McClelland Anniversary 1977-2010
(3.22)
An elegant matured Virginia ribbon-cut blend, naturally sweet with that clarity of flavor possessed by only the best Virginias. Seasoned lightly with fine, cool-smoking Cyprian latakia. Aged for months to mellow.
Notes: Originally a limited edition Virginia mixture released in 2002 in celebration of McClelland's twenty-fifth anniversary; McClelland has decided to reintroduce its Anniversary blend in 2005 due to overwhelming demand.
A fine Virginia mixture with just a pinch of latakia to spice things up; this is an impeccable blend, sure to become a favorite.
Originally released in 2002 to commemorate 25 years of quality tobacco manufacturing, a total of 3000 tins were issued wrapped in commemorative ecru paper with a red wax seal. A second issue, bearing a green wax seal and an updated date span on the paper wrapping (1977-2005), was released in 2005. A third issue, bearing a (brownish) natural wax seal and updated date span (1977-2010), was released in 2010.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Latakia |
| Contents | Latakia, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.22 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2002 | Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is an aged virginia blend consisting of rich red ribbon, stoved virginia, and some latakia. That's all. The black leaf is not all latakia. But there is no other condimental leaf in the mixture.
Virginias, not latakia, dominate the flavor, but the black stoved virginias add depth and the subtle latakia adds coolness.
When I first tried the blend after the first of the new year in 2002, the bottom half of the smoke developed too much in strength. I realized the blend, probably already aged for over a year by the manufacturer, still needed another 6 months plus aging. Now, after 7 additional months in my "cellar" (boxes), I am smoking up the final two-three ounces in a medium large Wiley rusticated horn. I have a few bowls left. It is much smoother now but still on the strong side of straight virginia blends.
It is heavier than Oriental No. 1 (which is a mild-medium English and which has more of a red virginia base and less dark leaf) by the same manufacturer, but not as dark tasting or rich as Mc Crainies' Murdocks Pipe (which is Scottish and has more dark leaf including more latakia, added perique, etc.), also by the same manufacturer. So it is a middle of the road between these two but still weighs in closer in fullness to the latter, Murdocks (which is much smoother and more balanced to me even though it has heavier tobaccos). The manufactuer has other somewhat similar red-stoved va. blends and flakes, like Butera's matured ribbon, but the latakia here is what makes this one different.
You can still taste the red virginias in the blend even with the darker leaf which adds a deep contrast to the flavor. It has weight, is not hot, and is fairly steady burning after you have the bowl going good. If you are a straight virginia smoker and want somether with a little more weight than virginias alone, give this a try. I understand the manufacturer will continue to make this into the future and so it will not remain a limited edition.
Virginias, not latakia, dominate the flavor, but the black stoved virginias add depth and the subtle latakia adds coolness.
When I first tried the blend after the first of the new year in 2002, the bottom half of the smoke developed too much in strength. I realized the blend, probably already aged for over a year by the manufacturer, still needed another 6 months plus aging. Now, after 7 additional months in my "cellar" (boxes), I am smoking up the final two-three ounces in a medium large Wiley rusticated horn. I have a few bowls left. It is much smoother now but still on the strong side of straight virginia blends.
It is heavier than Oriental No. 1 (which is a mild-medium English and which has more of a red virginia base and less dark leaf) by the same manufacturer, but not as dark tasting or rich as Mc Crainies' Murdocks Pipe (which is Scottish and has more dark leaf including more latakia, added perique, etc.), also by the same manufacturer. So it is a middle of the road between these two but still weighs in closer in fullness to the latter, Murdocks (which is much smoother and more balanced to me even though it has heavier tobaccos). The manufactuer has other somewhat similar red-stoved va. blends and flakes, like Butera's matured ribbon, but the latakia here is what makes this one different.
You can still taste the red virginias in the blend even with the darker leaf which adds a deep contrast to the flavor. It has weight, is not hot, and is fairly steady burning after you have the bowl going good. If you are a straight virginia smoker and want somether with a little more weight than virginias alone, give this a try. I understand the manufacturer will continue to make this into the future and so it will not remain a limited edition.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 14, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was donated some of this at my local pipe and cigar shop. I am a VA lover and this has it in spades but the Latakia seems to do something to the blend that reminds me of menthol. It smokes a little "too cool" if that makes any sense. I had anticipated really enjoying this one, but it was not to be. It is not fault of McClelland, it is just not my personal tastes. the VA and Latakia felt at odds with each other. Sometimes I felt as though the latakia was just drying and taking a toll on what I knew to be some great sweet VA. I found this blend to do nothing special for me. It was a great smoke in that it stayed lit and packed perfectly.
