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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stefanos (222) |   |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
Narrow ribbon cut almost shag, quite bright in appearance.
When I first received the pouch it smelled of vinegar, not the McClelland type which I find rather attractive but something more acrid, not pleasant at all. After jarring the tobacco that smell dissipated but the tobacco did not smell a lot, just a faint tobaccoey nuttiness.
This is meant to be a blending tobacco, but I had to taste it straight. When lit It smelled like an Oriental alright - if I am not mistaken it consists of Izmir and Samsun leafs – but not very high quality though. It tasted stale, acrid, sour and acidic despite some hints of the Oriental tanginess and aroma I was looking for. If the Greek Epos varietal Orientals merit four stars, this is half a star tobacco. I am very surprised at such a low quality tobacco from a revered brand such as Robert McConnell...
It is ok in blends, in that it reduces strength (if you so wish) and adds some of the Oriental tanginess for which it is sold. Still I use it in small measures because otherwise it overwhelms the blends with its unpleasant characteristics. Actually I am trying to get rid of it…
So, not recommended unless you have no other source of finding a pure Oriental leaf. I've bought quite a few tobaccos in the past I did not like, but never have I encountered a tobacco of such low quality...
Update: I think I might have been too harsh on my review of this tobacco. It's not the best straight Oriental around, but it still delivers the tanginess and flavor for which it is sold. And although a bulk tobacco it seems to have needed the air within the jar. Upgrade to 2-2.5 stars.
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JimInks (2645) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The very tangy, aromatic, savory, rugged flavor aspects of this Izmir/Samsun blend are smoke, wood, earth, a lot of bitter sourness and spice, acidity, herbs, vegetation, light buttery sweetness, and some incense. The strength and nic-hit are almost medium. The taste is a step past the medium mark. Won’t bite, but it can be a little harsh, and it has a lot of roughness. Burns clean and a tad warm at a moderate pace. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. The unattractive after taste and strong room notes linger a bit. Certainly not an all day smoke. It’s meant to be a mixer, and depending on what you have in mind when you make a blend, it may suit you. Two and a half stars.
-JimInks
3 people found this review helpful.