McCranie's - Red Ribbon (1983) pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 42 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
LV9	04/08/2011	Mild	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This one seems to be pure red virginia mostly, my tin was sealed in 0499, it was a little moist for me, but the aromas coming out of the tin was delicious, it easy to pack and easy to light, the flavor is a mixture of sugar and sometimes molasses with a little bit of a spice in a nutmeg kinda way. In the nicotine department is very mild for my taste, this tobacco falls in the single note category but a very good one indeed. If you happen to stumble on a tin at a moderate price treat yourself if you are a virginia smoker.
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cut-shot	05/01/2009	Mild	None detected	Medium	Very Pleasant
Upon opening the tin the aroma is wonderful. I really like the smell of this stuff and the appearance of the ribbon is deep, dark and really red. It does need to be aired out a bit to get the optimum smoking consistancy. It packs easily and I had no problem keeping it lit. The flavor is well rounded, deep, rich and smooth all the way to the bottom of the bowl. You can really smoke this without it biting. Definately 4 Stars. Highly recommend!
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frankluke	04/21/2009	Mild	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
simple and delicious. maybe the perfect blend to have with your morning coffee. i can't stop smoking this blend, i've been thru 4 tins (96 crop) in just the last two months. a perfect satisfying sweet smoke.
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william trexler	03/27/2009	Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant
I buy at least 5 tin's of this stuff every time they come out with a new crop.very smooth paks well lites well on first try.smells great.the perfect VA smoke in a sea of wanna be's.the perfect smoke for people who smoke aromatics who want to try a a non aromatic tobacco.
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SirLoirn	10/13/2008	Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
Tin: Reddish-brown to tan ribbon cut, with a McClelland sweet raisin smell; labelled "1996 crop North Carolina leaf." The bottom of the tin is stamped 2005. Packing & Burning: Packs easily. There is incomplete combustion in the bottom of the bowl due to moisture. There is no tongue bite, but what I call inner lip scour. Left to dry on a plate for 3 hours, it is fairly dry, which seemed to limit lip scour. Although, moisture still develops in the pipe. 2 stars. Taste & Aroma: This is one of the best, meaning mildest and smoothest Virginia's. I've smoked some sharp, tangy VA's, and RR is nothing like that. 4 stars. Around mid-bowl, it does develop a cinnamon apple strudel taste. The taste is mildly sweet and the aroma is that of toasted marshmellows. Room Note: A pleasant faint caramel aroma. 4 stars. Overall: An all-day smoke. 4 stars. 3.5 stars for a VA.
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birdseye	10/06/2008	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant
Most of the four star reviewers have already noted the wonderful qualities of this fine Red Virginia blend. I can only add that I have been in search of the perfect Virginia as an alternative to my favorite English style blend (Penzance for me) for quite some time. I came across McCranie's Red Ribbon and the master blender at the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smoker's annual convention in Oct. 2008. He gave me a sample of Red Ribbon (it was from the 1996 crop) and I was immediately hooked. This is it, I told myself. Of course, the search for the perfect tobacco (based on individual tastes) is, fortunately, never ending. But, for the time being at least, I think I may have found the perfect Virginia blend. I don't by the way, think Red Ribbon is as bland as some reviewers think. It has a distinctive, piquant taste but lacks that little bit of tongue bite that I have found in most Virginias.
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Michigander	09/16/2008	Very Mild	None detected	Very Mild	Pleasant
Let me start by stating that my 2 star rating DOES NOT indicate that this tobacco is in any way bad or inferior. It is very different for pipe tobacco so the 2 stars are more of a "it depends on what you are looking for" rating. This is by far the lightest, mildest pipe tobacco I have ever tried. So mild that to my taste it is not pipe like. It is more lik ethe most exquisitely fine cigarette you can imagine. Now, I do not mean that to be as insulting as it sounds. I hate cigarettes... but if they made one that was this good, I might smoke one occassionally. This tobacco is much finer than any cigarette in existance, but it has that kind of quality to it.... very light. It is clear that the tobacco is of exceptional quality. It has a clean light taste and aroma. The burn is spot on, as several have commented. If you want a really light smoke, this is a good choice.