In these reviews I hope to show my tastes and give readers something to identify with, as that is how I use this site. I find a reviewer with similar tastes and explore the tobacco's they rate highly.
the tin presentation is superb and so are the ingredients. I smoked this through a few different briars and found the results to be the same. A smokey flavor that just slightly pushed the sweetness of the VA around. Not enough for me to give up on the bowl but enough that if felt like the pairing wasn't as balanced I had wished for.
If you like a bit of latakia give it a go, if you want to really taste those Virginias go elsewhere.
In these reviews I hope to show my tastes and give readers something to identify with, as that is how I use this site. I find a reviewer with similar tastes and explore the tobacco's they rate highly.
the tin presentation is superb and so are the ingredients. I smoked this through a few different briars and found the results to be the same. A smokey flavor that just slightly pushed the sweetness of the VA around. Not enough for me to give up on the bowl but enough that if felt like the pairing wasn't as balanced I had wished for.
If you like a bit of latakia give it a go, if you want to really taste those Virginias go elsewhere.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 09, 2008 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I had waited a very long time trying to find one of the original run tins. Finally having one show up at our last pipe club meeting, I snatched the opportunity to have a few bowls full. The tin was sealed, but the tobacco was acceptably dried and of good consistency to smoke. The tin note was of VA tobacco and small faint hints of Latakia. There was also a very, very faint hint of the McClelland vinegar smell. I am not sure if the seal was less than perfect, I expected a slightly more moist and pungent smell from the tin. The tobacco packed well, and light with only two matches, and proceeded to burn as I expected. The taste towards the top was of sweet VA and slightly woody Latakia. As the bowl progressed the tobacco became a bit fuller that I expected. It never got too hot, but the flavors became a bit unbalanced and maybe even harsh. I am certain that there is some casing on this blend, but I was unable to put my thumb on it.
This bend was a bit of a disappointment. I am a huge fan of McClelland's blends and having tried many of their other blends I just expected a bit more out of this one. All and all the blend is not bad, but as for a special release blend I just expected a bit more.
This bend was a bit of a disappointment. I am a huge fan of McClelland's blends and having tried many of their other blends I just expected a bit more out of this one. All and all the blend is not bad, but as for a special release blend I just expected a bit more.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2004 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
I echo the comments made by some of the reviewers earlier that I appreciate McClelland's for everything they have contributed to the pipe smoking hobby. Perhaps I had my hopes up too high thinking that this would be a blend that would ecclipse other McClelland's blends in some fashion? I'm not sure, but Anniversary is a bit too mild for my taste. I like the company's blends that have a bit more tang and flavor. It is almost like McClelland's wanted to show that they could do something different with this blend. There is nothing wrong with Anniversary, but I would't rush out to buy any more than what I currently have. Now Pease's Stonehenge, that's another story!!!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 30, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
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!
Soli Deo gloria!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 22, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 23, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 26, 2006 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I tried a sample of 25th Anniversary by McClelland. This tobacco being a quality tobacco just didn?t do it for me. On the beginning I would smoke to hard trying to get some flavor and all I would get is a hot pipe. I was able to taste a light sweetness from the Virginias but that was all. After mid bowl the tobacco did gather more strength as the latakia became more noticeable.
In the end it became an ok smoke but this blend I will not keep on hand.
In the end it became an ok smoke but this blend I will not keep on hand.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 05, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This is the perfect blend for the Virginia smoker who wants just a little bit more complexity. That said, I don't care for very sweet Latakia mixtures unless there's a whole lot more Latakia than whats in here. The quality of tobacco is top-notch and it would probably be a great ageing tobacco. I did get bit a little trying to sap out more flavor than what's actually there. The tin aroma is typical McClellands and while I don't hate it, I don't go searching for other blends that have the same. Overall, a nice blend but I'll stick to things that suit my tastes more...
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