McClelland Syrian Full Balkan

I got bit with the Syrian bug after hearing so many rave reviews and near cries over some supposed fire, so this was the blend I chose, of the few available.

Either Syrian Latakia entirely lacks the basic smokey essence of its Cyprian cousin, or McClelland just doesn't use much of it here. The characteristics that I traditionally associate with Latakia are entirely absent, to the point of near frustration. I even failed to get that nicotine hit I hear is so common to the Syrian leaf. So take note--this is an *extremely* mild blend with an almost flat flavor.

The tin exhibited the classic McClelland smell of ketchup or vinegar, depending on your opinion, but was a bit subdued from one of their typical Virginias. There was also a pronounced bite, though nothing overwhelming to the point of dissatisfaction. Apart from that, my tin was surprisingly dry, with very little moisture.

Nothing remarkable here. I hope it was the blend and not the Syrian stuff that caught my dislike.

I'll stick to Nightcap, thanks.

When purchased from smoking pipes I was buying any that said Balkan or Latakia,so I bought two ,smoked one saved one.That was 7/15.Opened the one I stashed this morning 3/2/17. Tin note the same,old,musty,leather,vinegar.McClellandis notorious for.

This ages well it has mellowed some just enough for my taste ,and still moist. Lights easy with instant presence of Orientals. Latakia has a strong presence through out bowel.The red ribbons I take for Virginia's can't taste I imagine for sweetness. All an all a once a day smoke maybe weekly .Leaves bowl dry burns slow with fine white ash.

Tin note is smoky but not overpoweringly so, some sweet spice also emerges. Finely cut, it consists of mostly black and deep brown ribbons with a few lighter ones here and there. Upon lighting the smoky aroma of latakia emerges but very soon it sits back to blend with the virginias and orientals as an equal. You soon realise this is not a heavy latakia blend. It is a mild, flavorful blend where the latakia is subtle and elegant, not very smoky or charcoal-ly, not very pungent. A little leathery maybe. Does it have to do with the use of the Syrian instead of the Cypriot type? Still it blends well with the virginias which are sweet like brown sugar and I think orientals give the blend an additional sweet spiciness. This is a nice blend of high quality tobaccos mild and cool as the tin says but I do not know if I could call it rich and as to the reference of the word 'full' on the title, I guess it refers to the ample use of orientals in the blend and not to flavor, otherwise it would be a misnomer. Burns well and dry needing only a few relights and does not bite at all. Strength is medium as is nicotine level and room note is not overbearing. It's a nice blend as I said, high quality and elegant but it's my least favourite of the (few) McClelland blends I have tasted so far. As a matter of fact I used my tin mostly as a condiment to blends I make at home and found it very useful at adding a latakia flavour to them. I cannot fully recommend this blend but still it is of high quality, rather rare in that it contains the Syrian type and I can see why one can get to like it. Me on the other hand with so many tobaccos out there next time I will go for something new.

Maybe not so full, but very flavorful, nonetheless. Very easy to separate out the individual contributors. It is very cool burning, and doesn't leave any significant aftertaste - both positive attributes in my book. Burns easy and clean on one light directly from the tin - no charring light needed. Develops a bit more strength as you work your way through the bowl. 4-*.

I'm a big fan of English and Balkan-style blends. I bought this without having read the reviews. I read them before trying the blend, so I approached it with some trepidation. Here are my thoughts:

Tin aroma: McClelland

Is it a full Balkan? No way; it's far too light.

Is it even a Balkan? That depends on how far you want to stretch the definition.

Did I like it? Once I got past the conclusion that it is not a typical Balkan, I found myself enjoying a pleasant, rounded, intriguing flavor. Like the label says, it's a rich, mild, cool tobacco.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don't approach it expecting a Balkan experience or you will be disappointed, as many of the other reviewers were.

Would I buy it again? I think so. For sure, there are plenty of other good Balkans, and many blends with stronger taste, but this is a blend that I can enjoy year-round. It will warm you pleasantly on a cold winter night, but it is not too overbearing to smoke on a hot summer day. I agree with Scorpio2billion; for the best results choose a large bowl; pack it carefully and closely, but not too tight. Keep an open mind, savor it for what it is, and you just might agree that it's a nice occasional change of pace.

I must echo what most of these earlier reviews state. This blend seems misnamed. It's not bad...it's not extraordinarily good either. Still, I have consumed over half a tin in three days, which must mean something. Mostly I've smoked this as a first bowl of day thing...a sort of "wake up the palate". Additional comments: I would not hesitate to recommend this light blend to new pipe smokers who come to pipeworld from cigarettes. It's so light that an accidental or intentional inhalation will not bring on a choking fit. And, my wife says it reminds her of incense in church. I thought she was mistaken until I left room and returned twenty minutes later and then detected the aroma she did.

The tin aroma medium-cut, medium ribbon is dominated by the tang of syrian latakia and the spice of orientals. The unique McC VA tang is barely noticable.

This is loaded with mild and subdued orientals, fragrant and sophisticated, along with copious amounts of fine syrian leaf. The matured VAs, red and dark stoved, quietly provide backup.

This is a very agreeable and satisfying balkan, albeit a bit gentle on that scale. This went well in a chamber of any gauge.

McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan is a charming and relaxing treat. The look of this weed is a pleasant spectrum of colours from black to tan (without one colour standing out from the other) and the tin's aroma is sweet like holiday pudding. This stuff packed and lit quite well. I noted sweet overtones and woody undertones in puffing. I have never been much for woody characteristics in tobacco and this is the only downfall here. If fact, Syrian Full Balkan burned very dry and made me reach for a glass of water (I would have preferred scotch and water but I was driving on the M5 and, with only one hand free, could not open the bottle). In my last review, discussing Butera's Royal Vintage Latakia No. 1, I neglected to note the orange-flavour that occasionally entered my buds. With this, I found that a taste of tinned sardines was an odd nuance. Citrus? Fish? Perhaps I am going a bit daft. I tell you, nevertheless, that flavour of tinned sardines is hidden in Syrian Full Balkan and occasionally jumps out like the whale from the waters of McClelland's logo. Syrian Full Balkan is extremely mild but not without flavour--worth a try and perhaps it is also something to keep in the cellar when fish and chips calls from the pub. Just stay away from the mushy peas. And be certain that you have something to drink for the cottonmouth that will undoubtedly occur.

When Frog Morton Across the Pond came out, it joined British Woods as my favorite McClelland blend. Now there is a new member at the top of the hierarchy. Syrian Full Balkan is a very nice, smooth, blend; unusually complex for a McClelland mixture. In some ways it seems to combine my two previous favorites. One could describe it as British Woods made with the Syrian latakia of the new Frog, or as Frog Across the Pond made with the orientals of British Woods and sans the black cav sweetness. Either way, it is a nice concoction. Not too moist, and the Worcestershire smell is minimal. A wonderful blend that can be smoked any time of day.