Tobaccos McClelland - Blending Latakia

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3022)	2014-07-27		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Smokey and woodsy with some sweetness as you would expect this to be. If you want to smoke it straight, use a small bowl. Once was enough for me. As a mixer, it does very well no matter how much or little you use. It always works well with other tobaccos.

-JimInks

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-07-24		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Ok, if you're going to blend as I do (amateur level only), I think you have to smoke this straight at least once (once is enough!) which I did. It's not as overpowering as I feared as the straight perique is. It's actually quite tasty but a little too one dimensional.

As a blending tobacco, it's excellent. I do screwy things with this like mixing it half and half with blends like Mac Baren's Virginia #1 or SG FVF, rubbing out the flakes to make the cuts fairly consistent. I also make blends with this, orientals, and burleys. It's fun to blend and this condiment definitely lends its voice to the mix, often too loudly. High quality tobacco and a must for amateur blenders. Good smoky flavor.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DavidP (25)	2014-07-21		Very Strong	Strong	Very Full	Very Strong

This is a tough one to rate as I have not smoked it by itself. However it's a great addition to ho-hum blends that otherwise just aren't doing it for me. Think of it as having pepper or salt available during a meal; every piper should have some of this around.

Pipe Used: cobs

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: SP.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	scottyspipesebay (25)	2012-08-31		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Very Pleasant

No matter how I've used this, I love it, and I don't use the word love in anything. That's how much I love it. It goes without saying that it's one dimensional, but sometimes just pure (one thing) is what you want...whenever the spirit moves you. For the most part, I use it a blending agent, but once in a while I want just plain pure excellent Latakia, and this is it for me.

Adding 1/3 of this to light bases, such as ECR VA and anything else that goes with Lat, and you'll be set. It is super for the price. Everything about it as an enhancer it perfect. For me anyway. If you like Latakia, play around with it. You can't go wrong. It's just a flat-out fine tobacco.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2008-06-14		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Excellent Latakia. I find it smoother, smokier and sweeter than Robert MacConnell Pure Latakia, and I like this one straight, while the Syrian version is tolerable yet not enjoyable.

For blending, I also prefer this one over Pure Latakia 80% of the times. Great stuff.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2016-03-03		Mild	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

McClelland's always uses top shelf Latakia, and for blending, they made this one just perfect for the occasion with an easy to mix ribbon cut. I suppose one could smoke it straight, but when I tried it, I was a bit overwhelmed by the Latakia although it was sweet in a Frog Morton sort of fashion. I decided to beef up some 10-year old Penzance with it and the combination worked beautifully. I tried a 30% cut with 70% Penzance and accidentally came up with what I think is a pretty good substitute for Balkan Sobranie 759.

Pipestud

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Capt (339)	2011-07-18		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

For those venturing into blending their own mixtures, or a piper wanting to add a bit more body to existing blends, you cannot go wrong with this leaf from McClellands. Dark and rich in the can, thick, heady and creamy in the bowl.

Some suggest not to smoke with straight, I must disagree. You would not smoke it straight for the enjoyment, but to learn exactly what the latakia does to contribute to a blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-11-15		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Put a pinch of this in a cob and give it a try straight, just for the experience (it actually tastes great) but do NOT do this inside. Your wife just thinks your cigars stink. One whiff of straight latakia and she'll never complain about the stogies again.

But, that being said, I remain of the conviction that practically every blend of tobacco cn be helped by either a little latakia or a lot of latakia. Even with sweet aromatics it's like the salt in the cake mix.

As with anything else, judge this tobacco for wht it is, not what it isn't. It's a blending agent, not the blend. And a little can go a long way.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2008-03-06		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Strong

Bulk: Deep, coal black, broad cut form. Although not sticky, the tobacco can be pressed into a ball. Smoky Latakia aroma.

Burn Qualities: Did not burn well at all.. It took numerous relights and a lot of puffing; with a little drying, easier to keep lit.

Taste & Aroma: Rich, smooth, smoky, leathery, woodsy. An almost sweet aspect. Not overpowering, medium in strength.

Nicotine: Medium, not the "Latakia blast" that was expected.

Overall: Like some other McClelland blending tobaccos, not overly remarkable; middle of the road blending tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-05-28		Medium	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

It does not get any easier that this, pop the tin and blend to your hearts content. It has an average moisture content and blends well with just about any other similarly cut tobacco. The tin note is obviously of leather and smoke (your wife will think of horse shit) it is pretty straight forward blend smoke and enjoy.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lochinvar (78)	2005-09-01		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Strong

This is great Latakia for experimental blending, or for those who think Virginias and Orientals are wastes of Latakia space in English mixtures. Good earthy sweetness under the smoke.

Similar Blends: Lapsang Souchong.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pagercat (40)	2005-04-10		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Naturally, a blending tobacco is not normally smoked "straight". I make a lot of different original blends and I use this particular Latakia exclusively.

Ease of use is great, it remains at the right moisture content in the tin, is not too sticky when handling and gives a nice cool smokey flavor to any blend you can create.

Whenever I design a blend containing a lot of hotter-burning leaves I add a certain amount of this to ease the "bite-and-burn" affect.

