McClelland Rose of Latakia
(2.67)
Only the most precious, most flavorful Syrian leaves are called Rose of Latakia. This fine blend is complex, fragrant, incredible.
Notes: Rose of Latakia refers to the leaves harvested higher on the plant which are then fire cured. If you're looking for a blend in which Syrian latakia is in the forefront, this isn't for you, but if you want to see what the Syrian leaf can do as a condiment, Rose of Latakia is terrific. If you approach it the way you might if you're smoking a Virginia blend, you'll get the best results. There's sweetness from the Virginias, a mellow spice from the Orientals, and the delicate, winey, smoky flavor supporting the rest of the blend.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Syrian Latakia |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.67 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 17 of 17 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 28, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Update: No changes except that I find the taste less full than I had before.
12/30/04: This is a Latakia blend for Latakia lovers. Flue cured and Oriental leaves are there for balance and complexity, but Latakia rules. This is not to my tastes a Balkan nor an English.
It is very good and quite different from the two other Syrian blends recently marketed by McClellands. I consider it a last pipe of the day because of the strong flavor.
It is gentle on the palate and easy to smoke while working, reading or contemplating how wonderful pipe smoking is.
I have only been able to find 50g tins of the three new Syrian Latakia blends (the two others being Syrian Full Balkan and Syrian Super Balkan).
Of the three news Syrian blends, RL lacks the company insignia with the familiar whale frolicking in the sea (as has been done with the Frogs [except 100g], Grey Havens, Virginia Woods, Deep Hollow and 221b Series to my recollection).
Tin contents are lightest colored of the three Syrian blends. RL is mostly reddish browns, with some light browns and a fair amount of dark leaf. Neither the contents nor smoking RL reveals much Oriental presence.
Tin aroma has the most Virginia aroma of the three and does not smell heavy with Latakia. Smoking the blend reverses these impressions. It is not a sweet blend (none of the three are), but Full Balkan and Super Balkan are sweeter due to Orientals and in one, Perique. Tin moisture is perfect for immediate enjoyment, but I let it dry a little more for a few minutes because of my preferences.
This is the strongest of the three new blends in terms of flavor and nicotine. It is the least sweet and least complex. It is spicy like a cigar at times, mostly woodsy and somewhat sharp. This tingled my nose the most of the three when exhaling.
If you wish to compare Syrian Latakia to Cyprian, this blend will reveal Syrian's distinct properties. This should be compared to Pease's Latakia blends (in distinction from his English and Balkans), as they are of a similar type.
For its quality, RL deserves a 4 star rating. It is type of blend I enjoy occasionally.
12/30/04: This is a Latakia blend for Latakia lovers. Flue cured and Oriental leaves are there for balance and complexity, but Latakia rules. This is not to my tastes a Balkan nor an English.
It is very good and quite different from the two other Syrian blends recently marketed by McClellands. I consider it a last pipe of the day because of the strong flavor.
It is gentle on the palate and easy to smoke while working, reading or contemplating how wonderful pipe smoking is.
I have only been able to find 50g tins of the three new Syrian Latakia blends (the two others being Syrian Full Balkan and Syrian Super Balkan).
Of the three news Syrian blends, RL lacks the company insignia with the familiar whale frolicking in the sea (as has been done with the Frogs [except 100g], Grey Havens, Virginia Woods, Deep Hollow and 221b Series to my recollection).
Tin contents are lightest colored of the three Syrian blends. RL is mostly reddish browns, with some light browns and a fair amount of dark leaf. Neither the contents nor smoking RL reveals much Oriental presence.
Tin aroma has the most Virginia aroma of the three and does not smell heavy with Latakia. Smoking the blend reverses these impressions. It is not a sweet blend (none of the three are), but Full Balkan and Super Balkan are sweeter due to Orientals and in one, Perique. Tin moisture is perfect for immediate enjoyment, but I let it dry a little more for a few minutes because of my preferences.
