McClelland Katerini Classic
(3.24)
The small, heart-shaped Katerini leaf, grown from Samsun seed on mountain slopes in Greek Western Macedonia, is delicate, elastic, robust. The aroma is subtle. Notice the sweet, mild, curry-like flavor in the mellow Virginia-based blend. Easy to pack, delightful to smoke.
Notes: From McClelland: Katerini is a very important tobacco producing area southwest of Thessalonika on mountain slopes of mainland Greece (western Macedonia). The small, heart shaped leaf that takes the area's name and makes it legendary is grown from Samsun seed. Katerini leaf is light golden in color, delicate, elastic, porous and robust. It has a more subtle aroma than Samsun but notice an especially sweet, mild curry-like flavor in this fine blend.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Grand Orientals |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Oriental |
| Contents | Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.24 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 21 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
As a Virginia lover, I absolutely adore the Grand Orientals. After all, they are really just a good mellow McClelland Virginia with just enough of the Oriental to give an appreciation of the showcased varietal.
This blend is not one of my favorites, or should I say not one of my regulars? I have other blends that fill this niche, so I don't go out of my way for Katerini Classic. But if I run across a tin at Ye Ole Brick & Mortar, I will gladly purchase it to support my local tobacconist and revisit this special blend from time to time.
The tin aroma is dominated by the McClelland "Heinz 57" aroma, but there is none of that in the smoke. It is a typical McClelland ribbon cut. I came to this blend after it had four years of age in the tin. I dry it on a plate for about 30 min prior to loading a large bent billiard.
At first, I detect nothing but the classic McClelland aged Virginia. Then, as the first quarter of the bowl progresses, the Katerini becomes more and more pronounced. It is a sort of spicy floral perfume, tasted more on the palate than the tongue. I find it less subtle than Classic Samsun, and overall a more pleasing smoke than its cousin. The medium nicotine content is just perfect. I can huff and puff on my big billiard without it biting. No need to baby it.
Perfectly done, accomplishing the mission of the Grand Orientals series, this will no doubt become a favorite of many pipe smokers, novice and veteran alike. Four stars, easy.
This blend is not one of my favorites, or should I say not one of my regulars? I have other blends that fill this niche, so I don't go out of my way for Katerini Classic. But if I run across a tin at Ye Ole Brick & Mortar, I will gladly purchase it to support my local tobacconist and revisit this special blend from time to time.
The tin aroma is dominated by the McClelland "Heinz 57" aroma, but there is none of that in the smoke. It is a typical McClelland ribbon cut. I came to this blend after it had four years of age in the tin. I dry it on a plate for about 30 min prior to loading a large bent billiard.
At first, I detect nothing but the classic McClelland aged Virginia. Then, as the first quarter of the bowl progresses, the Katerini becomes more and more pronounced. It is a sort of spicy floral perfume, tasted more on the palate than the tongue. I find it less subtle than Classic Samsun, and overall a more pleasing smoke than its cousin. The medium nicotine content is just perfect. I can huff and puff on my big billiard without it biting. No need to baby it.
Perfectly done, accomplishing the mission of the Grand Orientals series, this will no doubt become a favorite of many pipe smokers, novice and veteran alike. Four stars, easy.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 23, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
A wonderful mild to medium oriental blend that is complex without being heavy. Whispers of warm caramel wash over the refined soapy oriental leaf- my tin was from 2007 so everything was melded together and subdued somewhat with an underlying spicy creamy hit. As with all of the other grand Orientals in the series the Virginia is the dominant leaf- ripe and fermented they add a backbone of tang, caramel and very slight grassy notes.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill county billiard, Ashton brindle Apple
Age When Smoked:
2007
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 27, 2015 | Extremely Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Has the typical McC tin note of fermented Virginias. Some spice in there as well.
Takes a light easily and burns without fuss. This is a mild, gently sweet, not at all cloying, fragrant smoke. Silky smooth. I enjoy this immensely and it is possibly my favourite of the Grand Orientals series.
Takes a light easily and burns without fuss. This is a mild, gently sweet, not at all cloying, fragrant smoke. Silky smooth. I enjoy this immensely and it is possibly my favourite of the Grand Orientals series.
Pipe Used:
Lepeltier
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2011 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Most of the Grand Orientals that I have tried are very mild and this one falls into that group. I find it really requires a nice "slow sip" to really get this blend to sing. I don't get a mild curry-like taste as the blender suggests. Sweet, but not too sweet. I should also point out that having smoked this "new" and also with 4 years of age on it, time treats this blend well. It does need to be dried as it arrives too moist, but it's worth the wait. With classics in the same line like Samsun, it's easy to overlook this one which is a shame. Good stuff, Recommended!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 02, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
In the tin, this medium ribbon blend is notable for its initial turkish spiciness along with a notable dose of perique. The McC virginia fermented scent, stemming from both black stoved and red virginias, is present, though subdued.
