McClelland 3 Oaks Syrian

I have been in the minority when it comes to my thoughts about Three Oaks Syrian in that I have not been in the “wowed crowd.” I opened a tin (my second tin after struggling a bit through the first) about a year ago and put it aside. To my amazement, even after a year in an opened tin with the plastic lid on it, the tobacco was still too wet to smoke. I don't understand why the folks at McClelland feel the need to saturate their blends in humectants far beyond what is needed. As others pointed out, the time aside seemed to help even things out in the blend. The smoke is buttery, a little sweet and very smooth. I don't know if the percentage if Syrian is high, but it is a supporting player in the flavor department. I do think it is important to point out that Syrian will have different notes than Cyprian and that could cause some to think that blend is lacking in the Latakia department. I think the component tobaccos are perfectly balanced and the Orientals are very good. Those that really like English blends made by McClelland will find this to be among their best and likely a four star blend. To me, while very good, it tastes like many of the other McClelland English blends. If not for the Syrian, I wouldn't be able to tell it apart from some of the others.

The smoky, woody, dry, wine-like Syrian latakia is the star component, but allows the woody, buttery sweet Orientals a fair amount of say in an important support role. There’s also a touch of sour and a hint of spice from the Orientals. The dark fruity, earthy, slightly sugary Virginias also sport light fermentative and short lived "vinegar" notes, and has a little less impact than the Orientals do. The nic-hit is just shy of reaching the mild to medium level. No chance of bite, and has no dull or harsh moments. The tobacco may need a light dry time. Burns cool, clean and a tad slow with a mildly creamy, mostly consistent flavor. Some nuances peak and recede here and there. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, and needs some relights. Has a pleasant smoky sweet, incense after taste that translates to the room note. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

This is a well done Light English. I find the Latakia and Orientals to be well balanced. The Virginias have an adequate, but not strong, presence. The Syrian Lat is smooth and smoky. I find this to be a solid example of an English blend, but I don't find anything special here. Tastes vary though so give it a try. It may be just what you're looking for.

A thick ribbon cut blend of mottled milk- and dark-chocolate color. Loads and lights easily and settles in nicely at the initial match. Not quite enough of the usual McClelland fermented virginia aroma (what some call ketchup or vinegar) in the tin, but that's the norm for McC latakia blends.

As I stated, this blend takes to the match well and is off to the races with nary a backward glance. The flavor is the light sweet smokiness as mentioned below, along with an odd but nice combo of creaminess and an almost peatiness. This seems like the Lowland single malt of pipe tobaccos... very mild and easy to work with. However, each puff had a bit of dryness to the finish that I find different. I found this blend tasty but very mild. Someone looking to get into syrian latakia blends would do well to start here.

My only complaint, and what keeps it from that 4th star, is the flavor I experienced upon relights. With each one, the flavor turned very sour for about the first 4-5 puffs, which was quite a turn-off. I experienced this same flavor in Frog ATP as well, but it was prevalent in that blend, not just at relights. DGT suffered greatly with 3OS. I don't see anyone else having this problem, so it must be more me than the blend. I'm going to stick my other 2 tins in the cellar for a couple of years, as the tin I smoked was only a few months old. Couldn't wait to try it to see what the fuss was all about! This is what I get for my impatience.

It took the better part of a tin for me to get this blend. I had just been smoking a full flavored balkan for a few months (Peretti's Royal Blend) and this one just seemed so mild that I had to search for the flavor. Around the half bowl mark the flavor kicks in and it's a lovely semi-sweet smoke. There is a hint of spice. The latakia is tame but present. Overall an enjoyable blend but I usually want more forward flavors. I recommend letting it dry for a considerable time before loading a bowl.

Having tasted both MacBaren HH Vintage Syrian and, more recently, 3 Oaks Syrian, they feel like completely different beasts to me.

While Vintage Syrian wowed me for the 1st smoke (then disappointed...), 3 Oaks did the opposite. My first bowl was a very average experience. I was expecting the cedar like, spicy, incensy, sharp tang of Vintage Syrian, which i liked so much. Instead, i got a rather mellow, deep, smoky taste from the Syrian in 3 Oaks. I found it to be very dry, both in taste and mouth feel. Mid bowl, it grabbed my attention again by developping some depth and sweetness. To end with slightly acrid (creosote-ish), spicy notes.

On all subsequent smokes, it delivered exactly the same thing, though it seemed smoother, less dry, and overall much better. I guess my expectations affected my appreciation at first.

Compared to Vintage Syrian, this one feels a bit ''deeper'' since it changes throughout de bowl, while Vintage Syrian, to me, has a great opening, then quickly fades into dry/acrid/unpleasant territory...

Overall, 3 Oaks Syrian didnt wow me, it is tasty, delicate, has good smoking characteristics.

Syrian Latakia is much more subtle than the Cyprian. I love the playful quality of the Syrian Lat in this blend! It's musty and herbal rather than full out smoky like a forest fire or a stick of salami. Ha! This is not a big Lat bomb, though it's not a lightweight either. I feel that this is blended in the quality tradition that McClelland is known for. This blend has become somewhat unique in the pipe smoking world, as Syrian Latakia is becoming harder to find, though as of now is still readily available on sites like smokingpipes.com. This is a coolish smoking blend but you should take your time with this as it could still steam your tongue if you attack it! I don't know how they're processed for sure, but when I've gotten other McC blends, they tend to be a bit moist out of the tin. I remember trying to dry out some McC Jubilee, which is a wonderful blend, and leaving it out all night and half a day more to dry out, checking on it every few hours, It would not dry out. This blend is somewhat the same, leading me to believe that McClelland is using a fair amount of Propyleneglycol to keep it moist... This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it may force you to smoke this slower due to its moisture.

Though I'm not gonna go around huffing gasoline, I do love the smell of it! The Virginia in this blend by itself has some petroleum notes, which to me brighten the overall blend. I like that. This blend also leaves a wonderful aftertaste post smoke which I like too.

This is not a legendary balkan like Balkan Sasieni or still more, Sobranie, or a classic like Frog Morton on the Bayou, but this is a rewarding smoke and for those who would like to experience a quality balkan blend with authentic classic Syrian Latakia in it, probably wouldn't be disappointed. I wasn't!

smooth oriental forward Balkan blend. sweet,mellow and sour with smoky latakia background. One classic Latakia blend with memorable Syrian latakia flavor.I think it's better, more exciting blend than Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue. I would give it 3 and 1/2 stars if I could.

Very fine, smooth blend, based on virginias and containing huge amount of high quality syrian latakia. McClelland’s ketchup casing is still detectable, but its level is surprisingly low. Very mild at the beginning, getting darker tones at the half of the bowl, sometimes harsh at the end. Another pleasant american tobacco, suitable for everyday smoke.