McClelland No. 2045 Oriental Mixture

This pipe-weed came as part of a sampler I ordered from pipesandcigars.com. I don't think I would have tried it otherwise, and that would have been my loss. 2045 is a very pleasant surprise and a wonderful smoke. The first of the bowl is naturally sweet, not at all cloying. By mid bowl, Orientals slip in with a soft spice. Many Orientals come across as acrid to my taste, reminding me of the regrettable Camel cigarette smoking days of my earlier years. But not this one! By the last third of the bowl, I take notice of the heretofore subdued latakia. A friendly blend all the way through. I look forward to aging some.

I enjoy McClelland 2045 as a change of pace from my usual full English and Balkan mixtures; there's just a hint of Latakia in this mixture. Its initial pouch aroma is the typical vinegary McClelland scent, but that dissipates quickly, replaced by a vaguely chocolaty, spicy scent. These notes of chocolate with a hint of cinnamon come through as the tobacco is smoked, blending well with the natural flavors of the Oriental tobaccos. 2045 is slightly sweet, but not cloyingly so. It lights well and stays lit (once the tobacco is allowed to dry out slightly), and it doesn't bite. The room note is pleasant, just this side of an aromatic tobacco. I like this one best for an after-dinner pipe.

Like McClelland 2040, this is a very soft, almost gentle, smoke. It is an excellent tobacco for working as it demands nothing much from the smoker, while producing clouds of tasty, soft smoke. While not terribly complex, this is just so easy to smoke and has such a good flavor that I keep some around for times when I don't want to have to bother much with what I'm smoking. It is a very reliable friend in that regard. I do not notice any large degree of "development" in this smoke, but as I'm not looking for any, I'm happy. This is just a good, calm writing companion and should do well for anyone looking for a nice, soft, undemanding "working smoke."

This is some wierd stuff. I first tried it a little over a year ago when I was looking for something that would sort of be a crossover from Va and Va/periques to more traditional English blends. At that time I was quite impressed and felt that the light latakia/oriental overtones contrasted really well against the Virginia base. I also felt that the blend, as is the case with most McC bulks, was rather raw and could stand some aging. So I bought some and jarred it. I'm now sampling the stuff one year on. Geuss what? It's changed.

Upon opening the jar I'm greeted by a fruity aroma, almost but not quite like the famous McC tin aroma. Upon intitial lighting I'm finding that the orientals have merged with the Virginias amost to the point of disappearing. I'm sort of wishing that this were 2040 with it's heavier dose of latakia at this point.

The middle of the smoke isn't bad with some spiced fruit overtones. By the end of the bowl it settles down into another decent Viginia. All in all I guess this is almost two reviews in one. If you're interested in something to help you develope a taste for orientals smoke this stuff new. If you want more of an aromatic crossover type smoke buy some and age it.... assuming you still haven't "crossed over" in another year.