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 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
A Latakia blend with some kick and no bite - I love it!
I like to fully rub out the leaf before loading and smoking. I consider this an evening smoke as its not sweet enough to flavor up my palate early in the day. The smokey Latakia taste comes through in droves, but I get none of the harshness I do associate with some heavier Latakia offerings. It burns dry and somewhat fast.
A palate pleaser with punch!
I like to fully rub out the leaf before loading and smoking. I consider this an evening smoke as its not sweet enough to flavor up my palate early in the day. The smokey Latakia taste comes through in droves, but I get none of the harshness I do associate with some heavier Latakia offerings. It burns dry and somewhat fast.
A palate pleaser with punch!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
McClelland - Latakia Flake (Blakeney's Best).
Me smoking this was a result of my mistaking Tobacco Galleria Night Cap for a Dunhill Nightcap clone. After being knocked for six with false flavours I needed what I originally wanted first thing this morning: a Lat' fix. So, B.B. Latakia Flake? Whoa, a Lat-addicts dream!
The tin holds flakes which are approx. half the length of the usual. Think of the flakes in Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Flake and half them. About 20% of the blend could be considered a broken flake. The only thing the tins aroma suggests is lots of Lat', which is exactly what it delivers.
I'll point out the burn and temperature first: a slow, consistent burn, which produces a cool smoke. The flavour? If the tobaccos were like sportsmen in a race the Latakia would be Usain Bolt and the Virginia/Orientals would be Sumo wrestlers: it's a race that's won before it's even started! But, although the flavour from the Lat' is immense, lots of smoke and cedar, the Virginia gives a sweet, fruity touch with the Orientals lending a delicate floral note; these two form a very tasty setting for the Latakia. The cool smoke hasn't got a bite in it.
Nicotine: medium to strong. Room-note: not bad but too full for company.
McClelland Latakia Flake? Love it! Highly recommended:
Four stars.
Me smoking this was a result of my mistaking Tobacco Galleria Night Cap for a Dunhill Nightcap clone. After being knocked for six with false flavours I needed what I originally wanted first thing this morning: a Lat' fix. So, B.B. Latakia Flake? Whoa, a Lat-addicts dream!
The tin holds flakes which are approx. half the length of the usual. Think of the flakes in Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Flake and half them. About 20% of the blend could be considered a broken flake. The only thing the tins aroma suggests is lots of Lat', which is exactly what it delivers.
I'll point out the burn and temperature first: a slow, consistent burn, which produces a cool smoke. The flavour? If the tobaccos were like sportsmen in a race the Latakia would be Usain Bolt and the Virginia/Orientals would be Sumo wrestlers: it's a race that's won before it's even started! But, although the flavour from the Lat' is immense, lots of smoke and cedar, the Virginia gives a sweet, fruity touch with the Orientals lending a delicate floral note; these two form a very tasty setting for the Latakia. The cool smoke hasn't got a bite in it.
Nicotine: medium to strong. Room-note: not bad but too full for company.
McClelland Latakia Flake? Love it! Highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Clontarf XL11
PurchasedFrom:
Cup O' Joes
Age When Smoked:
Three weeks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 25, 2008 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Tin: Smokey fruit ketchup aroma, faintly moist. Dark brown squares striated with blonde, 1x1/2x1/8.
Date code on bottom of tin: 740205. This tin was consumed in early 2007, making it 1+ years old. For interesting info. on dating tinned tobacco, link to:
pipes.org---locate the Forums box--Topics--Tobacco Questions--scroll down , to bottom of page, to Archives Oct. 09, 2005, Oct. 18, 2005, and July 26, 2006.
Packing & Lighting: The flake is easily rubbed out and made ready for packing. This needs to be finely rubbed out, leaving no small chunks, to achieve good taste and aroma. Difficult to get lit. Had to relight occasionally. There is no moisture build-up. The pipe is moisture-free, contrasting with BBAR.
Aroma: Xanthi Yaka seems a fitting name for this mellow, incense-like oriental. This is the same oriental varietal used in McClelland's Grand Oriental Yenidje blend.
Taste: Similar to aroma, with a hint of sweetness, refreshing and smooth. The toasted tobacco is rather evident in taste and aroma, with a hint of fruit; a week later, the fragrant fruit accent is more pronounced. Later bowls did provide for a distinguishing Latakia taste and aroma.
Smoked smooth, not much bite. Laid down a tar in the pipe.
Room Note: Mostly toasted VA, nice though lingering and heavy, somewhat sweet and fragrant.
Overall: Call it a Balkan, where the orientals dominate the Latakia and VA, in the smoke(compare GLPease.com--FAQ). In a meerschaum, rubbed to a fine consistency, providing a lighter room note, this could become a standard, if there wasn't that perplexing tin aroma.
Date code on bottom of tin: 740205. This tin was consumed in early 2007, making it 1+ years old. For interesting info. on dating tinned tobacco, link to:
pipes.org---locate the Forums box--Topics--Tobacco Questions--scroll down , to bottom of page, to Archives Oct. 09, 2005, Oct. 18, 2005, and July 26, 2006.
Packing & Lighting: The flake is easily rubbed out and made ready for packing. This needs to be finely rubbed out, leaving no small chunks, to achieve good taste and aroma. Difficult to get lit. Had to relight occasionally. There is no moisture build-up. The pipe is moisture-free, contrasting with BBAR.
Aroma: Xanthi Yaka seems a fitting name for this mellow, incense-like oriental. This is the same oriental varietal used in McClelland's Grand Oriental Yenidje blend.
Taste: Similar to aroma, with a hint of sweetness, refreshing and smooth. The toasted tobacco is rather evident in taste and aroma, with a hint of fruit; a week later, the fragrant fruit accent is more pronounced. Later bowls did provide for a distinguishing Latakia taste and aroma.
Smoked smooth, not much bite. Laid down a tar in the pipe.
Room Note: Mostly toasted VA, nice though lingering and heavy, somewhat sweet and fragrant.
Overall: Call it a Balkan, where the orientals dominate the Latakia and VA, in the smoke(compare GLPease.com--FAQ). In a meerschaum, rubbed to a fine consistency, providing a lighter room note, this could become a standard, if there wasn't that perplexing tin aroma.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 22, 2005 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
American Penzance! A wonderful full latakia flake without the McC. Ketchup! Tin aroma is slightly McC.,but the flavor is dominiant latakia with the McC Virginia flavor shining through! Replace the Germain Virginia/Oriental with the McClelland version and you have this wonderful Latakia flake. Slow burning,no bite,and a wonderful spice feast! 4 of 4 stars!
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