McClelland - Collector Series: PCCA Aurora pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 28 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
Abadakus	01/14/2013	Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Tobacco was moderately wet and seemed a bit sticky out of the tin, maybe owing to the casing. Yes, the ketchup is there, both in the smell from the tin and taste when smoked, from first to last bowl, wet or dry or whatever. But anyway, it's still one of my favorite Virginia blends. Burns slowly and quite cool, no tongue bite or any other problems here. Once lit, it won't overwhelm you with strong taste. It's subtle and delicate, but possesses LOTS of fine detail. It combines sweetness and fruitiness with some more earthy and sour notes. Generally resembles the 5100, but seems a bit more complex and full-bodied to me. A lovely blend!
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HellOnAStick	02/25/2012	Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
When I opened this can dated from '08 I definitely got the 'ketchup' smell, but I'd say it's closer to rasin and A-1 sauce with that worchestershire overtone. Smoking this in a new pipe to gain a good cake was a great idea. It has produced a nice hard cake within the first 15 bowls. Initially, I've smoked this as my 'end of day' tobacco. If it IS a 'crossover aro' as some have said, McClelland created a savory aro instead of sweet. At the top of the pipe, with the first light, I get a lot of campfire-y wood tastes and odors. The bowl develops nicely with bitter lemon, pine and white sage flavors with the last of the bowl being a very deep, dark bitter chocolate. When I allow this to exit through my nostrils, I get a heavy pine campfire taste, much like I'd expect from some English blends, so I'm wondering about the 'pure Virginia' claim...there's some spice and pepper in there as well. Overall, I'd say, a great smoke...this could probably become a 4 star rating given another 5 years of aging. I'm finding that most of the collector's series tobaccos by McClelland seem to be best with some age and even better with a bit more.
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Quad09	01/12/2012	Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
OMG where do I start. Let me begin by saying I've only been smoking pipes for about a year. My tin lists the name of the tobacco as "Aurora" is manufactured by McClelland but there is no reference to "PCCA". The tin does not have the aurora effect on the labeling as some photos I have seen. Upon opening the tin you immediately pickup on the ketchup/vinegar smell; different but not disgusting. I find it to resemble a ribbon cut and it feels VERY moist in the tin. After the first bowl I was ready to throw it away. Tried drying it out a bit and still have to relight very, very often. Its described a a "Virginia lovers dream", for me a nightmare thus far. I will continue to ride this one out in hopes of having the dream others proclaim. Somewhat recommended due to my limited palate. I read all of the reviews here and really wonder if I'm smoking the same tobacco as them.
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Mr. Big	12/29/2011	Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
My tin was dated 1 year old. Upon opening, the tobacco was of perfect moisture content, however, anyone that does not like "McVinegar Virginia " will not like this tobacco . I happen to LOVE McVV and think McClellands Virginia is the best, it has a sweet and sour flavor that I crave. From the newly opened tin, I had a difficult time distinguishing it from "5100 Red Cake", which I rate at 4 stars . Aurora has slightly more "N" and flavor but only slightly, 5100 RC beats this on price. After a few days of opening and closing the tin ,I found that the McVV had dissipated and you could really pick out the nuances of the Virginias. Some sour lemon, a hint of cocoa ,maybe even a pinch of Oriental Five Spice, it reminded me of the base of "Jubilee" without the Latikia, very tasty and totally smooth and without bite. This had developed into a very complex blend, especially for a straight Virginia. I realize that Perique is not listed , but I seem to detect a hint of that "basement" taste that I like from Perique. As far as straight Virginia's go, I like this better than C&D's "Opening Night" as ON has a slight bite and not as complex. I will keep this in stock
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Xeneize	07/18/2011	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
Another hit from McClelland, and one of their Virginias with less ketchup/vinegar smell. This is a complex blend suitable for the contemplative smoker, providing subtle flavors. Sometimes sweet, sometimes earthy, sometimes grassy. Very enjoyable overall.
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smoke dog	07/01/2011	Mild	Mild	Medium	Pleasant
Interesting smell from the tin. Definitely smell the "ketchup" fragrance people talk about, though it is not present during the smoke. Looks very nice in the tin, and not overly moist. Burned well once lit and gave a sweet taste through the nose with some spice on the tongue. Experienced little to NO bite, which is a wonderful thing in my book. Burns a touch hot, so toke slowy. Nice and smooth with a nice room note. Not a stale smoke smell left at all. I suggest picking up a tin and giving it a shot. Doubt you'll be disappointed.
