McClelland Drama Reserve

I'm fond of Orientals in the blends in which I've tasted them- love me some Balkan blends, so preconceptions may have thrown me off here. Tin note has some fruitiness, perhaps some salty arid notes, but sweet.

I had difficulty in many pipes keeping this lit throughout the entirely of the bowl in several pipes. Taking into account the tin age, this was unexpected and at times (soaking in hot tub times when said bowl would inevitably go out) frustrating.

Taste-wise it took some getting used too, a subtly of flavors that for me required smaller bowls and sipping to appreciate. I liked very much how the sweetness of this blend-rounded out nicely by the good Virginias - had an almost imperceptible saltiness to it, more mid bowl on...

It did best for me in a newer apple briar, lost some of its depth in meers-or perhaps it just matched well with the briar taste. Can't give this a 4 if for no other reason than because of its questionable burn characteristics.

Has a tin note of those sweet and tangy Virginias that McC seems so noted for. Always reminds me of Christmas pudding. Beyond that is some stunning complexity to the nose. Every time I sniff the tin I come up with something slightly different. This tobacco has some earthy, herbaceous notes, cedar or sandalwood perhaps... all very elusive to me.

This baccy burns a treat. It is atm my preferred breakfast smoke. Push into the hole, light and go. The cut is a very short ribbon, almost like a chip or cross cut: very easy to handle.

Once lit, this baccy is tart and sweet and very fragrant. It is as energising to the senses as a conversation with an intelligent woman. Naturally, I love it.

This blend is highly recommend if you want to dial in your ability to taste Drama. It's delicious and subtle, and although I can't say I get an overt "olive oil" aroma, it definitely has a characteristic oiliness that I find common in Oriental tobacco.

Like many of the Grand Oriental series, this tobacco rewards the slow smoker. Anything fast and hot will render a pretty light and lifeless smoke. This isn't to say it tastes bad, and I did enjoy more than a few absent minded bowls of this. However, it feels like a waste to smoke it this way.

There is a nice development throughout the bowl, which I attribute to the excellent underlying Virginias in this blend.

To me, some of the other Grand Orientals (e.g. Classic Samsun) give a stronger "wow, interesting and unique" effect, but I enjoyed every bowl.

This is my first Oriental. I have only been a pipe smoker for about 5 months, usually smoking every day. I usually smoke aros like Lane's 1Q and BCA or Orlick's Golden Sliced red, and some English: MM965 and Nightcap, and dabble in local store offerings of all types. Drama Reserve is touted as being one of the best Orientals. I've had about 7 slow bowls of this so far and though it is very smooth, it's like smoking air. Very little body, some good lightly sweet bacco flavor with light nico content. I don't get any of the spicyness or tangyness that others have noted. Definitely want to smoke this slow.

Update 12/1/12: OK, switched to a bigger bowl, Savinelli 606KS and it's definitely better in a bigger bowl for me. Now the world of taste is opening up and very, very good. As I said, this should be savored slowly. After the laste puff I'm left with a very clean palette. I just may be ordering more of this or one of its brethren down the road.

Perhaps my favorite Oriental blend. Really special. Mild enough for an every day smoke, it begs to be saved for special occasions, or a leisurely weekend afternoon. A true classic, Drama Reserve is right up there with Presbyterian and Penzance.

The tin aroma is true McClelland Virginia, but the ketchup is now sweet & sour sauce. The Oriental, led by the Drama, provides the tangy notes on top of the sweet Virginia, as well as that additional odd sweetness Drama and some other Turkish leaves have. It also adds spice and oily herb-like aromas, floral whispers, thin sour citrus-ish odors, faint hints of clove, ocean air, Worcestershire sauce, dark chocolate, malt, and curing hay. Just the tin aroma is frickin' amazing.

Ribbon cut - easy packing, even burn, careful not to let it get too hot.

Cool and easy. Virginia sweetness, another interesting blend of Oriental leaf. Common in many blends, Drama spotlighted like this, is a cool experience. This series is a great idea. This is my second “Grand Orientals” blend. (My first was the Samsun, my favorite so far.)

Very easy smoking' stuff. Complex in the Orientals, simple sweet Virginia background. I did catch the whole olive oil taste, and less of the salty sea air notes I get from most Oriental-heavy blends. The room note is a little too cigarette-like for me.

Very interesting and appealing. You can imagine yourself on some Mediterranean dock, your clay pipe filled with this stuff, waiting to set sail for adventure across the dark blue waters. (I think that was a Popeye cartoon!)

A deliciously delicate blend with subtle characteristics that showcase the fine Drama leaf. This is a satisfying blend and should be savored to let the intricacies wash over your palate. Don't try to smoke it too quickly or you'll miss a lot of what it has to offer. The Drama adds a slightly oily sort of richness to the blend that's hard to describe but is very satisfying and unique, especially when combined with the beautifully supporting virginias found here. Top notch!

This is my first tobacco review... When I first purchased this blend, I made the mistake of smoking it in several pipes in which I had prior smoked VAPERS and Latakia mixes of all kinds... I know... dumb. It is therefore easy to see why I did not understand all the fine praise this blend had engendered. One third of the way down the tin, I read the review by "bent-1", who suggested using a "meerschaum or neutral smoking Italian briar pipe". Wow! What a difference. Bent-1 was absolutely correct! I dedicated a clean meerschaum to this blend and now I see why this is a 4 star blend. I will admit having difficulty describing the flavour of tobacco, but I know what I like, and this blend is indeed fabulous. Hard to describe but all these apply: subtle, sweet, and exotic. Burns well right down to the bottom... no bite whatsoever. I bought several tins based on the reviews and am very glad I did.

Many people dont like using the "fourth star". I think they believe that a four star rating is for that special occasion extraordinary smoke. Maybe. I think a four star rating can be given to an extraordinary tobacco one can enjoy anytime-anyplace, as well as on special occasions. One that is consistantly perfect in flavor and burn. Drama reserve is one of those extraordinary blends. There are so many good products out there these days for nuts like us but its still hard to believe that some are well. Perfect.

Upon opening the tin the sweet, natural aroma of the Drama and the honey sweetness of the Virginia are compelling. The stuff is cured perfectly and burns cool and even everytime. The flavor is wonderful and room not too strong so even non-smokers enjoy it, (as much as when I smoke "Town Topic"). Bottom line, I love this stuff!

Not to be a trouble maker but it could deserve a 4+!