Robert McConnell Original Oriental

What else can be said about this tobacco other than everyone should try it! It rare that I get excited about a tobacco but Oriental was something unexpected. It is expertly balanced with no one tobacco playing a dominant role. The Orientals give the tobacco a complexity and wonderful aroma.

Interestingly, the tin note smells more like a medium English tobacco. The latakia is present and forward in the aroma. Lighting it, however, the tobacco is not at all latakia forward. It is much mellower and lighter than the tin note should suggest.

An oriental you can fall in love with on the first bowl. Easily packs and a delicious spicy and smooth taste at the same time blend which probably isn't easy to achieve. definitely not a boring smoke. Aftertaste doesn't last particularly long but is pleasant. A real winner in my book anyways and will definitely be ordering some more.

One of the best (if not the best) Oriental mixtures for me. It causes disagreement between those who try it, whether if it contains or not Latakia (just like Provost). In my opinion, it doesn't. Virginia has a supplementary role and leaves the Oriental as protagonists, with their spicy yet simultaneously sweet flavor. Tasteful, with a natural tobacco aroma, which feels me with joy. Sweet flavor up until the end of the bowl. Easily smoked at any time of a day. Perfect humidity. Finely cut, which allows the easy filling of the bowl. It lights effortlessly and so it is maintained. Naturally no tongue-bite. Its nicotine level is medium to strong, perfect for my standards. Additionally, it perfectly complements a drink and a meal, to the point that sometimes you may think it releases certain fragrances like plum, walnuts or freshly baked bread. Amazing mixture.

October., 2003) Tin aroma is heavy oriental (Musty) with virginias (Sweetness) and hints of latakia (Nutty). It is a thin ribbon cut which is about 80% tan & brown with hints of brighter leaf and about 20% black. Upon firing this tobacco up, you immediately pick up a burst of oriental flavors, pungent, tangy and and semi-sweet. The latakia is very laid back and it's diffcult to recognize, although, if you hunt for it, you'll pick some smoky, nutty undertones. This is truely an Oriental, thus the name of this blend. I would not even classify this tobacco as an english but since there is latakia in the mix, I guess it does. This is a very tasty blend with a fair amount of complexity, with respect to the oriental tobacco. No doubt, the latakia and virginias play a part in the overall flavor profile but they are minor roles. I like this blend! It gets slightly richer and stronger as the bowl smokes down which is to be expected but it remains cool, easy to smoke and very tasty. I don't sense a more than average offering of nicotine in this blend. 4 out of 5 Flakes - Highly Recommended!

Tin note is very interesting! When I opened it, it first came a fermented smell, with some peat and some herbal notes. However, after I jarred it for one month, the tin note was sweeter, with some flowery notes and a bit of incense from the latakia. Quite a bit difference, that shows how much a tobacco can change after it is left to ‘breathe’.

The tobacco is a bit too dry for a freshly opened tin, but judging by the way the tobacco was stuck to the cardboard inside the tin, I think it was quite moist in the beginning. This also made me curious, also because it had some sugar on it, so I looked at the date just to find out that this tin is from... december 2014! So it’s 9 years old. It’s a nicely cut ribbon, darker in color, with lots of black ribbons followed by brown and dark gold.

When you light it, it stings so bad that I need to put it down and try another match. After it’s lit, it tastes sweet and spicy, herbal and woody. Sweet as some honey plus sweet fennel, and the sweetness combines with spice as it was cloves and coriander. The herbal taste begins from something like rosemary (also a spice) to green tea. Then, it becomes more woody, smoky. Indeed, it has some flowery notes specific to the orientals used by Robert McConnell, and a bit of spice. A very interesting combination of flavors right from the start. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, anise, fennel, licorice dominate, being accompanied by the sweet, smoky, incense-like latakia. Some wood notes are present in the background as well. I find this to be bold and rich in flavor, with lots of notes to discover and enjoy. I’m truly impressed! Progressing through the bowl, I even stumbled upon some chocolaty, cocoa and hazelnut notes. Why and where they come from, I don’t know, because it doesn’t have burley. But they are there.

While writing the review I was reading the other reviews here and I was impressed that others detect that same notes as I do, which is not always the case. It’s rare that I would agree 100% with another review, but reading PipeDragon’s and Lochinvar’s reviews, I can say I totally agree with them. I wrote it before reading them and it was a surprise to see I’m not the only one detecting the same notes. Also, Lochinvar is right, it does resemble Presbyterian, even at the tin note. After many years of pipe smoking, I started to appreciate this type of blends. I didn’t really enjoy Presbyterian, but now, looking back, I think I might get another tin to give it another chance. Our palette and taste evolves in time.

It’s a good burner, even if it stings, it doesn’t bite and it doesn’t get hot and it stays lit easily. Room note is pleasant to tolerable. It does smell like an incense-latakia, but it’s sweeter rather than peaty and smoky.

Note: Not to be confused with Original Orient from Robert McConnell. This is Original Orient[al] not Original Orient. The other one is for blending.

Creamy but light. Any time of the day including all day smoke. Goes down smooth and easy. Very pleasant taste and scent. Highly recommend this Balkan Oriental blend.

Yes this is a great tobacco but you have to let it mature properly. I smoked a 5 year old tin and it was sublime, I bought a new one and it’s just a decent smoke. So make your stock.

I've smoked this tobacco 2 years ago, so I should definitely try this again. Still I cannot forget the feeling of a flavorful warm bread when smoking it. Oriental seems to me a pleasant, mild tobacco with delicate and calm character. I've really enjoyed this blend, and strongly will recommend it especially to new pipe smokers getting to the latakia and non aromatics.

I first started smoking McConnell tobaccos in the late 1960's and Oriental Mixture was one of my favorites...While this version is not too close to the Original, it is a very good smoke. It is a light Balkan and its flavor and consistency remain well above average throughout the smoke...This could serve as an all-day smoke for some but I rather enjoy it in the fall and winter most often. Since it is a light Balkan, I smoke it at any time of day and generally in a larger size pipe. It certainly meets my overall expectations, therefore I highly recommend it and further recommend it to anyone wishing a solid light Balkan.