McClelland CORPS Full Balkan Reserve
(3.22)
A very smooth Balkan style blend with exceptional depth. It is rich with cool smoking, aromatic and lightly sweet Cyprian latakia, spiced with the finest fragrant Macendonian Oriental leaf. One of the most popular Balkans we have ever made.
Notes: Originally introduced in April, 1995 for the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers, is now part of the Club Blends Series.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Club Blends |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2015 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The Cyprian latakia is smoky, woody sweet and is the star component. The Oriental/Turkish is smoky, woody, a little dry with a sour note or two, and a little floral. The Virginia is grassy, tangy citrus sweet with a slight “vinegar” hit that soon disappears, mainly acting as a base for the other tobaccos to shine. The sweetness and nicotine levels are just above mild. Needs a little dry time, but burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a consistent flavor, and leaves just a little moisture at the finish. Needs an average number of relights. Won't bite. No harsh or dull spots, and if you like this kind of blend, you’ll like the after taste. Not an all day smoke.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 10, 2017 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Mostly black ribbons with some mahogany thrown in. Tin note was of latakia for the most part but the aroma was far from strong. Interesting, because...
...and, this is probably the most interesting tobacco I've ever smoked. Interesting because this is purported to contain Cyprian latakia but the lat was most assuredly and without any doubt whatsoever, Syrian. Apparently McClellands mixed up a batch using the wrong Macedonian leaf. Which I think is rather cool! It just makes it hard to rate it against the original, which I also just finished. At any rate, this is a very good but typical McClellands Balkan but with Syrian leaf instead of Cyprian. In fact, if it weren't for the larger ribbons and the fact that this was lighter in flavor, I might have mistaken this for Syrian Full Balkan, another dubiously named McC tobacco. This is a lighter bodied blend with the latakia front and center (but still reserved... hey, maybe that's why the "Reserve" in the name!) providing its very Syrian-y dark and less sweet flavor. The orientals are a bit sour and very tangy and provide a slight punch to the blend. The Virginias are there but seemingly just to hold the thing together and provide a bit of sweetness and zest. Overall another good but not great McClelland lat blend. Syrian Balkans Full and Super are superior blends IMHO. Unfortunately I can't rate this against their Balkans containing Cyprian for the reason noted. It certainly does no harm to the hugely respected McClellands name but neither does it distinguish itself as a blend that is filling much of a niche.
...and, this is probably the most interesting tobacco I've ever smoked. Interesting because this is purported to contain Cyprian latakia but the lat was most assuredly and without any doubt whatsoever, Syrian. Apparently McClellands mixed up a batch using the wrong Macedonian leaf. Which I think is rather cool! It just makes it hard to rate it against the original, which I also just finished. At any rate, this is a very good but typical McClellands Balkan but with Syrian leaf instead of Cyprian. In fact, if it weren't for the larger ribbons and the fact that this was lighter in flavor, I might have mistaken this for Syrian Full Balkan, another dubiously named McC tobacco. This is a lighter bodied blend with the latakia front and center (but still reserved... hey, maybe that's why the "Reserve" in the name!) providing its very Syrian-y dark and less sweet flavor. The orientals are a bit sour and very tangy and provide a slight punch to the blend. The Virginias are there but seemingly just to hold the thing together and provide a bit of sweetness and zest. Overall another good but not great McClelland lat blend. Syrian Balkans Full and Super are superior blends IMHO. Unfortunately I can't rate this against their Balkans containing Cyprian for the reason noted. It certainly does no harm to the hugely respected McClellands name but neither does it distinguish itself as a blend that is filling much of a niche.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 20, 2011 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
I've been happy with almost every blend I've tried from McClelland. If you've tried Frog Morton: On The Town, imagine that tobacco without the extra sweetness. That's exactly what this is.
Although I only ordered about 2 ounces to try it out and enjoyed it, I will not be buying more only because I prefer Frog Morton because its very similar but slightly better.
Although I only ordered about 2 ounces to try it out and enjoyed it, I will not be buying more only because I prefer Frog Morton because its very similar but slightly better.
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