I have smoked 5100 regularly for a number of years, both fresh from the bag after ordering and with a couple of years' age on it. It is a fine, medium-bodied Virginia with an underlying sweetness that remains consistent throughout the bowl. The flavour is slightly earthy, yet sweet and tangy all at once. Setting some aside to age improves certain characteristics of the tobacco as the flavour becomes deeper and a bit more complex. However, the tanginess - which I personally enjoy - disappears. Therefore, although I continue to set aside some 5100 for aging, I mostly smoke it without bothering to cellar it in Mason jars.

Now, if this came in a broken flake...

So, yeah, I like it.

5100 isn't monochromatic -- there's a compact group of flavors here: nutty, woodsy, summer-barbeque-y -- but it's straightforward in the way you want for an all-day standard. The flavor is very full and satisfying, and there's little to no bite.

All that being said, it's not a four-star blend for me. There's a certain roughness -- even coarseness -- to the flavor, especially in the first few minutes of a bowl, that holds it back from that level. And, perhaps because of this, I find that it's hard to fully enjoy other blends for a while after a bowl of 5100.

Yes, it does have that trademark McClelland Heinz/vinegar/ketchup tin aroma in full (you decide if that's a problem; it's not for me).

And, while it does respond well to aging (most tobaccos do, I think), you shouldn't expect the miraculous transformation that some of these reviews suggest. It gets notably smoother, but it's the same basic animal after two weeks or two years.

I've gone on at some length about the negatives, though, which may give a skewed impression. 5100 Red Cake is a fine tobacco that fills a certain (important) niche very well: it's a straightforward, satisfying, value-priced blend that you'll reach for often... when you're wanting something to smoke while you're out cleaning up the garage, or driving around, or wanting a full, satisfying, but undemanding smoke at the end of the day.

Oh... and 5100 is *terrific* for breaking in new pipes and rehabilitating musty and/or funky estate pipes.

This is an all day smoke for me, good indoors or out, and one of a few that smoke to the bottom of the bowl with no nasty surprises and burns to a fine grey ash. The flavors seem to me to be changing constantly through the entire bowl.

This tobacco is good right from the start of a new bag, however a few months of ageing makes this an exceptional smoke.

(1/13/08)Since the original writing of this review I have found that an outstanding tobacco can be made with a 50/50 mix of 5100 and Prince Albert.

+++update+++ just a few days later and I've realized that the Red Cake has dried substantially, leaving behind a sort of residue. It smokes and tastes better now, but given the amount of time it took, I'm leaving my rating at two stars for now.

extra update*** Well it's been a while since I've tried it, but I just had a tobacco that was so similar to this one, I had to note it here. Prince Albert, the alleged codger burley of yore, has almost the same flavors and burnability as this. Must have been what they were going for. I actually find Prince Albert to be a little bit tastier, probably due to the burleys rather than mostly Virginias. the color of Prince Albert is much browner as well.

The flavor is mellow red virginia and is somewhat subdued, without many highs or significant lows.

The flavor of 5100 is pleasing, the burn is easy, and the price is right.

Chamber Gauge: Narrow to Medium

Packs and burns well. I recommend it.

Monochromatic for sure but really not much to dislike.

5100 is not my favorite McClelland Bulk but for fans of the red weed, this could be an all day smoker at a bargain price. This should make a nice blender.

* * *

Pure sweet VAs fermented superbly, making for an incredible smoking experience. It took very little concentration to enjoy the characteristics of this blend. It served as a fine accompaniment for pleasant conversation and game playing with friends. I say this simply because there are some tobaccos that are best smoked with no distractions. There was nothing bitter or otherwise unpleasant about this tobacco to rattle my game.

I did not notice any distinct apricot, date or fig notes, which I tend to find in the Rattray's trinity (Hal, Gowrie, and Marlin). While I enjoy those aspects of the above mentioned tobaccos, I find that a change of pace is rewarding. If you are looking for a change from expensive tinned tobaccos, then cellar some of this tobacco and enjoy. I do not think VA lovers out there will be disappointed. I smoked this tobacco in a Rinaldo and Ascorti.

It should be noted that I am an ouncer and not a pounder as for as my monthly consumption of tobacco. If you smoked much greater quanities of tobacco than me 5100 would probably be a nice mellowing out tobacco away from the sweetness of aromatics, the nut hut of Burleys, the madness of English blends and complex Lakeland flakes. I can not say anything negative about it but would probably not buy more of it.

We are not smoking a classical music piece here folks, but a satisfying mild to medium Virgina TOBACCO. Gets better and better with age.

Highly Recommended.

Not a bad tobacco, but with so many outstanding Virginias out there, why settle for ok.

Highly Recommended

BETTER PICK: MCCLELLAND CHRISTMAS CHEER 05' OR 06