Oriental recommendations?

[c.ortiz108]

It seems like a lot of oriental blends have a lot of latakia, which I'm guessing overpowers. Any suggestions for one that's all or mostly oriential, or at least blended in such a way that the orientals are the most distinctive flavors? Thanks!

[Tobias Lutz]

McClelland Grand Orientals Drama Reserve!!!

[c.ortiz108]

I was just looking at that and the others in the line. They all look pretty good. Curious about McConnell's Oriental, too. Apparently the same blend since the 1820s.

Just realized I misspelled "recommendation." Is there a way to edit thread titles?

[Tobias Lutz]

I was just looking at that and the others in the line. They all look pretty good. Curious about McConnell's Oriental, too. Apparently the same blend since the 1820s.

Just realized I misspelled "recommendation." Is there a way to edit thread titles?

I fixed it for you.

[Desertlifter]

I participated in a trade and review of all of the McClelland Grand Orientals series a couple months ago. They are all unique, and all are IMO worth a try.

[NeverBend]

I was just looking at that and the others in the line. They all look pretty good. Curious about McConnell's Oriental, too. Apparently the same blend since the 1820s.

Hi Chico,

Short story is that the dates of inception for a number of companies in the pipe business are convenience and not very accurate. It's possible that the Oriental mixture is very old but it changed in 1989 when McConnell closed and their brand mixtures, as well as Rattrays, began being manufactured by Kohlhase (Germany). The Kohlhase tobaccos are good but not the superb tobaccos that McConnell made (I lived on them for a couple of decades).

If you do try the current version of the McConnell Oriental I'd love to hear your thoughts since it was my favorite mixture of that type.

Crown Achievement, by Lane, is a remake of the original that was their flagship tobacco for many years. I tried some a few months back and it's a robust Oriental but not as smooth or elegant as the McConnell Oriental was.

[c.ortiz108]

Thanks for the useful replies.

I participated in a trade and review of all of the McClelland Grand Orientals series a couple months ago. They are all unique, and all are IMO worth a try.

Was that here on CB or another forum?

@NeverBend , I was suspicious about that date.... Still, it sounds like it might be worth trying, but second to the McClellands.

[Desertlifter]

Thanks for the useful replies.



Was that here on CB or another forum?

@NeverBend , I was suspicious about that date.... Still, it sounds like it might be worth trying, but second to the McClellands.

Another forum. Seriously though, they are all interesting, with taste notes ranging from almonds to olive oil. Fascinating stuff.

[mooster]

The cool thing about the Grand Orientals line to me was the "education in a can" of finding out which oriental did what. Plus, it made tasting those flavors easier for some reason. I couldn't even taste the drama leaf in Ferndown Yellow and Brown until after I'd smoked Drama Reserve. Then it became the dominant flavor in the blend. The line was a great 'palate trainer'.

[c.ortiz108]

The cool thing about the Grand Orientals line to me was the "education in a can" of finding out which oriental did what. Plus, it made tasting those flavors easier for some reason. I couldn't even taste the drama leaf in Ferndown Yellow and Brown until after I'd smoked Drama Reserve. Then it became the dominant flavor in the blend. The line was a great 'palate trainer'.

Well, that's another good recommendation for the Grand Orientals. Now, which would best to start with? I'm leaning towards Drama or Samsun... But then again, damn their Orient 996 and CPCC Samovar blends sure sound good!