McClelland Syrian Super Balkan

I think a little age on this blend's Virginia component will improve my review. The flavor of the Syrian was nice, but the Virginia leaf was a little fresh and not typical of the McClelland's processing. I'm not sure how much Oriental is in the blend, but it was interwoven with care. The Perique is lightly detectable. Perhaps it will be a more mellow smoke once the Virginia leaf settles down and gets a little longer in the tooth.

This is a blend I tried when the supply of Mississippi Mud and Frog Morton On The Bayou ran out at my local store (they've since taken steps to ensure that never happens again). I normally don't like to tell smokers that a tobacco tastes "like another, but...." the comparison is too striking to ignore. I found this to be essentially a stronger Frog Morton On The Bayou, with an even more pronounced perique flavor. In fact, the perique is so strong that this blend is mainly for those who like that tobacco type, as it's so obvious and upfront in the mix.

That said, I liked it very much, as Morton sometimes gets too mild tasting for my everyday smoking, and this blend adds the same type of pleasure but with more kick. A nice blend for latakia/perique lovers, and it's a bit cheaper than Morton also, at least in this part of town.

It smokes strong right out, and the flavor gets stronger as you progress down the bowl. It has good burning qualities, though, and is easy to pack, and smokes well even if a bit moist. I found that it dries out pretty quickly, though that isn't something that ruins a perique blend anyway.

I smoke it about once a month, and would probably smoke it more if my local shop didn't carry bulk Black Mallory. A nice divergence from my usual diet of Mississippi Mud and Morton, and worth a try.

This has become one of my favorite blends and one that seems to work well as a "good morning" smoke for me. There tend to be some very bright notes in this blend, which are countered nicely-though not evenly- by other flavors.Each bowl starts out with those bright notes and mellows out a bit by the middle of the bowl. The one downside seems to be the room note which my wife (a cigarette smoker) finds strong and the smoke itself "thick".

I found this blend to be excellent. It smoked well in a Chonowitsch which was having a bit of trouble as it started to taste somewhat bitter. The taste is full and the tobacco stays lit all the way down to the end. As far as the smell on opening the tin I feel that you don't eat tobacco you smoke it! There must be some vinegar as a preservative that is added to preserve this tobacco and the others in this manufacturer's line and this smell goes away after the tin is opened. I enjoyed this tobacco so much that I ordered another 5 Tins. I am principally a Nightcap smoker and love English blends but this blend really is something special. It enhanced the Chonowitsch and restored it to where it was when I got it! A strong yet piquant taste prevails in this wonderful tobacco.

Excellent for my taste. Felt like I was at a campfire of the finest variety. Cherry and oak logs and quite smoky/strong. Alluring! The Latakia is in your face and on your palate but in a good way. Full of flavor, good smokey / fruity tin note with no bite. So pleasant. Not a lot of nicotine somehow.