New member seeks Holy Grail!

Hi All, just getting back into pipe smoking & disappointed at finding Balkan Sobranie has bit the dust…. Such a shame. Got a suggestion to go for Arango but sadly Peter Stockbye of Denmark has stopped supplying the U.K. with it! So, we’re doing the rounds now, trying to find something in the U.K. that’s fit to smoke. First is a Gawith & Hogarth Balkan mix from Smoke-King.Co. U.K. …… I’ll let you know how that goes.

Hello! G&H Balkan Mix is on my shopping list, too.

You may be interested in WhiteKnight, it was designed as a Sobranie match. I never had the original, but I like WhiteKnight quite a bit. Here's a UK site selling it.

I like Balkan Mixture but I never tried the Sobranie blends so I can't compare them. Lance's Slices are also very good along with GLP blends if you have any retailers.

It's been a while but I found GH Balkan Mix and Flake had a slight flavor that was something (to me) between pine resin and a hint of menthol. In any case, welcome and happy hunting

Volkditty said:

Hello! G&H Balkan Mix is on my shopping list, too.

You may be interested in WhiteKnight, it was designed as a Sobranie match. I never had the original, but I like WhiteKnight quite a bit. Here's a UK site selling it.

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Many thanks for the info. I was going to order some straight away but see they have an 1100g minimum order which is a bit much for something you’ve never tried! I’m going to see if they’ll sell either a 50g tin or a sample. I very much appreciate the info as I’d been looking for what l considered to be a good Balkan mix for quite a while.

Their Commonwealth mixture is good if you like Latakia.

Most of Germain's Latakia blends should do you too.

Thanks to all for comments & tips. It’s out there & l will find a good ‘un sooner or later but currently being plagued by “sorry, out of stock” & at 75yrs being asked for drivers licence or passport to prove I’m old enough to smoke! Lol

Agree with Bali on Lancer Slices. Not exactly BSOSM but very good on it's own.

Aaah, the wonders of the modern world, getting messages from across the pond & the UK helping me to find a good smoke and turning the CRT SS 9900 radio on managed a quick chat from UK to Kentucky re baccy too!

Volkditty said:

Hello! G&H Balkan Mix is on my shopping list, too.

You may be interested in WhiteKnight, it was designed as a Sobranie match. I never had the original, but I like WhiteKnight quite a bit. Here's a UK site selling it.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the UK site selling Sir Walter Raleigh and Prince Albert....!
You have given me a reason to live!

My favourite balkan is an American made one by G L Pease called Westminister. Lots of Orientals and tastes like London Mixture did when Alfred H was in charge at Dunhill. It is a little hard to find in the UK but is available.

If you can find Balkan Sassini, it’s Balkan Supreme in a tin. I think PS Proper English is the same as Balkan Supreme too.

Thanks Dave, everyone on here being incredibly helpful & i’m grateful.

daveinlax said:

If you can find Balkan Sassini, it’s Balkan Supreme in a tin. I think PS Proper English is the same as Balkan Supreme too.

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I get Proper English from my local B&M in bulk form. It's my first bowl of the day. I've never had Balkan Sassini (sp?), so I can't comment on that one. You might try Smoking Pipes.EU to get Proper English.
Good luck.