McClelland Orient 996
(3.30)
Orient 996 uses a very high sugar content bright Virginia (yellow) with aged Red Virginia, a bit of stoved mahogany Red Virginia, add in a good amount of No.1 grade Yenidje, two other village specific rare leaf oriental tobaccos are used in smaller amounts, plus a nice touch, but not over powering amount, of Syrian Latakia.
This is a rare and expensive blend because of the No.1 grade Orientals (Yenidje, Katerini, Samsun) the Syrian Latakia and because of the high grade bright very high sugar content Virginias.
Notes: Orient 996 has been aged before its release in December 2007. A very special mixture in very limited numbers as only 318 tins were produced for 2007. Reintroduced in 2009 from a PCCA Blend.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Collector Series |
| Blended By | McClelland |
| Manufactured By | McClelland |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50g 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 to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.30 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
When I read "No longer in production" in the almost-identical listing, I briefly panicked and went into hoard mode. Fortunately, I found it is still quite available and has been since its reintroduction in 2009. The label still says 2007, but my tin bottom indicates a 2012 tinning. I opened it in late 2013 and found it again 8 months later, 1/4 full.
I immediately liked it then and especially now. Ever have a blend that smacks you upside the head and asks why the hell you even bother with any other? This blend has displaced burley as my warm weather smoke.
It is sweet, per the tin description, due to aged Virginas. I didn't even mind getting "juiced" by my pipe (actually my technique: puffing while driving). It is sweeter than Rattrays Marlin Flake, even, and I thought that was confectionary. The leaf used here obviously has age on it; there is a characteristic absence of "greenness" (fishy, ammoniacal, bitter) that is sometimes found in fresh tins (of certain other domestic brands) that mellows out with time. High sugar Virginia tobaccos, like the best women, improve with age.
But 996 is not about the Virginias, it's about the Orientals. Although the Greek and Turkish tobaccos possess some inherent sweetness, their taste is brought out and amplified in this blend by the aged Virginias as sugar can do with some teas. My favorite oriental tobaccos are Basma and Xanthi and both seem present in this mixture. McClelland's now-familiar Syrian latakia is as well. This particular blend has been singled out by some for lacking Perique, and I don't doubt it would fit well in here. (There is a similar blend, Tudor Castle, which does include it.) I cannot tolerate Perique due to an allergy, and I am thankful to have a choice.
Nicotine level seems low, the puffed fragrance is wonderful to me and 8 months in an open tin provided perfect moisture to pack and light. I don't recall it being an issue originally. The closest comparisons I can make to other blends (both McClelland due to the Syrian) are FMATP and Yenice Agonya, also favorites of mine.
I adore this stuff.
I immediately liked it then and especially now. Ever have a blend that smacks you upside the head and asks why the hell you even bother with any other? This blend has displaced burley as my warm weather smoke.
It is sweet, per the tin description, due to aged Virginas. I didn't even mind getting "juiced" by my pipe (actually my technique: puffing while driving). It is sweeter than Rattrays Marlin Flake, even, and I thought that was confectionary. The leaf used here obviously has age on it; there is a characteristic absence of "greenness" (fishy, ammoniacal, bitter) that is sometimes found in fresh tins (of certain other domestic brands) that mellows out with time. High sugar Virginia tobaccos, like the best women, improve with age.
But 996 is not about the Virginias, it's about the Orientals. Although the Greek and Turkish tobaccos possess some inherent sweetness, their taste is brought out and amplified in this blend by the aged Virginias as sugar can do with some teas. My favorite oriental tobaccos are Basma and Xanthi and both seem present in this mixture. McClelland's now-familiar Syrian latakia is as well. This particular blend has been singled out by some for lacking Perique, and I don't doubt it would fit well in here. (There is a similar blend, Tudor Castle, which does include it.) I cannot tolerate Perique due to an allergy, and I am thankful to have a choice.
Nicotine level seems low, the puffed fragrance is wonderful to me and 8 months in an open tin provided perfect moisture to pack and light. I don't recall it being an issue originally. The closest comparisons I can make to other blends (both McClelland due to the Syrian) are FMATP and Yenice Agonya, also favorites of mine.
I adore this stuff.
Pipe Used:
Jirsa, medium bowl
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
1-2
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Very Pleasant |
996 is very much an Oriental/Virginia blend with Latakia way off in the background. Although the cut and flavor vary from Esoterica's Penzance, I do compare the two favorably, except that Orient 996 uses a stronger hand with the Orientals. It burns cool and dry and is one of my staples for Oriental blends.
Pipestud
Pipestud
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 14, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Orient 996 is an excellent blend with just the right balance of Syrian, Virginias and a with a touch of Yendje. This blend is slightly sweeter than "Three oaks Syrian" and smoother than Three Oaks Syrian , and more flavorful than either Syrian Star or Three Oaks Syrian. But the real star is the Yendje, a wonderful aroma and flavor and it blends so well with the Syrian.
Syrian Star and Orient 996 are closer matches due to their sweetness and smoothness than to Three oaks Syrian. My personal preference, if you're looking for "Syrian", would be Orient 996, then Syrian Star, then Three Oaks Syrian in that order. I also find that all three are best smoked from a corn cob rather than a brier , as the smoke is sweeter and more flavorful.
