McClelland Classic Samsun (Grand Orientals)

Classic Samsun is a member of McClelland's Grand Orientals series, which spotlights single-varietal Oriental leaf. The series' logic is to present small-leaved Oriental tobaccos from specific Turkish growing regions on their own rather than letting them get lost in a mixture; the leaf spotlighted in this record is Samsun. The blend is tinned coarse cut and contains no Latakia or flavoring. The smoke proceeds within a spicy, dry-herbal frame typical of Orientals; a taste reminiscent of cigarette tobacco sits alongside the tangy-sweet tone characteristic of McClelland leaves. Strength is light to medium, flavor intensity is medium; packing and lighting are easy. Smoking the tin a few days after opening, letting the moisture and aroma settle, is a commonly cited practice.