McClelland Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue

This my favorite English blend; it is very smooth and tasty without bite. It requires you to relax to get the most out of it.

So I aged the tins of BM a year- dated July 2012 30 months of mellowing has occurred. I must state upfront that I've never had 759, but I've never met a tobacco genre I didnt like, and so for me Legends would be my desert island Balkan (aged 4 years minimum -and yes, it would make a difference). So for me, that would be my 759...

Here the tin note is very ....Froggy, McCatsup included, appropriate in moisture and very well-behaved once lit. It's Legend-lite to me though, by that I mean it starts out tasting 'thin' but by bowls end is thick and rich enough-but still while lacking weight.

In comparison, Legends is heavy in voluminous smoke and thick creamy Balkan presence to the point that your always aware of it. Where with BM I have to look to see if smoke is heavy off my tongue, it billows outta me with Legends with only the slightest sip.

Speaking only for myself in this regard the density and concentration of the actual smoke itself adds as much to my enjoyment as the taste profile Smoke long enough and you too will find certain blends laborious to smoke through, deterring from the overall purpose of the entire venture.

It just seems like BM would be better served to be in the Craftsbury line, and I've smoked 4 of the good toads offerings so I have those as more appropriate comparisons.

Not denying it's value, just think Legends screams Balkan that once echoed becomes Blue Mountain. Try both for yourselves (aged) and you might agree....or not

Can't say if it's similar to 20 year old 759, I'm not that lucky. But this blend is the perfect mix of leathery, smoky, oily, just a bit sweet and a very slight bit of sour at the end. Take this review with a grain of salt, because this tastes so fantastic to me that I can't believe everyone else will love it as much, or you wouldn't be able to find it. Rich, but mild, multifaceted but consistent, this may be my favorite tobacco.

A friend gave me almost a full tin. I have perhaps a bowl and half left from it. This was a latakia forward blend with a heavy, sweet Virginia foundation. You can easily identify the orientals in the flavor profile.

I have had #759, but but has been a really long time. My recollection was a slightly sharper taste, and I suspect this is due to the Virginia used. The blend had a somewhat creamy rich feel in the mouth, and that was a characteristic of #759 too. I think the original may have had a little more oriental in the signature, but my memory could be failing.

This blend was enjoyable and worth an occasional tin, but I am unlikely to keep any of this in the cellar.

Smooth operator! Latakia forward, but burns cool and smooth. Virginias and Orientals in more of a supporting role. They come out more on exhale and retrohale. Lit well, burned easy. Let it intentionally go out, mid-way. Re-light brought out the spiciness, which soon thereafter faded to the background. 3 stars.

For some peoples who doesn't like latakia perhaps don't like this blend very much. Almost full taste of latakia with a little bit sweetness that can detect from virginia and also spicy taste.

light English blend not a huge amount of flavor if you like McClelland English blends (I don't) check it out does have a nice vanilla flavor that comes and goes

This previous review is weak, from myself: "Decent blend. Didn't blow my socks off, and it wasn't horrible. Good English." I'm going to get another tin and give it a whirl again and post more detailed information.

I've had the opportunity to sample the original BS a few times and found the tobacco excellent. Yet it wouldn't make my cellar even if it was available today at $10 a tin. Many more interesting blends out there without an overwhelming portion of latakia.

Back to Blue Mountain, which, FWIW, is a coffee brand, not tobacco. Mountain latakia, eh, aren't we all? Based on my limited experience in BS I wouldn't be able to tell how close it is to the original. However the first third of the bowl is nice with good virginia presence, after that the taste of engine oil takes over and nothing is left of interest.