McClelland Oriental Mixture No. 1

pouch aroma pretty typical for McClelland--my tin was dated '06 and was perfect right out of the tin--

one char light, probably not needed but did it anyway--next light went almost all the way to the bottom with no problems--

nice light flavor--light on the latakia, but the orientals shone through, as well as the virginias--

i encountered no bite, but i believe it will do so if pushed--smoke this one slowly--

i like #1 as well as oriental #14--both will be stocked in what passes for my cellar

Tin Note: Smelled nice.

Packing: Packed very well.

First Impression: Not bad at all really. Not a heavy taste which is good because it was warm out.

Halfway Through Bowl: Started to become difficult to keep going. Smoke ran out too. Must be too much Va for me. Tongue started to get a little sizzlin.

End of Bowl: Dont smoke this one all the way down. Leave a little in the bottom or you get a nasty flavor.

Room Note: Smelled awesome

Likes: Good for a rotation to get away from English on occassion.

Dislikes: Va (or something) was a little warm on the mouth. Kept moving the pipe around to keep the bite to a minimum. I imagine if I smoked this in a larger pipe I wouldnt be able to speak for a day or two.

This is a good tobacco, but not sure its something I would stock up on. I wouldnt mind keeping a little around for every once in awhile, but I am sure there is something out there I would like better.

This is a lovely, mild english/oriental tobacco that will probably be liked by those who are waiting for Dunhill's E.M.P. to return(apparently around Jan 2010). I tried it recently and have re-ordered. It builds in strength as you reach mid-pipe, but the increase in richness isn't overpowering. Other tobaccos in this vein include Rattray's Mixture #7 and Professional mixture, and Red Raparee. Certainly worth trying.

The tin description given above is exactly correct. I offer this review as one who smokes not very many English blends, and those infrequently. I prefer Latakia to be very gently applied; "Squadron Leader" is as strong as I like it, with "Standard Mixture Mild" being preferred, amongst the tinned blends. Lately, I have been experiencing a bit of throat irritation when I smoke "Early Morning Pipe", and have been looking for something to replace it.

This would seem to fit the bill. When used as the label suggests, I find No.1 to be superb. Gentle Virginia, no bite, the merest hint of Latakia, some times there, sometimes not. I enjoyed every bowl. I admit that I wonder what it would be like with just a touch of Turkish tobacco though.

Upon opening, I experienced the "usual" McClelland smell of vinegar, (sometimes ketchup for that matter). Stringy, English cut.

This blend packs and burns easily, leaves little or no moisture in the heel, burns to a grey/white ash.

Nothing of note to cite as far as the taste is concerned, sort-of, ehh?, is it over yet.

Might be a good intro to Orientals if nothing more.

What I wrote about Oriental Mixture No. 14 also holds true for No. 1 - this definitely wasn't one of McClelland's most extraordinary and mind-boggling offerings but a very reliable and consistently good smoke nevertheless. So much for the objective part - because even though I wouldn't rank No. 1 above No. 14, I still find myself smoking No. 1 so much more. It is one of my very favorite smokes for the first bowl in the morning with a cup of tea. One needs to approach this tobacco from the right angle, though. I for my part can't stand too much nicotine and have never gravitated towards blends that focus a lot on Burley. In a similar vein, I like my Latakia used as a condiment rather than as a main ingredient. I therefore see, why this isn't your cup of tea if you are accustomed to tobaccos that are diametrically opposed to this specific genre. I don't know why but recent batches of my favorite "light" Englishes show very harsh Latakia and I simply can't bear it, so I am smoking more McC Oriental Mixture No. 1 because this is a blend where all the ingredients are integrated in perfection. Smooth, sweet, ever so slightly tangy. It is the "Kabinett" Mosel Riesling of the pipe tobacco world. Extremely enticing, refreshing, offering complexity but never too much and possessing a fairly light body with tremendous transparency. Admitted you don't get the full flavor spectrum of Arcadia or the very dissimilar Bombay Court, but why would you have to if you can go for this simple pleasure.

I think this blend was a bit misunderstood ... smoking a pipe is so much about mindset. On this warm November evening in TN, this can of 1995 I just opened hit the spot.

Light? Yes. Subtle? Definitely. Able to pick out the VAs, orientals and pinch of camp fire Latakia? Without a doubt.

Go slow. Relax. Don’t push it for more than it offers.

It’s a lot like the space invaders video game — simple and enjoyable as long as you are NOT looking for Madden 2020.

Extremely straightforward oriental English blend. Loved it. A+.

09-22-04 Appearance and Tin Aroma: Medium Ribbon, Light brown, mohogany, and red leaf abound. Smells like a typical MC Virginia with light spice.

Packing and Lighting: My tin was a couple of years old, but still was a little moist upon opening, but lit up well with minimal relights.

Initial flavor: Red VA mostly, that is to say Bright!

Mid-Bowl: Orientals do peak their heads a little bit, but VA still dominates.

Bottom of Bowl: A little build up of strength, but nothing really rich, quite a bit of moisture is left at bottom of bowl.

Overall: This blend didn't do much for me, it actually bored me. It has too much of the high flavor notes with a little bit of spice from the orientals. This blend can and will bite if you are not careful! This is the last tin of this blend that was in my "cellar" and I wont be purchasing anymore.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 points.