McClelland - Bulk No.2035 Dark Navy Flake pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
< PREVIOUS Showing reviews 41 through 56 of 56 reviews of this tobacco
bigjonburley	12/25/2004	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I believe this to be a quality VA. Dark-stoved and earthy, this VA has a bold essence that ventures slightly into the realm of sweet. Once lit this tobacco burns consistantly but leaves alot of residue in the plumbing of your pipe. I love this VA because I find it to be almost biteless, even when I smoke it agressively. During the stoving process, alot of the natural sugars seem to remain in the tobacco. I believe that this accounts for some of the sweet/smokey textures that are present, while smoking. All in all I believe that this is a quality bulk navy flake. I have two lbs. in the cellar to hopefully ripen into what will be a wonderful treat for the future. Like most VA's well aged stock takes on a totally different demeanor that its original.
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NEWMAN	11/18/2004	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This blend looks and smells much stronger than it smokes and to me, is a true VA. No casing, just a nice flake that has been stoved/pressed so much that it is jet black, almost oily and somewhat difficult to rub out. This makes for a tough initial charring light but once lit, it's pretty easy to keep going. The taste is not as strong as other 'navy' flakes that I've tried but is rich and tasty. Some may judge the taste as flat compared to others but this is what I enjoy and I find it fuller that most straight VAs. Without a hint of bite, it smokes cool and burns to an even ash. In a large bowl, you can relax with this blend for hours. I'll always have some of this one around.
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Noorrmm	11/16/2004	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Appearance: Small flakes, quite thick and leathery. Very dark brown, almost black, with a few lighter specks evident. Aroma: Rich stoved Virginia aroma, with a trace of the McClelland ?vinegar? present initially. Packing: Very difficult to rub out as it feels like a cross between leather and beef jerky. Maybe it?s supposed to be chewed? The best compromise for me was to just break it up into small irregular pieces. It was way too thick to attempt a ?sausage? style packing. Lighting: Even when somewhat dried, it was very slow to light: sometimes requiring three matches to get a good coal on top. Initial flavor: Oddly enough, the initial flavor was all high notes. There was no initial depth of flavor (middle and low notes), onlythe sharp tingly sensations that I associate with lemon Va. This persists for several minutes Mid-bowl: It does settle down to a more satisfactory range of flavors, with fairly good interplay of layers. There is finally some of the depth and richness I expect in a Va. The tobacco burns cool and dry (mostly), but there is always a brightness or sharpness noticeable. The ash is a typical gray color. Finish: I am usually unable to smoke this all the way to the heel, leaving some some dottle to get rid of. Mostly, it just won?t stay lit as moisture and tar accumulate in the heel. Summary: Similar to Dark Star, but not as refined or well aged. Even at bulk prices, not a good value.
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Montague	10/05/2004	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
McClelland?s Dark Navy Flake (No. 2035) is a bulk, dark stoved Virginia flake similar in many respects to McClelland?s Dark Star but not nearly as refined. The pouch aroma is very pleasing with a dark, natural tobacco odor. This odor is reminiscent to the smell of Worcestershire sauce. Dark Navy Flake is said to begin as a bright Eastern Belt Lemmon leaf and cutter grade tobaccos. This flake is dark black in color, with only slight hints of lighter brown shades showing through on some of the flakes. The cut of Dark Navy Flake is a medium long flake cut and is rather thick. This tobacco is quite stubborn to rub out, and packing also takes certain effort. The moisture of Dark Navy Flake seems to be at the root of this blend?s downfalls. The flakes are deceptively moist and the excess moisture becomes apparent upon rubbing out and smoking. An extensive amount of drying is necessary for this tobacco blend. Dark Navy Flake tends to resist being lit and its burn is medium slow and somewhat uneven. The ash appears as a mixture of a gray/black ash and dottle. The excess moisture limits the ability of Dark Navy Flake from burning to the bottom of the bowl. An unfortunate amount of tar or resin usually accumulates at the bottom of the bowl. The room note is enjoyable and has a pungent, dark, and true tobacco quality. The flavor of Dark Navy Flake is rich, naturally sweet, and has very slight hints of spice and tang. Although this blend?s taste is enjoyable, it is not as complex as many other stoved Virginia flakes. The bite of Dark Navy Flake can be substantial at times. Again, this can be attributed to the ever-present excessive moisture. A medium smoke is given off by this tobacco. Dark Navy Flake, simply stated, is a younger and less refined version of its counterpart Dark Star. The price difference between the bulk blend Dark Navy Flake and the premium tinned Dark Star blend is not enough to outweigh the negative characteristics of Dark Navy Flake. Aging, correctly done, would probably transform Dark Navy Flake from a mediocre tobacco into a great tobacco.
