McClelland Tawny Flake

McClelland - Tawny Flake.

They should rename this Tawny Broken Flake, as that's what it actually is! Sure, there are a lot of small whole flakes, but there's more broken ones. There's the usual McKetchup smell, and the moisture of mine was without fault when I de-sealed the tin, aiding easy ignition.

Quite unadorned. This is a good description of the flavour: there's a little sweetness, a touch of citrus, and a straightforward Virginia hay note. It's quite a modest flavour. Unlike a few folks I don't find a problem with the burn from Tawny: it's reliable, consistent, without gargle, and gives a cool smoke that's free from bite.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: very pleasant.

I can see how Tawny Flake might be perceived as being a little boring by some folks, but I think it's as good a straight Virginia as you can get. Four stars:

Highly recommended.

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.

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.

A bright flake, maybe some red, toasted a little darker. Not as dark, deep, or strong as a dark flake or a true deep stoved virginia.

Small flakes best rubbed out some to aid in burning.

Straight virginia , no scents. No "ketchup". No lakeland here.

Think of MC's no. 27 with the citrus and sweetness toasted out. A somewhat darker flavor results but with a steady bead of tang. Very tangy in fact. Sort of English flake in character (e.g., F&T Cut blended virginia), but more robust.

Wonderful dark, toasy aroma.

Stronger than Pease's new Montgomery, but you really can't compare flakes to ribbons or strings. Montgomery has more subtle complexities; TF is plain no nonsense tabak flavor.

An all day flake. Cool. Dry. Tangy with some body. Not stout.

Recommended as an all day flake for a straight virginia smoker, with a little added body.

The tin aroma of these medium-cut, partially broken flakes is of caramel and nuts, along with a very light touch of the usual McClelland tang.

The toasted flavor of this gold VA blend is very unusual. Butter, caramel, and peanut brittle replace most of the flower-fruit nuances of conventional virginias. It is rich and sweet, almost completely lacking in the edgy, fermented character of typical McC matured types, being replaced by a smooth, uniform, and steady flavor.

An amazing accomplishment, this is both unique and, somehow, familiar. Comforting, yet complex, the flavor is rich without being tiring. It goes best in a narrow gauge chamber.