22 Year Old McClelland's Oriental No.1

[Nitrane84]

https://imgur.com/a/CkKKaeB

Finally had a moment to enjoy a bowl of the 22 year old McClelland Oriental 1.

Wow. You can really smell that ketchup smell that the pipe veterans among us tell of the McClelland brand. Luckily it does not translate to any discernible taste in the smoke.

Very oriental heavy on my palate. I get a hint of Latakia which is a surprise as I figured the age would have totally dissipated that smokiness.

It's an incredibly smooth smoke. The Virginia's are still there but not as grassy... the Orientals are the real star here. Very tangy. All in all it has benefited from age. I'm really glad I was able to find this and finally experience the brand. However that being said it's not worth the inflated price. This, to my admittedly novice palate, is very similar to Elizabethan mixture with a small hint of Latakia.

If you can find it and swallow the price by all means treat yourself and if not... don't sweat it.

I plan on stocking up my cellar with some more Elizabethan. My dollars will be better spent there. Stock up until Armageddon.

If you have a mother in your life be sure to spoil them. I'm going to finish this bowl in the shed of solitude and pray my little one sleeps long enough for me to do so.

Happy smokes in peace my friends.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The green labels are good, but if you like it, try to get your hands on some Yenidje Highlander.

 

[Worknman]

The green labels are good, but if you like it, try to get your hands on some Yenidje Highlander.

Does that have latakia in it?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does that have latakia in it?

Syrian but it's so subtle you only notice it when looking for it.

 

[Nitrane84]

Syrian but it's so subtle you only notice it when looking for it.

View attachment 144490

That's a good amount of tobacco. You must like it. I'll give it a try if I can find any. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dcicero]

I enjoyed your revi

https://imgur.com/a/CkKKaeB

Finally had a moment to enjoy a bowl of the 22 year old McClelland Oriental 1.

Wow. You can really smell that ketchup smell that the pipe veterans among us tell of the McClelland brand. Luckily it does not translate to any discernible taste in the smoke.

Very oriental heavy on my palate. I get a hint of Latakia which is a surprise as I figured the age would have totally dissipated that smokiness.

It's an incredibly smooth smoke. The Virginia's are still there but not as grassy... the Orientals are the real star here. Very tangy. All in all it has benefited from age. I'm really glad I was able to find this and finally experience the brand. However that being said it's not worth the inflated price. This, to my admittedly novice palate, is very similar to Elizabethan mixture with a small hint of Latakia.

If you can find it and swallow the price by all means treat yourself and if not... don't sweat it.

I plan on stocking up my cellar with some more Elizabethan. My dollars will be better spent there. Stock up until Armageddon.

If you have a mother in your life be sure to spoil them. I'm going to finish this bowl in the shed of solitude and pray my little one sleeps long enough for me to do so.

Happy smokes in peace my friends.

I enjoyed your review. The McC's I've tried have been great but also imo not worth the hassle of finding or paying premium. I have a couple rares I like but most are fairly available. I have a bit of Samsun left I enjoy but once it's gone it's gone. And Sillems Black easily replaces Frog for me personally, and may even be better imo. I have a tin of Beacon Extra I haven opened yet, this summer will be the test. Cheers!

 

[Chasing Embers]

or paying premium.

Agreed, all of mine were retail or on sale.

 

[BryLogan]

https://imgur.com/a/CkKKaeB

Finally had a moment to enjoy a bowl of the 22 year old McClelland Oriental 1.

Wow. You can really smell that ketchup smell that the pipe veterans among us tell of the McClelland brand. Luckily it does not translate to any discernible taste in the smoke.

Very oriental heavy on my palate. I get a hint of Latakia which is a surprise as I figured the age would have totally dissipated that smokiness.

It's an incredibly smooth smoke. The Virginia's are still there but not as grassy... the Orientals are the real star here. Very tangy. All in all it has benefited from age. I'm really glad I was able to find this and finally experience the brand. However that being said it's not worth the inflated price. This, to my admittedly novice palate, is very similar to Elizabethan mixture with a small hint of Latakia.

If you can find it and swallow the price by all means treat yourself and if not... don't sweat it.

I plan on stocking up my cellar with some more Elizabethan. My dollars will be better spent there. Stock up until Armageddon.

If you have a mother in your life be sure to spoil them. I'm going to finish this bowl in the shed of solitude and pray my little one sleeps long enough for me to do so.

Happy smokes in peace my friends.

Curious; if you’re just “finally” trying this blend, how do you know that “it has benefited from age”?

 

[jpberg]

22 years ago I was smoking a bunch of the green label McC - it was 14, not 1, but I’d bet the #1 is mellower than mellow at this point, probably a pretty fair smoke.

 

[Nitrane84]

Curious; if you’re just “finally” trying this blend, how do you know that “it has benefited from age”?

Should have been more clear. From the small amount of reviews I could find they remarked on the fact that it was a little rough around the edges. From the multiple bowls I've had none of that comes through

Curious; if you’re just “finally” trying this blend, how do you know that “it has benefited from age”?

I meant it was smooth. Admittedly I don't know anything. It was the smoothest tobacco I've ever experienced. I'm assuming it's due to being old. Apologies if I came across as a connoisseur or a tobacco sommelier. I know less than nothing. Maybe someone was using my family's brain cell when I wrote the review.