McClelland Blending Latakia

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.