Tobaccos McCranie's - Red Flake, vintage 1983

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2017-05-13		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The deep rich red Virginia provides a lot of tangy, ripe dark fruit with a touch of fermentation, a lot of earth, wood, some breadiness, and a touch of spice. It’s a tad stronger and richer than the 1983 ribbon version. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is just past the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, and is slightly less smoother than the ribbon version. May need a light dry time. Burns cool, clean and slow with a very consistent flavor that sports a little softness. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires some relights as flakes will need. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste and room note. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bobbysmokes (15)	2015-05-05		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I smoked one bowl of this and fell in love. The taste the smoke gives throughout the smoke is incredible and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. I immediately purchased the current vintage of this tobacco and hope to store it as long as possible before smoking...going to be hard as I loved it so much.

Pipe Used: Unmarked pipe from Italy

Age When Smoked: 32 years

Purchased From: N/A

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Eric Cioe (37)	2015-03-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I got two tins each of this and the 1983 Red Ribbon from a private party for a pretty reasonable cost. The oldest tin was from 1994, so that's what I'm reviewing here. I smoked it in the first few months of 2015, so the leaf was 32 years old, and it had been in a sealed tin for 21 years.

There was a lingering scent of McClelland-style fermentation here. My leaves were loaded with plume. I tend to rub my flakes out fully. The smoke was deep and pleasingly sweet, and I'm not one for overly sweet tobacco. There was a cedar wood note drifting in throughout the note. There was a bit of tang, too, like there often is with red Virginias. The flavor intensified as it burned, but never got above pleasantly mellow.

This wasn't an especially complex blend, but it was definitely pleasing. I'm looking forward to smoking lots more of this.

Pipe Used: Mostly an old Comoy billiard

Age When Smoked: 21 years

Similar Blends: Other vintages of Red Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Peppino (74)	2011-03-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The tin is dated 10899 just opened it last night and rubbed it out. My initial impression is a good flavor with nice burning qualities. It left a great ash and clean bowl in the Savinelli. It has sweetness right from the start and burns evenly, it does dry my mouth a bit but no tongue bite. The flavor gets deeper with coffee undertones that add's to the smoke. The aroma is good and it's not real smokey when lit. A very nice virginia that took way to long to get to in my stash. Like I have said I had dropped my pleasure of the pipe for quite awhile but I'm happy to be back I never realized how much I missed them.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kilmarnock Piper (251)	2009-08-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Well, I finally won a tin of this on Ebay-pretty cheap, considering; and I must conclude that it is all that it is made out to be. I got the 1983 version, tinned in 1999 with the McClelland code on the bottom of the tin. I would not go spending exorbitant amounts of money on it, since there are other good tobaccos out there. The tobacco has held up well, still a bit moist and needing to be dried out. It is mellow and amazingly complex. It gets better toward the end, like any decent Virginia, and what else can I say? It's just great natural Virginia tobacco. I will try to make my little tin last.

Update 3-31-10: Still have a lot left of the tin, since I only allow myself to smoke a small bowl of it once in a while. It's late, I'm bored, and I'm having a little bowl in my trusty Jobey author (Stromboli 200) which, ironically, I bought at McCranies. This is a tobacco which requires one's full attention. A single malt among Virginias (but there are other McClellands which fit this description). Get some if you can, I can definitely say it is worth the $30 I paid, or more.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2008-05-20		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Red Virginias don't get redder than this. And it's a complex, sweet, mellow, lacking tongue bite... sublime Virginia. This blend hits the zone for me 90% of the times. I smoke others Virginias just because I love variety and in sake of perspective.

If you love HOtW, you've really got to try this.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2003-10-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Sad news, folks...McCranie's Red Flake from that famous 1983 crop is no more. Yep, they finally ran out and the original Red Ribbon is gone too.

If you do manage to scarf a tin of the original 1983 crop of Red Flake from eBay or elsewhere, you will be rewarded with a rich and creamy taste that just cannot be duplicated.

There is now a new version available (made from an exceptional 1996 crop, I believe.) It is somewhat moist in the tin, rubs out easily, and will offer a wide range of wonderful flavors as you work your way down the bowl -- but take heed, smoke slowly or suffer a bitten tongue because Red Flake will bite if puffed with too much enthusiasm.

This Red Virginia reminded me greatly of the late, lamented Original McCranie's Red Flake. More "tang" though, and down a peg on the flavor meter than the original version. Still, your palate will be satisfied and it does leave your pipe smelling tartly sweet. Because I find so much potential in this one, I have ordered a few more tins for the "cellar," and will revisit this new found friend a few years down the road. A little more age and I suspect it'll truly be yummy

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Noorrmm (192)	2002-01-29		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

A nice red Va cake, with the usual McClelland ketchup aroma when you open the can. Rubs out easily to any desired degree, packs and lights well. Flavor is typical red Va., full and sweet wih wide range of high and middle notes. Easy to keep it cool, once he excess moisture has been aired out. Not significantly better than McC bulk #5100 (although that's not a flake).

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-10-27		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

God, i love this stuff! Sweet, zesty, tangy and yet with a bottom depth. I originally had 40 tins of this, i am now down to my last. i just cant stop smoking this. one of the best.by far the best vintage McCranies put out, far better than the 2000 crop which is sprayed and sauced. this is natural and delicious.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-08-09		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is another amped up version of McClelland 5100, but by far the best! It has all the makings of an excellent VA with subtleties that are brought more in the forefront by pressing the tobaccos into a flake. This is my new absolutely favorite VA blend. I cant say enough about how much better having this in a flake makes this blend. This is a must try!!!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-10-12		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin aroma of this broken flake is McClelland's typical funky ferment.