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Mister Moo	05/02/2008	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
As mentioned by mo: "The packing and burn are spot and I cannot fault it for anything it does wrong, it just lacks in the taste department." I concur. After hearing so much good about this ribbon I am left with the feeling that the best thing about it was the ease of pack and burn. Maybe I got a flat can - maybe I need try another tin or two. The magic has, so far, evaded me.
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mo	04/04/2008	Mild	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
Ladies and Gentlemen. This is the day I am gonna get my ass kicked. The reason I am saying this is because I do not think this blend deserves 4 stars. Please allow me the opportunity to explain before I am turned into Lamb Cake for that wonderful blend from Australasia. When I read reviews looking for a great tasting blend, I specifically look for Virginia or Virginia Perique blends that can make my toes curl with delight and bring me to tears until my pipe gurgles from the enourmous amount of moisure generated by my emotional state. Think Reiner LGF, Old Gowrie. I think I was expecting too much or I got a mediocre tin at best but I found this blend lacking in the taste department. It was very flat and almost tasteless. I really smoke lots of a blend and will never review until I smoked at least 3/4 of a tin. The packing and burn are spot and I cannot fault it for anything it does wrong, it just lacks in the taste department. Namaste Pipepundit, Howdy Pipestud, Groete Loosewatches and greetings to all the many many reviewers that make this site so great. Mo, South Africa
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Stubshaft	02/01/2008	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
An exceptional blend. When I draw it into my mouth it feels like it surrounds my tongue with a soft velvety taste of mellow Virginia tobacco flavor. It is now a must have item in my rotation! I can't imagine not having it any more. I am hooked!
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Taste Buds	10/16/2007	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is probably the finest virginia I have ever smoked. It's from the '96 crop and tinned in 2003. I've cellered 20 tins of this beauty and occasionally wonder what I'll do when it's all gone. It is mild to medium in strength and is naturally sweet, burning to a fine white ash. I personally find this blend a little light, so I add 20% of McCranie's Red Flake, which I rub out completely. The flake is medium to full and has a lot of tang which I don't enjoy in full measure. The flake is more multifaceted and has layers of flavor which the ribbon lacks. But blending the flake with the ribbon on an 80-20 basis seems to add that little extra that the ribbon lacks on it's own. I don't know how much of this blend McCranie's has left, but replacing it will be a hard act to follow. Let's hope they're up to the task. October 16,2007: A great Red Virginia. But I've discovered that Red Virginias are just too sharp for my palette. Even 4 years of aging can't mellow this mixture to suit my taste.
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str8razor	02/23/2007	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
Over the last three years, I?ve been searching for a pipe tobacco. Not just any pipe tobacco, but "my pipe tobacco." I have been searching for that one tobacco that would be my go to tobacco. Well, I?ve found it ? McCranie?s Red Ribbon. Yes, it is that good! Upon opening the tin, I was greeted by a beautiful medium cut red ribbon tobacco. It smelled like a mellow and tangy fermented Virginia with that distinct tomato and clove smell. However, it was not as abusive as the odor found in the typical McClelland blend. It packed effortlessly, and it lit easily. At light up, it took me by surprise. Tangy red Virginias made my mouth start watering. Yet, there was no ?tongue bite? from this incredibly naturally sweet Virginia. Rich? Yes! Mellow? Yes! Complex? Yes! ?All that from a straight natural Virginia?? you might ask. Yes, my friend! This tobacco produced a thick and mellow smoke that is simply delicious! If McCranie?s Red Flake is as good as this tobacco, I won't be able to choose between them. I can?t wait to try Red Flake too. This isn?t hype. This is simply the best tobacco that I?ve tried. I will diligently begin acquiring this tasty nectar to "cellar." Please don?t buy any because I want it all to myself!