Since the spirit of this series is, apparently, the splitting of hairs... some nuances exhibited are: herbed chicken broth, ginger, sweet bun, cincinnati chili, and sesame. The perique is gently evident throughout the bowl.
After sampling both the Katerini and the Black Sea Sokhoum, I am not sure that McClelland fully exploited the potential for this series. If McClelland's intent was pure education, the addition of condimental leaf (in this case perique), as well as the fact that the condimental leaf varies between blends within the series, complicates this end. I finished the tins unsure of my grasp of each varietal's specific character. This deficiency would be gladly forgiven had either blend been notably singular and iconic. However, though they may be savory, delicious, and composed of top-tier leaf, they fall slightly short of timelessness. This seemed best in narrow to medium gauge chambers.
Since the spirit of this series is, apparently, the splitting of hairs... some nuances exhibited are: herbed chicken broth, ginger, sweet bun, cincinnati chili, and sesame. The perique is gently evident throughout the bowl.
After sampling both the Katerini and the Black Sea Sokhoum, I am not sure that McClelland fully exploited the potential for this series. If McClelland's intent was pure education, the addition of condimental leaf (in this case perique), as well as the fact that the condimental leaf varies between blends within the series, complicates this end. I finished the tins unsure of my grasp of each varietal's specific character. This deficiency would be gladly forgiven had either blend been notably singular and iconic. However, though they may be savory, delicious, and composed of top-tier leaf, they fall slightly short of timelessness. This seemed best in narrow to medium gauge chambers.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This I can honestly say is the only oriental based blend with no latakia to ever capture my attention and keep it for an entire tin! When I cracked this tin I was hoping for something new and interesting, and the aroma that wafted forth was no disappointment. It was a new sweet, sort of figgish smell that I had never experienced before. Up to this point I was mostly an English man, having moved away from aromatics, and this tin gave me something entirely new. This blend has a succulent sweetness to it, a beautiful taste, a bit one dimensional, but at the same time I loved every sip. It is a gentle blend, a true connoisseur's choice I think. It packs very nicely, and at least for me, it smoked straight through to fine ash. It is perfect for the smoker who is over aromatics but wants something smooth and gentle with a nice sweet flavor and no bite, I could smoke this one over and over again!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 06, 2010 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Smyrna Light? Seems almost like a blend of Smyrna and Samsun but much more mild. By comparison, this mellow blend is more delicate, smooth, subtle, and gently fragrant. Smoke slowly and sip lightly, lest you pummel the subtleties of this delicate construct into irrelevance. Unlike some of the other blends in the line, Katerini doesn't get more spicy or intense if you work it harder, or as you approach the middle of the bowl. It is consistently mild and slightly sweet throughout. Lights and smokes flawlessly, cool and dry. Pleasant, sweet aftersmoke taste. Not as full or rich as its big brothers, Samsun and Smyrna, and lacking a bit of the finesse and uniqueness of Drama. I can see some fellow pipe-a-holics finding this blend too delicate or light in the flavor department, as it requires you to stay focused in order to catch the whole performance. Still excellent. Three stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 26, 2009 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Katerini Classic didn't dissapoint me as the rest of the Grand Orientals Series tobaccos. It is so good that I only can compare it with the other tobaccos of the same series.
I found this one similar to Samsun and Black Sea Sokhum (all of these three tobaccos are from the same seed, but grown in different zones). It is a mellow version of Samsun, with almost the same cigarette like flavor, and lower nicotine dose. It has a subtle spicy note and a little bit oily taste which reminds Yenice Agonya from the same series. I can say that it has also a very subtle sweetness.
Packs and lights easily, leaving a fine whitish ash. A must try for the oriental fans.
I found this one similar to Samsun and Black Sea Sokhum (all of these three tobaccos are from the same seed, but grown in different zones). It is a mellow version of Samsun, with almost the same cigarette like flavor, and lower nicotine dose. It has a subtle spicy note and a little bit oily taste which reminds Yenice Agonya from the same series. I can say that it has also a very subtle sweetness.
Packs and lights easily, leaving a fine whitish ash. A must try for the oriental fans.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 01, 2010 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Basically a good quality light virginia with just a twist from the Katerini leaf. If smoked slowly you'll taste a pleasant and very subtle curry/cummin like flavour.
I would give it 3 stars if a little stronger in nicotine.
Smoke it in your virginia dedicated pipes without fear of ghosting.
I would give it 3 stars if a little stronger in nicotine.
Smoke it in your virginia dedicated pipes without fear of ghosting.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 22, 2009 | Extremely Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
Wonderful, smooth, and lots of mmmmmm moments! To my great surprise, the tin description is spot on... I am normally a lover of bold VaPer blends but this one is a sublime keeper, a fantastic change of pace, and will immediately enter my rotation.
Mine was tinned in 2007 and I suspect that a little age works miracles for this blend.
Mine was tinned in 2007 and I suspect that a little age works miracles for this blend.
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