Syrian Star and Orient 996 are closer matches due to their sweetness and smoothness than to Three oaks Syrian. My personal preference, if you're looking for "Syrian", would be Orient 996, then Syrian Star, then Three Oaks Syrian in that order. I also find that all three are best smoked from a corn cob rather than a brier , as the smoke is sweeter and more flavorful.
Pipe Used:
cob
Age When Smoked:
1 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 07, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Often, I'll pop the tin and fire up a tobacco as soon as I walk out of the door of my local shop. Of course a tin of this that had been sitting on the shelf for years collecting dust was irresistible. As soon as flame met leaf I knew this one was subtle and special.
It's difficult to say what 'makes' this blend, but let's start with the Virginias. Some of the best from McClelland that I have tried. Clean, pure, fragrant, sweet but not too sweet, perfect. Not the same as what I have tasted from them before. Not a trace of the familiar ketchup taste, not even right after opening.
This really makes a difference with the presentation of the Yenidje, in that nothing gets in the way. Everything is complimentary. Not the same as Yenidje Supreme - to my tastebuds, much better. Maybe this has to do with the addition of the other orientals, but I can't help but think that there is nothing getting in the way or muddling the flavor here.
So in a nutshell, it's pretty much bright/red Virginia + Oriental heaven if one is into those tastes, which I am.
Only a kiss of Syrian, and by that I mean a brush on the cheek in most of my pipes, although there is one briar where it is stronger and obvious throughout the smoke. The subtle amount works perfectly for this blend, and surprisingly for me, I wouldn't necessarily want more in it. This is probably the only time I will ever say this, because I love Syrian latakia.
More of a 'dry' smoke than a rich and oily one, if that makes sense. Says on the tin that is is designed to age beautifully, and indeed it has. Not getting the confectionery sweetness that some are reporting, so perhaps aging has mellowed the sweetness factor somewhat, although the brights do add a nice sweet taste to be sure. Highly recommend to grab some and cellar it, after this tin I know I will.
It's difficult to say what 'makes' this blend, but let's start with the Virginias. Some of the best from McClelland that I have tried. Clean, pure, fragrant, sweet but not too sweet, perfect. Not the same as what I have tasted from them before. Not a trace of the familiar ketchup taste, not even right after opening.
This really makes a difference with the presentation of the Yenidje, in that nothing gets in the way. Everything is complimentary. Not the same as Yenidje Supreme - to my tastebuds, much better. Maybe this has to do with the addition of the other orientals, but I can't help but think that there is nothing getting in the way or muddling the flavor here.
So in a nutshell, it's pretty much bright/red Virginia + Oriental heaven if one is into those tastes, which I am.
Only a kiss of Syrian, and by that I mean a brush on the cheek in most of my pipes, although there is one briar where it is stronger and obvious throughout the smoke. The subtle amount works perfectly for this blend, and surprisingly for me, I wouldn't necessarily want more in it. This is probably the only time I will ever say this, because I love Syrian latakia.
More of a 'dry' smoke than a rich and oily one, if that makes sense. Says on the tin that is is designed to age beautifully, and indeed it has. Not getting the confectionery sweetness that some are reporting, so perhaps aging has mellowed the sweetness factor somewhat, although the brights do add a nice sweet taste to be sure. Highly recommend to grab some and cellar it, after this tin I know I will.
Age When Smoked:
5 years.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I had gotten two tins of this , one the original 2007 (stamped 2008) and this one marked, 2009 & "Pipe Tobacco" instead of "2007" to the right of the name on the tin - just to be clear. I just opened this one with 4 or 5 years on it & I just don't know what to make of it. Smooth, sure, light for certain, but I can't seem to get much flavor no matter what pipe I put it in. It seems to be more of a light VaPer flavor than oriental, though the latter are noticeable from time to time. Good shag cut, high quality leaf, I will cellar the open tin & see if it changes as noted by others. So far, OK but not great. UPDATE: Dryer & open for four months, this has turned into a far more flavorful mix of sweet grass, haylike brightness, with a solid Va base, recommended.
Pipe Used:
Upshall huge dublin, meers, clay
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
4 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 07, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I bought this on recommendation of a fellow pipe smoker, and I'm glad I tried it. Sweet, but not over powering, spiced, but not to the point of burning. It smokes well in anything from a small prince to the largest Dublin. If there's a downside, it's that I can't order a pound, only 50 gr tin!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 24, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I bought a tin of this late in 2009 and kept it for aging till a few weeks back. It was worth the wait. I really enjoyed it, it reminded me a bit of McClelland's Smyrna blend, but with some more virginia; but many of the other "oriental" flavors felt the same as the Smyrna. I will be buying some more to keep around, its a very good smoke paired with an Armognac/Cognac. Highly enjoyable!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 13, 2008 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Wow I Love it and the nicotine kick is very nice. Well put together best i have ever smoke! Frist class ALL THE WAY
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 14, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
enjoyed with much pleasure. A beautiful blend of fine tobaccos married together to create a very refined smoke. I've had a dozen tins in the cellar now for a couple of years and can't wait to crack another one open in a couple more years.
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