McClelland Smyrna No.1
(3.32)
Back when Istanbul was Constantinople, Izmir tobacco was Smyrna. "A rose by any other name..." These tiny, top-grade tobacco leaves from mountainous Western Turkey across from the Island of Khlos have long been prized as the most aromatic of all Orientals. They grown dense and extremely fragrant in this dry country moistened by Mediterranean Sea breezes.
Look for a whole Smyrna leaf on top of the tobacco when you open the tin. Notice the tiny hole where it was string up by hand to air cure in a time-honored , labor-intensive process. There is no Latakia in this blend. Smyrna is the defining ingredient in this sophisticated Oriental tobacco. Our intention here is to spotlight the character of this extraordinary, delicate leaf.
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 | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
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
|
3.32 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 26 of 26 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 29, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I read through the reviews here carefully, and my excitement built for a long time. No local shops carried it, so I have been really excited waiting for it to arrive with my new Stanwell hans Christian Anderson. I tell you, it totally lived up to the billing. Its spicy and robust, but fragrant and layered. I could tase the sugary McClelland Virginias, and I have tried all the other GA's in some way, this one is so cool and different though. Its more "exotic" to me and feels so natural. I am going to be buying much, much more of it, and it will be a regular outdoor and afternoon smoke. I can't wait to sit down in the evening and pair it with an Irish Whiskey.
Thanks to all the great reviews of it on here, it replaced Drama as my Fav Grand Oriental.
Thanks to all the great reviews of it on here, it replaced Drama as my Fav Grand Oriental.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 23, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This has become my favorite blend. It packs and burns easily, has the most wonderful tin and room note, and the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavor.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Wonderful stuff. The VAs are of the usual McClelland quality and smell amazing in the tin. The Smyrna adds a lightly spicy tone in the tin as well.
I find the smyrna very noticable at the first match and then settles in behind the sweet VAs and is always there.
Smoked slowly it is very flavorful, but if puffed somewhat quikly it starts to taste like a quality VA only- losing the orientals contribution.
Must try for VA lovers.
I find the smyrna very noticable at the first match and then settles in behind the sweet VAs and is always there.
Smoked slowly it is very flavorful, but if puffed somewhat quikly it starts to taste like a quality VA only- losing the orientals contribution.
Must try for VA lovers.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 13, 2009 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I really love this blend. Great everyday smoke. It is a great late evening tobacco, the spicy almost cinnamon flavor is truly relaxing after a hard day. Recommended!!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 28, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Once again another excellent blend. Mike and Mary have sure done their homework on this one. It amazes me at what lengths they will go, in order to secure the best leaf, so that we may enjoy these rare and exceptional blends.
Realizing peoples taste vary, but to me ,it is reminiscent to sweet toasted nuts! By far one of the best orientals on the market. It is a blend I will put in my rotation daily.
Thank you McClelland. Keep sending the pipe smokers the best.
Realizing peoples taste vary, but to me ,it is reminiscent to sweet toasted nuts! By far one of the best orientals on the market. It is a blend I will put in my rotation daily.
Thank you McClelland. Keep sending the pipe smokers the best.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 01, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Just as I finished my first tin, and was ready to write a review, Pipes & Tobaccos jumps in with a review that says it all (and I urge all to read). Rather than sum up what was written there, however, this was the review that I was writing in my head as I smoked...
The tin aroma is sweet and fragrant and the blend packs and lights nicely right out of the tin. The sweetish taste only remains in the first couple of puffs and then it's an array of spices - an array that can't quite be pinned down but similar to that found in a fragrant tea. And that's what you find in the remainder of the bowl: a spicy, not overly-sweet, cool smooth smoke that is a delight to the palate.
This blend is now on my "favorites" list. I also found, having just a bit of "Larry's Blend" remaining, that this mixes well with a blend heavy on Latakia in a mixture of about 3 parts Larry and 1 part Smyrna. I would suggest that others might use this as a blending leaf, as well.
BTW - it's also very cool to find your very own, smokeable, leaf at the top of the tin!
The tin aroma is sweet and fragrant and the blend packs and lights nicely right out of the tin. The sweetish taste only remains in the first couple of puffs and then it's an array of spices - an array that can't quite be pinned down but similar to that found in a fragrant tea. And that's what you find in the remainder of the bowl: a spicy, not overly-sweet, cool smooth smoke that is a delight to the palate.
This blend is now on my "favorites" list. I also found, having just a bit of "Larry's Blend" remaining, that this mixes well with a blend heavy on Latakia in a mixture of about 3 parts Larry and 1 part Smyrna. I would suggest that others might use this as a blending leaf, as well.
BTW - it's also very cool to find your very own, smokeable, leaf at the top of the tin!
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