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An extremely refined medium mixture, its soft round flavor due to the fully rubbed matured red cake tobaccos forming its base. Lightly sweet, smooth and rich, a truly mellow smoke.

BrandMcClelland
Blended ByMcClelland Tobacco Company
Manufactured ByMcClelland Tobacco Company
Blend TypeOriental
ContentsLatakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
FlavoringNone
CutRibbon
Packaging50 grams tin, 100 grams tin
CountryUS
ProductionNo longer in production
Where to Buy SmokingPipes.com
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Strength
Mild to Medium
Flavoring
None Detected
Taste
Medium
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable

Favorite Of 2 Users

Reviews
4 star:
11
3 star:
10
2 star:
4
1 star:
3
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Eulenburg Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Eulenburg (193)
★★★★
Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Very Pleasant

I completely agree with Briarabbit that this is the best Oriental that McClelland produces.

I have been exploring the byways of this side of the English-mixture field--Virginia/Turkish, no Latakia--where the Balkanic condimentals serve as a natural buffer and sweetener to Virginia, in this case wonderfully honeyed, smoky Red. McC # 8 has the best balance and the most satisfying Oriental lushness. This is so much better than anything with Burley in it!!

In a medium-sized briar it smolders so lazily and refinedly. Love every long minute of it.

12 people found this review helpful.

Pipestud Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Pipestud (1829)
★★★☆
Mild None Detected Mild Pleasant

The depth of flavor here is much better than McClelland's #6 (IMO, of course.)

The Virginia/Oriental base accompanied by the wafting of Latakia makes for a pleasant and mild smoke with a complexity that I rather enjoyed. I wish the strength registered a little higher on the meter, but otherwise, this was thoroughly enjoyed.

This is, by the way, an extremely clean burning blend with a nice fresh tobacco taste.

12 people found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★★
Mild None Detected Medium to Full Very Pleasant

High quality American Red Virginia leaf combined with High quality Spice tobaccos from the old Orient,Greece and Turkey.

A lovely soft taste of the Virginias backed up and tangled nicely with the Orientals makes this a whole lot of pleasure. The Orientals contribute an herbal likeness to the tangy soft Red cake Virginias that is most enjoyable,and I haven't found similar to in any other tobacco. This (IMO) is truly the best Oriental that MC produces.

Ribbon cut leaf,the tobacco burns cool and clean to the bottowm with a gray ash. Wonderful pipe weed.

11 people found this review helpful.

JimInks Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
JimInks (3046)
★★☆☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

The smoky, woody, dry, mildly floral, herbal, fairly spicy Orientals have a bare touch of sweetness, and mostly takes a very small lead over the tangy fermented dark fruity, earthy red Virginias. The Virginias also have a hint of spice, “vinegar”, and light wood notes, but its sweetness is a little less than anticipated. The smoky, woody, earthy, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia is a condiment. The strength and nic-hit are in the center of mild to medium. The taste level falls a step shy of medium. Won’t bite or get harsh though the amount of spice may tingle the tongue of a fast puffer. Burns cool, clean and a tad slow with some inconsistency in its savory, spicy flavor, which lacks a little depth and character. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires a few relights. Has a pleasantly lingering spicy after taste. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

10 people found this review helpful.

BostonPipe Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
BostonPipe (84)
★★★☆
Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable

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...

8 people found this review helpful.

Buster Bluth Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Buster Bluth (56)
★★★★
Mild to Medium Mild Mild to Medium Pleasant

I am halfway through a tin of this stamped 2004. The bouquet from the can is a melange of fruit and spice. The signature McClelland aroma is present but more subdued than a straight Virginia.

It is a mix of light and dark leaf ribbon perfectly cut for packing. It was a little too moist for my taste, but a weekend of air made it perfect.

Packing a Pererson bent spigot bulldog with this mixture and striking a match, I felt the perfect harmony of flavors by mid bowl. VA, orientals, and a little Latakia are perfect.

Anymore, I find straight VA's to be lacking. Strong VA/Latakia's are too obnoxious. Too much Perique with a VA overwhelms the taste buds. #8 is a VA mixture supported by the subtle sweetness of the Orientals, with a little Latakia for spice. Refined and mellow, and just right.

This tobacco was a one match affair. It burns slowly and evenly. Never harsh and no gunk in the bowl.

5 more cans of 2004 vintage are in the cellar for future evaluations.

7 people found this review helpful.

Perique Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Perique (163)
★★★★
Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

Presentation is medium brown ribbon with some dark and light brown accents. Tin note is tangy and chocolatey with some spicy and mildly floral background notes. Moisture content is just right and this is ready to smoke right from the tin.

