McClelland - Matured Virginias: No.25 pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
< PREVIOUS Showing reviews 21 through 26 of 26 reviews of this tobacco
BriarNorth	06/18/2003	Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
I'm with lustra....this one did little for me, and it's a three year old tin. It behaves well in all technical respects, but doesn't show up flavour-wise to warrant the price tag. If you want a good non-invasive all-day Va to smoke, try the McC's bulks. If you want an amazing Virginia epiphany, smoke some McC's Va #27...but don't be in a hurry to have high expectations met with this one. Again, while this tobacco is quite tasty (you will not hesitate to finish the tin) it does not attain to the levels of complexity or flavour I seek in premium tobaccos with premium prices.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
lustra	03/13/2003	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
A cooly-burning Virginia that underwhelms me to the point of boredom. See the previous reviews for the typology.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Pipestud	09/07/2002	Mild	None detected	Medium	Very Pleasant
I really can't add much to Inquisitor's very well written description and impressions of this McClelland virginia. It is not the best virginia I've ever smoked, but far from the worst. I really was all fired up about giving you my impressions when I clicked onto the review page. But, Inquisitor stole my thunder! Oh well, he's a fun read and right on regarding this tobacco -- at least, in my humble oppinion.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Inquisitor	10/18/2001	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium	Tolerable to Strong
When I first tried this tobacco, I hated it. To me, it started off with a cigarette-like flavor, with acrid smoke that hurt the back of my throat. It wouldn't be the first McClelland Red VA that I didn't like. After fighting through 1/3 bowl, I set it aside. I considered dumping it at that point, but DGT (Delayed Gratification Technique)has surprised me in the past. A few hours later, relaxing at home, I grimly put match to tobacco. Hmm... No cigarette flavor, no bite, no throat irritation. Instead, the predominant element had become the matured and stoved Virginias - dark brown sugar sweetness, an earthy smoothness, a lovely musty character that reminds me of chantarelle mushrooms. Like most McClelland Virginias, the flavor deepened and developed as the bowl continued to burn lower. This is not an "obvious" tobacco, it doesn't leap out at you. But it piques your curiosity, inviting closer inspection, then holds you with a flavor palate unlike any other blend. The closest comparison is Esoterica Tilbury, although it lacks Tilbury's oriental component. This doesn't break into my top rotation, but I will keep a tin on hand for those moments when nothing else seems quite right. Well done.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Noorrmm	04/26/2001	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This is a blend of roughly equal parts of red and black tobacco in fully rubbed form. The cut is quite fine, and the tin aroma is rich and winey but without the vinegar smell often found in McC blends. Packing is easy in any size bowl because of the fine cut. Predictably, the tobacco lights easily, and burns well. Surprisingly, it also burns cool, unless puffed agressively. It even stays cool when smoked outdoors in moderate breezes. The initial flavor is sweet and rich, and quite smooth to the tongue and palate. It develops more complexity toward the middle of the bowl, and seems to get somewhat stronger toward the end, occasionally getting a bit harsh. I find it benefits from some airing out before smoking, or it will deliver a hot and wet smoke. When smoked carefully, it delivers a great deal of flavor, and I prefer it to Black Shag (which is similar in appearance and cut, although less red).
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Jon Tillman	04/26/2001	Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable
Tin Aroma: Decidely less of the signature McClelland 'ketchup' aroma than some of the Virginias in this series, though that may have something to do with the ribbon cut, as opposed to the broken flake of most of the rest of them. Physical Characteristics: a very fine ribbon cut, almost like a cigarette shag cut. Mostly dark, a bit of light brown, probably stoved in some manner. Packs solidly, and with not too much spring to it. Takes a charring light easily, in only a puff or two. Pleasant amount of moisture, not too soft, not too dry. First Light: Sharp virgina flavor/aroma on the first light. Tickles the nose even when not exhaled that way. Notes: Burns easily, and stays lit with nary a hassle. The most intriguing thing about this blend is that it seemed to not bite me nearly as easily as many of the McClelland virginias do. As a matter of fact, even with the way I smoke (sometimes a bit fast and furious), you almost have to be trying to get it to bite you before it will.
< PREVIOUS Showing reviews 21 through 26 of 26 reviews of this tobacco