright and colorful like a strong Madagascan black peppercorn (voatsiperifery). It cannot be described very effectively, only experienced. Next, the Macedonian orientals do something quite magical in combination with the mysterious latakia. It is unlike any other Balkan mixture available. The Virginias are present, mostly matured darker leaf with some bright leaf gold/yellow sprinkled in for a touch of sweetness. But the stars of this show are the Macedonian orientals and the unique latakia. See, with all the boutique blends made by the same five master blenders working from the same stock from the same five or six corporate tobacco farms, everything smells and tastes the same, so they have to use sugary casings and toppings to create variety. And the latakia is all the same, overcured, burnt, creosote and burning tires. The latakia in Sasieni is a gem. An absolute treasure. It is my favorite Balkan by far, it's not even a close comparison. No question. Balkan Sasieni is the yardstick by which all other would-be Balkans must be judged. In short, two things: Sasieni is the very best, and the bulk version is genuine.

Disappointed: I cannot determine whether this is genuine Balkan Sasieni or a clone from some knockoff brand, as it arrived in a generic ziploc bag instead of factory-sealed packaging. Cup O Joes says it's genuine, and perhaps we should trust them. But it doesn't even come with a factory label or sticker, nothing to say that it's the real thing. Yes, it is very attractively priced at under $60/pound, so that's a consideration, and its bewitching aroma is intriguing and quite different to most other Balkans available today (the orientals are forward, floral, and very incense-like, while the latakia smells bright, colorful, and peppery rather than dark and smokey). On the other hand, however, these ribbons are *incredibly* dry, so delicate that they crumble apart at the touch, and at least a third of the one-pound bag is already pulverized into tiny crumbs and shakes from being handled too roughly. It is clear to any observer that this stuff has spent years sitting under a shelf in a warehouse somewhere without proper conditioning. I was so excited for this, really had my hopes up for a bulk version of Balkan Sasieni, but we might have to stick with paying for tins. I'm so disappointed at having to recondition an entire pound of tobacco before it's ready for storage or aging. But hey, after I rehab some of it I'll review it again. Maybe it'll turn out to be something great, even if it is just a generic clone.

REMINDS ME OF WHAT I SMOKED IN THE 60S

Many thanks for the outstanding service.

Been looking for a bulk replacement for Peterson 965 for awhile now. This fits perfectly and is way cheaper than buying tins 15-20 at a time. Great smoke, no tongue burn and not overwhelming. Can smoke this all day no issues.

Balkan Sasieni is the best and most similar successor to Balkan Sobranie, which went out of production about 20 years ago. For those who know Sobranie, nothing more needs to be said.

Excellent blend at the right price, considering rising prices! The customer service was excellent, even for small orders. Overall,, a great experience! Will, and already have told others about cup-a-joe! Michael Sullivan

Finally found my blend. This is the closest match to Frog Morton (McClelland, now gone) that I have found. Not a perfect match, but better than any of the other 'match' products I've tried. FM was Latakia, Virginia and a casing. The Oriental/Turkish in this particular Balkan gives a similar taste to the FM casing but is missing the hint of sweetness found in FM. Fair trade-off when considering the price.

By far the best Oriental blend I have ever smoked.

This is the first time I have ever tried this brand. I have smoked other oriental blends and this is the best among all. I will be ordering more of it in the future. Thanks as well for the quick delivery and friendly service.

I like this very much thought I might try proper english

i wish it was more like the old balkan of 1960s

Great smoke.

Good tobacco, great service.

Very pleasant indeed A good solid tobacco with excellent taste and flavour. Very satisfying smoke. Tom Boswell

Prompt service. Quality and consistency top notch.

I’ve used Balkan style blends for most of the forty-seven years I’ve smoked a pipe, much of that time using Balkan Sobranie’s Smoking Mixture, the white tin. Balkan Sasieni is still the closest to the old Sobranie that I have experienced. It’s is flavorful but mild and gives consistency throughout the bowl. It has been, and continues to be, my “go to” choice for my briars.

great smoke

Having never smoked a lataika blend I was rather put back by the first bowl. Totally different flavor. Quickly grows on you. Now one of my regular rotations. Pleasant break from the typical burley/cavendish blend.

Better than expected at a great price.

