Those McClelland Orients ???

[Slow Puffs]

Some time back, there was a big "splash" about these new orientals.... I bought one of each but haven't tried them. Has any grown fond of any of these new orientals, or was this just a passing fad..?
-Paul

 

[Puff Daddy]

I got to try one, had a bowl of the highlander I believe, and I got too big a hit of the McClelland ketchup thing to "Get" the orientals. I like the ketchup thing, doesn't bother me, but it did mask what I was hoping to discover. I'd imagine that after a few years in the cellar these would become quite interesting. [i've noticed in smoking some McClellands with several years on them that the ketchup note is very minimal]

 

[tin man]

Good question Puffs. I also picked up two tins of YENIDJE SUPREME and two tins of YENICE AGONYA. I haven't cracked them either because :
1. I feel like I should let 'em sit for a few months, maybe a year
2. I already have a couple of other orientals that I'm focussed on at the moment
3. I need to crack that 1998 tin of Oriental#8 that is showing early signs of rust

I think pipetongue1 bought a few of these Grand Orientals. Maybe he will find his way over here and chime in.

 

[Midnight Blues]

I got to try one, had a bowl of the highlander I believe, and I got too big a hit of the McClelland ketchup thing to "Get" the orientals. I like the ketchup thing, doesn't bother me, but it did mask what I was hoping to discover. I'd imagine that after a few years in the cellar these would become quite interesting. [i've noticed in smoking some McClellands with several years on them that the ketchup note is very minimal]

Without sounding to dumb, can you explain the "ketchup thing". I have a tin of 2007 Christmas Cheer unopened in the cellar, am I at risk?

 

[puros_bran]

McC Va's usually have a very strong fermentation smell to them. Some claim it smells like Catsup, Me I think it smells like KC Masterpiece BBq Sause. I've never smelled/tasted it while smoking their blends, just in the pouch aroma. It repulses some, others claim to not smell it at all....Go figure

 

[Carlos]

The ketchup thing varies with the blend. No big deal.

About those Grand Orientals. I think I have 4 of them at home. All good. All different. I wanted to spend more time with them before commenting too much. I also want to stock up on the others too.

Really interesting to open a tin, air it a bit and give it a good sniffing over. You think caramel. Maybe molassas. Not at all what you suppose you might smell for a blend that has a cigar like flavor when smoked.

It's amazing discoveries like that. All I have had are good. They are a bit subtle in some ways. Age will do some interesting tricks to be sure.

I like them and will buying more of them. I understood from reading somewhere that these could be limited. But don't quote me on that.

 

[ftrplt]

Can only say I have several "resting" at the moment. Won't open them for 2-3 years! I will be interested in ya'lls future comments and observations! FTRPLT

 

[Tom Clemons]

Greetings,

I've had about 2-3 bowls of 4 of them - not enough time for me and my challenged pallet to really know or comment about. I smoked: Yenice Agonya, Yenidje Supreme, Yenidji Highlander and Katerini Classic. My favorite so far is the katerini classic, but they were all very good.

I will say this ...

1. I found all 4 to be distinct from each other

2. I thought the typical McClelland's aroma was minimal (but my samples had aired out and dried some in thin plastic bags for several days).

3. I really enjoyed them all quite a bit. So much so that I will purchase several tins of each of these

My first impressions yield a grade of B+ to A- so far, but it really is too early for me to know for sure. Well, there are my initial impressions, FWIW.

TC