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Dizz	10/03/2004	Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant
A deeply dark and rich tobacco available at a great price in bulk. The smoke is has a dense carmel-like quality to it and is very satisfying. But 2035 is simply too labor intensive to be something I smoke regularly. It is packed as such a dense, moist flake that it takes a long time to get it to the right humidity level, and even then its denseness makes it difficult to light evenly. But once you get it burning evenly--oh mama!, it's a fine smoke. It's just that I can't get that even, slow burn going until about half way down the bowl. For me, it compares nicely to Marlin Flake with the molassis note that remains coy there being bombastic here. Again, I really like 2035, but she just demands more work than I like to give. 2035 is like that girlfriend with whom the conversations are good, the sex is mind-altering, but she wants to talk everyday on the phone for hours and make plans for the holidays 9 months in advance. Sorry 2035, your one fine lady but I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment.
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accunlmtd	06/01/2004	Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant
I have read and enjoyed the above reviews. But I have a different take. I had the utmost pleasure in popping the seal on an 11 year old tin, and I got to say...PLEASURE indeed. Everything you have heard about aging virginias, is so true...WOW!! Comparing this and the new stuff would be like comparing a Porsche and a Mercedes. Both will do 150+. But the Porsche requires your full attention, else you will end up in the ditch. Whereas the MB, lets you settle back, set the cruise control, and enjoy the ride. The smoke was pure heaven, smooth, rich and sweet. Tongue Bite - zip, zero, zilch. The can contents was deep, black and slightly damp. Dryer than most McClellands. Took a few extra lights to get it rolling, but then....Whoa. What an experience. If you ever get a chance to experience some decade old virginia, especially some that is stoved and pressed. It will be an experience that will not forget. KC-al
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chaplikc	02/16/2004	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Alot of people suggest that this is the bulk version of dark star and I would have to agree with them. The only differance is that this does not seem to be aged as long and seems to be not quite as uniform as dark star in the flakes cut. Neither one of these factors bother me because I generally rub out the flakes at least partially anyway and I always like to age my tobacco as well. This is highly recomended and is a very good value tobacco. Buy some and age it a while, very tasty!
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Aldo	01/29/2004	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
All in all, this is a decent Virginia smoke. It takes a bit of work to get going. In comparison to the other bulk McClellands, such as 2010 and 2015, I found this to be somewhat more subtle, with more of a citrus-like tanginess to it. Really not bad at all but frankly I enjoy both 2010 and 2015 more. But it is certainly worth a try if you enjoy this genre.
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DUPE.629	11/06/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
November-2003.Bulk No.2035 Dark Navy Flake. Well after hearing so much about this tobacco,I was extremely excited to be able to finally try it.Though it's not to bad at all,it did not thrill me.Honestly,I can't see what the fuss is all about.It light's easily enough & is fairly well behaved & didn't leave any goop at all.Maybe a good blend if you enjoy a beer or stout while smoking.You could do alot worse.
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Pounder 5000	10/13/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
This is very similiar to Dark Star with less quality. The strips look identical and are just as hard to rub out. With some extensive drying however, this is a passable stoved virginia. A little harsher and less flavor than DS, it is a bargain if you smoke alot of DS. I only smoke DS once in awhile for a treat however, and so will continue to buy the better stuff.
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WxGuy	10/13/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
I would take exception to the statement that #2035 is Dark Star in bulk. If it is, then McC has a problem with blending a consistent product. I have a goodly sample of #2035 that has been cellared for well over a year in a well sealed jar, and a tin of Dark Star that has been opened about 3 months. Both were too damp to begin with. The DS has smaller flakes, slightly darker, and is sweeter and richer. The #2035 seems flatter tasting, slightly faded Dark Star. Kind of like smoking DS through a filter. I will continue to get my Dark Star fix from the real thing.