Great dealing with Cup O Joes

This blend has been one of my "go to" English blends for many years, of course all purchased from Cup O' Joes. You don't go back over and again if it's not the best, right?

I was excited to try this blend in bulk. It’s a “clean” blend that isn’t overly sweet, but balances the Latakia very well. I can see this becoming my “go to” bulk Balkan blend in the future. Cup O’ Joes shopping experience is top notch.

I am new to smoking pipe tobacco, occasional cigars over the years. Selected this blend because of the name, being someone from Serbia and thus the Balkan region of Europe, did not want a blend that was flavored other than the tobacco itself. Willing to consider other blends, perhaps better suited for a new smoker. That is not to say that this blend is anything other than enjoyable.

Still the excellent blend that it has been for decades. Hope all are well & safe!

Fast,,efficient service

Blended 8 0zs. with 2 ozs Latakia and 2 ozs Perique. Suddenly it was 1970 again.

I do not smoke Balkan Sasieni alone but prefer to blend it with C&D Bayou Morning. For me this mixture is a satisfactory replacement for Early Morning Pipe.

Fast delivery and good quality

This mixture is somewhat variable - some batches do justice to The Master, Balkan Sobranie, other batches are a bit on the rough or thin side. All and all, a worthwhile replacement since the Original is no longer available. Also very reasonably priced in bulk.

Delivered in less than maximum estimated time, and appreciated.

Very pleased with excellent service (and packaging). It was a pleasure speaking with Sean Robinson.

The closest I could find to the gold standard, the Balkan Sobranie (no longer available)

As close to Balkan Sobranie original mix as can be found today.

I really enjoyed this tobacco blend, it was strong but not overpowering and for me it reminded me of little clove cigars.

After trying the tin of Sasieni, I quickly tried to find a bulk option, having bought a half pound, I must say that the the bulk is as close as you can come, if not an exact match of the tin version. Very cool burn, lights well, stays lit. has the aroma of leather, incense, and ends with a slight lingering smell of burnt cedar wood. If you are a fan of the original tin, I recommend picking up a bulk bag of this. Excellence all around.

This is a very good, tasty and well-balanced mixture.

Lights easily and draws smoothly

This bulk Sasieni offering, tastes just like the Sasieni 50gm. tin counterpart. Lovely classic taste, cool burning, highly recommend purchasing this in bulk, if this is in your normal rotation.

The product speaks for itself but, the service was amazing ... Shipped in <2 hrs. from my call; Delivered to my home in the wilds of NE PA in less than 44 hr. from my calling in the order.

It is an honest Balkan tobacco, which burns without scratching until the very end with a fire without becoming bitter, the smoke is creamy and not too heavy. It is a good stuff.

GREAT BLEND, SMOOTH SMOKE, GIVE IT A TRY YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED. VERY FAST SHIPPING, AND OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE. THANK YOU CUPOFJOES.

For many years I smoked the Balkan Sobranie equivalent of Sasieni, but this became unavailable here in Australia as the company refused to comply with our Health Dept requirements concerning health warnings on the containers. The Sasieni I find to be at least as good.

I have been smoking pipes since 1979,off and on been back now for two years.The OTC, was pretty much what was available locally so I cut my teeth on burley,virginia. Finding Sasieni was by accident and pleasure has filled my bowel's since. Perfect balance throughout mixture, same top to bottom . Beautiful soft white ash, very little if any dottle. Leaves a dry pipe and stays lit easy. Aroma reminds me of burnt rubber, used leather, slight Flora hardly noticeable. You become aware of the blender's dictation to the craft. In is my opinion that Sasieni maybe the world's finest blend.

Great Smoke, smooth, invigorating

An excellent product, and better than Dunhill 965. Have purchased this from Cup O' Joes for many years. Always available in fresh stock, friendly, and best service.

rhe best balkan in commerce. perhaps less spice than Balkan sobranie, but the formula and the taste semms remember th old falavour of on of the toobacco mhytes

I had been smoking a really bad tobacco. It was hot, fast burning, and badI was fooled by the name, "luxury English" or some such. But, the first puff of Balkan was a sure indicator that it is a much better smoke. Oly criticism is that it does burn a bit fast, but, not bad. I like it.