This is the strongest of the three new blends in terms of flavor and nicotine. It is the least sweet and least complex. It is spicy like a cigar at times, mostly woodsy and somewhat sharp. This tingled my nose the most of the three when exhaling.
If you wish to compare Syrian Latakia to Cyprian, this blend will reveal Syrian's distinct properties. This should be compared to Pease's Latakia blends (in distinction from his English and Balkans), as they are of a similar type.
For its quality, RL deserves a 4 star rating. It is type of blend I enjoy occasionally.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 20, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
The tin aroma of this medium-cut, medium ribbon is dominated by the ferment of the matured virginias and the tang of the orientals, with the syrian leaf bringing up the rear.
Rose of Latakia is a light to medium weight blend that centers around the interplay between the sweet matured VA's and the mellow turkish types, with just enough syrian latakia to lend some backbone to the mixture.
Undeniably tasty, this offers a unique and multifaced exposition of fine syrian leaf. This went well in a chamber of any gauge.
Rose of Latakia is a light to medium weight blend that centers around the interplay between the sweet matured VA's and the mellow turkish types, with just enough syrian latakia to lend some backbone to the mixture.
Undeniably tasty, this offers a unique and multifaced exposition of fine syrian leaf. This went well in a chamber of any gauge.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 22, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I got a sweeter smoke than what I expected by the name and initial smokey scent from the tin. I'm fond of McClelland's syrian latakia blends and this,the milder of the trilogy, is no exception. The treatment of the virginia leaf is distinguished and artfully intertwoven with the syrian. Complex and engaging, I experienced it to be not found wanting in character and statement, without the darker essences of most balkans. The lack of bite makes me wonder if there is not a small amount of turkish leaf for moderation. Certainly worth the time and coin, it is easily recommendable to those with preference for balkans. Meerschaum Man smoking an old CAO Bacchus
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A nice medium english blend, with a softened latakia flavour. As I am unable to characterize the Cyprian vs. Syrian Latakia as some others can, I cannot comment if this is epitomizes good Syrian latakia-- though it certainly is mellow and fragrant. All in all, an unobtrusive and somewhat restrained smoke (perhaps even vapid to some?). Thus, it could be smoked through a weekend consecutively , as it will not flatten your tastebuds nor will it weep condensate in the bowl.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Really a fine tobacco. Sorely nowadays the chance of smoking a true Syrian latakia blend are so low you just have to try this one. When you open the tin the Virginia leaf seem to rule, but the latakia plays its role in an evident way, mostly because the Syrian is so spicy that just a little is enough to give character to the blend. It's not that strong as far as nicotine content, but it's enough to leave you satisfied. A really nice surprise.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 06, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I think this is a high quality Latakia. A little too oriental for me though. Should mix nicely with some Red Virginnia.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 24, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This blend reminds me most of McCranies Old Syrian -- good quantities of Syrian, but not enough to keep me interested bowl after bowl. If you've smoked that, this is basicaly the same. Even the appearance inside the can is the same medium to light brown mix of VA and latakia.
I really think this will improve dramatically with age, so I've cellared a few cans, and plan to get more.
The strength, in terms of nicotine, is a bit more than I expected -- not a bad thing, just not what I expected. I think the Balkan/Super Balkan will boost the power even more with the addition of orientals and perique. The tang of the Virginias don't stand up much and the light sweetness of the latakia remains steady throughout, resulting in a lightly sweet blend that can scorch the tounge if not watched closely.
8.5 out of 10.
I really think this will improve dramatically with age, so I've cellared a few cans, and plan to get more.
The strength, in terms of nicotine, is a bit more than I expected -- not a bad thing, just not what I expected. I think the Balkan/Super Balkan will boost the power even more with the addition of orientals and perique. The tang of the Virginias don't stand up much and the light sweetness of the latakia remains steady throughout, resulting in a lightly sweet blend that can scorch the tounge if not watched closely.
8.5 out of 10.
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