Just Old Tobacco…

10th August, 2007: Posted by glpease in Tobacco, Enjoyment

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Old tobacco is amazing stuff. I mean the really old stuff, the vintage tins that people talk about and pay astronomical sums of money for. By now, most of us are cellaring tins of our favored blends for the blessings that time bestows upon them, and, of course, we should keep doing this while we continue to explore the pleasures of getting to know tobaccos in their juvenescence, and at various stages of their development. In fact, some enjoy their smoke most when it’s still possessing the exuberance of youth, and some tobaccos seem to lend themselves particularly well to being enjoyed while young.

I’m talking about something different, though. I’m talking about those distinguished old blends, long unavailable; those marvelous and revered tobaccos that have been sitting on dusty shelves for years or decades, lying in wait as little hermetically sealed time capsules containing something of both our collective, and our individual pasts. There is sometimes much more in those tins than old weeds.

A few months ago, I attended a weekend “smoker” with a handful of friends. We all brought tobaccos from our cellars to share and discuss. My main contribution was an old 200g tin of Balkan Sobranie, probably from the mid-1970s.

The tin had been excavated from a box of similarly old tobaccos whilst I was involved in attempting a little organization of my “cellar.” When I discovered it, the label was exhibiting those nasty little brown spots that betray the presence of surface rust on the tin beneath them. I performed my usual ritual of hysterical non-destructive testing - shaking the tin, squeezing it gently, tapping on the top and bottom, gently probing the little rust spots - in an attempt to determine if the contents might still be in good condition, or if the rust had eaten through the tin years before, the resulting holes rendering the tin’s contents into little more than once valuable tobacco flavoured mummy dust. Things seemed okay, so I decided it would be a good candidate to share with my mates during our upcoming smoke-filled weekend. I grabbed a few other things as a backup plan, just in case all my “testing” had resulted in a flawed prognosis.

When I finally got to the party, anxious for some refreshment after hours of being at loggerheads with far too many drivers on far too little road, it was instantly apparent that any tobaccos I’d brought would be in celebrated company. There was a dizzying display of old and new blends alike, all ready to be sniffed, talked over, and smoked. There was stuff I’d never heard of, and even more stuff I’d heard of but never tasted. Though the Balkan Sobranie was a tobacco of legend, I hoped it would hold its own amongst such an elite crowd. We’d have to wait. There were cigars to smoke, foods to eat, wine to drink, music to listen to, and perpetual, lively conversation in every corner.

Finally, late that evening, well sated and probably at least mildly intoxicated, we decided to pull the top. Fortunately, the tobacco turned up in pristine condition, and released its magnificent aroma to the eager noses of those gathered round. The anticipation was thick. We passed the tin around, and several filled their bowls. We spoke in quiet tones, and an odd reverence briefly fell upon what had been a pretty unruly lot only moments before. It seemed more like some sort of arcane ritual of an ancient secret society than a bunch of bohemians gathered to celebrate smoke and drink and food.

Our host was a long-time devotee of the fabled Sobranie of yore, but hadn’t had any in years, so this would be a special treat for him. I waited to light up until he’d gotten his going. The obvious joy this tobacco brought him was its greatest gift. He talked of the memories rekindled, the places to which he was transported by the magic in those lacy wisps of smoke. That’s the true beauty, the real value of old tobaccos, I think.

When I was leaving Sunday, I left the rest of the Sobranie with him to enjoy, hoping it would conjure many more fond memories for him. It nearly brought tears to his eyes. I can only hope that, one day in the distant future, a tin of one of my own blends will bring similar happiness to someone, somewhere, whether or not I am still around to experience it with them.

-glp

21 Responses

  1. Neill Says:
    August 10th, 2007 at 15:51

    Reading descriptions of evenings like this make me feel somewhat envious. How could any tobacco connoisseur not wish desperately to be a part of an evening like this.

    It is such a gift that you left your friend with the Balkan Sobranie. As you point out so eloquently, it is not so much a gift of tobacco as a gift of flights of reverie.

    This is such a beautiful post. I love the story….

  2. Frank Says:
    August 10th, 2007 at 17:31

    Although not there in person, you’ve allowed me to be there in spirt and and I appreciated the invite. It’s a good way to end a busy week and start a relaxing (hopefully) weekend. Just out of curiosity Greg, what tobacco did the others bring?

    Frank

  3. tiltjlp Says:
    August 11th, 2007 at 14:43

    I fully understand how you felt, and wish I had been there too. I have a similar experience quite often, when I enjoy what is my regular blend.

    My dad introduced me to this blend 48 years, and lighting up, especially when it’s quiet, reminds me of him.

  4. Hunter Says:
    August 11th, 2007 at 17:16

    Very enjoyable read. But it makes me wonder why everybody else’s life is more interesting than mine? Thank god for the word “vicariously” …

  5. J. D. Says:
    August 11th, 2007 at 17:46

    I WAS one of those in attendance that weekend and I can say that Greg is absolutely right, the moment he cracked that tin it was like a silent observance, a shared deep anticipation and reverence and you could see the eyes of the individuals lite up as their lips fell silent. The tin opening should have begun with a couple chants of “Our father who art in heaven”…..

    There is simply no poignant enough phrase in the English language to say thank you for something like that.

  6. Contented Piper Says:
    August 11th, 2007 at 18:13

    I agree with J.D., as I was among the participants. Greg is too modest to mention the same attitude toward the tin of Bohemian Scandal which I brought and opened. While the Sobranie was extra fine, there are tobaccos which approach it but I submit that there is nothing similar to Bohemian Scandal, my favorite of the Pease offerings. Now, if only Greg would comment on that tubed Mayorga cigar I gave him, the April event would have no unfinished business.

  7. tj Says:
    August 11th, 2007 at 21:17

    When the tin went “swoosh” I envisioned a full Southern Baptist choir singing “Oh Happy Days.”

  8. Matt Says:
    August 22nd, 2007 at 7:18

    Once again- This story is proof of the reverance pipers have for their passion as well as the fellowship it inspires. To call this a hobby, pastime or -Heaven forbid- a habit- is to do us a great injustice as a body of people. There is nothing truely like it.
    Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
    Cheers!

    Matt

  9. a11en Says:
    August 22nd, 2007 at 9:26

    Absolutely fantastic comments on what must have been a great evening! It’s amazing how smells can bring back tangible memories which have been lost in the past. You gave him something much more valuable than the Balkan Sobranie.
    Cheers!

  10. Darrin Says:
    September 14th, 2007 at 13:50

    Just the sight of the Balkan Sobranie tin at the top of the page brought back a flood of pleasant memories! When I was stationed at Defense Language Institute in Monterey California I spent countless hours listening to tapes of Arabic, a pipe filled with Balkan Sobranie betwen my teeth. I few months back I read a review of “Caravan” and tried a tin, hoping that it would at least come close to the flavors and aroms of the long-lost Balkan Sobranie (knowing that those memories have been polished by the magic of time). I’m glad that I bought that first tin of “Caravan”, because it has quickly become my favorite pipe tobacco. Thanks for sharing a terrific story with us.

  11. shimano Says:
    October 23rd, 2007 at 2:27

    I can recall the aroma of the pipe tobacco from when i was young,i will never know just what my dad and grandad were smoking but i know that when i catch a whisp of that certain aroma i am young again with my dad,so i can imagine the pleasure the balkan gave to your host,i like to imagine him in a world of memories as,after all had left he enjoyed your gift in a quiet moment

  12. Pierre-G. Müller Says:
    December 2nd, 2007 at 10:23

    Dear Colleague, the first Balkan Sobranie was given to me by a girl friend back in 1946, I was 19, right after the war. What memories!!!Great site.Happy puffs, PGM.

  13. Ian Minton Says:
    February 17th, 2008 at 8:25

    Greg this is unacceptable to my reality!

    Why do you have to live so far from Chicago and not a drive away!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you should uproot and move the whole production to Illinois:)

    Kind regards,

    Ian

  14. gary dobbs Says:
    March 2nd, 2008 at 16:12

    I am new to pipe smoking and trying to learn as much as possible about the hobby. I found this entry particularly interesting

  15. Dallas S. Volk Says:
    March 30th, 2008 at 20:58

    I kick myself when I look at the collectable tins I don’t seem to be able to part with and think about the treasures they once held. For a brief moment in my pipe smoking history I had in my posession an unopened can of Barneys Tobacco/ Puncnbowle, a tin of Ogdens Virginia, Four Square Ripe Brown Virginia, and two vintage Petersons 1 lb. tins…Petersons mixture “Thinking Mens” and Biltmore English Mixture. I did the unthinkable. As a hopefull blender in the making, I mixed this with that and the other thing until it all became a jumbled unsmokable mess. May the tobacco gods forgive me. I wish the old hungarian gentleman who sold me the gems of his collections (for the original prices listed on them) had told me more about what he was gifting me with. At least I still have all those handmade Stanwells and Knute freehands, as well as a couple pre-transition Barlings I bought UNSMOKED! Not to mention a Centennial Edition Peterson House pipe. If I could go back in a time machine I would steal those blends and send them to my future self. I would kill for those in my collection right now. I have over 250 so far. Its a good start. Oh, on a related subject…Cumberland. I love it, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the power of the aged burley. Who knew that 20 years could turn something mild and nutty into a tobacco that resembles navy cavendish and smokes like a balkan!? Don’t get me wrong, it is amazing stuff. A real velvet hammer, so to speak. But I can say with certainty that I won’t mix this one up with pipes I smoke my VaPers in.

  16. mindwalker Says:
    October 6th, 2008 at 6:23

    I’ve been a pipe smoker for some 50 years. I very much agree with Neill, Frank. & Hunter about the dearth of comraderie and companionship. I’m currently clutching my one remaining 8oz tin of bohemian scandal. I had about a half of one can smoked when the blend went into extinction. IF I’m lucky enough to get a final warning it’ll be the final tin I open.

  17. BigDaddySteve Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 12:13

    As I read this, I realized that although I’ve told others and tried to convince myself that the reason I stopped smoking was for my health, the real reason is that I could no longer find anything to match the pleasure that a bowl of Balkan Sobranie could provide. My choice was always Balkan Sobranie #759. In the seventies and eighties I smoked tin after tin of that amazing concoction. Thank you for your anecdote as it reminded me of long forgotten pleasures.

  18. alfredo_buscatti Says:
    August 24th, 2009 at 1:03

    I do so wish I had been at this gathering to share in the fellowship, the music, the food; but most all the sharing of holy tobaccos!

  19. Mick Khule Says:
    December 21st, 2009 at 4:11

    Sitting at my laptop with an unnamed balkan, reading this article, it became Balkan Sobranie. Thanks for the memories Greg. You are a master.

  20. vinnie799 Says:
    August 12th, 2010 at 10:52

    Greg did you clean your palate between cigars, food, wine and pipes? Or, just plow in?

  21. MACK Says:
    August 16th, 2010 at 21:14

    I have a brand new factory sealed can of Prince Albert pipe tobacco it looks like it is from the 1960s or 50s there is some rust on the bottom of the tin but it has not eaten through. If interested, [yo]u can email me at macktoney@yahoo.com.

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