Oriental blends

drac2485

What oriental blends do you like?

PappyJoe

I've tried a few which contain Orientals but so far the only one's I've liked have been the Esoterica blends - Penzance, Pembroke and Margate.

PipeProfessor

I have not had enough to have a favorite, but give me time!

drac2485

I fell in love with C&D's Byzantium.  Sweet and Smoky but light enough to enjoy year round.  YMMV

judandhispipe

A great many latakia blends also have Oriental tobaccos, as well as the base Virginias. I generally prefer blends where the latakia is the featured player,and the orientals play a secondary role. Dunhill MM Baby's Bottom would, I think, qualify as an oriental blend,and I am quite fond of it.

Abreathawayfromglory

I love L.J. Peretti Oriental No. 40 such a great smoke  

CretinDan

GL Pease Regents Flake has turkish Imzir leaf.. does that count? becuase its AMAZING

judandhispipe

For a true oriental blend, @cretindan, the orientals should dominate. Haven't smoked Regent's Flake,myself.

ghostsofpompeii

How would you describe the flavor profile of an oriental? I'm familiar with Latakia, Virginia, Cavendish, Perique, and Burley but never really tried an Oriental or Balkan. What flavor jumps out at you when you're smoking an oriental. Being ignorant and the type who jumps at conclusions I'd assume it's some mystical incense room note and flowery flavor like a Lakeland. And while you're at it, might as well school me on Balkan. Decades ago, when drug store had a wider variety of blends I seem to recall buying a blend called "Balkan Blend" and found it to be very harsh like a Latakia heavy English. And at the time I was probably smoking things like Middleton Cherry or John Rolfe Peach Brandy so anything resembling English would have been a turn off. But I want to know what flavors to expect from both an oriental and a Balkan. 

motie2

From Russ Ouellette:

Orientals or Turkish - This is actually a rather broad category of different tobaccos. Among these tobaccos are ones named Yenidje, Basma, Dubeck, Bashi Bagli, Smyrna, Xanthia along with many others. They are typically high in sugar, and rather fragrant. They are very important in English, Balkan and (of course) Oriental blends. They are also highly prized for enriching cigarette blends. 

Woodsman

@drac2485 I agree on Byzantium, a pleasant break from my favored Latakia heavy blends.

mseddon

Frankly I'm a fan of Balkan Sasieni, I actually find it more complex and interesting than Balkan Sobranie, and at its price, it's hard to beat.

motie2

@mseddon -- Thanks for that post. I'd not heard much about the comparison of those two Balkan blends. In my first pipe life, Sobranie was my go to blend, and I never got around to the Sasieini.

xDutchx

McClellands Oriental Mixture line offers something different for the Latakia smoker looking for a little variety in their rotation. Look for the green tins, that are similar in design to McClellands Red Christmas Cheer and Dominican Glory lines.

Also, my favorite blend in McClellands Grand Orientals line is the Drama Reserve. I have dedicated a Moretti Olivewood thick walled billiard to this blend, and the flavors from this blend just keep improving. I'm a big fan of extra virgin olive oil, as I don't care for an olive oil that has been around and around the block, and this blend always delivers on that level. The sweet, sour, and tangy notes make for a unique experience, for the pipe smoker looking to experience something completely different.

motie2

Oriental Tobaccos and Their Characteristics
https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/oriental-tobaccos-and-their-characteristics

AceFour

Somewhat unusual mix as I find very few tobacs on TR that are similar and I am a big fan of HU Aus de Krater No. 3

PappyJoe

Man!
I miss xDutchx.

motie2

Amen.

motie2

Are The Great Oriental Tobaccos Still Available?

https://www.pipestud.com/are-the-great-orientals-still-available/

ashawley

I recently purchased Royal Blend from L.J. Peretti. It has Yenidje Turkish leaf.  A lot of great flavors in the smoke.  Peretti in-house bulk tobacco isn't cheap, but I find it worthwhile.

Balisong

Tashkent and Omega are two other good choices.