Equinox

Equinox is one of the limited club tins PCCA (the Pipe Collectors Club of America) had McClelland produce in the 1980s and 1990s. The blend's defining component is Syrian latakia, joined by Virginia and oriental leaf. Broken flake pieces appear among the coarse, short-cut leaf, and the color ranges from dark brown to black.

From the first draw, latakia and oriental leaf come forward, giving an intense taste dominated by smoke and wood char. Syrian latakia leaves a drier, spicier, less sweet smoke than Cyprian latakia, so the blend speaks to smokers accustomed to heavy Latakia mixtures. With the Syrian latakia supply having dried up and McClelland's 2018 closure, the blend has passed entirely into history.