McClelland Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue

The other winner in the 759 showdown. Again, I am seldom encouraged by the hype associated by these types of blends and had little intention of smoking any, but since I lucked into some 759 and the hype surrounding this blend demands that, if possible, it be compared to the blend it's based on, I decided to try it. I'm very glad I did.

In the tin, this looked a lot more like 759 than Black House did. Smelled more like it as well. In the pipe, it had that same smoothness but seemed more smoky than sweet, unlike the other two blends. And somehow, that is what elevated this one above those two for me. This one was richer and more flavorful while also being less strong. McClellands has a way of making mild tobaccos with rich flavor profiles (think the Royal Cajun series) and they nailed it with this one. Top to bottom smooth but with a nice flavor edging towards the sharpness I like but well rounded. I think it missed the mark if the intent was to make this a match of 759 but this blend is the better for it. Perhaps the attempt alone was enough, as I'm not usually a big fan of McClellands latakia blends. I consider FMOTT more of an oriental blend, so this will be the first McClellands "english/balkan" style blend to make my rotation. And it hits that rotation hard! Excellent flavor and depth without being obnoxious about either. Highly recommended, if not the possible replacement for 759 that Black House seems to be.

I can see why this blend won the Chicago Show BS throw down's People's Choice award. It has that wonderful Latakia/Oriental combination that is hard to match up properly. An expert hand created this one, for sure. The smoky Latakia combined with the spicy Orientals and fully matured Virginia makes Balkan Blue an absolute delight to smoke. And folks, that matured Virginia stands up and demands notice. I also appreciated its lending strength to the overall presentation.

Pipestud

This is my first experience with this tobacco, I am very fond of McClelland 's Frog Morton tobaccos and in particular Cellar. I decided to try and find something similar to Cellar and came across Blue Mountain. It has more of the "smokey" Latakia flavor that I enjoy. Upon opening the tin the smell is earthy and kinda reminded me of leather. It had perfect moisture out of the tin and required no additional drying. The initial taste is a smooth smokey flavor, slightly nutty and just a bit of a flowery aftertaste. This had no bite and smoked smoothly throughout requiring only one relight. The room note is pleasant and not overpowering. Overall a nice Latakia blend that will stay in my rotation

I never did get to smoke the original #759, so I have no idea if this blend is close or not.

I ordered this as soon as I had seen Pipes and Cigars stock it. I have resisted opening this tin for only a month. Opening the tin you will find a majority of pitch black leaf, with a bit of medium brown mixed in. Appears to be perfect moisture content, so I loaded up a full bowl in a Kirk Bosi 2008 IPC POY. Initial lighting takes a few matches.

WOW. If this is close to what the original mixture was, I can understand why everyone is upset at the disappearance. Rich, leathery with a hint of something I cannot put my finger on. Could be the Oriental. Burns complete leaving only a powdery dark gray ash. Not as complex as some Balkans, but not even close to being monotone. Leaves a terrific clean feeling on the palate.

Stock up, this may disappear someday too!!!!!!

UPDATE: June 30th, 2013. Sunday evening, 7:23 PM.

I filled my Ser Jacopo, red dot, half bend, jet black, Dublin pipe with two layers of Blue Mountain. I retired to my garage, the man cave, with a double 25 year old Scotch, and a large mug of strong, boiling hot, coffee.

The Blue Mountain smells good right out of the tin, and this aroma translates to the taste as well. Delicious, from the very first puff. The tobacco maintains this flavor profile as the bowl progresses. The slightly salty character and Oriental notes compliment the Scotch rocks. The coffee brings out the creaminess of the leaf. Blue Mountain stands up and holds its own with both beverages. I have a hard time fighting the urge to inhale this wonderful smoke.

The burn is effortless. The flavor is extremely pleasant. No bite. No hot bowl. No negatives whatsoever. Just a pleasant, totally relaxing, extremely flavorful, smoking experience. I will definitely be purchasing more of this blend when my tin is empty. Easily on a par with Frog Morton's Cellar and Black House. Increasing my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars. Highly recommended!

ORIGINAL POST:

I just received a new pipe today. I christened it was Frog Morton Cellar, which was so good that I had to have a second bowl of something. That something was MeClelland's Blue Mountain.

My initial impression upon opening the tin was great aroma, slightly moist, and totally black ribbons. I only packed two layers into my large bent freehand pipe.

It took three char lights to get it going. Impressions? Mild. No VA presence. Background Latakia. Lots of Oriental taste noted. Zero bite. Burns well, but does need relights occasionally. Pipe stayed cool. No noticeable nicotene buzz. No sting nose exhale. Pleasant aftertaste.

Much less Latakia presence that Frog Morton Cellar, but that's OK with me. All in all, an enjoyable, mild, relaxing, any time, effortless smoke. A well-blended pipe tobacco. 3 stars.

I have to agree with the mob so far on this one.

I don't care about some "legendary" mixture now likely long past its prime. I do appreciate that its memory inspired the authoring of this delightful blend. We are indeed living in wonderful times for pipe smoking: the choices and availability and quality of tobaccos have never been better.

Oddly, Blue Mountain manages to have a unique character despite the dozens of similar-seeming blends I've smoked over the years. It has the richness of Penzance but with a sweetness not normally found in a balkan. The room note, despite the latakia content, is wonderful (no distaff present for confirmation). Blue Mountain is rather more of an "oriental bomb". The flavor evolves, changes, returns, and changes again, depending on the puffing rate and time since lightup. I find I can pretty much adjust it to my preference. As another reviewer observed, one can burn it completely to ash, an ability shared by very few blends.

My favorite vessel is an old, full-sized Wilke bent billiard, though I have yet to find an unsuitable pipe for it; I favored a small clay for the first tin. I pack it moderately for best burning; the moisture in the tin is perfect for my tastes and habits.

Nicotine lovers may downgrade this mixture for its relatively low levels. My chemistry is sensitive to nicotine and I particularly enjoy being able to enjoy a full bowl at a time.

I'd like to think this will age well, though my experience with latakia bends (particularly Penzance) has shown that fresher is better. Nevertheless, I'm stocking up on this and smoking the hell out of it while it is available and hope some remains for aging.

Kudos to Mike McNeil at McClelland, he has made his claim to fame. Four star stuff!

Update 6/2014 I retrieved a forgotten tin of this that had been opened for two years. As with Penzance, age did damage: the spectrum went muddy and more monochromatic. Some tobaccos improve, not this.

I didn't stock up on this, so I cannot comment on aged sealed tins. I shall endeavor to find out.

Oh, it's still four stars for fresh. I'll just have to finish what I start.

This was a fantastic balkan, the sweet sultry orientals and smokey spicy yet savory latakia did dances on my palette, satisfying me to the very last bowl. This is one of those Balkans that you can't help but toke and puff huge plumes of smoke into the air! What a wonderful blend, although I do understand why it didn't win with the judges for the Sobrani contest, since to me it is not all that similar to the balkan sobrani that I've smoked, granted it is probably a ghost of what it was since my Sobrani has some serious age on it. It reminded me of something between Frog Morton on the Bayou and Blackpoint, a little smoother than BP and a bit heftier than FMOTB.

McClelland Balkan Blue/Blue Mountain is a very solid English blend that stands a fair amount Latakia forward. Supposedly, this blend was blended to replicate the infamous Balkan Sobranie 759, and since I have never had the pleasure of smoking any, I cannot comment to how close this blend actually comes within reach of it. However, this blend offers a very solid, slow burning English experience, with a dash of sweetness.

The tin note made it apparent that it was a McClelland blend, being on the mild side and with a hint of sweetness that much of their English blends have to offer. The Latakia sits in front seat for the entire smoke, offering a smoky, leathery taste. McClelland's Orientals have always been smooth, which I appreciate, because harsh/sharp Orientals are not a pleasant experience! In this blend they sit in the background offering a more buttery, woody experience rather than the sour Oriental you might find in Early Morning Pipe. The Virgina's are sweet and musty, which really pulls the blend together, giving it a sweetness that at times almost tastes like there is a hint of a topping that is also giving it sweetness. The blend is very smooth, creamy, and very well balanced. However, I did have to relight a few more times than normal, which is nothing to worry about. It smokes very cool, and can be smoked down to a fine white ash. The nicotine was hovering around or slightly higher than the mild mark. A pleasant English!

McClelland- Balkan Blue

I received half a tin of this from a dear friend at the pipe club last October for a birthday present, the tin was half full and after my first smoke of this I knew and understood the fuss about McClelland and why they were so beloved by pipe smokers.

I’m a balkan lover, and am sad to say that this will never have a true comparison as it’s truly a one of a kind smoke.

The Latakia is aged and smoky, smooth like a find bourbon, the Virginia has that patented vinegar and ketchup scent but it never overpowers the blend, adding that famous sweet flavor, the hints of spiciness work well and just add a delicious multi faceted smoke.

A blend I’m truly grateful to have some of, and with sadness a limited amount but hopefully an amount that will last.

I’d like to list some blends that would be worthwhile replacements that I smoke, but I know most will find them underwhelming regardless.