McClelland Syrian Super Balkan
(2.56)
A lavishly flavorful Balkan blend using the finest dark frangrant, cool-smoking Syrian Latakia, and seasoned with top-grade Louisiana Perique. Rich and mellow.
Notes: ​McClelland's Syrian Super Balkan is a smooth blend that is remarkably well harmonized. Superb Virginias and zesty Orientals are melded perfectly with the tang of Perique and fleshed out by the delicate flavor of true Syrian Latakia. The tobaccos work in concert to deliver a mellow, yet rich flavor.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Syrian Latakia |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.56 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
This blend was a disappointment. I was looking for a strong Balkan blend with a Yenidje topnote, and unfortunately confused "McClelland" with "MacBaren" (who do have a fine blend, HH Syrian).
Despite the glowing description on the label, both my friend & I thought this was a overly light blend with little or no character. The best I can say for it is that the smell in the tin is pleasant, lightly fruity with the Latakia odour present but not strong. The room note is plain, with none of the exotic aromas of middle eastern species tobaccos. Easy on the tongue for the first half of the pipe, with a slight bite towards the end. Mild enough for a beginner with a taste for Latakia, but disappointing for a "Turkish" afficionado.
Frankly, I think I'm going to use this for blending.
Despite the glowing description on the label, both my friend & I thought this was a overly light blend with little or no character. The best I can say for it is that the smell in the tin is pleasant, lightly fruity with the Latakia odour present but not strong. The room note is plain, with none of the exotic aromas of middle eastern species tobaccos. Easy on the tongue for the first half of the pipe, with a slight bite towards the end. Mild enough for a beginner with a taste for Latakia, but disappointing for a "Turkish" afficionado.
Frankly, I think I'm going to use this for blending.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2010 | Extremely Mild | None Detected | Very Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Greetings fellow pipe smokers!
I bring forth news today that bodes ill for this particular blend. This is difficult for me as I have been a loyal purveyor of McClelland Blends for many a year.
Shortly over six years ago, I purchased six tins of this baccy, to put away and age, for a future time. This time is now.
Upon opening the tin, one is carried away by a generous hint of smoky Latakia, joined by the sweet earthiness of the Virginias present. In the hand, it is a beautiful, quality tobacco, to see and to feel. Alas, upon lighting, this is not to be the case.
I have smoked this in many a bowl, small, medium, and large, English, Italian, German, and American, all to no avail.
This blend simply lacks flavor, balance, and structure. If you smoke it in a small bowl, and very slowly, you can pull out a hint of nuttiness, a hint of Virginia sweetness, and I mean a hint. Unfortunately, this is laid to waste by the utter astringent bitterness of the Latakia. In a larger bowl, forget it, there are simply no redeeming qualities. I can not in good conscience recommend this blend, not even a little bit.
Believe me, this is not an easy review to submit, particularly concerning the great house of McClelland. I feel let down by this blend, something I would never have imagined happening. It is not too often I regret a tobacco purchase. This time I do!!
Regretfully Yours,
mrmcmc
I bring forth news today that bodes ill for this particular blend. This is difficult for me as I have been a loyal purveyor of McClelland Blends for many a year.
Shortly over six years ago, I purchased six tins of this baccy, to put away and age, for a future time. This time is now.
Upon opening the tin, one is carried away by a generous hint of smoky Latakia, joined by the sweet earthiness of the Virginias present. In the hand, it is a beautiful, quality tobacco, to see and to feel. Alas, upon lighting, this is not to be the case.
I have smoked this in many a bowl, small, medium, and large, English, Italian, German, and American, all to no avail.
This blend simply lacks flavor, balance, and structure. If you smoke it in a small bowl, and very slowly, you can pull out a hint of nuttiness, a hint of Virginia sweetness, and I mean a hint. Unfortunately, this is laid to waste by the utter astringent bitterness of the Latakia. In a larger bowl, forget it, there are simply no redeeming qualities. I can not in good conscience recommend this blend, not even a little bit.
Believe me, this is not an easy review to submit, particularly concerning the great house of McClelland. I feel let down by this blend, something I would never have imagined happening. It is not too often I regret a tobacco purchase. This time I do!!
Regretfully Yours,
mrmcmc
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
Not as good as the Rose of Latakia, the addition of Perique does make it a better blend than the Full Balkan. But only barely.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 19, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
Disclaimer: I am allergic to Perique, so some blends just do not agree with me and I am afraid that this was another one.
Appearance and Aroma: Beautiful ribbon cut, blacks, browns, and a few yellows. Smells wonderfully musty and smoky in the tin. A touch of the figgy Perique odor is noticable.
Packing and Lighting: Easy packing, lighting can be a chore, drying out in the tin is a good idea.
Initial Flavor: Where's the beef! This is a mellow Balkan, not a "Super" Balkan IMO.
Mid-Bowl: Nice round mellow flavor, but the Perique starts to toot its horn and my allergies begin to kick in, argh!!!
Bottom of Bowl: Too peppery for me, a chore to finish, my tongue is swelling due to my allergy. No dottle and ash is soft and grey, though.
Overall: I hate to say this, but MC just has missed the boat on this one. Too much perique, not enough turkish, and not enough Syrian! Sorry folks, but this just is not a Balkan IMO.
Rating: 2.75 out of 5 points
Appearance and Aroma: Beautiful ribbon cut, blacks, browns, and a few yellows. Smells wonderfully musty and smoky in the tin. A touch of the figgy Perique odor is noticable.
Packing and Lighting: Easy packing, lighting can be a chore, drying out in the tin is a good idea.
Initial Flavor: Where's the beef! This is a mellow Balkan, not a "Super" Balkan IMO.
Mid-Bowl: Nice round mellow flavor, but the Perique starts to toot its horn and my allergies begin to kick in, argh!!!
Bottom of Bowl: Too peppery for me, a chore to finish, my tongue is swelling due to my allergy. No dottle and ash is soft and grey, though.
Overall: I hate to say this, but MC just has missed the boat on this one. Too much perique, not enough turkish, and not enough Syrian! Sorry folks, but this just is not a Balkan IMO.
Rating: 2.75 out of 5 points
target="_blank"
