McClelland CPCC Samovar

I don't find many Oriental blends to have much strength, this one is an exception. I do not know if there is a difference in the revival of this one as compared to the 1994 PCCA original or the 1995 Chicago Show original. I do know that there is a lot of flavor here and most of it is derived from the Latakia, which is top shelf. It is truly spicy (thanks to the orientals), and will plaster the heck out of the palate, so puff slowly.

Leaf: Latakia, Oriental/Turkish and Virginia. A good split of Dark and Golden leaf, a nice thick ribbon with only a few 'chunky' bits here and there. Nice, high quality leaf.

Tin Aroma: When I popped the tin the first thing I was greeted with was a lovely, rich, smokey dose of Latakia, which slightly subsided as the Orientals appeared with their sweet, tangy, spicy scent. The Virginia wasn't far behind, it's freshness slightly hard to pick up but it was adding to the sweet aroma now wafting from my tin. Mouth watering.

Taste: Now here's what I'm looking for in a smoke. The taste is so closely reflective of the aroma, at first the beautiful rich latakia smokiness butters you up with it's creamy texture and taste. The orientals arrive soon after, they are smooth, crisp, tangy, with a lovely sweetness that clings to the palate, a subtle spiciness that make me light up on the retrohale as it so slightly tingles the nose. The Virginias arrive with a little extra freshness and sweetness for good measure, they help cut the oriental tanginess without detracting from it at all. The tail end of each puff is carried by that beautiful rich Latakia that never overpowers the other elements, but serves to add another layer of richness and complexity, helping provide that nice creamy thick, flavour filled smoke. The smoke changes slightly either way as the bowl goes on, some parts darker and richer, some lighter and sweeter, but never dull or boring.

Smokeability: Moisture was fine out of the tin, packs well, stays lit easily. Burns cool and dry, and finishes in a fine white ash that falls out of the inverted bowl barley leaving a trace bend at the end of a smoke. Doesn't bite, and doesn't try and kill you with nicotine.

Summary: This is a glorious pipe tobacco. You can really taste the quality, it is rich, complex, exceedingly smooth. The thick clouds of smoke produced are packed with flavour, they smell amazing. This touched all the based for me, Rich, Dark, Spicy, Smoky, Sweet, Fresh, Tangy, Any English/Oriental/Balkan fan should give this a try, it truly is a great blend.

This is a strange tobacco. For the most part it is a medium bodied English, albeit one that is light on Orientals and Latakia, but which can throw up some decidedly harsh notes. Generally speaking I like McC Virginias and how they are conditioned, but not here. There is also a fair amount of stick and stem in this blend, so not exactly top shelf leaf.

To my palate this is stronger than an English should be, and there is also some bitterness, particularly as the bowl progresses. I think there is Burley in Samovar, but I seem to be alone in thinking this.

Not by any means a bad smoke but not my cup of tea.

Samovar has become my favorite English blend. And, as many reviewers of this blend have stated, the key descriptive term is balance. The richly piquant Orientals, the sweet, bright Virginias, and the silky smooth Syrian Latakia tobaccos are masterfully combined to make a deep, warm and utterly satisfying smoke. The color, aroma and cut of this lovely tobacco excite the senses. It begs to be stuffed into your favorite pipe and slowly savored, like a well-aged single malt. The flavors fill your mouth, and, as you smoke, each of the components makes itself know, yet the impression is one of pure harmony. Samovar burns clean and even; no bite, no moist dottle. The aftertaste lingers, a sweet, spicy, smoky coda. Can you tell that I like this stuff? Anyone interested in a refined, distinctive and wonderfully congruous English style tobacco, should sample Samovar. It is, in my opinion, one of the finest blends that Mary and Mike McNeil have produced.

This a fantastic blend from popping the tin the final puff. The tin aroma has the distinct Syrian wine like character; subtle smoke and a savory wine like smell. The Virginia's are characteristically McClelland, sweet and vinegary/bbq sauce. There are also some woody notes likely from the orientals. The smoke is nuanced, sweet and subtle. the Latakia is subtle on the bed of VA's which are sweet and earthy which support the Syrian leaf. The Orientals are spicy and woody. Every puff provides a different flavor and how puff (retrohale) highlights a different aspect of the blend. Great stuff.

To me nothing special here; smokeable yes, special no. Actually rather boring with the very occasional Oriental leaf making itself known, hesitant to even call it an Oriental blend; however, technically it is. Bitter mid-bowl and the rest of the way down and too grassy for me.

Perhaps older versions were superior; regardless, I won't be buying this again nor it is recommended since the billing and blend are mediocre at best, with generosity.

The last tinned McClelland that I'll ever buy far too much Propylene Glycol screwing-up the combustion, as result plenty duds o'plenty apart from Butera Latakia no. 1 and no. 2 those are cellar worthy in my view. Mike Butera must have a rider regarding PG, thankfully.

Being fond of Balkan derivatives as well as Syrian latakia in general, several of the highly recommended blends in this category have been on my radar for some time now.

This blend fits the profile, dark ribbon cuts peppered with soft crumbly bits of latakia sparsely added, with some yellow Va shag throughout -typical McKetchup note-though sweeter. Perfect moisture content here-I cellared this tin for 16 months.

Subsequently the burn characteristics were spot on, and despite my poor packing methods it remained lit and toasty throughout.

I have to say the use of the Syrian latakia is absolutely perfect! You taste a sweetness that -despite the smoke being light and dry (think Cult's Blood Red Moon) it's so flavorful and forgiving to the Thomas the Train's amongst up. The Virginias add to the sweetness without being hayish, and the entire experience was ...refreshingly.

Samovar tastes mild but it is strong enough to be my morning wake up dose, but could be an all day blend in my opinion.

I would throw out there that if your new to pipes, an aromatic fan or apprehensive about Latakia in general (they have to some a reputation of being applied in a heavy-handed manner) [think Lat Bombs] this could very well change the paradigm.

Splendid in every way!

Yes. Yes. Yes. Is it because I'm smoking it from one of my favourite pipes? Is it because I've just opened the tin and filled my nose with its beautiful earthy scents for the first time? Is it because I'm sitting under a yellow lit overhang of a field house in my local park on the first warm night of the spring with my dog lying quietly beside me? Is it because I've just come from having a few drinks with friends I don't see often enough? I have no idea. But as I sit here with billowy clouds of Orientals and Syrian latakia around my head on this warm, still night, I'm thinking this is about the finest tobacco I have tried yet. Will it taste the same tomorrow in my car on my way to work? No idea. But right now, in this place, looking out at fresh grass and leafy trees in the darkness while I stroke my dog's neck... it's perfect.

When I thought I couldn't be any more impressed by McClelland's contributions to the world of English blends after smoking British Woods, Samovar comes along and stuns me.

Stuns me!

Actually stunned!!

I smelled the aroma from the tin, and indeed it is very similar to British Woods in several regards. The Latakia is clearly at the front, no mistaking that at all. Behind it though there is a casing of something that I cannot identify, almost a very very mild syrup or something. Not anywhere near enough to classify this as cased, but just a delicate hint. It might even be naturally occurring and not intentional, but there is just the slightest sweetness.

Epic quality, really rich components, all dark and murky. The initial light makes you think of sitting beside a roaring open fire in Winter, the smoke is thick and creamy plumes, the texture is Lat heavy but you can detect that tiny sweetness as well as the beautifully crafted Oriental and VA mix. Its more Oriental heavy than VA, which is a subtle difference from British Woods in which I get the VA throughout. It gets spicier the longer it goes, the Lat stays there but moves to the side little by little, and it almost becomes an Oriental blend by the end.

Wonderful stuff.