Robert McConnell Original Oriental

Another fine blend from Robert McConnell also like their Scottish Cake.

I evaded this tobacco for a long time because of the incredibly boring tin-art. I finally tried it because I like orientals and do not always want latakia to go with it.

Surprise, surprise... This is a really very pleasant smoke, highly recommended!

update: a bit boring... one star down.

This is one of the only oriental blends I have tried that actually just calls itself an 'oriental'. How apt, because that's exactly what it is. A english blend with the emphasis on the oriental 'other' leafs rather than latakia. The virginia's in this are sweet and good quality. I can think of no other blend that acts as an example of what an oriental blend is in theory. Many ask whats the difference between English and oriental, smoke a tin of Nightcap and this and you will get the picture. This is a near to perfection 'beginners' and 'easy on the palette' oriental. So many blend mislead by their name, this does not. I could see this as a perfect spring blend.

Not being a big lover of mainly oriental belnds, I gave it a try, but I must say its not the best I ever tasted. The beginning started of reasonably, but soon I got tired of the taste and left the pipe for what it was.

Not a full review, but in my opinion not a great tobacco.

Oriental in name and fact, this mix is unbalanced on the oriental leaf but also reveals the other ingredients: the sweetness of the earthy and herbaceous virginias, astringent, dry and smoky taste from Latakia. The result is a mix of balsamic flavor and an intriguing taste from the interaction between the various components that seem to catch up during the smoke. As other reviewers have noted this formula does not have much character but reveals a confidential and discreet elegance, typically "British" (I apologize for the easy rhetoric...), which I personally appreciate.

Scrivo volentieri di questa miscela di Robert Mc Connel  ORIENTAL  Perché mi ha veramente stupito piacevolmente fin dal primo assaggio. Una miscela di gusto inglese ma non così austera come una classica EM Un ottimo  all day  da prendere anche in seria considerazione come tabacco per così dire estivo. Il blend si compone del classico trittico orientali-virginia e latakia, con una lieve preponderanza degli orientali, (del resto non a caso si chiama  oriental  ) che caratterizzano con il loro bouquet floreale e morbido tutta la fumata; il latakia presente ma non invadente corre come sul velluto accontentandosi per una volta a fare da illustre comprimario rispetto anche ai pregiati e dolci lemon virginia con i loro golosi effluvi di terra, fichi, uva passa e cacao. Non dichiarato, a mio avviso anche un black cavendish contribuisce alla dolcezza dell'insieme. Gli orientali dicevamo la fanno da padrone fin dalle prime boccate rivelando anche un sapore lievemente astringente e leggermente torbato e a tratti anche lievemente salato. La miscela è tanto semplice quanto complessa ad un attento esame, ogni boccata contribuisce a costruirne la struttura, svariando piacevolmente in un caleidoscopio di sapori costantemente in divenire. Il latakia dicevamo è sempre presente ma mai soverchiante, in compenso regala sentori chiari di bergamotto, cuoio e legno di sandalo: eccellente!!! Verso metà fumata la pienezza della miscela ne guadagna, assurgono maggiormente i virginia dolci e fruttati terminando ancora sugli orientali, mentre cala leggermente il latakia. Dicevo prima che è a mio parere una miscela complessa anche se non sembra, proprio perché appare costantemente in evoluzione durante tutta la fumata. Secondo me un ottima scelta, estremamente soddisfacente senza risultare troppo inebriante.

Oriental by Robert McConnell reminds me of what many a English/Balkan blend used to be,15 years ago.

Appearance: Upon very close inspection I can detect at least 5 different hues of leaf in this mixture Red and Lemon Virginias are in abundance, darker browns of Oriental with nearly jet black Latakia. The cut is a somewhat varied rough ribbon cut.

Tin aroma: This is complex mixture it immediately says ?English/Balkan? in a very rich and full variety. The Virginias are evident, with rich earthy tones and under-currents of fig/raisin and cocoa. The smoky Latakia makes the main statement, complex and enticing, plenty of smokiness with underlying astringent tones of bergamot and sandalwood. Just under the surface I detect the Orientals giving the mixture?dry fruitiness? and lending even greater depth to the mélange of flavors. There is a peaty, slightly salty over tone to the aroma

This tobacco is nearly perfect in moisture and I employed the ?once like a baby, once like a lady, finally like a gentleman? method of layered packing in a small Armellini Lovat dedicated to English/Balkan mixtures.

Lighting usually is easy, and with a friendly ?lighting tamp? I was well on my way. As expected, the initial flavor is very smoky with an astringent (very gently so) quality I?ve come to expect from Orientals. The Orientals used in this blend are of a floral and softer variety, providing a silky, soft mouth-feel. Latakia and Orientals tend to live ?nasally? for me, so I often employ the ?French curve? method of inhaling the slipstream smoke. The Virginias set a firm background and foundation on which the Latakia and Orientals build. This blend slowly builds in flavors and complexity with each puff.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build and the flavors gaining intensity in unison. The initial strength of the Latakia is slowly giving way to other components, the Orientals slowly numbing (not at all in a bad way) my soft pallet and nasal regions. Flavors and scents of bergamot and sandalwood, leather and smoke are abundant and rich. The Virginia comes through a bit more assertively from time to time with rich fruity and sweet tones. Each mouthful is slightly different and unexpected tones creep gently in from time to time. This blend is complex, almost in the extreme, requiring my full attention. Somehow it remains subtle and constantly changing it is a contemplative smoke.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, I?m pleasantly taken to that place far from the daily grind and it's troubles. The fullness and character of this blend really come into their own during this final stretch. The Virginias have deepened to a wine like goodness and the Latakia and Oriental has widened yielding leather and forest tones. While not particularly strong in nicotine the final third of the bowl is far fuller in flavors and depth than one might expect from where the blend begins. Layer upon layer of flavor develop and by the home stretch I can't imagine wanting more. This blend finds the perfect balance of refinement and power, is never harsh and has plenty to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.

Supplemental Notes: I don't know exactly why it's taken me so long to find this blend. It is truly a fine, though not very popular blend among English/Balkan fanciers ***

VERY VERY SPICY! PURE ORIENTAL TASTE! ONLY FOR THE FAITHFUL!

This tobacco is a nice change as I have been exploring oriental blends. Opening the tin reminds me of sweet and chewy figs. It was sealed a little wet. Lighter on the Latakia with a refined balance. The aroma changes significantly thoughout the bowl with notes of patchouli, leather, cream soda, smoky barbeque and black licorice. Packed lightly, I enjoy this blend in a rusticated Canadian and a Danish Cherrywood.