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Syrian Full Balkan
| Brand: |
McClelland |
| Blender: |
McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Tin Description: |
Syrian Latakia is prized for its unique, exotic frangrance. It
adds a magnificent, rich aromatic character to this mild, cool-smoking, elegant
Balkan Blend. |
| Country of Origin: |
US |
| Curing Group: |
Air Cured |
| Contents: |
Virginia
Latakia
Oriental
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| Cut: |
Ribbon |
| Packaging: |
50g Tin |
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Average Ratings
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| Strength: |
Mild
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| Flavoring: |
Extremely Mild
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| Taste: |
Mild to Medium
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| Room Note: |
Pleasant to Tolerable
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| Recommendation: |
Somewhat Recommended
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Showing reviews 21 through 26 of 26 reviews of this tobacco
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DUPE.1512
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07/19/2005 |
Mild to Medium
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Extremely Mild
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Mild to Medium
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Pleasant
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| Akin to Rose of Latakia. This one has a nice subtle complexity that got me through a whole tin. Of the three advertised "Syrian" blends, this one afforded the most flavor and smokiness.
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| Reviewed By: |
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Beer
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03/14/2005 |
Mild to Medium
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None detected
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Mild to Medium
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Tolerable to Strong
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| The tobacco has a wild cut and burns very well, with no excess moisture. It is a delicate English mixture, definitely not full and absolutely not a Balkan (that name is heresy for such a tobacco, as is the "full"). The taste of Syrian latakia is quite evident, though applied in a very subtle way. It's a better blend than most of McClelland's Cyprian latakia offerings, but frankly I find it quite flat. Good, mind you, but it doesn't have that extra layer of complexity and flavor of the equally delicate but more interesting Rose of Latakia. Yes, this is very similar to Rose of Latakia, but not as fruity and sweet. I am happy to have tried a tin, but I doubt I will buy another, as there are several more interesting tobaccos out there. The Syrian leaf is top quality, though.
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| Reviewed By: |
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Professor
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03/09/2005 |
Very Mild
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Medium to Strong
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Mild
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Pleasant to Tolerable
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| McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan is a charming and relaxing treat. The look of this weed is a pleasant spectrum of colours from black to tan (without one colour standing out from the other) and the tin's aroma is sweet like holiday pudding. This stuff packed and lit quite well. I noted sweet overtones and woody undertones in puffing. I have never been much for woody characteristics in tobacco and this is the only downfall here. If fact, Syrian Full Balkan burned very dry and made me reach for a glass of water (I would have preferred scotch and water but I was driving on the M5 and, with only one hand free, could not open the bottle). In my last review, discussing Butera's Royal Vintage Latakia No. 1, I neglected to note the orange-flavour that occasionally entered my buds. With this, I found that a taste of tinned sardines was an odd nuance. Citrus? Fish? Perhaps I am going a bit daft. I tell you, nevertheless, that flavour of tinned sardines is hidden in Syrian Full Balkan and occasionally jumps out like the whale from the waters of McClelland's logo. Syrian Full Balkan is extremely mild but not without flavour--worth a try and perhaps it is also something to keep in the cellar when fish and chips calls from the pub. Just stay away from the mushy peas. And be certain that you have something to drink for the cottonmouth that will undoubtedly occur.
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Pounder 5000
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01/31/2005 |
Mild to Medium
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None detected
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Mild
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Tolerable
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| More Syrian than Rose of Latakia, which in this case is not a good thing. It came too moist and burned hot even after letting it dry out. Not good stuff.
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Thatcher
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01/19/2005 |
Medium
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None detected
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Full
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Pleasant
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| When Frog Morton Across the Pond came out, it joined British Woods as my favorite McClelland blend. Now there is a new member at the top of the hierarchy. Syrian Full Balkan is a very nice, smooth, blend; unusually complex for a McClelland mixture. In some ways it seems to combine my two previous favorites. One could describe it as British Woods made with the Syrian latakia of the new Frog, or as Frog Across the Pond made with the orientals of British Woods and sans the black cav sweetness. Either way, it is a nice concoction. Not too moist, and the Worcestershire smell is minimal. A wonderful blend that can be smoked any time of day.
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RCUSElder
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01/11/2005 |
Medium
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None detected
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Medium
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Tolerable to Strong
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| 01-11-2005 An OK Syrian Blend.
Appearance and Tin Aroma: Medium Dark to Black ribbon some lighter leaf, but not much. This one was a surprise to me in that it did not smell as rich as the other syrian blends by the same belding house.
Packing and Lighting: Very easy with moisture perfect out of the tin (uncommon for MCC) 2-3 lights max.
Initial Flavor: Too light, the Syrian is to muted IMO
Mid-Bowl: Not much increase in flavor or complexity. Is my pipe lit?
Bottom of Bowl: Yes, my pipe was lit, but the flavor was not enough for this piper.
Overall: This blend may be a good intro to a classic style light Balkan, but that is about it. My favorite from MCC in the Syrian series is still Frog Morton across the pond. That blend IMO captures the sublime Syrian Latakia best. This blend just was too bland for my palate.
Rating: 3 out of 5 points.
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Showing reviews 21 through 26 of 26 reviews of this tobacco
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