My Orient Express

[briarbuck]

I have a problem. Over the past 5 years I can collected Virginia's of many forms. I have my technique down and @ 150+ pounds of various virginia's, my cellar is set for the end of time. Va-pers, va-ber's, flakes, coins or shag I love them all.

I have wandered down the latakia road many times and have never liked it. I don't want something that already tastes pre-smoked. The closest I will come to latakis is Gawith Navy Flake, and even that is a struggle.

Last month I got a wee bit bored with the lockdown and decided to expand my horizons, so I opened up a 10+ year old can of McClellands #24 orientals that I had sitting in the stash. I have had almost no experience with these blends prior. I must say, it was fabulous. When I smoked butts I always was a Camel guy, now I know why. Camels always had that little extra somethin somethin that others didn't.

Next opened up a 10 year old can of McClelland Drama reserve. A-ma-zing.

I am now sold on the Orientals. OK you can see the issue here. I like McClelland Orientals. But they are gone. Only are sitting on 300 gms or so. Any suggestions from you oriental experts on a few blends that fit that profile?

 

[troutface]

You might try Royal from Peretti or maybe Mycroft from Ken Byron.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I have a problem. Over the past 5 years I can collected Virginia's of many forms. I have my technique down and @ 150+ pounds of various virginia's, my cellar is set for the end of time. Va-pers, va-ber's, flakes, coins or shag I love them all.

I have wandered down the latakia road many times and have never liked it. I don't want something that already tastes pre-smoked. The closest I will come to latakis is Gawith Navy Flake, and even that is a struggle.

Last month I got a wee bit bored with the lockdown and decided to expand my horizons, so I opened up a 10+ year old can of McClellands #24 orientals that I had sitting in the stash. I have had almost no experience with these blends prior. I must say, it was fabulous. When I smoked butts I always was a Camel guy, now I know why. Camels always had that little extra somethin somethin that others didn't.

Next opened up a 10 year old can of McClelland Drama reserve. A-ma-zing.

I am now sold on the Orientals. OK you can see the issue here. I like McClelland Orientals. But they are gone. Only are sitting on 300 gms or so. Any suggestions from you oriental experts on a few blends that fit that profile?

My advice is more general, as McClelland was on its way out as I was entering the world of pipe smoking, and I never got to try any of their blends:
Try a couple ounces of some different Oriental-forward bulk blends. It sounds like the TAD is strong with you, so maybe try to find something that could be ordered a pound (or five) at a time if you like it.

 

[briarbuck]

My advice is more general, as McClelland was on its way out as I was entering the world of pipe smoking, and I never got to try any of their blends:
Try a couple ounces of some different Oriental-forward bulk blends. It sounds like the TAD is strong with you, so maybe try to find something that could be ordered a pound (or five) at a time if you like it.

TAD...what? Who me?? lol (I resemble that remark)

 

[troutface]

I should have mentioned that I believe Peretti has a couple other Oriental blends without Latakia, but I'm not sure of the names.

 

[cshubhra]

I don’t have deep experience in Orientals (If they don’t contain Latakia). With that disclaimer- I do like GL Pease Cairo a lot! It’s a VaOrPer

Cairo is extremely nuanced and complex when I am focusing on it, and an extremely flavorful smoke when I am preoccupied with something else.

 

[danimalia]

GLP Embarcadero is one I like a lot. It's Reds and Izmir, straight up. Lots of body, a fair share of strength and a nice, round flavor.

I didn't have much experience with McC Va-Or blends. It seems like Va-Or is a genre that could use more examples, as the combinations are potentially endless. I guess part of the problem is getting single-leaf varietals of Orientals as most comes as a mixture of different leaves sold as "Turkish"

 

[donjgiles]

Maybe give the new Savinelli Janus a shot. It is a Va/Per with some nice orientals.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

@Canuklehead makes a home made match if I remember correctly.

 

[lraisch]

Robert McConnell makes a very good oriental called appropriately, "The Original Oriental".

 

[beefeater33]

Robert McConnell makes a very good oriental called appropriately, "The Original Oriental".

This^^ One of the finest Orientals I've had, actually like it better than the McClellands........

 

[kschatey]

I have a problem. Over the past 5 years I can collected Virginia's of many forms. I have my technique down and @ 150+ pounds of various virginia's, my cellar is set for the end of time. Va-pers, va-ber's, flakes, coins or shag I love them all.

I have wandered down the latakia road many times and have never liked it. I don't want something that already tastes pre-smoked. The closest I will come to latakis is Gawith Navy Flake, and even that is a struggle.

Last month I got a wee bit bored with the lockdown and decided to expand my horizons, so I opened up a 10+ year old can of McClellands #24 orientals that I had sitting in the stash. I have had almost no experience with these blends prior. I must say, it was fabulous. When I smoked butts I always was a Camel guy, now I know why. Camels always had that little extra somethin somethin that others didn't.

Next opened up a 10 year old can of McClelland Drama reserve. A-ma-zing.

I am now sold on the Orientals. OK you can see the issue here. I like McClelland Orientals. But they are gone. Only are sitting on 300 gms or so. Any suggestions from you oriental experts on a few blends that fit that profile?

McClelland was gone before I entered the hobby and I have not had the good fortune to try any of them. However, Oriental-forward blends is my top preference and I have acquired quite a few blends in the genre. I won't list them all and what I like as it my no be relevant since I don't have any knowledge of the McClelland Oriental profile and therefore don't want to send it you the wrong direction. I'm happy to share the list of suggestion if you are interested, but for now I will just say that one of my favorites is Rattray's Red Rapparee.

Also, below are several recent threads that you may want to review regarding Oriental blend recommendations:

• A Good Oriental Forward Blend?
• Oriental Flake (and Favorite Flakes Per Other Blend Type)
• Va-Or’s?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Dan tobacco Ascanian No 1 is a favorite but Estervals is the only place I've found to purchase it. C&D has a number of good offerings. Sunday Picnic is superb. Oriental Silk, Bijou, XX Flake and Sun Bear are all good. Sun Bear is going to be released again next week, better stock up. HU Joschi's Oriental Sunrise and Soraya are very good. Watch City Persian Slipper, Robert Lewis Orcilla Mixture and Davidoff Royalty are good if you can stand a pinch of Latakia. GLP Temple Bar is another good one.

 

[--dante--]

D&R Cockstrong has orientals, but it's more burley than Va. No latakia though, so it fits that bill. Admittedly, it's not something that comes to mind when discussing orientals.

 

[johng99]

GL Pease Cairo is my first smoke of the day everyday. Oriental forward, no Latakia and just a hint of Perique to keep it interesting. This and GLP Embarcadero have become two of my favorite tobaccos. Highly recommended and worth a try.

 

[hawky454]

Robert McConnell makes a very good oriental called appropriately, "The Original Oriental".

Plus one. Not sure if it will have too much Lat for you though. It’s definitely detectable but I think it’s just a whisper but I’m not very sensitive to Lat so it may be too much for you. I think this is one of the best Orientals on the market.

I see @beefeater33 agrees with me so I’ll make this a plus 2.

 

[kcghost]

You might try Steve Fallon (pipestud) on eBay to get some of the old McClelland Orientals. You will pay for them but if that is what you like and you can afford it go for it.

 

[pantsBoots]

Generally prefer VA/Va blends with Latakia being an occasional change of pace. Robert Lewis Orcilla Mixture is amazing!

 

[briarbuck]

Dan tobacco Ascanian No 1 is a favorite but Estervals is the only place I've found to purchase it. C&D has a number of good offerings. Sunday Picnic is superb. Oriental Silk, Bijou, XX Flake and Sun Bear are all good. Sun Bear is going to be released again next week, better stock up. HU Joschi's Oriental Sunrise and Soraya are very good. Watch City Persian Slipper, Robert Lewis Orcilla Mixture and Davidoff Royalty are good if you can stand a pinch of Latakia. GLP Temple Bar is another good one.

I have a real old can of Davidoff Royalty that I may crack. Nice list. I wish I could like Lat, but I've said no-mas.

 

[briarbuck]

@cosmicfolklore sent me a jar of his home brew, Golden Compass. Quite good. Lemon VA's, Semoise and Perique. Tasty