McClelland A.M. Pipe

McClelleand's A.M. Pipe is still a darn good blend in my opinion and if only they would change the name and let go of that "clone blend" status, I think more and more people would realize that. They should call it Morning Stroll??? I don't know, I just hope they don't stop producing it because EMP is now on the market in the states. Don't try this blend with comparisons in mind, try it for what it is. In my opinion, this is one of the better bulk selections that McClelland has to offer.

Looks like EMP in the bag but doesn't possess EMP's succulent earthy oriental aroma. Smells nice but falls short of EMP there, and it doesn't smell as heavenly in the room as EMP, either. Happily, McClelland markets this as an alternative rather than a match, because it's no match. Happily again, I prefer it to EMP.

This one is sweeter and more flavorful. The latakia seems slightly more pronounced and think I detected some kind of topping that I don't get from EMP. The orientals here taste different as well - they are more buttery as opposed to the mildly spiciness of EMP. EMP seems bland by comparison and on the wimpy side, but I confess that I don't smoke pipes terribly early in the morning, so my review should be taken with a fair bit of salt for those that do. The typically standard-setting Virginias that McClelland processes are in evidence here, and elevate this one as a result. It's still not exactly a reference blend for me, but it's an improvement. But not a match, and McClellands makes no claim that it is. It's sort of in the ballpark but it's grabbing a beer in the stands rather than competing on the playing field. If you like one, you may like the other, but because of different characteristics. Worth a try, but do not expect an EMP clone.

I put off reviewing this tobacco because for me there was nothing about it that stood out in a defining way. It has Orientals, check. It has Latakia, check. It has Virginias, check. They are all quality components and well balanced in relation to each other.

I imagine that the idea behind this baccy, aside from filling the commercial void left by a departed brand, is a pleasant, non challenging tobacco that guides you thru that first tea, coffee or whiskey in the morning as the fog clears from your head. In this it succeeds, but it is hard to describe something that is seeking to be a background experience. Tobacco for muzak fans perhaps?

All said, it is still a very good tobacco.

I don't buy into the philosophy of starting the day with a mild blend so that has no relevance here. I start each day with a full bodied cigar and transition to my pipes for the rest of the day. I'm reviewing this as I would any other tobacco. Very simply, is it a good blend or not?

This is a very good blend. The buttery note of the Orientals mingles with the sweetness of the Virginias creating a very pleasant taste. Any heavier application of Latakia would probably hide that. As is, it's just right. It's always present, but maintains it's place in the background. This is very well done.

Mild to medium in body and flavor. Burns well and has a smooth taste.

A perfect introduction to the English School for people who are not accustomed to this kind of flavor. Very decent light English blend. Latakia is present and the Virginias very good quality. Whereas Dunhill’s EMP gets the palate started with some very fine Orientals, McClelland’s A.M. Pipe hits you with a nice Virginia/Latakia combination but without the overdose of the Latakia.

It is a very lively and enjoyable smoke. I enjoy this with a nice cup of coffee in the mornings. It packs easily and burns consistently down the bowl to a grey/white ash. Seldom need more than one relight if tamp along the way. The flavor becomes fuller to me the farther down the bowl ending with much satisfied smoke.

There is a very little moisture in the bottom of the pipe, and I am able to finish the bowl with little dottle. Overall, a nice smoke that I would classify as an "early morning" experience. I might recommend this as an all-day smoke somewhat lighter than McClelland’s P.M. Pipe.

This is really tasty stuff. I haven't tasted EMP so I can't compare them, but it fills the bill - a mild blend that is complex enough to keep you interested and mild enough to smoke any time, anywhere. Certainly a regular in my rotation whenever I want a mild, reliable smoke.

I used to smoke quite a bit of this blend back when McClelland was in business. Fortunately, I found 8 ounces of our at one of the lesser tracked shops in town. It has the same basic flavor profile as Dunhill EMP, but richer. The orientals play a prominent role in this blend and it's quite delicious. Try it if you can find it.

Edit: I'm upgrading this one. I'd probably say it's 2.75 stars. It's not Murray made EMP (though neither is the STG version) but it's a bit sweeter and flavorful than I had originally given it credit. It's still a very mild but very decent light English and particularly good in a meerschaum. My original review is below.

A.M. Pipe is a perfectly smokable light english but if your looking for EMP this isn't it. The flavor profile is definitely McClelland's english but it's lacks the sweetness or complexity of their other english blends. Decent but bland.

Usually I find McClelland tobaccos to be very high quality. When I decided to try this AM Pipe I was expecting a tobacco that would be mild for a first smoke of the day. I'm rather surprised to find it slightly spicey and with a higher Latakia content than I would have imagined for an 'early morning smoke'. It's also stronger than I imagined it would be, and doesn't really fit my definition of mild. Having said all that, the quality of the smoking experience is high, with a background sweetness and slight creaminess (presumably from the virginias) nicely balanced by the Latakia and some spice. So although this tobacco meets McClelland's usual high standards, I'm not going to give it high marks because I don't think it fits the name or marketing angle as an 'early morning' smoke.

I also find this tobacco to be a little uninteresting. Yes, it's a nice blend of the usual English ingredients, but there's nothing that really stands out, and nothing that would make me rush to buy this one instead of others.

I've also been smoking Tom Eltang's English, which finishes with a beautiful creamy tone and leaves a very nice creamy tobacco aftertaste. Compared to that, this McClelland is rather a disappointment.