McClelland Latakia Flake
(2.80)
A distinctive full English mixture in the grand tradition, rich with smoky Cyprian latakia, fragrant with exotic Xanthi Yaka. Toasted for smoothness, then pressed in cakes to age and marry the flavors. Result: Exceptionally smooth, cool-smoking, full flavored little Levantine flakes ready to rub out--the best Oriental mixture.
Notes: McClelland introduced their Blakeney's Best line at the 21st CORPS (Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers) Pipe Show in Richmond, Virginia. The 50g tin was released to the public in late 2005.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Blakeney's Best |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| 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
|
2.80 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 25 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I absolutely love many of the MC blends, but this "toasted" series has just left me flat so far. I was hoping that this one would do smething for me, but alas, I'm just not into toast in my pipe.
Appearance and Tin Aroma: The flakes are beautiful to look at. The cut reminds me of one of my MC favorites(#24). The smell rich in oriental and latakia, but that "toasted" flavor is still there.
Packing and Lighting: I stuffed the flakes in and rubbed out a few on top to get going. 2-3 lights max.
Initial Flavor: Different for a latakia mixture, smooth though. The Va is a bit sharp.
Mid-Bowl: This series tastes burned to me. It is as if someone baked the leaf too much and then put it in the tin. It is mellow and gets in the zone in spite of the flavor.
Bottom of Bowl: A surprising strength kick of both flavor and nicotine. Be sure to eat first! burns to a mottled grey ash with no moisture issues.
Overall: I know that there is quality in this blend, its just the toasted flavor that I can't get over. I know the leaf gets toasted as you smoke it down the bowl, but double toasting (once in prep and once as you smoke it)just seems to make the leaf lose its complexity. The xanthi and latakia used in this smells wonderful in the tin, but in the pipe, it is gone... Finished my tin, but won't buy again. BTW i still think British Woods and Frog Morton across the Pond surpass this blend in both flavor and complexity.
Appearance and Tin Aroma: The flakes are beautiful to look at. The cut reminds me of one of my MC favorites(#24). The smell rich in oriental and latakia, but that "toasted" flavor is still there.
Packing and Lighting: I stuffed the flakes in and rubbed out a few on top to get going. 2-3 lights max.
Initial Flavor: Different for a latakia mixture, smooth though. The Va is a bit sharp.
Mid-Bowl: This series tastes burned to me. It is as if someone baked the leaf too much and then put it in the tin. It is mellow and gets in the zone in spite of the flavor.
Bottom of Bowl: A surprising strength kick of both flavor and nicotine. Be sure to eat first! burns to a mottled grey ash with no moisture issues.
Overall: I know that there is quality in this blend, its just the toasted flavor that I can't get over. I know the leaf gets toasted as you smoke it down the bowl, but double toasting (once in prep and once as you smoke it)just seems to make the leaf lose its complexity. The xanthi and latakia used in this smells wonderful in the tin, but in the pipe, it is gone... Finished my tin, but won't buy again. BTW i still think British Woods and Frog Morton across the Pond surpass this blend in both flavor and complexity.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 06, 2005 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
I think "The Professor" nailed it in his review. I agree with all the points he made regarding this blend.I just need to add my own 2 cents.I am a Cornell&Diehl man through and through and I rarely have much of anything good to say about McClelland products.In this case though,I need to make an exception.I detest that "ketchup" smell of McClelland tobaccos but here I actually think it creates an interesting backdrop for the Latakia.This is a very full blend and you won't win any friends with the room note,but it does have its merits.The tanginess of the Virginias along with that other tanginess of the orientals really makes an interesting blend.I love sour foods and this is the closest thing you can get to a GOOD SOUR tobacco.This genuinely exhibits a "Smoked meat with a vinegar based bbq sauce cooking on the grill" quality. This is a meaty blend.This is like Penzance with the African Virginias being replaced with those good old McClelland ketchupy Virginias.I would smoke it again just for the fact that it is so different. Never burns hot and is easily kept lit.This is for the Latakia "JUNKIE" looking for a different fix.Worth a try. 3 0f 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 14, 2005 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
I got a sample tin of this from Mike at RTDA in New Olreans Morial Convention Center, in happier days in early August '05. Smoked half a tin; other half is sitting somewhere in my drenched house.
