McClelland Tudor Castle Arcade
(3.17)
Pressed in traditional Scottish cake, aged to perfection, this blend of the finest naturally sweet matured Virginias, fragrant Katerini, rich Louisiana perique and just a touch of rare Syrian latakia makes an exceptionally smooth, cool smoke suitable for a stroll along the castle arcade.
Notes: Reintroduced in 2009 from a PCCA Blend.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Collector Series |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | 50 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 to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.17 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This tobacco has a topping that is obvious but not overpowering and the usual Cider Vinager smell from McClellands is not present. It does not effect the flavor. This tobacco is fantastic. I have tried blends with Syrian Latakia only from another blender and the subtleness of that rare tobacco is obvioius here. Those looking for the smoke bomb flavor of Cyprian latakia will be dissapointed as Syrian Latakia is not quite so one dimentional with the "smokey" smell and flavor. If you like Va/Per blends then try this and the fuller flavor that sets this one apart is due to the Syrian Latakia. I like this a lot and will put this one in my rotation this coming Winter.
***adendum 12/20/2009*** I smoked 1/2 of the tin after I first opened it up. I put the rest away for later. Today was that later day. I can't believe I wrote what I wrote before regarding the smell. I can't detect any topping at all and now there is a very slight cider vinegar smell along with the syrian smoky mustiness. I can only guess that there is a natural tobacco smell in here that came out flowery when oxygen was first introduced to the tin. I let this dry out a little more and I think I like this one even more than I liked it before. Yumm Yumm.
*** 1/19/10 *** Just keeps getting better each time I smoke it. Truely a masterpiece. The review after me suggests drying this out a lot and I must agree. My tin was opened 6 months ago and has dried a lot. Perhaps that is why it just seems to get better.
***adendum 12/20/2009*** I smoked 1/2 of the tin after I first opened it up. I put the rest away for later. Today was that later day. I can't believe I wrote what I wrote before regarding the smell. I can't detect any topping at all and now there is a very slight cider vinegar smell along with the syrian smoky mustiness. I can only guess that there is a natural tobacco smell in here that came out flowery when oxygen was first introduced to the tin. I let this dry out a little more and I think I like this one even more than I liked it before. Yumm Yumm.
*** 1/19/10 *** Just keeps getting better each time I smoke it. Truely a masterpiece. The review after me suggests drying this out a lot and I must agree. My tin was opened 6 months ago and has dried a lot. Perhaps that is why it just seems to get better.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This review is based on the now widely distributed version that has just hit the market recently.
I must say that I am quite impressed. It is not a krumble kake but instead a small cut flake. It is dark with strands of light intermingled. There is a faint and pleasing clove/cinnamon aroma that greets you each time you open the lid, I can only assume this is imparted by the Katerini for no flavoring is detectable. The touch of Syrian Latakia apparently means they touched the other the tobaccos and then removed it! But I'm not complaining. If you're not a latakia fan you can safely try this flake. The perique is delicately handled and provides just enough zip for interest.
Overall I find this to be a well balanced blend and extremely pleasing. It does (IMHO) work best in a smaller bowl. A prince or squat bulldog have worked for me.
The proof of how well I like a tobacco is a simple enough equation -- how quickly did I go through my initial supply? I have gone through this first tin of Arcade and am about to open the second. If it is as good I'm in trouble cause this stuff is not inexpensive!
I must say that I am quite impressed. It is not a krumble kake but instead a small cut flake. It is dark with strands of light intermingled. There is a faint and pleasing clove/cinnamon aroma that greets you each time you open the lid, I can only assume this is imparted by the Katerini for no flavoring is detectable. The touch of Syrian Latakia apparently means they touched the other the tobaccos and then removed it! But I'm not complaining. If you're not a latakia fan you can safely try this flake. The perique is delicately handled and provides just enough zip for interest.
Overall I find this to be a well balanced blend and extremely pleasing. It does (IMHO) work best in a smaller bowl. A prince or squat bulldog have worked for me.
