I am not etirely sure of the exact date but I believe it was in the late '70's or possibly the very early '80's (of the last century,Oh My!)when I first encountered this blend."Very different" I thought on lighting up,"very different indeed!"

I went on to smoke the rest of the other 20's and the same thought ocured to me each time. Another thought was that I'd like to like this considering the "different taste" as a motivating factor. I kept smoking the blend and the other 20's since I worked at a tobacco shop at the time and free tobacco was a "perk" as they say.I did this on and off for about two years( not as a regular everyday smoke but as a change of pace) still thinking that for some reason I was missing something and it probably was my fault that I was not enjoying it as much as I thought I should.

Finally the job, the college carrer and that part of my life wound down and the McClelland's was just a memory. I continued smoking other available tobaccos but not much missing the 20's blend experience.On a whim of nostalgia I ordered some from a supplier(Habana Premium Cigars)about four or so years ago after reading the rave reviews here."Must have been my own lack of sophistication back then," I chided myself.

It wasn't.Continual sampling during the interim has assured me I was initially right.

As an older smoker I have come to realize that, oddly enough, my opinion does count for something at east as far as my own enjoyment goes.

This is undoubtedly good tobacco but for me it just doesn't work as a serious blend. This is not to take away from the others that really are big fans of this since a little age has granted me a little tolerace and respect for the opinions of others while not changing my taste buds much.

I like the Virginia/Perique blends very very much but for some reason I just can't get past the(fermented Virginias? ketchup? whatever) smell of this blend.The taste, in my opinion, is nothing to get worked up about either The room note---who cares!The strength? So-So not much more.

If the smoker happens to be a really big fan of Red Virginias (fermented or otherwise)and doesn't mind the smell then by all means do try it. Otherwise I don't recommend this blend. The other McClelland's unpressed virginias are fine and recommeded but not the "ketchupy" ones.Their aromatics????? To each his own I suppose?

2015 did have some small jar aroma of the McClelland ketchup topping, but not badly so. Moist enough to pack easily but not so much as to be difficult to keep lit, it was a smooth, generally pleasant VaPer of medium strength. It's taste is a bit muted, subdued in comparison to Escudo or Bayou Morning. I think therefore that the VA component is greater here and the Perique a bit less than those others. The VAs dominate this flake with Perique playing a less prominent role. I consider it a 'journeyman' blend and well suited for those times when one wants a long smoke. Load up a huge bowl and be assured of a pleasant smoke for quite some time. Also suitable as an all day VaPer where Bayou Morning or Escudo might become too much. Although a VaPer, in comparison to McC's Dark Star (a pressed VA) I like 2015 better just for the ease of smoking it, plus the added spiciness of the Perique. Nice tobacco. 3 Stars.

And light, effortless puffing is one of the things you'll have to do to experience the flavor 2015 has to offer. I say that not only as a caveat but as a recommendation: I sincerely hope that more who've taken up the pipe in seriousness, with the patience the hobby generally demands in comparison with others, might take the further time and effort necessary for enjoying vapers -- their exquisite, elusive flavor is truly worth their steep learning curve, 2015 included.

What is 2015's flavor? I'm not intentionally being coy here by saying that, were it easy to describe, it might not be so intriguing. Unlike the straightforwardness of the flavor of most aromatics, and the relatively easy-to-describe smokiness of latakia blends, the vaper flavor is, literally, elusive. Part of the reason is that, to a much greater extent than with other tobaccos (perhaps with the exception of some straight VAs), the flavor can vary considerably from bowl to bowl, depending upon the cleanliness of the pipe, the peculiarities of one's smoking technique on any particular occasion, and even the moisture-content of the tobacco.

I'll give it a try anyway: sweet but musty; figgy or raisiny; a deep unison bass pitch of burnt-sugar caramels against lighter virgina violas with pepperings of mild acidity from taut strings of the first violins. How's that for a tobacco tin-side description for a vaper named, say, 'Symphonic Splendor'? If it weren't for the possibility of alienating a large percentage of the customer base, who are probably less than keen on orchestral music, I'd say we oughta rename 2015.

The perique could be a bit more discrete and is a distraction for me. Did not stay lit, burned my tongue and smelled up the place. Wife detests the smell. So - no pouch smell, stinks when it burns, average flavor, bites and not a nice side stream.

Overall fair but I prefer Old Gowrie and will not buy again.

When I got home and opened the pouch, the aroma really put me off. It smelled to me like ketchup. I loosely loaded my pipe not rubbing it out much further than how it came. The flavor was unimpressive and I couldn't detect the sweetness I expected from a VA. Also, the moisture level led to some unexpectedly serious tongue bite. I let it sit for about three weeks and having only two slices of Orlik left, I gave it another try.

Obviously, the tobacco elves came by secretly and performed some kind of miracle because I was confronted with a wonderfully sweet spicy smoke. I also took more time rubbing it out further and loading my pipe with some larger pieces loose at the bottom and a finer rub at the top to get the fire growing. I smoked it all day today and having nothing else to do, was able to delve into the complexities of this blend and was never tempted to go for those last two slices of Orlik.

I am going to spend another full day with it tomorrow and expect to buy a half pound next week and let it dry some before smoking it. By the time I finish this pouch, I will have had sufficient experience at rubbing it out to get an optimum smoke.