Very good, true, full English latakia flake. Stronger than Acadian slices, it's brother. The oriental and latakia overcome the tang of the toasted virginias. Plenty of flavor. Fuller than the bulk english flake MC makes.
Very satisfying. It makes me forget.
Very good, true, full English latakia flake. Stronger than Acadian slices, it's brother. The oriental and latakia overcome the tang of the toasted virginias. Plenty of flavor. Fuller than the bulk english flake MC makes.
Very satisfying. It makes me forget.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I've never had a bowl of this I didn't love. Very flavorful and smokey throughout. I love just sitting on the patio in the evening just slowly sipping on this one. Took me a couple more lights to really get it going but after that it was a wonderful smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 04, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I smoked this to compare it to other latakia flakes I'm smoking, some as part of my Lakeland tour. I vascillated between 2 and 3 stars. It's fairly nice, and standing alone, as it were, it deserves 3. But with the universe of latakia mixtures and flakes out there, I cannot really recommend it to anyone. I decided to treat it as it stands by itself.
Perhaps it's a bit misnamed. For me, the latakia is very subdued. I found the oriental component much more prominent. Very incense-like. It was quite dry in the tin, and it did improve marginally upon (re)hydration. But it was often a bit sharp on the tongue.
Nothing could tempt me away from Germain's Latakia Flake to smoke this, as it is far and away the best of the latakia flakes in my experience.
Perhaps it's a bit misnamed. For me, the latakia is very subdued. I found the oriental component much more prominent. Very incense-like. It was quite dry in the tin, and it did improve marginally upon (re)hydration. But it was often a bit sharp on the tongue.
Nothing could tempt me away from Germain's Latakia Flake to smoke this, as it is far and away the best of the latakia flakes in my experience.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 14, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Upon opening the tin, I was greeted by McClelland's signature BBQ sauce fragrance that, contrary to other reviewers, I really enjoy. The flakes are dark brown in coloration with slight mottling by the Va(s). Very appealing sight. As others have noted, the tobacco rubs out easily, but is difficult to light and/or requires frequent re-lighting without considerable drying before loading in your pipe. Surprisingly, little to no moisture built up while smoking this concoction.
This is a smooth, flavorful tobacco with little or no bite. The room note had a sweet/sour overtone to it that appealed to me, but which might put off one's significant other. Overall, an enjoyable, cool-smoking experience in the medium-English vein.
This is a smooth, flavorful tobacco with little or no bite. The room note had a sweet/sour overtone to it that appealed to me, but which might put off one's significant other. Overall, an enjoyable, cool-smoking experience in the medium-English vein.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 21, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
The tin aroma of these partially broken, hard-pressed flakes is dominated by latakia and orientals with a good wafting of sweet virginia character.
Husky, nutty orientals and toasted VA dominate the taste. Significantly softened by the toasting process, the caramelly and smooth virginias add a pleasant sweetness and gently compliment the condimental leaf. The latakia maintains a full, though not overwhelming, presence.
One of McClelland's best latakia blends, this is excellent. It is mellow, balanced, and only moderately sweet. This seemed best in a narrow to medium gauge chamber.
Husky, nutty orientals and toasted VA dominate the taste. Significantly softened by the toasting process, the caramelly and smooth virginias add a pleasant sweetness and gently compliment the condimental leaf. The latakia maintains a full, though not overwhelming, presence.
One of McClelland's best latakia blends, this is excellent. It is mellow, balanced, and only moderately sweet. This seemed best in a narrow to medium gauge chamber.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 14, 2007 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The poor reviews of this flake is disappointing, because the TR reviewers who I know like English/Balkan blends with lively Oriental leaf are the ones I'd expect would see its charm. I'd actually classify this blend as a medium Balkan.
I'll make this straightforward. The Oriental leaf is perfectly balanced with the base tobaccos and Latakia, each flavor coming through in nice variations throughout a bowl. There is also a nice nicotine effect.
