McClelland Yenidje Highlander

I was here when a classic was born.

First, this is no mild Balkan, it is that it is NOT harsh, bitey, overly bitter, raw or lacking balance and grace. Second, this has an edge, though finished, an oomph and character not to be confused with a full English blend. One exhale through the nose will prove it. Third this is so smooth and flavorful that I doubt there is a Balkan blend being made that can equal it on both points simultaneously. Fourth, this blend has something that is greater than the sum of its parts. That something is magic. Like Wagner?s opera, it?s in the repeated listening that his brilliance shines forth brightest. McClelland?s spell spins slowly in YH, but cast, it enchants the willing subject.

This simply misses at no point. I do not know what the original Balkan Sobranie tasted like before it was defanged, as is alleged, of its constituent varietal leaf. The point is as mute as taste buds have memory as concerns BS. That blend is now too aged to be of useful comparison to even itself when first made. The McNeil?s were inspired by the white label Balkan Sobranie. It was a bold assertion on their part to put Yenidje Highlander up for comparison to BS, given the lore, worthy and silly, of that departed spirit.

This is too good not to try at least one full tin before judgment. The tin contents visually are similar to that of Yenidje Supreme, with a few specks of dark brown (Syrian Latakia), some darker browns/blacks (Cyprian Latakia) and some light, ruddy leaf I suspect to be Maryland. I think it is the Maryland leaf which makes this as cool as can be. Most Balkan blends challenge the integrity of my tongue and throat.

In flavor, YS and YH are cousins, but also distinct enough, YH being heavier, deeper, not really sweet and well, a Balkan more than an Oriental mixture as is YS. This burns cleaner than most every Balkan I?ve had the pleasure smoking. No dottle whatsoever. It does benefit the smoker to pull out a large pinch of the blend and let it lose some moisture for five minutes or so. That?s it. With just the three months aging, this is wonderful. Perhaps aging will sweeten this a touch, but not much. I would not want this much sweeter. It is hard to imagine the blend any smoother and probably does not need more than a year to reach its full potential. Long-term aging remains a question mark, lest this lose its edge, growing hoary-headed and a bit feeble. Delightfully, I hope to know the answer someday.

If you are a fan of -- or are curious about -- orientals, you must give this one a try. It's an outstanding blend that highlights the Yenidje while still giving the latakia room to make its presence known, and placing the Virginia and Maryland quietly in the background. Apart from my first tin of Odyssey, I can't recall the last time I smoked through a new mixture so quickly.

Technically, I'm not sure this qualifies as a true Balkan; the latakia isn't quite as predominant as I would expect. (The Syrian lends it a bit of delicacy...and "delicacy" isn't something I typically associate with Balkans.) For that reason -- as well as the fact that the Virginia is subdued and the Yenidje itself is delightfully mellow (not acrid, as some other oriental varieties are) -- I wouldn't call this a "full" blend. To me, it's of light-to-medium strength and flavor.

I smoke outdoors, usually, so I can't comment on the room note at all. I can say that the aroma for the smoker is enthralling.

But how you categorize it is pretty much beside the point. It's definitely Balkan-ish, it's definitely of high quality, and it's definitely delicious.

Tin note is a mix of dried fruits. pine, candy and earthy, vegetal spice notes. Takes a light beautifully and burns without a care to white ash,

This is an orientals forward light English with a modest amount of Latakia. The balance of the smoke is sweet and sour. The sidestream of this tobacco is distinctive, earthy, musty perhaps, like the first rains after drought. Very evocative and romantic. Light and easy enough to smoke anytime, I am enjoying this as the sun sets on a summer's evening with a cool breeze blowing from the sea. Beautiful all round.

To me, this is the closest blend to the Original Balkan Sobranie White that I've encountered. That says it all. Your mileage may vary. McClelland knocked it out of the park.

There is really very little I can add to all the superlatives used below to describe this blend. It is all that is praised of it. I was particularly impressed at the melding of the two Latakias along with what I imagine is the Xanthi. My tin quickly disappeared. I remember smoking Balkan Sobranie back in 1969 but not enough to imprint my memory. But in any case, with that inspirational pedigree this is most worthy.

Wonderful stuff, great balance between the latakia, Orientals and Virginias. Has that typical McC sweet and sour that I love. A little light on "N", but very smooth and no real hot spice. You can smoke this as fast as you want without tongue bite and without turning bitter ,but its' also great at a sip . Give the tin a week to breath. Oh , I do find it goes out at a sip very easy, but it is smooth and not ashy on the re-lights . Placed on my favorites

I have to agree with almost everything said by reviewer, Michael 03/14/2012

I love it. I would order more, save my cellar is full to the rafters. Moisture perfect upon opening the can. No need for drying out. Burns sweet and cool. No bite. Lots of creamy white smoke. Burns to a white ash to the bottom of the bowl. Second relight seldom necessry. My hat off to the folks at Mclelland for this superior blend. Try itt, you won't de dissatisfied.

Grand, indeed, is the word for this blend! This was my first experience with Yenidje. So I prepared myself to be cautious. Like some of the reviewers on this site, I was never blessed to have tried Balkan Sobranie. So I will not waste your time by guessing with imagination. However, if this blend is even half the blend Balkan Sobranie was in its heyday - what a treat that must have been!!! My pipe smoking, traveling friend used to smoke Balkan Sobranie as his regular blend. So the next time he and I travel, I will invite him to have a pipeful of YH and report back with his reactions. Knowing him, this might be a bit tame for him as presently he blends his own using a 60% latakia mix.

Back to the task at hand. YH, imho, is well worth the extra money. Latakia is definitely present with its campfire- like smell. The Yenidje provides a good scent as well. The intro- duction of Maryland helped to calm down the Yenidje just a tad. Had it not done so, I imagine it could have been what those people on this list describe if one were to smoke a pipeful of only Perique. Do not get me wrong, I love perique! However, I am a bit skiddish about trying it as the main course. After my pipes cooled a bit they had the aroma of finding one of granddad's pipes years after he had last smoked. I tried this blend in two regular-gauge, chambered pipes and it was wonderful. Today, I got out my favorite, large-bowled, rusticated, Savinelli and the tobacco really seemed to sing. All in all, this was a WONDERFUL experience. To be sure, this will be a mainstay in my rotation.

Yenidje Highlander contains syrian and caprian latakia. This blend like Yenidje Supreme smokes cool and dry. Yenidje Highlander burns to a find ash.

I have been smoking the Grand Oriental blends in narrow bowled pipes, but I prefer them in wide bowls. It may be just a personal preference, but I can detect more subleties of flavor. Because the blend contains latakia, Yenidje Highlander is not as subtle as the other Grand Oriental blends, but the Yenidje leaf is still subtle. The effect that latakia has on Yenidje leaf is amazing. It brought out incense like qualities.

The nicotine strength is tad stronger, that Yenidje Supreme, but not by much. Yenidje Highlander is a very nice blend to smoke in the quiet of a evening.