McClelland Tawny Flake

Now here is a McClelland Va flake that I can get along with. If you have sensitivity to Va's like I do, give this one a go.

I do not know how the "toasting" works, but it must help with the bite. It does however, retain that signature Mc aroma.

Medium brown flakes come a bit moist, but dry fairly quickly.

Definitely recommended for the Va sensitive crowd.

It's a McClelland VA. So if you like'em, what's not to like? The format requires a little drying if straight from the sealed tin. Rub out the "half-flakes", drop a few crumbs onto the lid for the light and it burns just fine. I don't get any bite from VA's because I know how to smoke them, so I cannot say it is especially bite-free due to the toasting. I don't taste buttered toast either, so don't get any illusions from the ad campaign about toastiness.

this is good VA and it is worth smoking if you smoke medium VA flakes. Not sure if it isn't of the same lineage as bulk 2010. I don't think it would appeal to the smoker of dark flakes or bright VA ribbons.

this smoke also works just fine with Delayed Gratification Technique and breath-smoking.

The room note is not for me to judge, but it is pretty light and dissipates relatively fast.

It has enough nicotine in a medium-large bowl to satisfy. A quick smoke might not do the same.

Time for me to order a replacement or three to cellar for a few years down the line. I'm sure it will also be discontinued one day as almost all blends will.

Not so much of the typical McClelland vinegar/ketchup smell to this flake. To whatever extent that this is "toasted" or whatever, it does have a caramel taste to it which I found pleasant. Forgiving and flavorful. The thick flakes do require some rubbing out.

11-14-13: Found a tin of this from January 2005 in the back of my tobacco cabinet, that I had completely forgotten about, and since I haven't had it since 2009 or at least early 2010, just had to crack it. Also, ordered two new tins to cellar.

Smoking it in my Marxman Jumbo. Might be better in a narrower bowl, but this pipe is well-rested and unghosted.

It is lovely so far, and though I could see detracting half a star or so from my 2009 four-star TR rating, I now do not regret having bought those two additional tins to cellar. I take back what I said in 2009: it does have that McClelland scent in the tin, if not as strongly as many McClelland Virginias, but in the smoke, it is very mellow; not at all like CC or the Matured Virginias. There even seems to be a slight suggestion of Mac Baren aged Navy Flake to it. No bite, slow burner, good sipper. Again, will do a narrower-bowled pipe next time, but the wide bowl doesn't ruin it. pipesandcigars.com has this for about $8 right now, and smokingpipes.com for just about the same price. I will have to try a couple others from the series eventually. Another quality Virginia from McClelland, but different than their usual. I don't know if the "It's Toasted!" promotional tagline is a gimmick, or if it really is somehow "toasted," but I approve.

I find this to be a pleasant, wine-like Virginia with a slight sweetness to it. No sharp, bitey edges. It's as good a Va. blend as I've had from McClelland -- and this, from one who has long since tired of the notorious McC ketchup thing (scant evidence of that here). I rubbed it out and got an easy burn that produced a good volume of chewy smoke.

I should note that my tin was sitting in my cellar for almost 11 yrs., which may be responsible for my good results. I didn't plan it that way, but I'm delighted over how it turned out. "Invest" in a tin of this. I think you'll approve.

This is a serviceable tobacco but McClelland makes far better flakes. Not terrible but I would recommend Blackwoods or Christmas Cheer over this.

I would actually prefer a fresh tin of Blackwoods to this tin that has aged 12 years. That's saying something...

The other reviewers seem to have bracketted this pleasant flake pretty well.

Somewhat unusual thick little squares that need some rubbing out to burn evenly in the bowl.

Definite whiff of the old vinegar/ketchup of Maclelland in the tin - but not alot like a Dark Star or St. James Wood.

Caramel, caramel, and mild. Pleasant, sweetish taste and aroma. As other have said not a great burner unless carefully rubbed out and dried.

The blend lacks nuance and depth of character, but delivers a very pleasant toasted virginia experience. Very good, not great, not memorable. No discernable bite when smoked slowly - with heavy puffing might deliver the virginia bite.

Here is a steer to try and wean a Captain Black White Blend smoker into something with a purer, cleaner and more pleasurable taste. Wouldn't go out of my way to buy more, but if you had a tin open I'd be happy to share!

Tawney Flakes is a tobacco that is perfect when I want something to cut through the dust from all day mouth. Brushing teeth always helps but in a differnt way. LOL However When I picked up my first tin of Tawney flake I did not know what to expect. My tobacconist in Talleyville,DE told me I'd have to rub it out. Ok, so I firmly and briskly rubbed it between my palms for enough to fill a bowl or so. Knowing that moist tobaccos need to be packed more loose that dryer finer cuts I proceeded to follow that protocol. Voila! Cool, and really tangy, almost a slight bite. But, realizing the can DOES suggest a sweet tangy taste/feeling I totally accept it. Figuring that I found what they were talking about I proceed to continue the bowl. I would not refer this tobacco to a newbie by any means. It is a great and favorite VA Flake so far for me. I find that it has a full taste and is a good after work smoke in my easy chair. AND most important my wife says,"Hmmm...it almost smells Good!" Which in pipers' terms is very tolerable and THAT makes it a comfortable smoking condition. We all know that if we can't relax while smoking it destroys the atmosphere/ambience of the whole experience. I have recently learned how to fold and stuff the slightly broken flakes right from the can. An experienced smoker shouldn't have any problems with this process. It was a pretty neat experience though. I never knew stuff cut like this really didn't have to be rubbed out every time. I just don't suggest fold and stuff on the run. I have purchased many tins of Tawney Flake and will continue to as long as it's available. Darned shame it's not available in bulk but then that might changes it's make-up.

Tin: Aroma is a mild toasty caramel and light clover hay. Appearance is exactly like that of BBLF, a mahogany, dark-brown 1x1/2 square.

When smoked, the tin was 1+ years old(710105 stamped on bottom of tin). For interesting info. on dating tinned tobacco, link to:

pipes.org---locate the Forums box--Topics--Tobacco Questions--scroll down , to bottom of page, to Archive Oct. 09, 2005, Oct. 18, 2005, and July 26, 2006.

Packing & Lighting: Like BBLF, the flake is easily rubbed out and made ready for packing; easy to get lit.

Aroma: Light VA, reminiscent of a drive in the countryside with clover hayfields in the distance. Towards the bottom of the bowl, a mild caramel tone evolves. At first light, it is tangy; thereafter, the first 1/2 of the bowl is bland.

Taste: At first light, tangy, but it becomes subdued into nothing but a very light, mild VA, and by the end of the bowl, mildly toasty.

Room Note: Light VA, nothing much to complain about, even for the most nosey of pedestrians. The room note of BBLF, although heavy, has a sweet fragrant appeal lacking in BTF.

Overall: I would class BTF as nothing but a milder version of BBLF. BTF smokes down to a fine ash, with no relight. Some moisture is left in the stem; leaves the pipe smelling good.

A mellow, golden VA, reminding me of BBLF, C&D's Briar Fox, or Dunhill's Standard Mixture Mild, though BBTF having less nicotine.

This is too light for me. However, I could see this being an all-day smoke for someone that likes a mild blend. It claims not to bite, but it bit me because I was puffing too hard to get more flavor.

The delightful McC taste is there, but I'll stick with 27 and 24.