McClelland Yenidje Highlander

Final bowl of tin #2, aged one year. Having tried it in a variety of shapes, all briar, I get the best smokes out of tall, narrow bowls. I also learned to avoid pipes that have a lot of Balkan mileage on them, as the ghosts of Latakia in the wood interfere with the subtlety of this blend. It also benefits from concentration without interference from anything more intrusive than a good book or some classic jazz from the fifties.

Overall this one is well balanced and the ingredients are in near perfect proportion. Occasionally the red virginias get a bit rowdy, but that settles down quickly. I really like the use of both Syrian and Cyprian Latakia, and enjoy the way these two bob and weave throughout the smoke. The Maryland is so light I think it must be there only to contribute to the cool burning qualities.

In the taller bowls I get flavors of spices like cumin and cinnamon...some campfire/pine scents...green olives and anise. The final third of the bowl is where the virginias return emphatically, allowing the Latakia and other Orientals a well deserved rest. The end game is rich and creamy with light caramel notes and just the slightest hint of cocoa.

A very nice blend for when you have the time for contemplation and focus. It didn't work quite so well while I watched the Titans beat the Jaguars. Timing is everything.

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.

Incense with some woody and Lat aroma. That is the shorthand way to describe another glorious McClelland contribution.

Clearly high quality, deep and murky Oriental dominates this blend, and what a great way to be dominated 🙂

I am not enough of an expert to expound upon all the different names for the Orientals and will leave that to someone with greater expertise, but the ones that are in this really smell like you are standing in an Orthodox Church in Greece and that are waving around the incense.

Its backed with just enough of the accompanying tobaccos to make sure that there is contrast and compliment, all in all, the best of its kind.

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.