P & T magazine tobacco review. "My, oh my, Mr. Pease has done it again. For those of you looking for a true Balkan, but not just a latakia dump, here it is. Once it became phenomenally difficult some years ago to get small quantities of high quality oriental blending leaf of particular varieties, Balkan blends in general took it on the chin. Latakia alone doesn't cut it. Is Balkan Sobranie, in the absence of Yenidje of substance and quality, the same as in those thrilling days of yesteryear? I should say not. But here, fresh and new, is a mid-weight Balkan to delight the palate, strengthen the nerve, clear the eye and refresh the mind. Enjoy it while contemplating the ways of the world. It will make you philosophical even if you are a thoughtless lump. With a Balkan, Homer Simpson would spout Kierkegaard, Country & Western becomes Wagnerian, a can of Bud is haut Armagnac and your humble abode will appear as Versailles. An opulent and intricate blend of Cyprian latakia, orientals, lemon and red Virginias and a touch of air-cured leaf, this is superb. It has that weight and texture to the smoke necessary to be a true Balkan, so that it hangs in the air, nearly palpable, hovering on exotic wings as a trained falcon. It is probably too rich to be an all-day companion, but maybe not. It goes right to the edge but not over, balancing on the palate like a tightrope artist, stimulating as much as possible without fatigue. If you like this genre, this is the best thing of its sort I have tried in years. Highly recommended."