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.
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
drac2485
Professor
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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.
https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/oriental-tobaccos-and-their-characteristics
I miss xDutchx.
Are The Great Oriental Tobaccos Still Available?