McClelland Bayou Slice
(3.39)
Sophisticated small slices of the smoothest Louisiana perique aged in cakes to mellow with sweet, zesty matured Virginia. Rich and satisfying, with perique's uniquely mysterious and compelling aroma, enhanced by Blakeney's exclusive toasting process.
"Choose Blakeney where toasting bans the bite for a smoke that's right"
Notes: McClelland introduced their Blakeney's Best line at the 21st CORPS (Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers) Pipe Show in Richmond, Virginia. The 50 grams tin was released to the public in late 2005.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Blakeney's Best |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Perique |
| Contents | 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 to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.39 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 31 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
A pretty good McClelland Va/Per. And not too much different than 2015, maybe a little sweeter. Distinguishing between McClelland Vapers is as difficult as distinguishing between the different straight Virginias. As usual, if you don't like the scent you will want to take a pass on this one and if, like me, you enjoy that scent then you will not be disappointed in this one.
I would say that in terms of the MC vapers, I would put St. James Woods ahead of this and 2015 for the fact that it is in bulk and a better bargain than this one.
Update 4-7-2022
So I ended up winning two tins of this in a large lot in an estate auction a few years back. They were both aged. this one aged 16 yrs and 7 months before I opened it. All this to say that also open in my cellar was some beacon Extra that was about 5 years aged and it wasn't even a close contest as to what McClelland VaPer was better.
Granted Beacon Extra is a four star blend. (IMO) This just confirms my earlier review that this is just not that great a VaPer. If McClelland was still available I would probably drop a star on this to two stars, but I will leave it at three since some McClelland is better than none, even if it is not one of their best efforts. I just wouldn't pay alot for it.
I would say that in terms of the MC vapers, I would put St. James Woods ahead of this and 2015 for the fact that it is in bulk and a better bargain than this one.
Update 4-7-2022
So I ended up winning two tins of this in a large lot in an estate auction a few years back. They were both aged. this one aged 16 yrs and 7 months before I opened it. All this to say that also open in my cellar was some beacon Extra that was about 5 years aged and it wasn't even a close contest as to what McClelland VaPer was better.
Granted Beacon Extra is a four star blend. (IMO) This just confirms my earlier review that this is just not that great a VaPer. If McClelland was still available I would probably drop a star on this to two stars, but I will leave it at three since some McClelland is better than none, even if it is not one of their best efforts. I just wouldn't pay alot for it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 09, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
This subtle VaPer is a bit sweeter than St. James Woods and with less Perique. It also has less from the "vinegar" taste so common in McClelland's tobaccos. Both are great, and are a must try for any Vaper fan.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 20, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I have smoked this for a few years now. Every time I come across it in a store, I grap it. Its brother, McClellands 'St. James Flake', is more available in the few shops I have around. If memory serves me well in tastes, I would say the only difference in the two is the toasting of the Bayou Slices. The toasting does the flake a favor in flavor. Tangy, sweet, peppery, earthy and; unlike St. James, ready to smoke without any drying. The last tin I found in a shop in Ashville, NC had been on the shelf since 2005. I opened it more than 5 years after the tinning date, WOW!! It made me wish I could buy this in bulk and age it myself. 5 years was probably to long to age, maybe three would be perfect. Anyway, it was the best 50 grams of tobacco I ever smoked. An unaged tin of this still gets a 4 star rating, but an aged tin is now my all time favorite.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 02, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Boy, this stuff smells good. Can is from '06, but stills maintains enough moisture to be smoked right away, or store away for another 6 months or more. Typical MClelland sweet Virginia smell (some say ketchup, I say aged Virginias) with a good dose of Perique for adventure. Flakes are definitely broken, and easy to pack as is or rub out a little. This is a typical "Bayou" type presentation, with the toasting taking the burn tongue thing off, if smoked (as all tobacco should be) slowly to enjoy the flavor. Recommended for the Va/Per crossover or an occasional departure for the English/Balkan crowd. All in all, a good smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 14, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The brother to the new latakia flake. I'm smoking it now in my exile from New Orleans.
Mild smoking and medium flavor. Not as heavy as latakia flake. Ready for rubbing.
The tang of twany flake is again subdued, this time by some perique. Just enough spice to make it interesting, but not heavy or sharp. But not terribly complex either.
I like it fine as non bite version of virginia-perique flake. Enough strength to be satisfying through the day. Only time now to smoke a bowl a day. Worth the investment.
Mild smoking and medium flavor. Not as heavy as latakia flake. Ready for rubbing.
The tang of twany flake is again subdued, this time by some perique. Just enough spice to make it interesting, but not heavy or sharp. But not terribly complex either.
I like it fine as non bite version of virginia-perique flake. Enough strength to be satisfying through the day. Only time now to smoke a bowl a day. Worth the investment.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2017 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Loving McC´s virginias and loving VaPers,I don´t like this flake.The reason maybe the Blakeney´s system that,in my suspiction,kills the spiciness from Perique and doesn´t get better the faboulous Mc Clelland virginias.I´ll remain with my splendid 2015 Virginia-Perique flake.It isn´t bad,but not for me.Simply a toasted VaPer.I don´t think that BB series wuld be the best product of the,at the other hand, glorious McC brand.All this IMVHO.
