McClelland No. 2045 Oriental Mixture

This is an oriental blend, top flavored with maple like aroma, sweetened and with some humidifying agents, generously added to keep it moist for 2 year, in opened jar, in my drawer.

The smoke is very smooth, sweet, elegant, nicely flavored with some topping which I find very pleasant, the dominant flavor is the Turkish, then comes the Virginia, the Latakia is alomost impossible to be detected.

I was very pleased with this blend and I would highly recommend it as for an introduction to English blends.

I loaded up an Irwin's Lovat about a week ago with the intent of smoking the 2045 that night. Well, it didn't happen and life got crazy as it tends to do and so a week later I finally got around to putting match to tobacco. Upon first light I was greeted with a very nutty and smooth puff of smoke with a background of spice (think Christmas spices) and a whiff of latakia. This is quite a revelation for me because typically orientals and I don't get along. Balkan Supreme and Red Rapparee are two I've smoked and just don't jive well with my tongue and throat. They were too acrid and it felt like somebody shaved the inside of my throat and threw after shave on it. Just a bit too much for me. I figured it would be the same with 2045 but thankfully that isn't the case. The smoke was quite smooth, flavorful, not overpowering and the orientals were not acrid at all but quite sweet all while the latakia is quite in the background giving a nice smokey undertone. Tongue bite was pretty much non-existant except for puffing a little hard on the relights. I'm also quite glad I let the tobacco dry out for a week. It seems quite wet and takes a while to dry but to be honest I think it helps the smoke. There was a bit of wetness in the heel but for the most part it smoked down with only a couple of gurgles which were my fault for too rapid of a cadence. Nothing a pipe cleaner can't handle. The description of soft, sweet and rich certainly are applicable to this blend. I quite enjoy it and can certainly recommend this to anyone both new to pipe smoking and veterans as well. If you're looking for a lat bomb go elsewhere but if you would enjoy a sweet, very slightly smokey tobacco that has a rich flavor then this will work out perfectly for you.

UPDATE 3/22/10: This blend has lost favor with me. The topping seems to be too much and the constant wet heel has become a nuisance. There are better blends out there but the price does balance that out a bit. Somewhat recommended and if it works for your palette and pocket book then I would stock up on it.

Initially, I wasn't excited with this tobacco, though after having a pipe whilst reading a book I changed my opinion. It's mild, flavoursome and pleasurable. It's the sort of tobacco you smoke when you are doing something other than desiring what is in your pipe. You can detect the sweet Virginia, balanced by the Orientals and the latakia leaves a lovely smoky taste (I'd like to see a little more latakia). Nicotine is minimal. It burns to a nice grey ash, packs and burns well and no bite. The room note is tolerable. Smoked in a Peterson Dublin 999 3.5 stars

This was my first Oriental tobacco that I know of. I certainly had a different idea in mind of what it would be like. It was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed this!

The sample I received was very moist when I loaded it into the pipe. Thought this would turn out to be a real problem, but after about 3-4 relights; the moisture level was not a real problem. Seemed to burn a little uneven because of it, but didn't go out.

Very clean tasting to me. Smelled and tasted like what I imagine people used to smoke all the time. I enjoyed it very much!

I may have to see if this comes in bulk and stock up on some. (Its a joke! I know it comes in bulk&)

This blend with no humidifying agents, no toppings and a bit more Latakia would be approaching nirvana, considering the price. Why McC would douse something with so much potential with toppings and moisturizers is beyond me.

Drying for at least a few hours yields one of the best Oriental presentations in it's price range. Even drenched as it is, 2045 is a delicious Oriental blend if somewhat mild and low in nicotine.

McC makes some great blends, if only they would adhere to more natural methods of preservation and presentation. Their tobaccos tastes great as is.

Having smoked aromatics, I wanted to venture into English and this was a superb starting point. It is soft and does not bite which is the most important thing for me. I have tried many English blends but usually come back to 2045 or my favorite 5110. Both are a great all day smoke and buying by the bulk saves a lot. In order of my English rotation; Penzance, 5110, 2045. Some have said that 5110 is similar to Frog Morton and I agree. My next venture is conquering Virginia's. Try 2045 and 5110 they are great tobacco products.

I only had a small sample of this blend but will get more on my next tobacco order. I find it an interesting change from my normal straight VAs, especially in hot weather. A mild, soft taste results in an enjoyable, but not an all day smoke for me. After meals, I prefer something stronger. The orientals' overtones are balanced with just a hint of latakia. However, the room aroma was complemented by non-smokers which has not been the case for me with other blends with a higher % of latakia. Easy to light and keep lit. A smooth, cool smoke without a hint of bite. I think that this one will be quite forgiving of varied packing and smoking techniques and look forward to my next bulk delivery.

Just had my first taste of this and it's a welcome change to the Va. that I had (Gold Block)...that was a very unpleasant trial. And has really turned me away from just about anything Va., though I'm sure I'll probably have a crack at another type down the track somewhere. Thought the overall smoke was enjoyable I was quite disappointed that it had so much bite. I really had to ensure sipping long and slow. Great smell. Highly recommended.

As an aside, I've taken the liberty to include a link to the crew from whom I bought it. Rob really looks after his customers; but the reason I've included it is because people in the US, UK and Europe don't believe we are paying $65 plus for 2 ozs/50 grams. Check it out: https://www.tobaccoblends.com.au/shop/tobacco/pipe-tobacco/oriental-mixture-2045/

My experience so far with McC's tobaccos is that their pricing structure is a very good indicator of the quality of tobacco you are going to get. This bulk offering is reasonable quality tobacco, well blended. But McC's bulk offerings are a long way from their premium tinned products. No. 2045 for example has none of the rich conditioning their premium Virginias display. The Orientals lack elegance, and I suspect suffer in supply chain, in comparison to premium offerings.

But it is what it is, a low cost bulk offering, not a premium product, that is still in a whole different league to typical OTC products.

2045 is a light English with (barely) enough Lat to provide a creamy cushion for what might otherwise be harsh Orientals. These Orientals have a hay and spice character and a somewhat barnyard aroma. The Vas here are muted. The flavour profile is on the acidic or sour side. It burns well to a fine ash.

I enjoyed this tobacco a lot, but it is certainly no champion. A solid 2 stars, 3 if you consider the price.