McClelland Oriental Mixture No. 8

I've enjoyed this tobacco before, but it's been a few years. I recalled it, however; and when I saw it recently, decided to get another tin.

I have not been disappointed. "Round, smooth, and Oriental," as another reviewer put it, describes this tobacco perfectly. The Virginia is sweet, as might be expected; but it is perfectly complemented by the Latakia. The Latakia never overwhelms, though it does make its presence felt in a good way. Overall, when smoked slowly, the experience is smooth, flavourful, and gentle.

McClelland's Oriental Mixture No. 8 is a very tasty tobacco that I would recommend to those unfamiliar with Latakia, or to those who like Latakia in small doses. Or to anybody who just wants a nice, relaxing smoke at any time of the day.

There are very few latakia blends that I like any longer, having gone over the the American side of tobaccos...well, and the Brit stuff too. The 'acceptible' latakia blends are those in which it is used in a VERY condimental manner, and deftly. This is one of those...though I'm not sure I'd say the intended use of the latakia in this one is condimental. This one works for me due to it's incredible smoothness. It is, as others have said, perhaps one of the most mellow blends out there. With it's combination of the reds, the orientals (I'd like to know the list and ratio of those BTW) and the seemingly obligatory latakia it ultimately comes off sweet, round and oriental. It's safe and eager not to offend. I admit that the varied and significant subtlties of orientals are not my forte...so to me, judging simply how agreeable an item this is...I'm giving it 4 out of 5 just because for its obviously intended purpose it works so very well. Tasty stuff.

I have found that the longer I took to review the Oriental Series, the better they fared. Not sure if it is the age of the tobacco or the smoker, but I certainly do like Orientals more than I did when I started. Tin note is McClelland VA and smokey Latakia with some slight woody notes from the Orientals. The flavor is VA/Oriental forward with some base sweetness from the VA's and woody, spicy notes from the Orientals. This is a very subtle blend and is best enjoyed slowly and I find with a strong bitter drink. A steady eddy flavor wise, not much change throughout the smoke. There is a tanginess throughout the bowl which I really like and I think it is slightly incense like from the mildly applied Latakia. The Red VA base is noticeable in every puff and the spice from the Oriental's is really quite good, they play together extremely well. If I didn't know better (which I don't) I would say this is McCranie's Red Ribbon with a hing of Latakia and some quality Oriental leaf thrown in. Very good stuff for folks that like milder English blends and Oriental forward blends.

The ribbon cut packs well and it lights easily enough. The matured red VA's shine through as the base with a lightly sweet flavor and that familiar VA tang, but there is an underlying Oriental spiciness as well as a nutty taste that builds as you smoke down the bowl and, as the tin description states, it is a rich, mellow smoke. The flavor is soft and round in the sense that no one tobacco is always overriding the others. Moisture was not a problem, I used one pipe cleaner about half way down the bowl. I feel it did get a little harsh near the end but it was not, to me, unpleasant. It burns down to a fluffy, grayish ash. I find #8 to be a rich, rewarding blend, and I would smoke it almost any time of the day. LSW prefers the aromas of other tobaccos like the VA's or VA/perique blends but she as well as others that were there when I smoked this simply stated it "was not bad". I find it smokes best in a Grp. 5 or G size pipe, but it's mellow enough that a larger pipe would do OK. I tried it in a deep bowl full-bent Don Carlos and it did get a little bitter. I like it though, and I'll keep some around.

A very nice, mild Oriental blend from McClelland. The tin aroma is sweet and pungent. My sample has aged 20 years and now smells just like sweet peat moss/fertilizer (in a good way). It is mild on the palate with the Orientals taking the lead with taste - a combination of incense and peat moss. The Latakia is very subdued as is the Virginia. No bite experienced whatsoever. It also burns dry and clean. One has to acquire a taste for this one. A bit nauseating for me, therefore, a somewhat recommended.

This is one of my favorite smokes. It is mellow but has a great balanced taste. It's a little difficult to light and keep lit but a real pleasure when finally going. Even though the cut is ribbon, there are many small waxy cubes that need to be rubbed a little to make the tobacco easier to smoke.

The smoke is floral and a lightly sweet and spicy.

The end of the bowl tastes a little sour and that sour taste lingers in the mouth for hours.

This blend alternates between giving you a sweet and spicy smoke. It is listed as a mild smoke but it has to be the taste smoke of the day for me otherwise it overpowers the other blends.

This is my first foray into Orientals. McClelland is one of my favorite brands. I find this a smooth mild smoke, very flavorful. I'd consider putting it in my rotation. I prefer something with a little more power, like Dunhill My Mixture 965. For that reason this gets a3.

When I first got this tobacco I thought it was love at first smoke. It tasted nice, had a some spiciness, and had a good amount of body.

I smoked it rather a bit. On about my 4th pipe I noticed something funny, though; my mouth was numb. It was that sort of minty numbness you get after you brush your teeth with mint toothpaste, but without the actual mint flavor.

At first it was just curious, but over time it got incredible annoying. The sensation would last 4-6 hours after smoking.

Even worse, once I called it quits on this blend all the pipes I had smoked it out of kept numbing my mouth for a good 6-8 bowls afterwards.

It's unfortunate because otherwise this is a good blend but I simply cannot tolerate that sensation. I've never experienced it with any other tobacco.