The charring light is very dry and brings deeper, darker chocolate favors with a backdrop of parchment and nuts. The Virginias assert in the first third of the bowl, adding a light, lovely sweetness perfectly mellowed by the Orientals, and creating a biteless and delicate smoke that still retains richness and body. No.8 has a full creamy mouthfeel that belies the fundamental delicacy and balance of the blend.

There's a bit more tang by mid-bowl but it doesn't replace the mild sweetness. Rather, it adds a third flavor to the gentle sweet and chocolatey Orientals. The finish is an extraordinary balance of flavors, each demonstrating their distinct characteristics without competing with or eclipsing one other. This is s blend that could easily be an all-day smoke, yet contains enough flavor complexity to stand in as a more contemplative, evening blend.

Overall an excellent Virginia/Oriental mixture that smokes dry and mellow, earthy yet sweet. The Orientals tame the Virginias without overwhelming the subtle sweetness. The Orientals here are very chocolatey with a bit of parchment and nut. The Virginias are soft and subtly sweet with just a pleasant hint of tang. Latakia is condimental here, adding just a touch of earthiness by mid-bowl and a hint of mustiness in the final third.

Balanced and nuanced. Zero bite. Exceptionally cool smoking and very dry. Outstandingly well blended. Smoke this one in a wide, shallow bowl such as a pot or prince, sit back, and enjoy.

5 people found this review helpful.

drdave Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
drdave (17)
★★★★
Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Very Pleasant

The sweet tangy red virginias lead the band here, with the orientals adding subtle notes and the latakia playing softly in the background. A truly fine smoking experience. No bite, no bitterness; just wonderful all the way down the bowl. Like puffing smoky honey.

5 people found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★☆☆
Mild Extremely Mild Mild to Medium Pleasant

This, along with McClellands Blakeney's Best Latakia Flake, is probably the cleanest smoking blend I've ever experienced. I can't really describe "clean" in this context. It's very smooth and seems well balanced. No harshness unless you overpuff. It's obviously made of very high quality leaf.

That said, this blend is not for me. I find little excitement in this. I can't say it's too mild exactly but I'm wondering if they could have beefed up the orientals a bit to make this tobacco more complex. Not objectionable in the strict sense, just sort of flat and boring -and that's the last thing I expect from an oriental with latakia style tobacco.

Again, McClellands is world renowned and revered for their virginia offerings but I have yet to experience much of their talent for oriental mixtures (FrogMorton On The Town being a notable exception). As always, your mileage may vary.

4 people found this review helpful.

HabaneroHardy Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
HabaneroHardy (401)
★★★★
Medium None Detected Medium to Full Unnoticeable

I bought two 100 gram tins of this back in 1998 and never intended to cellar these for 21 years but until about a month ago I could not bring myself to open one. So finally I took it to the pipe club and we popped the lid. It is a medium dark coarse ribbon cut and has a strong earthy, musty sweet smell out of the tin. This is a really smooth blend that starts out a little sweet and sometimes ends a little tart. I have no way of knowing what the 21 years of age did to this one but there were no complaints at the club. Thumbs up all around. I had a lot of fun opening something that was two decades old. Today I smoked some more and this is one great blend that has a lot of flavor. But as for the other tin it is going to sit a spell. My stash of McClelland is limited even more so since they closed their doors. So, I will wait my time to open the other one when the moment is right. But hopefully not on my death bed. Ha.

Pipe Used: Briar

Age When Smoked: 21 years :)

3 people found this review helpful.

Gentleman Zombie Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Gentleman Zombie (729)
★☆☆☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

The Latakia is as light as you can get it and still get some flavor from it. Just a bare wisp of smoke. The red cake Virginias are just like the bulk version in that they offer sweetness with very little flavor. The Orientals are, by far, the dominant flavor and they are no better than average Orientals. I understand that some folks love mild and "soft" flavors and my hat's off to you. I need a fair amount of flavor to excite my old and jaded taste buds. To me this is like smoking a bowl full of half way decent Orientals that's been lightly sweetened. Not my idea of a great smoke. As with #6, I see no reason to recommend this.

Mild to medium in body and flavor. Burns well.

Pipe Used: MM Country Gentleman, Diplomat Apple, Mark Twain

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

ChevySpoons Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
ChevySpoons (7)
★★★☆
Medium to Strong None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable

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.

3 people found this review helpful.

Blackhorse Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Blackhorse (96)
★★★☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Tolerable

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.

3 people found this review helpful.

Pryhosm Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Pryhosm (248)
★★★☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

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.

Pipe Used: Briar's, meerschaum and cobs

Age When Smoked: 4 years

2 people found this review helpful.

McQueen Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
McQueen (41)
★★★★
Mild to Medium Mild to Medium Full Pleasant to Tolerable

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.