I found it to have a better than average amount of vitamin N. and the flavor seemed sometimes medium and sometimes full. The burn was beautiful and lasting - not a fast smoke and I don't recommend trying to rush it as your tongue may object. In fact, I don't recommend starting a bowl unless you have time to relax, savor and pay attention to it. The room note - all tobacco smells good to me; all tobacco smells bad to my wife but I got no complaints from my dogs.

Definitely give this one a try. I won't be surprised if I come back in a month and give this one another star.

Love at first sight. The virginias in there are just indescribable, these lasted for half of the bowl, the second half was spices i'm asumming the perique, just spice to complement the sweetness of the virginias, smoked two bowls and they both behave the same way half virginia sweetness and half perique's. My only complain is that i couldn't smoke these on an empty stomach. I'm still to try the so acclaimed Escudo.

Nothing really stands out, except that I get a great tobacco flavor. I really, really enjoy a great tobacco flavor.

A little more strength and character, this could go four stars. Worth looking into.

The taste is not as full as one would assume from the ingredients used. The virginia is anemic at bet and the perique is MIA. NO mtter what humidity level or age, this is a disappoinment. I really wanted to like it, but it is sadly just another bulk offering that pleases the middle of the road crowd.

Stokkebye has much more impressive offerings in bulk form, as does C&D.

If you like the lighter, less flavorful Vapers, this is your nirvana.

The taste and aroma is very "round" as another reviewer put it. It isn't subtle or refined, but very "solid". For me it has the right blend of Virginia sweetness and Perique spice.

A good all day smoke. It isn't complicated. If multitasking, I usually reach for 2015. It rarely bites, and I very consistently get a good smoke from it.

I don't typically have a "transcendent" smoke, though. This requires a complexity not found in 2015. A blend like Escudo, or Reiner or perhaps Dorchester would be a better choice if you are going to just smoke and meditate on the experience. However, for reading, typing, conversing, etc., 2015 is great! Highly recommended.

Always a good smoke with little maintenance required. Keep some always at hand, I do.

I found this surprisingly hard to smoke. It was like rubbing out and packing twigs. Tough to get burning. Excessive puffing led to tongue bite and a worn out mouth.

The pouch aroma is very inviting. The flavor that comes from the first half of the bowl is amazing. Tasty BBQ. Sweet and spicy. Plenty of smoky pepper with salty notes.

The last third of the bowl becomes a bit bland. Leaves behind a crunchy ash. Probably a good tobacco for building cake?

Overall, this isn't quite a 3 star blend for me. I found it just as hard to prepare as Dark Star, but without the same reward for my troubles. St. James Woods has the same flavor and is easier to smoke.

The McClelland name has become synonymous with the production of quality, distinctive, VA compositions. 2015 is perhaps one of the milder VA's that I've tried. The addition of perique is quite subtle in this blend, definately not a standout in the mix. 2015 can be smoked non-stop without much bite, IMHO. Other smokers that usually don't smoke alot of VA may not agree. 2015 is so mild on the pallet, I thought it originally had some burley, when I tasted it blindly. There is a presence of nutty textures that are typical of VA. The aroma is very pleasing in the nose. My only gripe on this blend is moisture content. I believe it's a bit wet. The excess sugar and moisture are what allow these bulk VA's to age so well. I have begun to cellar this and other McClellands like wine, using Steve Fowler's method. (See cellaring techniques on ASP's pages). I believe his method to be supreme.

I really enjoy the bar bq topping...excellant stuff.

@@update@@ 2015 is also very "durable". Some days I pick up the pipe, and it just isn't the thing, so I lay it aside and do something else. Other times half a pipe is plenty. I left some 2015 in a pipe for three days going through this sort of process, and just finished it off this morning. It was at least as good as fresh.

update #2 10/08/07 broke out some 2015 just now with 6 months age to it. I left it on the dashboard of the car to dry out a bit, and overdid it. I doubt it could get any drier. Its still fine, actually, if not rubbed out. I arrange the broken flakes vertically in the pipe and sprinkle the top with the fines, and have a remarkably cool, flavorful smoke.

update #3 12/8/08 I just opened a jar of this with over a year and a half on it. It has mellowed considerably. When new it could be a bit harsh, and also I think I remember it being sweeter. Now it's more mellow and spicy. I suppose the perique character gets infused with aging, sort of like letting a spicy stew "rest" before eating it. I usually smoke this in a narrow cob with cup of good coffee at hand. Seems to be more flavorful in a narrower pipe. I dry it, then rub it out, unless I'm smoking outside and its windy. In such conditions rubbed out will burn too fast and too hot. Even so, I wouldn't say it has a nasty bite, it just loses flavor and lets you know your doing it wrong.

I'm not the kind of smoker that tastes figs or prunes or anything but tobacco unless the manufacturer adds casings of figs or prunes, etc. The virginia flavor is sweet and complex, and the addition of perique marries well to the virginias. As others have mentioned, it should be smoked slowly or it will bite (true of most virginias). The flavor not only holds throughout the bowl but improves as it is smoked. It will require a few relights if not properly dried out. I bring 4 ounces from my cellar at a time and place in my airtight tobacco jar. I then bring out a days supply the evening before for drying and by the next morning, it's in perfect smoking condition. Can be smoked without drying, however, just have the Corona Old Boy on standby.

Smoked in everything from an Ashton Pebblegrain ODA sized pipe to a middle of the road meerschaum to a cheap clay, this blend never fails to deliver. Very highly recommended if you enjoy VaPers.