However processed, the fullness of the Xanthi Yaka comes through without being offensively acrid, bitter or hot. The Virginias deliver rich, caramel overtones without making this a sweet blend. No casing of the Latakia here.
Cool, smooth, fragrant, round, deep and compelling are what come to my mind. This leaves a room unaffected the day after smoking BBLF. I find myself smoking two bowls in succession.
I think the marketing fell down with this series, perhaps coming across as a gimmick. However, Acadian Ribbon and Latakia Flake are truly worthy of an honest try (Bayou Slices ages in my cellar, still). McClelland ought to just put these in bulk and be done with it. BBLF may be McClellands best Balkan yet.
I'll make this straightforward. The Oriental leaf is perfectly balanced with the base tobaccos and Latakia, each flavor coming through in nice variations throughout a bowl. There is also a nice nicotine effect.
However processed, the fullness of the Xanthi Yaka comes through without being offensively acrid, bitter or hot. The Virginias deliver rich, caramel overtones without making this a sweet blend. No casing of the Latakia here.
Cool, smooth, fragrant, round, deep and compelling are what come to my mind. This leaves a room unaffected the day after smoking BBLF. I find myself smoking two bowls in succession.
I think the marketing fell down with this series, perhaps coming across as a gimmick. However, Acadian Ribbon and Latakia Flake are truly worthy of an honest try (Bayou Slices ages in my cellar, still). McClelland ought to just put these in bulk and be done with it. BBLF may be McClellands best Balkan yet.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 09, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Can't really describe much better than to say that I was left feeling like I wasted my money on this one when I could have gotten Frog Morton and gotten a richer, more flavorful experience. It's certainly not a bad smoke; but it's one of those "if you're going to do something, then do it right, or don't do it at all". If I want a latakia, then I want it to be bold, spicy, and with "that smell" that it leaves that is hard to describe. Same goes for a virginia.
This one just kind of drifts around taste-wise between the different types of tobacco, without giving much of an experience of anything in particular. I ended up mixing this one (I know, heresy) with the remainder of some FM that I had and jarring it (about 2:1). Actually, it made a nice mix. Might try stoving it and see what happens! 😉
Maybe that sums it up...it's a good tobacco on it's own, just not exceptional, and might be better as a mixing blend of some sort.
This one just kind of drifts around taste-wise between the different types of tobacco, without giving much of an experience of anything in particular. I ended up mixing this one (I know, heresy) with the remainder of some FM that I had and jarring it (about 2:1). Actually, it made a nice mix. Might try stoving it and see what happens! 😉
Maybe that sums it up...it's a good tobacco on it's own, just not exceptional, and might be better as a mixing blend of some sort.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 30, 2006 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Very Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I've only started smoking BB Latakia Flake by McClelland. I'm just getting into the Latakias, and this one is very nice; after it ages a little more I might find it even better, and I'll edit my review.
Extremely rich, with a complexity that shows up after a half bowl or so. I also noted quite a nicotine hit from this one. Was pretty easy to light, burned very well, no dottle in the end. A very rich, dry smoke. Room note was typical for a latakia; spicy, with a smell which doesn't quite leave the room smelling like a cigar, but yet you can tell what it was. I.e., it doesn't smell stale afterwards, but yet leaves a strong presence.
I think as a pure latakia (more or less, anyway) this one is very nice. I think I still prefer Frog Morton's elegance and complexity, but when I want a definite "latakia experience", this should be a fine go-to. I might keep some in my rotation as a nice backup to Frog Morton. Definitely 3 stars.
Extremely rich, with a complexity that shows up after a half bowl or so. I also noted quite a nicotine hit from this one. Was pretty easy to light, burned very well, no dottle in the end. A very rich, dry smoke. Room note was typical for a latakia; spicy, with a smell which doesn't quite leave the room smelling like a cigar, but yet you can tell what it was. I.e., it doesn't smell stale afterwards, but yet leaves a strong presence.
I think as a pure latakia (more or less, anyway) this one is very nice. I think I still prefer Frog Morton's elegance and complexity, but when I want a definite "latakia experience", this should be a fine go-to. I might keep some in my rotation as a nice backup to Frog Morton. Definitely 3 stars.
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