I have about 6-7 ounces of Balkan Supreme in a jar. It is a good bulk blend but I lost interest in it
quite some time ago. (I would be happy to give it away or trade for something).
The last Sobranie Original I had was in 2004, which I found in a little shop in Rome. ("un tabacchi"). What a surprise.
I knew it had been out of production for over 10 years. Or was it? After returning to US, I found a few early Internet forums.
There, I read messages that it was still available in Italy and South Africa and a few other countries (Israel, I think?).
I was intrigued by the possibility that somewhere in the UK, this blend was still being produced and exported to only a few nations. The foil package was fresh and just as I remembered it in the 1980s
A few days later, while walking through back streets in Bologna I saw what looked like a pipe shop of sorts and went in.
It was the shop of pipe maker Alberto Bonfiglioli! I bought one of his pipes, which was the smallest one he had.
(I paid 75euros). He didn't have much available, and the others he showed me were strangely oversized. But, I filled my pipe with Sobranie Original mixture and finished the rest of that package when I returned home.
It was 2004 and I was a free man again. I had sold my first house after being the victim of several severe financial crimes known as "divorce". I really wanted to stay in Roma, but I had a decent paying IT job and came back to re-build the stolen finances.
A month later I purchased the house where I am sitting now, a much nicer place and more peaceful place that I had previously.
I will no longer look for a replacement of that Sobranie, as there are many other current blends of excellent quality.
But, thanks for your suggestions.
