McClelland Oriental Mixture No. 8

To myself, this is the premier "Oriental" blend in the McClelland Line.

I enjoy matured red virginia all by itself. What McClelland has done in this blend accentuates the best of the oriental genre.

With a red virginia base, and the high quality orientals dancing in and out of the experience,one can sit puffing in a near state of bliss, (especially if home alone, lol).

Just a great, smooth, almost meditative experince. I can tell you this blend does improve with cellaring even more.

It burns to a nice grey/white ash without leaving a wet-heel.

***12/07/2011 Just opened and started smoking a tin from 2000. Wow, wicked smooth and clean, with a slight spicey and citrus-like note. I have a half-dozen of these tins from 2000...hidden away...

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.

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.

To me this is a mostly Viginian blend; you can notice the classic McClelland's ketchup flavour upon opening the tin. It is a great blend, perfectly balanced and would have been a perfect classic English if it hadn't have that typical flavour. It burns well and slowly and can be a fine all-day smoke as well as an introduction blend to the world of latakia.

As others (and McClelland) have stated - this is a very mellow, mild smoke. A fine crossover point, I think, for VA smokers wanting to experience a balkan or light English blend. The spice tobaccos are just that - hints of condiment under the zippy red VA sweetness.

Even my aged sample took a few lights to get going - but once it did it burned long, slow, steady and smooth.

This could easily be a good morning/early PM smoke - when you want just a touch of latakia and turkish - but not one of the overbearing (in a good way) powerhouse blends. This blend has a mellow, mossy undertone not quite like anything else I've ever tasted.

I don't primarily smoke English blends, but this is one blend I do like to smoke when I get that English urge. I find that the balance of VA's and Orientals suits my palate just fine. It isn't real heavy on the Latakia, but there is enough there to give it that smokey flavor. Xanthi could be providing some of that smokey flavor as well. The color is mixed light and dark brown with a good portion of near black. 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.

The very first time I have tried this blend and I like it very much and smoked it all that evening I will keep on hand. I like virginia tobaccos and this one is awesome! It has hints of Greek, and Latika but not to overpowering to kill the Red Virginia that is prominate in this blend. I highly recommend this blend for those who like Virigia tobacco or Virginia Blends.

---

Thanks,

---

Ronn Jones