Oriental / English Tobacco » McClelland Syrian Super Balkan Tobacco Reviews

Syrian Super Balkan

I happened across this six year old tin at a local B&M a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try.  The tin contained loose ribbons in various shades of chocolate brown with a little black mixed in.  The tin aroma was one of the often mentioned McClelland ketchup, but the few times I have experienced this smell personally have never bothered me.  This tobacco was a little on the dry side, which suited me fine.  An unlit sip tasted of the sweet Virginias in the blend.

On the charring light and the first few draws I mostly tasted the sweetness, and it remained dominate throughout the bowl.  As the bowl progressed I also detected both fruity and peppery tones, and every so often a hint of chocolate.  After smoking a few bowls of this in a row I could really feel the Perique at the back of my throat, and other than that this blend was very mild.  It was not bad in briars and meers, but I preferred it best in a cob where the flavors just seemed bolder.  The room note was tolerable; it reminded me of saddle leather that had just come off of a horse's back, that pungent animal sweat and leather smell.

Overall I really liked Syrian Super Balkan.  I liked how every puff seemed to contain a little surprise, and how subtle the blend was.  I like more aggressive blends typically, but this is a good change in the rotation in the form of a mild English and I will definitely be buying more.  I would recommend this blend to anyone looking for a mild or first time English smoke.