Good Starter Oriental blend

[foolwiththefez]

I'd like to expand my knowledge of non-aromatic blends. I already know I like a good English/Latakia blend. I like the Acadian Perique blend I received in my sampler from tobaccopipes.com. Now I'd like to try an oriental blend. I'm thinking of non-latakia oriental blends to start simply to learn what they taste like without the aggressive lat flavor.
So far, I'm leaning towards Cairo by GL Pease. Is this a good intro to the style? Is there a better one? I'm getting falsely hung up on non-latakia?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Cairo is a good one. Yenidje Supreme is another.

 

[sthbkr77]

McC's Smyrna is a wonderful smoke. There are hints of holiday spices that make this a great change of pace without going aromatic.
Edit: If excluding Lat isn't a big deal, try GLP's Abingdon and/or Meridian. Also, McC's Samovar.

 

[mortonbriar]

Try through the grand orientals by mcclelland, or if on a tighter budget than that I find a pinch of mcclellands bulk turkish ribbon to be a very nice addition to a bowl of something virginia.
Also Rattrays Red Rapparee is a lovely oriental blend (at least that is how i characterise it) with just a small amount of latakia.
Isaac

 

[moses]

McClelland's Drama Reserve is excellent, as is their Orient 996.

 

[northernneil]

As mortonbriar suggested, the McClelland Grand Oriental Line is a great place to start. But if you want true, unadulterated oriental tobacco flavor, McClelland's Blended Turkish Ribbon in bulk will fit the bill.

 

[lochinvar]

Virginia/Oriental blends are my very favorite tobaccos, but they are limited. McClelland has really kept the Oriental game at a high level with their Grand Oriental line. The Smyrna and Drama offerings are especially tasty.
No Latakia: McClelland Grand Orientals (except Highlander), McClelland No. 24. Pease Cairo
Heavy Oriental with latakia: McClelland Yenidje Highlander, Samovar. McConnell Oriental. Presbyterian. Rattray Red Rapparee. Peretti Royal. Dunhill Durbar.

,

I would suggest one of each type to see the differences. Like say, McClelland Drama Reserve (no latakia) and Rattray Red Rapparee.

 

[supdog]

Check here,
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/pipe-tobacco/blending-tobaccos/
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/pipe-tobacco/80423/peter-stokkebye-313-oriental/

 

[mso489]

On a budget? Sutliff's Balkan 957 surprised me. I went through a tin in a short time. A pleasing smoke.

 

[briarfriar]

McClelland Oriental Mixture No. 1 is an excellent choice for starters.

 

[okiescout]

I had no experience with Orientals. I have become a big VA fan and also have enjoyed a number of VaPers I have been trying the last several years. This year I smoked Seattle Pipe Clubs Deception Pass. I loved it from the first bole. Looking on the tin I discovered it contained Turkish tobacco. It is my favorite VaPer and can only conclude it is because of the Turkish that is added to the blend.

 

[bigpond]

Okie, you might like McClellands #24 no per though.
I like Skiff Mixture for everyone.

 

[fmgee]

I would have to vote for Skiff Mixture. There is Latakia in it but it is very orientals forward and a wonderful blend

 

[atskywalker]

All those fine people recommending McClelland Grand Orientals deserve a toast ::

 

[okiescout]

Thanks Bigpond! I'll give it a go, sounds great.