2 people found this review helpful.

doc'spipe Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
doc'spipe (242)
★★☆☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

A very nice, mild Oriental blend from McClelland. The tin aroma is sweet and pungent. My sample has aged 20 years and now smells just like sweet peat moss/fertilizer (in a good way). It is mild on the palate with the Orientals taking the lead with taste - a combination of incense and peat moss. The Latakia is very subdued as is the Virginia. No bite experienced whatsoever. It also burns dry and clean. One has to acquire a taste for this one. A bit nauseating for me, therefore, a somewhat recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

tamentis Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
tamentis (9)
★★★★
Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

This is one of my favorite smokes. It is mellow but has a great balanced taste. It's a little difficult to light and keep lit but a real pleasure when finally going. Even though the cut is ribbon, there are many small waxy cubes that need to be rubbed a little to make the tobacco easier to smoke.

The smoke is floral and a lightly sweet and spicy.

The end of the bowl tastes a little sour and that sour taste lingers in the mouth for hours.

Pipe Used: Eole Natural Bent

Age When Smoked: Fresh from a new tin

Purchased From: JR Cigar

1 person found this review helpful.

Theosprey247 Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Theosprey247 (73)
★★★★
Medium None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable

This blend alternates between giving you a sweet and spicy smoke. It is listed as a mild smoke but it has to be the taste smoke of the day for me otherwise it overpowers the other blends.

Pipe Used: Cob

Age When Smoked: New

1 person found this review helpful.

Fred T Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Fred T (67)
★★★☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Mild Pleasant

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.

Pipe Used: S Bang

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★☆☆☆
Medium Very Mild Medium Tolerable

When I first got this tobacco I thought it was love at first smoke. It tasted nice, had a some spiciness, and had a good amount of body.

I smoked it rather a bit. On about my 4th pipe I noticed something funny, though; my mouth was numb. It was that sort of minty numbness you get after you brush your teeth with mint toothpaste, but without the actual mint flavor.

At first it was just curious, but over time it got incredible annoying. The sensation would last 4-6 hours after smoking.

Even worse, once I called it quits on this blend all the pipes I had smoked it out of kept numbing my mouth for a good 6-8 bowls afterwards.

It's unfortunate because otherwise this is a good blend but I simply cannot tolerate that sensation. I've never experienced it with any other tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★★
Mild to Medium Extremely Mild Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

It's no secret that McClelland's Frog Morton is my favorite tobacco, but after that I have to say that McClelland's #8 green tin oriental blend is high on my list of comfort tobaccos. Strikingly mellow and round in taste, this is a blend that I consider to be up there with the best in English blends. I, for one, will be buying up lots of tins of this blend to lay down and age for years, maybe even a lifetime supply. If I could pick only two or three tobaccos to be in my regular rotation, McClelland #8 is one of them. Definitely deserves a tryout if you like English / Latakia blends. Highly recommended!

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★☆☆
Strong None Detected Very Full Tolerable

I opened the tin to find a nice looking ribbon cut tobacco. The smell was definitely oriental, but nothing outstanding.

I packed it in a medium Ferndown and lit it up.

It lit slow in this pipe.

The initial flavor was excellent, good, strong tobacco flavor. Almost like a srong burley. As I smoked it seemed to get hotter. I put the pipe aside planning to return to it later.

My next bowl was in a medim Nording. I smoked this one to the end of the bowl. It was the same, excellent taste at first but hotter as it went. My tongue was on fire by the time I finished.

I tried a couple more bowls over the next few days, always the same results.

Great tasting tobacco, maybe someone with differant smoking habits and a more taste than I would enjoy it.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★★
Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable

There is something about McCelland mature red virginias thet I find agreeable and pleasure inducing. There is a ¨rightness¨to the taste and aroma that hits the mark. This blend balances the virginias beautifully with the smooth round condiment tobaccos present. I always find virginias to be more contemplative than other type blends, and such is the case here. Virginias reward me for sipping the smoke more so than other types of tobacco, where puffing is more pleasureable. As such, it is a relaxing smoke. As I do with most tobacco, I chop this a bit before I smoke it to make it more easily combustible. Trying to keep something lit detracts considerably from my enjoyment. No problems here.

P.S. My cans are stamped 1998.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★☆☆☆
Mild to Medium Mild to Medium Medium Tolerable

After the euphory of trying no 14, I was looking forward to try this one, which was on the lighter side-colour wise.

As where no 14 was not cased, this one was cased with an unidentified flavour that, despite all my efforts, remained so.

The lighting up and partial smoking was a deception, the bakkie was sticking to the inside of the pipe like glue, and smoked hot.

I'll stick with no 14.

1 person found this review helpful.

sasha Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
sasha (228)
★★★☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant

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.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★☆
Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Tolerable

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.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★☆
Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant

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.

1 person found this review helpful.

Emeritus Account Reviewed By DateRating StrengthFlavoringTasteRoom Note
Emeritus Account (30167)
★★★☆
Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant

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

Nobody has rated this review yet.