McClelland CORPS Sophisticate

(3.38)
Great care is taken in slow stoving beautiful, sugary Virginia until it is jet black; then, it is mixed with high-sugar bright Virginia to achieve a perfect balance. Never sharp, always mellow and rich, this exceptional blend has the qualities necessary for perfect aging.
Notes: Originally introduced in February, 1993 for the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers, is now part of the Club Blends Series.

Details

Brand McClelland
Series Club Blends
Blended By McClelland Tobacco Company
Manufactured By McClelland Tobacco Company
Blend Type Straight Virginia
Contents Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 50 grams tin
Country United States
Production No longer in production

Profile

Strength
Mild to Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.38 / 4
3

5

0

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 07, 2013 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant
Black and yellow in the tin, as expected. Beautiful McClellands tin aroma, again as expected. This one is simple, yet different. Take a bright lemon virginia and mix it with a black stoved virginia, what a concept. 🙂 But at least with McClellands, I haven't seen much of this kind of thing.

This one is a bit reticent to take the match but eventually I overcame that. I found it interesting in that even when puffed quickly, it doesn't produce a large volume of smoke. In fact, this one almost dictates the puffing pace and not because it gets nasty. It just works best at one puffing cadence only. Interesting, that. I think the addition of the stoved VA... crossed between Dark Star and Black Shag in cut ... sort of forces a slower puff. I did not do the 10 second microwave on this one as I do on Dark Star (still the best tobacco prep advice I ever got and I wish I could remember where it came from so I could thank the advisor profusely!) as it really didn't need it that badly. Taste wise, this worked exactly as I suspected - a spicy but light tasting cross of sweet lemon and spicy stoved. Nothing magical, just a good mixture that satisfied the taste buds if not the need for an awesome "mouthfeel". I liked this one but it didn't ring my chimes too loudly. Worth a try, though, for those who enjoy a light tasting (but tasty) "spice rack" kind of flavor.
10 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 24, 2015 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Has the “vinegar” smell and taste, which as often is the case, disappears in short order. The Virginias are tangy dark fruit sweet with a lemony citrus and some stewed sugary fruit, which comes from stoving the tobacco and from the obvious fermentation. It has a few grass notes along with a bit of earth, and some wood and a touch of spice. The taste level almost hits medium. The nic-hit is mild. Burns slowly, requires some relights, and needs some dry time first. Will leave a couple drops of moisture in the bowl. No harsh or dull spots, no bite, and the flavor never weakens. A sipping blend because of how it burns and also so you won’t miss any of the nuances, though this isn’t a complex smoke. Nice after taste. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 15, 2015 Mild None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant
I really like dark stoved Virginia leaf and find that most carry a bit of a nicotine punch that I appreciate. Sophisticate surprised me in several respects. it was lighter than it looked and the brighter leaf woven throughout the tin most certainly tamed the beast. My tin was also several years old and smooth as silk. Not a sweet Virginia but not tart either... It was just right (well, except that I wish it had been a little stronger).

Pipestud
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 14, 2014 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
A tasteful mixture of black stoved Dark Star-like chunks and lighter Virginian ribbons. It smokes extremely well and the bowl moves forward progressing through a laundry list of varying VA flavors. At charring light it's sweet and tangy with delicate spice notes. As the bowl develops it gradually becomes bolder and more woodsy, yet all throughout the smoke it remains smooth and focused. The cut of this blend creates plenty of flavorful subtleties, all of which are mellow enough to quietly enjoy all day, yet firm enough to remind you that you have a lit pipe in your hand. Time has been very kind to my sample of this mixture, so I am sure that a younger version would also smoke quite well. Another very solid McClelland straight Virginia offering.
Pipe Used: MM Legend
Age When Smoked: 17
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 27, 2011 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
The tin aroma of this mixture of fine ribbon and finely broken flake chunks is of lemon, raisin, and spice, that aromatically reflects the lemon/pepper visuals of this beautifully fabricated blend. Of course, the typically McClelland, silage-like tang is in full force.

This is a "half and half" mixture of brighter virginias and black stoved virginia. The gold virginias, varying from a richly deep gold to painfully bright lemon, are of impeccable quality, penetratingly sweet and fragrantly nutty and without trace of harshness. The black virginia, being essentially Dark Star, needs neither introduction nor further accolade.

By amply rewarding deliberate and attentive puffing, Sophisticate's contrast of depth and delicacy satisfies on all levels. Though, in the final count, it may be seen as little more than yet-another McC virginia variation, this one, by providing the "bright and black" analogue to the ubiquitous "red and black" genre, is deserving of especial attention. This went best in narrow gauge chambers.
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 26, 2013 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
This is a very nice pure, clean, sweet virginia. It's a simple, straightforward smoke that has some delicate sweet & spicy playfulness just under the surface, but it's kind of an "open" smoke with not a lot of depth nor fullness to it. It's unusual in that there's not a lot of midrange, mostly high notes with some bass support. As others have said, going slow brings it to life.

Technically, it's also a very user-friendly smoke: moisture level is perfect from the tin, the shag cut packs easily, lights and stays lit well, and leaves no dottle. I did find, however, that it's pretty picky when it comes to finding the right pipe to make it sing.

"Nothing magical", as DK says, but still definitely recommended for a very pleasant smoke for the virginia lover looking for a very friendly naturally sweet variation. Would also serve very well as an introduction to the world of pure virginias.
PurchasedFrom: Cheers Smoke & Gift Shop; Toronto
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 25, 2020 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Very Pleasant
Reluctant to get burning but delicious stoved Virginia with toasty sweetness and hints of lemon and raisin. Smooth and mellow with the occasional nut and roasted marshmello. What true cavendish represents.
Pipe Used: Radice
Age When Smoked: 8 years
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 25, 2010 Medium to Strong None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
this is a blend that has definite appeal but does not rock your socks. must be smoked slowly to fully appreciate and to avoid va. tongue bite.
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