McClelland Orient 996

Orient 996 is one of McClelland's Oriental-forward blends. Records indicate the blend was first produced in a limited run for the Pipe Club of America in 2007, with a second batch released in 2009 under the "Collectors Series" heading as Orient 996 Vintage 2007. It contains bright and red Virginias along with Yenidje, Katerini, and Samsun Orientals; the Latakia is Syrian and used very sparingly. The profile is built on the Oriental leaf's herbal, wine-like, and smoky tones; Virginia sweetness carries those tones, while the diluted Latakia leaves a fine smoke layer in the background. Complex but not overpowering. Discontinued when McClelland closed in 2018.