McClelland Orient 996

I am not sure what to make of this blend so far. I am having a difficult time discovering the Latakia. The Virginia's are very nice and very mild. The Orientals are distinguishable.

It's quite easy to pack and is very tame in the bowl and burns fairly cool. However, it's a bit tricky! If you are expecting a big Latakia taste and puff away too hard, you will get some bite.

There is some delicious sweetness going on here, and although the blend is a bit mild for my taste, it gets points for the quality of Virginia tobac. It has a clean natural taste that teases the tongue and presents the opportunity for reflection.

Preface: Within the Collector Series, Orient 996 is most similar to TC, including, mainly, Latakia replacing Perique.

Tin: 2008 stamped on bottom of tin.(The label says Vintage 2007. Orient 996 was introduced in DEC 2007.) Sweet and sour smell, the sour aspect diminishing readily after the tin is unsealed for a couple of days. Burnt or stoved mahogany hue, standard ribbon cut, almost dry.

Packed readily, as a ribbon usually does, and burned well.

Taste & Aroma: A nice, soft, mellow smoke, but not enough umph-It lacks the substance that its cousin, TC, has.

Overall: Nice and mellow. A strong 3 stars, but not enough subsance to merit four. 3.4 stars.

I wish I had read vaperfavour's review before finishing the first half of the tin. After half tin full of useless attempts at trying to get some more flavors other than virginia but getting tongue bite instead, exorcized the evil tin of Orient666 to the dark side of the cellar and moved on to other alternatives.

Reading vaperfavour's review, I decided to give piece another chance since 3 months had already passed over my last smoke of Orient666. Interesting though, upon re-opening the tin I was surprised it had not completely dried out. Filled a pipe, lit, and a couple puffs here and a couple puffs there and a couple puffs everywhere...weeeheeee it was now Orient966! next time I tried, I left it for more air drying (about an hour) and that smoke was indeed Orient996. I was so mesmerized by it, my next purchase was its sister blend Jubilee, which btw will be resting in peace with an open lid for another month.

Thanks to vaperfavour and several shamanic chants, evil out flavors in.

Due to the sugary Va. tobacco in the blend, it will age beautifully and this would enhance the qualit Syrian Latakia that lies somewhat dormant in a newl opened tin. This would be a good transition blend for someone who normally smokes Virginians but wants a more exotic kick of Orientals with a touch of Latakia. I like it. Sweet but not overwhelming. I will buy a tin or two and store for awhile to see the result.

first off i would like to say this is a great blend, but it needs preparation, namely opening the tin , leave the metal plate on the tobacco and let it sit for 6 months. after doing this the tobaccos come to life and the true taste and potential of this blend starts to shine through. when first opened it will taste virginia heavy and the syrian will barely be tasted. I have found all the recent McClelland blends (PCCA or not) benefit from what some may say is extreme air time. just found a tin that was opened last october and that i shoved to the back of the cellar thinking this blend was a dud. what a difference time and air makes. even now it is not a powerhouse blend, but there are subtleties worth exploring. The orientals are making themselves known over the virginias and this is becoming very good.try it, air it, stock up for a blend with turkish.

This review is after coming back to this blend after several years. I do not recall thinking much of this blend when I first tried it. I bought 2 tins and at the time I was trying to get a feel for the flavors of particularly leaves, Oriental,Turkish, Latakia, Perique, etc. I was new to the pipe and I think like burley, Orientals forward blends my not be for the neophyte. I really enjoy Oriental blends first thing in the morning with coffee. McC’s Bombay Court and Peretti’s Tashkent are morning staples for me. Like those this is best enjoyed early although this is a bit different and I can enjoy it later in the day as well. I am a bit perplexed by this blend, as I enjoy both Yenidje Highlander and Supreme but I do not find this blend at all similar. That is not to say I don’t like it but with the same Oriental leaf as the star I can’t figure out why they taste nothing alike. One of the things I like most about Orientals is that buttery, woody flavor. It seems the Yenidje doesn’t have as much of that or the Syrian Latakia does something to mute that flavor in this blend. I do get some of the woody buttery qualities, especially in the finish, there is a taste that lasts for quite a while after smoking this and it is really quite good. The primary flavor is Oriental, it is dry and has a seltzer like quality to it, think mineral seltzer water. The Virginia’s are sweet and earthy with some light grassy notes and the Syrian Latakia is barely noticeable other than a hint of smoke and a light sour note. No longer available but if it were I’d recommend it. Very unique and enjoyable smoke.

A fine Oriental blend, not quite as sweet as Syrian Star, but sweeter than Syrian Three Oaks. I’m inclined to think that those who smoke this very slowly will find it sweeter than those who puff faster (which is par for the course for a Virginia forward blend). Despite a strong Virginia base, it is the Orientals that shine in this blend. A pleasing smoke, light nic hit, and a nice change of pace from my typical straight Virginias.