McClelland Anniversary 1977-2010

Excellent blend. Smells like your standard McC virginia in the tin, but the first puff reveals the latakia's presence. I also pick up a fair bit of Turkish (esp Smyrna) in the aroma, though the tin copy is silent on this. After a few minutes the Virginia begins to assert itself, but it remains a very balanced smoke throughout. Some minor bite, but not much for McC. Smoked all the way to the bottom, and it was great all the way. They've certainly got a winner here.

Nice packaging but the tobacco fails to deliver the expected amazing smoke in my opinion. Pretty mild; to my tastes it is very one dimensional and while this tastes ok, it doesnt really excite me. The Lat is tangy with no bitterness and i feel it's the quality of the Latakia that lets this down. Since i wont buy any more of this, there will be more tins available for the people who love it. Everyone wins.

I had high expectations for this 2002 blend which is perhaps why I feel so let down. I was expecting some great aged flavors but it just tasted bland. I did like the latakia that was used in this blend, it had a nice creosote taste but that's all that shined in this blend.

Soli Deo gloria!

As a new pipe smoker my knowledge is somewhat limited yet I felt I had to try this once it came in from JR Cigars due to a shipping error on their part instead of what I was supposed to be shipped. However as this was $4 more expensive than what I ordered I thought not to look a gift horse in the mouth so to speak. Upon opening the 3.5 ounce tin there were heavily severe notes of ketchup and vinegar but not so bad as to make one rethink trying it. I pulled some out to break it up a little as I do with all my tobaccos and noticed it feels very dry compared to everything I have smoked so far. It packs into a pipe just like any other tobacco and lighting takes about average around other tobaccos of this price. The only downside is after about 2 1/2 short puffs from this it went out and had to be relit. Now as Ive said I am new but this is quite odd considering I can usually manage at least 5 long puffs at least on every tobacco. This was in added oddness to the fact that as Ive said it feels very dry out of the tin. I am unsure about this but considering its flavors it is worth trying. I have actually successfully gotten it to burn longer by mixing it with some 777 amaretto and it even broadens the flavor gamut. I will air this out more but it is definitely one of those tobaccos you will have to give a try. If you like it then you will surely be keeping it around even if it has problems with short burn time for whatever reason.

Additional notes: I have noticed but to me it seems odd that the top 3/4 of the bowl burns so fast and what im left with in the bottom of the bowl while maintaining the flavor seems to last much much longer than say a full bowl of other tobaccos.

In addition as far as JR Cigar goes im glad they screwed up my order this time. This was a great smoke but as I checked with them by phone and through their website they have no more Anniversary 2005. Im not sure why it is still listed as such but a sure way to tell what you have is by the end date on the tin and the wrapping. On the wrapping for instance mine said 1977-2010 indicating it was made in 2010 however one stating 1977-2002 would be from 2002. Also look on the bottom of the actual tin itself as mine was stamped 09 2010 which I can only guess is the month and year of either its packaging or of the tobacco's month and year in age.

my first 2 bowls of this were pleasant enough but after having smoked it for awhile i find it to be rather boring. it tends to have just one line of flavor all the way through a bowl and if not careful it tends to bite. i am a big fan of most mc's va. blends but would not buy this again, i am even sorry that i bought it in the first place. i thought maybe adding a little blending perique would make it more interesting but did not really even have good results with that.

very smooth and ready to smoke right out of the can.bought 5 tins after a sample from a friend.burns well and stays lit to the end a rich tasting mccranies red ribbon with a little latakia kick.my tins are all from 2001.Once you open the tin you can't stop.

This is a wonderful blend of VA/Latks. My tin needed a good week before the moisture level was down enough for a good pack. It burns clean with the sprinkle of latakia. I didn't have to rub much out except for the occasional little brick. Take time to savor this one because the flavors towards the end are quite tasty. I got some fruit flavors...lemon, orange, cherry, grape but these were really just highlights to the overall robust brown sugar body of the smoke. A delicious tin.

I have to go against the other reviews. I read the reviews and bought this tobacco anticipating greatness. I gave it away after two bowls. I do not like this one at all. I'm not a big fan of latakia, which is the predominant taste, for me, in this blend. However, if you like latakia, give it a try. I don't want to turn anyone away. I'm just giving you my review. It was easy to light and keep lit, the texture of the smoke is what I like, and the aroma in the room is okay.

I must concur with the other reviewers about this blend. I think this one of McClland's most exiquisite blends, with a deep VA taste, and not over powering latakia, which makes this a superior English type blend. This blend will definetly be in my rotation.

Highly Recommended