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wosbald	06/29/2011	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
This blend is cut as fine ribbon and, in the tin, the aroma is of the typical McClelland fruity ferment. A blend of bright, red, and stoved black, this is a full spectrum virginia blend, indeed. If you know McC, then you know what to expect. Though expectedly delicious, Aurora is basically a retread. Albeit presented in a finer cut, this is essentially equivalent to Butera's Royal Vintage Matured Ribbon. Chamber Gauge: Medium
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ruffinogold	05/08/2011	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
It seems that whenever theres a flowery description of a blend it's because it needs it . Zzzzzzzzzzz . This blend is pretty flat and boring ... " Awaken to a dawning of tantalizing " ... give me a freakin break . Good quality tobacco that dosent stand out in any way . On the light side of medium for sure . The bowl developes a little but not much . With the number of blends out there I cant figure why McCll bothere making it . Nothing offensive but nothing to gain ... 2 stars
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KahveDelisi	03/05/2011	Very Mild	Medium	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable
(03/16/2012) I have mixed experience and feelings for aurora. So I decided it's best not to rate at all. If you're not having problems described below, then I agree with most, it's perfect and I'd rate it highest possible. But tin after tin there's undeniable inconsinstency. so that's it.. I'm not rating. **************** (12/15/2011) I'm taking back what I said before. This tin I got has nothing similar to do the one I reviewed before. a) It doesn't get dry. At first try I let it sit for 2 hours, then at second try I let it sit for more. At third I got curious and after almost 3 days of drying time, to my surprise tobacco was as moist as it was out of tin. I don't know how much PG added but I have an idea, probably tobacco added to Propylene Glycol. It doesn't get dry!! b) That famous ketchup aroma.. Ooookay we expect that from McClelland VA and actually love it.. but with this one the room note is ketchup too! And that never happened before. It's like a PG and ketchup bottle thrown in it. Worst part is the pipe I smoked Aurora in ruined for God knows how many smokes. For the last 3 smokes all I got was ketchup. c) When I said it has nothing similar to one I reviewed before I was not joking. This one was hot air and wouldn't keep lit. To keep it going I had to scorch it with jet flame lighter like you do to a cigar, even so it wouldn't go on for more than 5 minutes. I used to rate Borkum Riff Original as No 1 in my Hall of Shame list but honestly that one has more flavor than this Aurora tin I got. d) ready rubbed? Ribbon cut? none of that here. it's coarse cut & curly chunks which still stick together even after 3 days of air time Looking at my previous review about happiness and all.. Well.. This one definetely "NOT" recommended. **************** (03/05/2011) Mother of all PCCA blends. Aurora lets you see "the core" and gives a better understanding about the whole series... Meaning; You CAN buy happiness. McClelland sells it in 50g tins.
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Virginia lover	02/23/2011	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant
Plenty of flavor in this tin, the strength is perfect for an all day smoke. A sophisticated Virginia mixture, a smokers delight. The preservative smell is quite strong but does not mix with the rich taste while smoking. It does what it says on the tin. Burns flawlessly without drying. Nice after taste and no bite.
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Charlie Allnut	01/20/2011	Strong	None detected	Full	Very Pleasant
Here's lookin' at you, kid. Aurora is the best of the best.
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Arkie	01/18/2011	Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
This blend is ok. I was disappointed but it didn't seems to be as good to me as the reviews here indicated. The baccy behaved well but the taste was a bit bland. I would rate it higher but I expect a premium priced blend to have a bit more flavor.
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Dr. Scott	01/17/2011	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
On a few occasions, I have fallen madly in love with a blend at first light. A couple of times, the romance faded as I got into the second or third ounce. A couple of times, the tobacco has proven only to get better with the passage of time. This is one of the latter group. As excited as I was when I first lit a bowl of Aurora, it only gets better and better. My first tin was just under a year old. Like all Virginias, it must be smoked slowly to avoid bite and get all the flavor and sweetness. There are more flavors when a little moist, so don't dry it out too much. It is perfect straight from the tin. The excellent ribbon cut makes it easy to pack, and it smokes great. There is only a very mild ketchup aroma from McClelland's aged Virginia process, and it is not detected in the smoke. It is right up there with the best Virginias in terms of taste. Nicotine is not too strong. A great blend. I plan to purchase as many tins as I can afford, to smoke now and to age for my retirement. As one who is passionate about Virginias, I can say that Aurora is one of the very best, and presently is my absolute favorite. Update: newer tins are more on the savory end of the spectrum. With a year or more in the tin, this blend becomes sweeter and much more complex.
