McClelland Bombay Extra

I should probably start off by saying that my review is based on an 11 year old tin of this blend. Upon opening I was greeted by a rich, full scent of mainly dark tobacco's with only an odd lighter piece to be seen. The tobacco packs easily and burns to a nice gray/white ash. The primary taste is the Latakia and Virginia's, with the Orientals taking a back-seat in this mixture; Perique to me is definitely a background flavor after- thought here. The farther down the bowl I smoke, the more the Latakia dominates. This is not a blend I would smoke throughout the day, rather an end of day, or after dinner smoke. I enjoy this in one of my older, Extra Large Charatan Free Hand Reliefs, with a cup of black Kenyan coffee. Final note: I still prefer Bombay Court over this blend for complexity of taste.

Tin Aroma: While this does display the deep smoky aroma of Latakia, the most striking aspect of this blends tin aroma is the overt sweetness of the Virginias, which I feel are more noticeable for being thrown into such stark relief against the ponderance of Latakia in this blend.

Physical Characteristics: Not very many light strands in this average length ribbon cut, and a bit too moist for my taste, but that doesn't mean anything, as most commercial tobacco is too moist for my taste. As with every other McClelland blend I have smoked, it packs easily and burns evenly, leaving a powdery, white ash.

Notes: This blend seems to be a fugue on Bombay Court, somewhat inverting the proportions of Latakia and Orientals. Whereas Bombay Court is, as I wrote in my review of it, is heavier on the Orientals with the Latakia playing a mostly supporting role, this is Latakia, Latakia, Latakia, with just enough Virginia and Oriental to be able to call it a 'blend'. The Latakia used is high grade, very flavorful and full, but the absolutely gigantic percentage of it quickly dulls my tastebuds to any subtlety the blend might have to offer.

Verdict: While this is an interesting aside to Bombay Court, it really isn't my thing, being just a tad too one-dimensional.

Rich and satisfying, but with less Turkish (excluding Latakia) than I'd hoped for, in fact I can barely detect any of the typical Yenidje topnote. I like the richness of the dark Virginia. Smokes evenly, and the ready-rubbed ribbon is easier to deal with than coarse cut flake. A satisfying smoke (my housemates like it too), but less character than St. James Wood in the Personal Reserve series.

BTW, I had never understood what people meant by the "Ketchup" smell of McClelland blends. With this one it suddenly hit me -- now I can't stop smelling ketchup! But as one reviewer said, who cares how it smells in the tin it if smokes well. OTOH, I believe odor in the jar is important when judging bulk tobaccos in person. It may not tell you everything about how a blend will smoke, but it's good for a first guess.

Good mixture, lots of flavors to enjoy, complex yet accessible. Exotic Latakia combined with the McClelland Virginia and Oriental with some Perique give that Nightcap feel.

Virginia lover

I personaly like this blend, but heavy english is my cup of tea.. The viginia gives a sweet note to counter the spice of the perique, and the balance of the blend 50% or more is a very nice latakia. My wife says the room note is O.K., kind of like a campfire in our living room. If you like Dunhill 965, try this...

Very good quality tobacco and a great smoke. I do not think this has the perservative additive that harms the other blends. Not on my list of all time classics but a good change of pace.

I just finished a bowl of this five minutes ago. The taste is lingering on my palate, but that palate is quite happy. Rather than me rehash descriptions, let me say "Ditto" to most of pipinNfishin's description. This is a keeper for me. I was surprised at how quickly I went through my first 50 gram tin and will buy larger size today while stocking up before new tax kicks in.