Pipe Used:
many
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes
Age When Smoked:
2 years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Ehrling's review nails it for me, so let me repeat it for you:
"I am not going to spend a lot of time on this review--it was a bit disappointing. Overall I found Bayou Slices just a little to bland to suit my tastes. The tin aroma was certainly promising, but that promise was not fulfilled in the flavor. There was sufficient body in the smoke, but I can't bring myself to describe this blend as especially "rich"--it falls short.
"I was able to finish the tin, but I just didn't get much enjoyment out of it. It probably deserves 2-stars, but nothing higher from me."
I will mention that Bayou Slice lacks the ketchup-like aroma that afflicts most McClelland tobaccos.
The only other comment I have is that McClelland's name appears no where on the Bayou Slice label. Instead, it's marketed under the brand name "Blakeney's Best." Why a company with an illustrious name like McClelland would start selling tobacco under a different name is a mystery to me.
"I am not going to spend a lot of time on this review--it was a bit disappointing. Overall I found Bayou Slices just a little to bland to suit my tastes. The tin aroma was certainly promising, but that promise was not fulfilled in the flavor. There was sufficient body in the smoke, but I can't bring myself to describe this blend as especially "rich"--it falls short.
"I was able to finish the tin, but I just didn't get much enjoyment out of it. It probably deserves 2-stars, but nothing higher from me."
I will mention that Bayou Slice lacks the ketchup-like aroma that afflicts most McClelland tobaccos.
The only other comment I have is that McClelland's name appears no where on the Bayou Slice label. Instead, it's marketed under the brand name "Blakeney's Best." Why a company with an illustrious name like McClelland would start selling tobacco under a different name is a mystery to me.
Pipe Used:
Various briars
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
Age When Smoked:
18 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 01, 2009 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
[With the same blend listed twice under Blakeney's Best Bayou Slice, this is a repeat review.]
These medium-cut, partially broken, hard-pressed flakes have a tangy and syrupy tin aroma.
This blend is unique amongst the VA based blends in the Blakeney's Best series in that the base leaf is red virginia, not gold as in Tawny Flake and Acadian Ribbon. The butter caramel and peanut brittle overtones so distinct in Tawny Flake, here instead, evoke treacle and black walnut. There is a pretty heavy dose of perique which adds to the depth.
This is a unique flake of great depth and presence and which gains phenomenal richness down the bowl.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow
These medium-cut, partially broken, hard-pressed flakes have a tangy and syrupy tin aroma.
This blend is unique amongst the VA based blends in the Blakeney's Best series in that the base leaf is red virginia, not gold as in Tawny Flake and Acadian Ribbon. The butter caramel and peanut brittle overtones so distinct in Tawny Flake, here instead, evoke treacle and black walnut. There is a pretty heavy dose of perique which adds to the depth.
This is a unique flake of great depth and presence and which gains phenomenal richness down the bowl.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 10, 2007 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
[With the same blend listed twice under Blakeney's Best Bayou Slice, this is a repeat review.]
These medium-cut, partially broken, hard-pressed flakes have a tangy and syrupy tin aroma.
This blend is unique amongst the VA based blends in the Blakeney's Best series in that the base leaf is red virginia, not gold as in Tawny Flake and Acadian Ribbon. The butter caramel and peanut brittle overtones so distinct in Tawny Flake, here instead, evoke treacle and black walnut. There is a pretty heavy dose of perique which adds to the depth.
This is a unique flake of great depth and presence and which gains phenomenal richness down the bowl.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow
These medium-cut, partially broken, hard-pressed flakes have a tangy and syrupy tin aroma.
This blend is unique amongst the VA based blends in the Blakeney's Best series in that the base leaf is red virginia, not gold as in Tawny Flake and Acadian Ribbon. The butter caramel and peanut brittle overtones so distinct in Tawny Flake, here instead, evoke treacle and black walnut. There is a pretty heavy dose of perique which adds to the depth.
This is a unique flake of great depth and presence and which gains phenomenal richness down the bowl.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 28, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Given the successful effort creating St. James Woods, I just don't see the justification for McClelland producing Bayou Slices. The "slices" are more like wood chips of tobacco, thick and tough to keep smoldering. It leaves a sooty taste in my mouth and smells akin to a cigarette burning. SJW rarely bites me and each time I smoked BS, my tongue was sore. I think it is actually a well-layered blend in terms of flavors, with even something Turkish lurking in the shadows, but I cannot check enough boxes to warrant spending more time exploring. YMMV
This is probably the end of my tests of Blakeney's Best series, having smoked Acadian Ribbon (loved it) and Latakia Flake, which is a bit of al'right. Tawny Flake's tin description, along with the TR reviewers, just haven't drawn me in.
This is probably the end of my tests of Blakeney's Best series, having smoked Acadian Ribbon (loved it) and Latakia Flake, which is a bit of al'right. Tawny Flake's tin description, along with the TR reviewers, just haven't drawn me in.
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