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DK	11/15/2010	Very Mild	None detected	Very Mild	Pleasant
UPDATE 4/28/12 As I suspected, Aurora does a bit better with some cellar time. But only slightly. This is still a very simple blend, lacking any real depth, a trait I find odd for a McClellands virginia. But the flavor asserted itself just a tad more. There was more tang and a hair more sweetness. But 2 stars is still plenty. I'm with Ruffinogold on this one... perfectly fine, no glaring faults, but this is one that could have stayed in the recipe rolodex. It still doesn't distinguish itself the way most McClellands VA's do. ORIGINAL REVIEW This may be the first McClelland virginia or Vaper I've smoked that didn't score at least a 3. Most of them are pushing 4 stars for me. This one didn't do so well. Beautiful looking tobacco with that gorgeous McClelland fermented virginia aroma! McClelland VA's supplant new car smell as the finest smell in the world for me. Unfortunately, the look and tin aroma of this blend were its two best features. This isn't a bad blend by any means; it simply doesn't distinguish itself in any way. The flavor was much too light, bordering on flat. No red VA richness present and very little tang. This tasted like a subdued Rattrays Dark Fragrant, which by itself is subdued enough, thank you very much. Red VA, in particular, typically has a lot of character, but this blend failed to realize its potential. Soft and mellow, to be sure, but no underlying richness and about as much depth as a puddle. Blowing smoke out the nose helped but didn't elevate this one beyond mediocre. I think our friend Aurora needs more time in the cellar, as I smoked a tin marked 2010. To be fair, I will update this review in a year to see if this blend has improved with age. By all rights, it should.
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jds669	11/02/2010	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant
This is my first Virginia as well as my first review. I found this a very enjoyable blend. I wasn't sure what all the reviews I read about McClelland tins having a Ketchup order was about; the only other tin I have opened was Syrian Ringlow Reserve and it smelled like spice. But this one sure had a ketchup aroma. This tobacco improved in taste about a week after opening.
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yinyang	10/24/2010	Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
This isn't a thorough review, as I've only smoked a third of a tin. That said, I decided to put the open tin back in the cellar. It's just too...vapid right now. I believe it needs more air time and/or age on it. This tin has been opened now for 3-4 weeks, and so the last couple small bowls I had of it showed some promise. With a bit more time, I have little doubt my plan will work. (I hope, I bought a handful of these puppies). Unfortunately, I find 5100 'Red Cake' to be more satisfying. Nothing wrong with Red Cake, mind you, but the premium a tin goes for, and the addition of stoved VA should make Aurora a hands down winner. As it stands, it tastes like a less monochromatic, but weaker Red Cake wannabe. My tins are all stamped 2009, so maybe a few years of age are in order? Time will tell. I'll post an update down the road.
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Country Doc	09/24/2010	Medium	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant
OK this is a clear winner right out of the gate. No work required – excellent, full, rich Virginia sweetness, relatively cool smoking and no bite. I have tried Union Square and definitely prefer Aurora. A beautiful smoke.
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Marshall Law	05/13/2010	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Wow this is great quality virginia, straight up and no nonsense. Sweet and tasty with that tangy almost BBQ'ish quality these guys know how to pull out of the blend. If you like your virginia unhampered by the sting and twang of perique, this is a winner. After enjoying Aurora, I see where blends such a McClelland's Samsun and Dark Star get incredible their base flavor. These guys know how to do a virginia. I also find this an excellent base to blend in other premium tobaccos of all variety. Great stuff!
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happy jack	05/11/2010	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant
I can only say that this is a real treat, its sweet, spicy along midway, full hue of misty smoke,..Not overbaring in any degree. Well done!!!, I filled my number 3 Nording and smoked an easy hour.There is an old ad we all know from maxll house coffee, ( good to the last drop), smoke this till the last ember, get aquanited with it, if you have a smoking room and are watching TV or reading, my guess is that you will be filling another bowl.Again McClelland reigns in the world of pipe tobacco. I rarely can finish a tin a week, but I buy one every week and down to the cellar it goes. I do want to say that I have never got a ketchup or vinager aroma from any tin, where that came from I'll never understand, after 35 years of pipe smoking I should like to think I know a little about pipe tobacco, and after eating all my life I know what ketchup smells like, and it ain't tobacco. 5 stars in my " I love McClelland book of smoking".
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Coskun	10/31/2009	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is very smilar other McClelland Va...Its ribbon cut, light and dark Va...Tin almost dry...Perfect... Nicotine level is medium to low...Its morning pipe for me...I cant smoke after dinner... Easy pack and lit... Generally I like this stuff...But its not in my top 10... Cheers
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 28 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >