From: Roger Batista (???????????????)
Subject: posting from pipes page

Dear Steve,

Several months ago I picked up a 50g/1 3/4 oz. pouch of "Balkan Sobranie
No.959" and loved the smoke. The pipe/tobacco store had about 10 of these
pouches and sure enough they ran out. The last couple of them seems as if air
might have somehow entered the pouch and the tobacco was very brittle not to
mention that it did not have the same aroma that the earlier ones had.

I asked him if he was planning on getting any more and he told me if I
understood him correctly, that the company that owns Macanudo's brought out
the importer James B. Russels, Inc. and they did not think there was much of a
market for the "Balkan Sobranie No. 959" so they are not going to carry or
import it. However they will continue to import the "Original Formula Balkan
Sasieni" which comes in a white pouch and also in a tin.

I would appreciate any info in this matter as I have tried other English
blends, but none come close to the "Balkan Sobranie". The "Sasieni" is nice,
but not the same. Does anyone know anything about this and is it still
possible to get "Balkan Sobranie No 959"?  I live on Long Island in the New
York area. Any help would be appreciated from you or possibly other
enthusiasts.

Thanks,

Roger Batista
???????????????


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