McClelland Syrian Full Balkan

I think that if everyone would just try Full Balkan in a larger bowl, and pack a little tighter, a whole new tobacco would emerge for them! I first tried it in a little Savinelli billiard, and had much the same experience as most on here- unimpressed and in disbelief that McClelland would make such a flavorless blend. Then I got out my big (for me) Peterson 01, packed it snug, and voila! There was the richness and smokiness I was looking for. Keep in mind that the Syrian Latakia is more subtle than the Cyprian we're all used to, and I wish the Orientals were more abundant. This isn't Penzance. This is a little more contemplative, a little less knock-your-socks-off. I'd be interested in knowing if this works for anyone else! If it doesn't, I'll eat my own foot. And part of someone elses.

I agree with many reviewers...not really a FULL Balkan. Syrian Balkan or Syrian Mild Balkan would've been more descriptive. Nevertheless, not a bad tobacco.

Tin: Opening the tin you're greeted with a dark tobacco. I noted a spicy, curry (maybe masala) and turmeric aroma. Very little smokiness which one would've expected from the Latakia.

Taste: On first light, sweet notes were evident; kind off like toasted (dark) cocoa/chocolate. Together with the curry-like aroma, I could taste something like chilli-chocolate. As you progress through the bowl, the spiciness becomes more evident and even the smell of burning wood (like in camp fire). Definitely a mild tobacco.

The first bowl was indeed more disappointing than the following few bowls I had. But I got to like it more and more as I smoked more bowls of this.

EDIT: Every next bowl was indeed better than I thought. Get to start liking it more.

EDIT: 10/2015 - Tin aroma today while opening a new, I was greeted with a new sense of zesty, all spice aroma; kind-off like the fruit cake / mince pie aromas.

https://youtu.be/Nuah179tA-4

Feb. 2005 update: This has really "just medium" taste, as it just reaches the medium flavor threshold. There is plenty of flavor, just not a symphony or wild-Balkan rhapsody

The Orientals and Virginia leaf are really more prominent here, but the Latakia is certainly no shirker. I think the name leads Latakia lunatics to expect Latakia apparitions to float from the bowls of their pipes.

It is simply not full and rich like Caravan, Odyssey, Balkan Sasieni, or even as deep tasting as McClelland's own bulk Balkan (which can be a little oily or sooty, though nice for the price).

It is not Pirate Kake or Old Ironsides in terms of Latakia. It is an all-day Balkan with lively Virginia and Oriental leaf. Where this will land in the elusive Balkan Hall of Fame competition, time will tell. It is worth your attention.

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SFB burns to pure white ash and can be smoked throughout the day without penalty. SFB delivers clouds of smoke and demands exhaling through the nose. It is so satisfying that one bowl is enough, even hours after it has been consumed. Smokes very cool and dry.

The first third of a bowl is a lively interplay between the Virginia, Oriental and Latakia. There is lots of flavor from the beginning.

The mid-way point has the Latakia and Oriental taking turns charming you. The Virginia leaf moves to the rear seat. The Syrian leaf is herbaceous, smoky, and nutty. The Oriental contribution is manageably tangy and for moments a plastic-type odor comes and goes.

The last third to the end is more spicy, tangy and rich than at any point in the smoke. Never mercilessly sharp or sooty, this nonetheless gets close to edgy. I like it.

While lacking the familiar "ketchup" smell associated with McClelland Virginias, it has an unmistakable McClelland tang when whiffing the contents of the tin. McClelland flue-cured leaf is just amazingly special and delicious.

The lack of a heavy, Latakia smokiness in the tin aroma betrays the smoking properties SFB exhibits. There is more Latakia here than is found in most medium English blends.

This is easy to load, keep lit and enjoy outdoors as well as indoors. SFB is in the upper echelon of pipe tobacco blends in terms of quality, enjoyment and blending expertise.

Go for Penzance, Da Vinci, Mississippi Mud or Bow-Legged Bear if you desire Latakia dominance. Get King Charles, Margate, Red Rapparee, Durbar, Aperitif, and Crown Achievement if you want Orientals up front and controlling. My Mixture 965, Early Morning Pipe, Squadron Leader, Renaissance (though it is pretty nicely balanced), and Dorisco keep the Virginia varietals in charge.

Hello, McClelland: How about 8 oz. tins?

Upon popping the tin, I was greeted with the familiar McVinegar of McClelland Virginias and the overt mustiness of McClelland Orientals and Syrian Latakia. To be honest, when I cracked it I actually found the odor displeasing, but the strength of the smell subsided after a few days and I actually looked forward to the "twangy" smells in this blend.

After smoking this blend almost exclusively over the past week and a half to two weeks, it has definitely grown on me. I have smoked other blends with Syrian Latakia in them (e.g. Gordon Pym, HH Vintage Syrian, and Orient 996), and I have liked them, Syrian Full Balkan was quite a bit different from those. This is a very dark Latakia mixture with very faint sweetness to it. Sour and dark are the two words that come to my mind every time I smoke it. I think I may actually prefer Orient 996 to this, but I need to spend more time with the Orient be certain.

As I stated earlier, this blend did grow on me, but it took a good deal of smoking it before I actually "got it." It is full of interesting flavors and is a very contemplative smoke. However, I must say that I prefer the tobaccos that I can light and enjoy without having to think too much while doing so. I think that's why I smoke; silently puffing and thinking of other things. Anyway, the wife thinks it smells dreadful, so I'll be cautious...

I have to wonder if McClelland's Syrian Full Balkan really has Syrian in it since it is so smooth. This is my first Syrian blend although I have been smoking pipes for around 40 years. Very smooth and tasty with a wine like taste and an incense like aroma. My tin was dated 2005 so it had ten years of age on it. I would not hesitate to recommend this blend to anyone that enjoys Balkans.

"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest." - Charles Lamb

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.

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.

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.