The proof of how well I like a tobacco is a simple enough equation -- how quickly did I go through my initial supply? I have gone through this first tin of Arcade and am about to open the second. If it is as good I'm in trouble cause this stuff is not inexpensive!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 25, 2009 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
My favorite currently produced Syrian.This blend must be dried to a near crisp otherwise it wont taste the way you want it to. Sometimes i will take out a couple of flakes rub them out and leave them for weeks at a time. i come back to it when there is almost no moisture left in the tobacco, to the point you would think the flakes were ruined. fear not that is when this superb blend shines.for me, this is almost as good as the late Bohemian Scandal. different but still wonderfully rare and good. perfect for fall weather and antique calabashes. Awesome off of an amber stem.I'll cry if it disappears. if you havent " gotten" this blend dry it. a lot. best after a steak dinner.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
McClelland - Tudor Castle Arcade (Collector Series).
The tins contents are quite dark, only half broken, nicely hydrated, flakes. The aroma from the blend is slightly tangy, sharp, and a little vinegary. The flakes are a medium thickness so are easy to fully rub if you choose to; I do.
The Orientals give a clear taste, it contains the spicier type of Perique, and there's a lot more spice than dark fruit. The Latakia seems to have been applied in only a small quantity, there's a slight woodiness but nothing overly pertinacious from it. The Virginia behaves in the way I'd usually expect: nothing ostentatious, but it forms the base. The burn from Arcade is good, although the smoke can bite a little if it's pressured.
The room-note's pleasant, and the nicotine's above medium.
This is good, very sharp, but good. In fact, I found the first bowl a little too caustic, but after a few more summarised it would make a brilliant go-to for the mornings, and went on to have three bowls in succession!
Highly recommended.
The tins contents are quite dark, only half broken, nicely hydrated, flakes. The aroma from the blend is slightly tangy, sharp, and a little vinegary. The flakes are a medium thickness so are easy to fully rub if you choose to; I do.
The Orientals give a clear taste, it contains the spicier type of Perique, and there's a lot more spice than dark fruit. The Latakia seems to have been applied in only a small quantity, there's a slight woodiness but nothing overly pertinacious from it. The Virginia behaves in the way I'd usually expect: nothing ostentatious, but it forms the base. The burn from Arcade is good, although the smoke can bite a little if it's pressured.
The room-note's pleasant, and the nicotine's above medium.
This is good, very sharp, but good. In fact, I found the first bowl a little too caustic, but after a few more summarised it would make a brilliant go-to for the mornings, and went on to have three bowls in succession!
Highly recommended.
Pipe Used:
Altinok Meer'
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins or Smokingpipes.com, can't remember!
Age When Smoked:
One month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 26, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
McClelland Tudor Castle Arcade will be missed. Sweet mature Virginia's form a base for the curry notes of the Katerini, dark raisin spice of perique and just a touch of Syrian Latakia to darken the flavors with Notes of wine drifting to the nose now and again. The Syrian Latakia does the same thing to this flake that the cyprian Latakia does to GLP Fillmore. So no worries of Latakia ghosting your pipes.
Arcade is a delicate flake, that needs to be dried and smoked slow to discover every nuance this flake has to offer. Katerini is my favorite oriental condiment. This flake showcases this leaf in all its glory. Sweet bready virginias are enhanced with perique, offering dark fruit: dates, raisins, and prunes. The Gentle spice of katerini weaves in and out of the dark fruit laced virginias. The Syrian pops it's head out once in a while with that wine note the Syrian is so famous for. Overall it's a stellar flake that changes from pipe to pipe. Today I like it in a briar, but tomorrow I'm getting something different from a clay and so on. This one is a Mike and Mary Masterpiece. If you stocked up on Arcade before the demise of McClelland, then count yourself as being in a league of your own.
Arcade is a delicate flake, that needs to be dried and smoked slow to discover every nuance this flake has to offer. Katerini is my favorite oriental condiment. This flake showcases this leaf in all its glory. Sweet bready virginias are enhanced with perique, offering dark fruit: dates, raisins, and prunes. The Gentle spice of katerini weaves in and out of the dark fruit laced virginias. The Syrian pops it's head out once in a while with that wine note the Syrian is so famous for. Overall it's a stellar flake that changes from pipe to pipe. Today I like it in a briar, but tomorrow I'm getting something different from a clay and so on. This one is a Mike and Mary Masterpiece. If you stocked up on Arcade before the demise of McClelland, then count yourself as being in a league of your own.
Pipe Used:
Cob/Briar/clay
PurchasedFrom:
PipesamdCigars.com
Age When Smoked:
9 years
target="_blank"