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prison chaplain	10/12/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Looking at this tobacco in the pouch reminds me of dark, earthy things. I recall pictures of Irish farmers cutting blocks of peat from the old sod of mother Ireland. I see rich, heavy top soil. The scent in the pouch is also rich, heavy and earthy. I remember walking behind the plow as my father plowed a field, seeing the rich bottom land sliced and rolling over into furrows. This is a very interesting, evocative tobacco. It does come rather moist. Drying a bit does benefit 2035. It has an unusual consistency, rubbing it out is a little different. Obtaining a good burn in the bowl does take a little work. Smoked, to my palate,it yields, not suprisingly, a rich, earthy, dark taste. The smoke it yields is in itself pleasant to the nose. It does produce "gurgle" and the residue on the pipe cleaner is quite foul. On occasion, I have added a little Perique and found that to have a nice effect. I do intend to smoke this from time to time. My mainstay will continue to be Virginia/Perique flake. However, this is a very nice tobacco in its own right. And bought in bulk it is a bargain. michiganmike4msuatjunodotcom ADDENDUM: About a year has past since I saw the last of my #2035. And in that year I have not not missed it, nor thought of purchasing more. My actions speak more loudly and truly than my previous words. I did not enjoy it enough, evocative as it is, to buy more. Based on this, I am going to lower my previous "smoke on occasion" to "might try again, but will not keep on hand."
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Checkmate	08/12/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
My tobacconist brought out a bulk bag of what looked like grass clippings that have been soaked in tar and cut into flakes. Is this tobacco? I thought to myself, or an unholy union twixt tobacco and road paver. I took a smell and lo, only the smell of sweet sweet Virginia! Rubbing this tobacco out is a challenge to be sure as the texture is more like caulk than tobacco, but once you've got it to the right consistancy and have it in your pipe this is a great tocbacco for all occasions. McCleland's must have a great fermenting process for this one because the natural flavour and sweetness of the tobacco comes through all the way to the bottom of the bowl. The tobacco burns long and cool and if rubbed out well enough will smoke to the heel of the bowl with no problems. I highly reccomend this tobacco to anyone who even half enjoys a good Virginia. As with many Virginais this tobacco only improves with age, but is also a great smoke right over the counter.
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RebelPipester	04/16/2003	Medium	None detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
A fellow pipe smoker gave me a pouch of this stuff. The first time I tried this I found it one dimensional and just plain dark. The thought went through my mind, "why is this so special". Then six months later I crumpled this up into my favorite Virginia smoking pipe (Wilmer Extra Grade A). This became a sweet deep Virginia that I couldn't put down. I smoked this from top to bottom enjoying it the whole way! Darn the torpedo's it was the last of the bag!!! My suggestion is to can this up without a vacuum for a year and give it a whirl! It smokes cool and slow and finishes clean. 2035 is an excellent smoke for the experienced Virginia Flake smoker.
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Inquisitor	08/22/2002	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
Incredible stuff. Bulk form of Dark Star (need I say more). At $20 a pound, heck, for any price, this stuff is as good as it gets. I've got two pounds stocked away, because as good as it is, aging makes it even better.
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Tbombadil	11/11/2001	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant
2035 is an interesting blend. Said by most to be a bulk version of McC's Dark Star it is a serious flake. The description says that it's stoved and pressed under heavy pressure. It must have something done to it because the flakes have the general consistancy of shoe leather. Generally I rub this one out (rip apart is more like it) just partially and sort of stuff the bowl with the pieces. It can be a bit tough to get lit but once it's going it's just a wonderful full bodied example of what a Virginia should be. Like the rest of the McC bulks it is rather green and fairly moist when first purchased. As such it benefits hugely from a few months aging. I try and stay far enough ahead on my purchasing to be smoking year old stuff when at all possible. That can be a bit of a hassle but to get this quality smoke for $20/lb. a little hassle is well worth it.
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