McClelland CORPS Cyprian Star

I liked this blend when it was first released by C.O.R.P.S. and it is still wonderful today with Cyprian Latakia that is not too bold or forward as it plays around with the Bright Virginia. And what makes this blend really sing is the Basma. It's a not often used Oriental that must be applied with care and McClelland's certainly did that with this wonderful weed.

Add a review...why not? I am not sure why I review blends that are defunct. I guess I think back to when I was a new pipe smoker and think about how I sought info on what I might like and what stuff might be worth on the resale market, but more importantly if I would even like it. So here it goes. Tin note. McClelland English, they all smell pretty much the same within a narrow bandwidth: Great VA's, a little ketchup, smokey Latakia and some sweet top note. I am sorry I didn't scoop up more of this one. McClelland English blends are all mild and well balanced. They all have some kind of sweet topping, and in my opinion, all are good. Some are great, but McC is known for VA's, there they have no peer. This one has something extra compared to others. I have heard some say that the VA's in this blend are from the the Cajun series that have some proprietary processing. I tend to believe this as the flavor profiles are very similar. The flavor is a mild to medium English when it comes to Latakia. I like this and it allows the blend to be rather complex, if you allow yourself to concede the Latakia is not going to coat your tongue before you start smoking (this is true for all McClelland English blends). The sweet and earthy VA's are the lead for me. I know this is not the norm, but I get a malty, sweet earthy VA signature to this blend. The creamy, smokey Latakia is tie for second fiddle with the outstanding Orientals. The spice and woody and even buttery flavor of the Orient comes through in spades. Retrohale significantly increases the depth of flavor so I encourage you to exhale through the nose. This is where that odd, coffee like flavor comes in. It is like coffee, one sugar two creams. I also notice the coffee flavor on the relight, big time. The complexity is stellar. The smoke develops as you smoke this down. I like a large, Group 4, size pipe. My favorite was a Moretti Volcano. Smoked 75% of my tin in this pipe. The smoke gets stronger and has more of an espresso flavor in the bottom 1/4. Great Balkan blend. Wish McClelland was still around or maybe someday they will sell these recipes with a rider that anyone that takes it up will source or grow quality leaf. Too good to disappear.