The flavor is of deep red virginias, some of the richest and sweetest on the market, with typically complex nuance.

One of the best VA flakes, this is simply great tobacco. It goes best in a narrow gauge chamber.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2007-08-20		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Red Virginias don't get redder than this. And it's a complex, sweet, mellow, lacking tongue bite... sublime Virginia. This blend hits the zone for me 90% of the times. I smoke others Virginias just because I love variety and in sake of perspective.

If you love HOtW, you've really got to try this.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-02-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Words simply can not do justice to this marvellous tobacco!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-11-19		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I am surprised that more pipesters have not reviewed this excellent blend... Rich and sweet, it brings an earthy quality to the smoking experience lacking in other Red Virginia's. Complex and full, it develops in a rare event of point and counter point for the Virginia leaf pipester. This blend is also good to introduce to others, as they will tell you how much they like it. Do not miss this one.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a Fez by Yanik

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-04-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

A pure Virginia flake of the highest quality. I was given a few bowlfuls by a friend that "wowed" me ... I immediately called McCranie's and purchased 10 tins, with the regret that sometimes accompanies such a purchase. Other readers will know what I mean ... you really enjoy a blend, jump in and buy several tins, they arrive, and you ask yourself "What was I thinking??" Such was not my experience here.

I have smoked 5 of my 10 tins ... and I suspect this may be the best tobacco I have ever had. I enjoy it even more than Red Ribbon, another excellent blend. To anyone who enjoys Virginia blends and has not tried this jewel of a tobacco ... I whole heartedly recommend it!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2002-10-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

When it comes to Red VA's, this one can stand right in there with the best of them. When I gave it the highest recommendation, it means a smoke that has what I look for and not just that I smoke it all the time. Too many good blends out there to settle on one just now, but I consider this to be a good utility smoke and worthy of a spot in the rotation, although mostly I smoke what I feel like smoking when I want to smoke it. I enjoy the fermented aroma when opening the tin, and the flakes are visually appealing. The tin I have from 1994 is somewhat deeper and more earthy in taste as well as darker in color. Other tins I have are dated 1998 but have that rich Red VA. flavor that matures w/age. The flakes rub out nicely, but I gave some a quick whiz in the food processor, just a little, not too fine. Packs well, lights easily enough, bit of a tingle at first then mellowing too a smooth, cool and slightly sweet smoke. Too me, it's also a wee bit tangy now and then as VA's. tend to be but in a pleasant way. Burns well, had to use a cleaner near mid-bowl because of a little gurgle but altogether a very enjoyable smoke. Burns down to grey ash and leaves the pipe clean. As I've stated before, I mostly smoke bent pipes, and I enjoy the aroma coming up from the tobacco as I'm smoking while doing other things. Sometimes it's nice to hold the warm pipe under your nose as well and sniff the aromas. The flavor of good Va. tobacco is tough to beat, IMO, and this flake provides a taste treat that should hold most any VA. smokers attention. Smoked in an unhurried fashion you will be rewarded w/an insight into the realm of VA. tobacco enjoyment. Could get a bit hot if smoked TOO fast, but this is a somewhat forgiving tobacco. A very refreshing smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2001-10-08		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

They describe the tobacco as being "soft" which is a pretty good adjective for this flake. It's not harsh or bitter, although it starts out as being slightly astringent like all pressed virginia's. Out of the tin the flakes are nearly whole, with a melange of yellow, orange and red tones. There is that "catsup" like smell that hints at McClelland, but this is only a guess.

Sweet Sweet Sweet is the best way I can describe the first bowl in a Stanwell cutty. I did not rub out the flakes save for the top 1/8th of the bowl for a good charring light. This pipe has a narrow bowl that would show any stinging qualities of this tobacco, but there are none. This tobacco has no tongue bite but delivers loads of flavor. I can't quite taste all the nuances there, but that is mainly due to the horkin' cup of coffee that I'm drinking at the same time.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-10-31		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

10/31/07

A blessed All Hallows Eve to you all.

Red Flake was a disappointment. For $12+ for a tin, I was underwhelmed. My tin was stamped 12/06 and I purchased if from their Charlotte, NC store while my wife and I visited our youngest son. He has fallen in love with N.C. while attending college. I purchased it in May, '07, so it only had perhaps 6 months on it. I am almost finished with the tin; haven't exactly been running home to fill my pipe with it, as you can see.

All the same, for the price, I found it rather rough and lacking in flavor. There are better tobaccos out there. While a totally different tobacco, McCranies' Old Master has been a much more pleasant smoke. And I typically prefer VA and VA/Perique blends.

The pleasure to price ratio just does not cut it for me.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-08-02		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I reieved a sample of this tobacco in a box pass. I will have to say I am on the hunt for more. This is very well balanced smoke to me. It has the natural sweetness I tend to look for, plus the true taste of tobacco. My sample was a little dry, but it smoked well with no bite. I would have to say in my mind it is definatly 4 stars. Good full flavour.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	hoo-boy (26)	2006-07-13		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Ah, a good Virginia blend , it smokes consistant, with few lights. packs easily for a flake even if not rubbed out. its a very cool smoke (you would have to try hard to get tongue bite with this blend) So pick up a coupl'a tins One to smoke now , one to cellar I don't believe you will be disapointed, 3 stars hoo-boy

Nobody has rated this review yet.