The Original Pure Orient

Pure Orient is a product from Robert McConnell's single-varietal series made of small-leaf Oriental tobaccos. The brand's blending Oriental leaf is reported to be sourced from Izmir and Samsun; being sun-cured, it carries a distinctive dry, tart, spicy aroma.

Nicotine sits below medium, while the flavor range is wide. Used in mixtures, it reduces Virginia's tendency to bite the tongue and adds a creamy sweetness and a spice layer to the blend. It is one of the core components for smokers building English and Balkan-style mixtures; smoked alone it offers an intense, unusual taste. The brand is Belfast in origin; production takes place in Germany.