McClelland Tawny Flake
(3.04)
Little, elegant flue-cured Virginia flakes, redolent with sun-dappled sweetness, and pleasantly tangy. This skillfully blended tobacco, mellowed with Blakeney's exclusive toasting process, fills the pipe with pleasure.
Notes: McClelland introduced their Blakeney's Best line at the 21st CORPS (Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers) Pipe Show in Richmond, Virginia. The 50g tin was released to the public in late 2005.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Blakeney's Best |
| Blended By | McClelland |
| Manufactured By | McClelland |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50g Tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.04 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 13 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 15, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Another good McClellands blend that misses being great by a short margin, and one that is not a taste factor.
The folks at McClellands know how to blend a straight virginia. This is cut as a small square flake that is, unfortunately, somewhat too thick. I had trouble getting this one to hold a light no matter how much it dried out. Flabbergastingly (is that a word?), the feel of the flakes made me think the moisture content was perfect right out of the tin. Yet it fought the burn bravely until I was able to overcome its reticence. Still, the lack of proper burn loses this one a star. I rubbed this one out fully before loading and still had some trouble.
Flavor-wise, this is as good as most McClellands straight virginias. Pleasantly tangy and sweet with a wonderful room aroma. Light citrus notes and even though this didn't get as "dark" as I prefer, it performed admirably as a fairly mild but full bodied smoke. I very much enjoyed the flavor of this, but I found its unwillngness to hold a light somewhat offputting. It's not like Dark Star in that regard but I believe I'll stick with VA's that aren't quite so much work!
The folks at McClellands know how to blend a straight virginia. This is cut as a small square flake that is, unfortunately, somewhat too thick. I had trouble getting this one to hold a light no matter how much it dried out. Flabbergastingly (is that a word?), the feel of the flakes made me think the moisture content was perfect right out of the tin. Yet it fought the burn bravely until I was able to overcome its reticence. Still, the lack of proper burn loses this one a star. I rubbed this one out fully before loading and still had some trouble.
Flavor-wise, this is as good as most McClellands straight virginias. Pleasantly tangy and sweet with a wonderful room aroma. Light citrus notes and even though this didn't get as "dark" as I prefer, it performed admirably as a fairly mild but full bodied smoke. I very much enjoyed the flavor of this, but I found its unwillngness to hold a light somewhat offputting. It's not like Dark Star in that regard but I believe I'll stick with VA's that aren't quite so much work!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
The Virginias are citrusy sweet, and just a shade grassy with touches of dark fruit and earth. I also got a hint of apricot here and there. The "vinegar" essence is mild, though I do notice it now and then. Fairly monochromatic, but the taste is consistent and comfortable. The cut of the broken flakes varies a little, and I got better results when I cube cut it with my fingers. The strength is mild and the taste is a couple of steps past that mark. May need a light dry time. Burns cool and clean at a moderate rate and leaves little dampness at the finish. Needs a few relights. Sports very little nicotine, and won't bite even if pushed. Has a pleasant sweetness that doesn't dull or weaken, and the after taste is just as good. An all day smoke and a good starting place for those wanting to try a mild McClelland Virginia.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 2005 | Very Mild | None Detected | Very Mild | Pleasant |
Newman's descriptive of the leaf was spot on. Not the easiest to contend with. And like Newman, I also found the flavor to be too mild. I still have not quite figured out what the toasting process does to tobacco, but I'm trying to be a fast learner.
If you enjoy mild and not real flavorful Virginia leaf, here you go.
If you enjoy mild and not real flavorful Virginia leaf, here you go.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A nice tasting flake without a lot of complexity. Tart, tangy, fruity notes. Very, very smooth. Not as much of a toasty flavor as I expected; might be hiding in there covered by another note. This is a very pleasant smoke by itself, but really shines as a mixer. Drop a little Burley in with this and you get a real treat.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Doesn't have to have it, but I like to give it some drying time. Burns great.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Doesn't have to have it, but I like to give it some drying time. Burns great.
Pipe Used:
MM Country Gentleman, Diplomat Apple, Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Tawny Flake is a good but not great straight Virginia broken flake. It is fairly sweet with good Virginia flavor and with no bite, but it is also rather one dimensional (i.e., the taste remains the more or less the same throughout the smoke). It tastes rather fruity (mainly raisins and apricots with a hint of citrus).
Out of the tin, it is a bit a moist and therefore benefits from a some airing out. Once properly dried, it lights easily and burns evenly to a gray ash. The appearance and flavor is reminiscent of a red Virginia like McClelland's Bulk No. 5100, although it is a little more flavorful than the bulk tobacco.
If you like straight Virginias, you will probably enjoy it. For me, it could benefit from the addition of some Perique. With this in mind, it would be a decent blending tobacco. However, given the price (~ $5.00 per ounce), I would stick with the Bulk No. 5100 for this purpose.
I'm glad I tried it but, given the price, probably won't buy it again.
Out of the tin, it is a bit a moist and therefore benefits from a some airing out. Once properly dried, it lights easily and burns evenly to a gray ash. The appearance and flavor is reminiscent of a red Virginia like McClelland's Bulk No. 5100, although it is a little more flavorful than the bulk tobacco.
If you like straight Virginias, you will probably enjoy it. For me, it could benefit from the addition of some Perique. With this in mind, it would be a decent blending tobacco. However, given the price (~ $5.00 per ounce), I would stick with the Bulk No. 5100 for this purpose.
I'm glad I tried it but, given the price, probably won't buy it again.
Pipe Used:
Various Canadian briars
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
Age When Smoked:
1 year old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2005 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
These are nicely prepared flakes but ~ 1" square and comparatively less pliable than most McClelland flakes. Without any rubout which I normally prefer, I experienced difficulty in the intial lighting and numerous relights. The tin aroma is very mild Heinz and inviting as a natural VA. I found that TF smoked cool and dry in multiple bowl sizes. The toasting did little for me in the way of flavor and the blend was too mild for my overall satisfaction. For reference, I'll stick with 2015 and 2035 from this respective blender.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 21, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Just crossed the halfway mark through a 2oz tin dated 9/05. As I keep many tins open at a time, I've been working through this for the better part of 2 months. Although the moisture level was fine upon opening, the subtle drying that has occurred over the past few weeks has sharpened (favorably) the VA tang. Burn quality is superb and I tend to smoke this rubbed out, with a few chunks of flake mixed in. The toasting process is not necessarily a desirable one as far as my tastes are concerned - I love the sharpness of McClelland VA's. That said, it is a bit easier on the mouth and where I might notice that I smoked a bowl of Old Ashton Pebblecut or Black Parrot - this one doesn't leave the same next day sour mouth. I don't notice the caramel notes that others have found so pronounced, just a lightly sweet, mid-level VA tang with good black tea bitterness. Not sure what a newer tin of this would taste like, but most of my reviews are of 8-10 year old tobaccos now and will likely follow that curve as my cellar is stocked substantially. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 12, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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.
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 10, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Unnoticeable |
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.
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 05, 2010 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild | Pleasant |
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!
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!
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