Star Rating = 4

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst

Pouch Note = 6

Room Note = 8

Flavor = 7

Bite = 8

Burn = 8

After Taste = 8

Raw Score =45

Rated Percentage = 75%

Comment = Smooth, Mid Strength Flavor, * Ketchup Pouch Note, but it's a tad Sweet

* Foot Note: McClelland famous "Ketchup" aroma and / or taste comes from the natural fermentation of unstoved / non flue curded Virginias that are aged in cakes.

The only reason why I can't give it all four stars is this. The taste of tobacco itself is so mild, that the ketchup really stands out above it. Sometimes feels like smoking an aromatic.

The ketchup smell is there, but it doesn't translate in the smoke... The taste to me is a mildly earthy, very musty taste, with just a touch of that Virginia zest.

Smokes cool, mostly dry, and is overall well behaved.

Can't fault it! Classic old reliable Virginia.

A nice change of pace for this regular smoker of English blends.

I'd smoke it again.

3 stars.

one demension smoke definitly, but so worth having around to keep from smoking all of the expensive stuff up.

I tend to think of 5100 as rather pedestrian. There's nothing much exotic about it-- McClelland's is a US producer, it's some slightly flavored VA ribbon cut bulk and every dime store tobacconist has it in a jar. But every time I go back to it, it's a wonderful smoke. Every pipe smoker should try 5100, IMO. I have some cellared and always try to keep some open to smoke.

Not a favorite, but a nice MOTR red virginia for those who enjoy a spicy red VA ribbon. If this is your type of smoke you'll probably find a nice all-day blend.

It's pleasurable to smoke and it's not something that you're going to miss out on if you like to smoke while taking a walk, working in the shop or doing any other task. This and the fantastic price are the reasons I continually stock this tobacco. I've never noticed a ketchup-vinegar taste to this McClelland tobacco, just a nice, earthy sweet taste and the smell in the bag is what comes to mind when I think of tobacco.

As a side note, I know a lot of reviewers are talking of this being a good mixer, and I'm sure it is. I've mixed it with 5105 and it's good. I don't know yet if I like it more than just straight 5100. It's good to know some folks have found ways to improve it to their liking, but my current preference is to just smoke it straight.

I wholeheartedly recommend it. Definitely worth a try, especially at the price. A great smoke for when smoking is background noise and works fine as the main show too.

It does indeed have hints of tomato in the smell. While burning it is gently sweet, and at times a little toasty. In short a mild, natural tobacco experience.

There hasn't been an OTC Virginia in a long time... Schermerhorn Flake maybe? But I agree with beaupipe, this gives a similar experience as some of the old reliable OTC Burley blends, but with more natural sweetness.

If you enjoy a simple straightforward and mild smoke you will like this. It is widely available and very affordable here in the U.S.

On its own, 5100 is a decent, if innocuous, smoke. The tobacco is a pretty reddish brown color, well rubbed out. On the nose it suggests sweetness with dried fruit aromas (figs and sun-dried tomato) mixed in with a vegetal smell reminiscent of tomato leaves. In the pipe, 5100 is moderately sweet, reasonably smoky, and a little dull.

If there were any OTC Virginias remaining in the US market, I bet they’d have a lot in common with 5100. It’s not bad, but it is a little bland, pale, light. This stuff is, I suppose, worth keeping on the shelf in case an uncomplicated, mild-mannered Virginia is called for.

This stuff looks and smells great, mouht-watering even. But -- as if often the case with McClellands products -- it's way too mild for me. I picked up occasional hints of sweetness and hints of things like plum or apricot. In other words, typical red virginia accents. But I really had to strain to find them.

On the plus side, this stuff smokes very easily and bites less than most straight Vas.

This is two stars to my palate, but YMMV. At the least, I can see how some Va smokers really like it. But when I'm in the mood for this type of mixture, I'll pick Blackwoods Flake every time.

I find it is actually complex smoke. It never tastes the same. Sometimes sweet and grassy. Other times it has a sweet and sour burn. Always tasty and blissful.

Oh, and I use this stuff like salt. I put it everything. Lately, I have been doing 1/2 red cake and 1/2 Briar Fox which makes for a tasty treat.

Red Cake is my good morning kiss and my evening prayer. 4 Stars

This is a rare blend for McClelland, as it doesn't have a nose full of vinegar like most of their VA's. Although somewhat monotone, it can add depth to blends that lack it. It has a nice nutty flavor that is pleasant outside or in.