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obxemt	12/21/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
RR is a specific quantity-limited crop of 5100. At first, I was really disappointed with RR 1996 after reading all the reviews here and the seeing the clear concensus elsewhere. I thought it was great quality tobacco (as is everything McCranie/McClelland) which at first made this an occasional switch-off smoke for me, but I thought it lacked the character I look for in a bowl; almost as bad as Ultra-Light cigarettes! Upon revisiting RR and unintentionally slowing down my smoking style, the wonderful flavor of this blindsided me when I wasn't paying attention one afternoon while doing some reading. I've found McCranie's bulk "My Reserve" to be similarly enjoyable but with more depth. MR is 5100 with the addition of stoved VA. Stock up on RR while you can.
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CypressDog	12/17/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild	Very Pleasant
I am in complete agreement with those who consider this to be the best straight Virginia on the market today. It is nicely cut, burns evenly, and delivers a smooth, pleasant taste to the bottom of the bowl. It also provides a very pleasant room aroma; I've gotten more complements from smoking this blend than from any other. This blend has my highest recommendation.
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hoo-boy	10/17/2006	Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
For those who want a tad milder smoke than McCraine's Red flake.this is it, A consistant burn without a bite, If you havent tried McCranies Red Virginias give your self a treat with their 2 versions. It ages well. smokes consistant to the bottom of the bowl. I like to mix red Ribbon and Red Flake one to one this makes it easy to load and stay lit well. Yum, Yum it is a very good mix of red Virginias and Mixed together, I refer to it as McCraines Crack, and NO, I don't smoke the other kind of crack, But It is my opinion the best Va's. out there. bar none, a solid three stars hoo-boy
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Captainmicahp	09/28/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild	Very Pleasant
This is a smooth cool smoking virginia. The tin I have is from the 1996 crop. It is like drinking a cool glass of water, refreshing without leaving a heavy slavor on your palatte. if you can get some of this you should. Even better head over to McCranies in North Carolina, It is a real pipe shop.
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bent-1	09/22/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
A beautiful cut, no stems or chunks, very consistent throughout. Nice deep red/brown appearance. Everything about this is just right, pouch waft, room note, & taste. From first light to the end, it's consistently good. Even drawing through a cold mid bowl the taste is yummy. Taste reminds me of a cinnamon apple strudel topped with pecans, not overpowering, but just enough to look forward to the next draw. Reccomendations: -- Let the tobacco out to dry for a couple hours spread out on a paper towel or sheet of paper -- Find the right pipe. It seems VA's are picky, in a pipe that doesn't smoke VA's well you'll miss out on the taste
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mainspring	06/27/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
A wonderful smoke! Cool smoking and burns well. About a third of the way down the bowl a soft sweetness develops on the tongue. Unusually mild and not what I would call complex. If you would like a cool smoking, soft, and naturally sweet tobacco that is easily an all dayer, this is probably one of the very best out there. Very Highly Recommended! This review is for the '96 crop.
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lawdog135	04/08/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
The best on the market for a straight ribbon cut Va. That is an all day smoker. The McCranie's have a real winner in this blend. The sweet aged Va tobacco is what Va's are all about. When I smoke this in a "relaxed" fashion, there is no other other way to describe it other than "Outstanding"
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CaptnDan	01/06/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant
I got this tin in September of '04 with the intention of keeping it cellared as long as willpower allowed. Well, this is it. I gave in and opened it. The tin aroma was wonderful. The ketchup-y aroma that I know means good things to come. The ribbon cut is nice and even, it packed well. I did let it air out for an hour or so before I packed a pipe. The flavor was as smooth and rich as I had expected from a ten year old crop. Not a hint of tongue bite, which was good, because I planned to have a second bowl and complement it with some nice 12-year-old scotch. The tobacco is easy enough on the tongue that scotch (neat) isn't a problem. In fact, I think this was a great pairing, the two made each other that much more enjoyable. From the charring light to the end, this was a thoroughly enjoyable smoke. Very highly recommended. Get some before it's all gone.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 42 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >