School Me On McClellands Grand Orientals

[vosBghos]

I wish bigger current blenders like C&D, K&K would try to do something similar. Even if it had to be a limited blend. Oriental heavy without latakia (and without perique).
Seems like more and more people are becoming interested in what those leaves have to offer.

I have a nephew who has recently turned me onto Chinese Tea (the ceremony the whole bit) and I found that pairing Orientals with the tea session is astoundingly relaxing. I hope to start making some purely Oriental blends for him to try.

 

[vosBghos]

I still have a few of the McClellands from this line, but they were blends that (sort of) highlighted the named Oriental, not really just the pure leaf.

There are Orientals that just haven't made their way into pipe tobaccos here. Japan8 is one of my favorites. If it is used in pipe tobaccos, it is never named. But, it is very smooth with a natural anise flavor which is very subtle. But, when blended into a dark Virginia, it really brings out a natural sweetness. I add them to some of my my twists.
I only know it from growing it. Jitterbugdude used to be a member here, and he first turned me onto it in a few homegrown swaps. Then I grew it a few years ago. There is a another, which the name escapes me at the moment, but it was like smoking a cologne, very good and sweet on the tongue, but it had an aroma which if they made into a cologne, I would wear it. I tried to grow it before I knew that Orientals have to be grown in very poor soil. Mine just turned out like a regular burley. In fact, most tobaccos do much better in what many would consider to be very poor soils.

Interesting , I know that SG Sam's flake is sometimes considered an Oriental I wonder if some of it's flavoring has anything to do with Japan8 ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Interesting , I know that SG Sam's flake is sometimes considered an Oriental I wonder if some of it's flavoring has anything to do with Japan8 ?

I have no idea, never had that one. But, I deeply suspect that some of the Esotericas use it. Or, at least they were inspired by it. FWIW

 

[vosBghos]

@pipestud has this to say but he doesn't break down his current favorites probablly wise

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