If you feel like creating your own custom blend or just want to boost the Latakia content in your favorite blend, this stuff is great to have on hand.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-12-13		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Strong

This is Cyprian Latakia by McClelland. It is used in many of their blends. I love latakia but I believe that the Syrian is far superior to its Cyprian cousin. The difference between the two is supposed to be derived from the materials used to stove the curing fires. With this blending Cyprian, you get decent latakia textures but, it does little more than pass the grade of "generic." For those of you who love latakia, go with Gawith & Hoggart's straight blending Syrian Latakia. I have a really awesome old-time tobacco shop that I get all my stuff from. This latakia from G&H is not listed in the reviews but, will blow your socks off.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2003-10-23		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Strong

October-2003. Blending Latakia. For blending this is great for adding more punch to various tobacco's. Good pure latakia flavour,but a little to strong to smoke straight.Honest in everyway.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RCUSElder (244)	2003-10-17		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

I purchased a tin of this to try as a blender for my various concoctions. Upon opening the tin, you are greeted by medium length, broad-cut dark leaf. The tin aroma is of musty, leathery straight latakia. Packing is easy, but I only pack half a bowl of this leaf at a time. It tastes sweet, leathery and smooth. Don't be decieved, it is full rich latakia and you won't be able to taste much else the rest of the day after smoking this. As a blender, I have found it wonderful. I have mixed it with various other tobacs and the interplay is wonderful. It mixes well with syrian latakia as well. Here is a blend you may want to try: 30% of this, 20% of syrian latakia, 10% burley ribbon, 40% "cumberland". Rating: for blending 5 out of 5 points. Enjoy...

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (442)	2022-12-03		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Jar note of tart, mildly sweet, smoky, and a mild pungent sour. The black short medium with ribbon that it seems to have been a cake that was sliced and tumbled out. Tobacco is fairly dry and needs no prep. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium to strong and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and consistent, with notes of very woody, very earthy, very floral, tart sweetness, smoky pine, leather, herbal, mildly spicy, a juniper or gin background note, and a smooth retro. Room note is strong, and aftertaste is awesome.

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum 3 1/2 Inch Tasting Cob

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stinkypipe (155)	2017-01-20		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have a few old tins of true Syrian Latakia that is going the way of the Dodo bird. I opened a new tin which is now all Cypress blend of several I purchased recently. I tried it out straight to compare to my Syrian blends. The tin note is about the same as the old Syrian blend. That wonderful smoky smell that I love so well. Burns really nice but there is a real taste difference between Syrian and Cypress in this blend. While I get that baked bread and sweet smoky flavor with Syrian the Cyprian blend is less sweet and a smoky licorice flavor with hints of pepper. Room note is almost non exsistent except for a very light smoky aroma. These are certainly two different animals but both are nice in their own way. I still lean toward Syrian but since that may not be available again in my lifetime I need to learn to like Cypress Latakia. I can smoke Syrian straight but the Cypress blend is not near as sweet or had the great flavor I get from Syrian and I would not want to smoke Cyprian straight again. I will use for mixing. I am going to try some with some Peterson Nutty Cut to see how it mixes. If you have any pure Syrian Latakia lock it in a safe. You won't see any more for some time to come.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HobgoblinTA96 (60)	2016-07-01		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

First, and foremost, I absolutely love Latakia. I adore it in my English, enhance my VaPer"s with it, and lace my aero's with it (well some at least). Sadly, too often the Latakia is far to little or totally absent from many blends. What to do??? McClelland Blending Latakia. A superb blend of Cyprian Latakia with that lovely smokey essence and full body smoke we lovers of Latakia crave. A 10% addition for a light to medium enhancement. A 20% for a real head spinner. If you crave more than this, well let's leave it at that. Cheers

Pipe Used: Various pipes and blends

Age When Smoked: Aged in cellar with 6 month rotation

Purchased From: Iwan Ries and Pipes & Cigars

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bluesmoke (75)	2014-11-29		Mild	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Wonderfully smoky leaf. Blends well and not too moist, perfect smoking humidity. Can try sprinkling a little on top for a strong beginning to a bowl of sweet VA or mix it throughout for a nice top to bottom experience. Mellow and easy to use.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	petrisz (9)	2014-10-26		Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Unnoticeable

Although having smoked a great variety of Latakia blends throughout the years smoking straight Latakia was still educational. This tobacco is not meant to be smoked straight but as a condiment. Nevertheless I did enjoy this mono-dimensional but very clean and straightforward smoke. The tobacco burns very easily, the smoke is super cool and it has a low Nicotine content. I've successfully enhanced a bit uninspiring blend with this Latakia. But I'm also sure that this was not the last time I smoked this Latakia straight.

Pipe Used: meersch

Purchased From: 4noggins

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-04-24		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Smoked on it's own it is not bad but not something I'll do very often. My first attempt at blending invovled the following:

50% Half&Half, 40% Prince Albert and the rest the latakia, overall I was impressed and pleased.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-01-22		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Superb, full, smoky, with something sweet.

As I wrote 55 to 65% of Wellauer & Co Inglese Blend and the rest of this Latakia.

What are you looking for more!!!!

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-06-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Okay, I know this stuff is only for blending, but frankly, it smells like horse manure, even in a sealed ziploc bag. I know tobaccos don't always taste the way they smell, but so far I haven't noticed any improvement achieved by adding this to anything.

Nobody has rated this review yet.