McClelland CPCC Rich Virginia Ribbon
(3.71)
The finest ripe, dappled orange and red Virginia leaf is first caked, then gently spun into ribbon for a smoke sure to be in the Virginia lover's regular rotation. The exceptional flavor curve develops from zesty to sweet, rich and deep. You will count each bowl you smoke as time well spent.
Notes: Originally introduced in May, 1994 for the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors' Club, is now part of the Club Blends Series.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Club Blends |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams 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
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.71 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 14 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25, 2023 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Today I have the pleasure of opening a thirteen year old tin that I bought when I first got into pipes. Age has treated this one very, very well. I must admit that I have always appreciated McClelland Virginia tobacco, the first tobacco I tried was one of their bulk blends I purchased at a local brick and mortar shop.
As I said, time was kind to this tin. The smell is wonderful, the moisture is still just right and the ribbons are now dark brown and black. It packs and lights easily. For a Virginia this is very rich and complex. There is some tang on first !ight then the smoke settles into a sweet, slightly fruity and consistent smoking experience. It's not the in your face sweetness of some Virginia tobacco but hits just the right note. It burns well, has a pleasant aftertaste and again for lack of a better word is somewhat complex for a Virginia.
In my opinion, McClelland could work magic with Virginia tobacco. There are other good ones out there but McClelland is missed.
As I said, time was kind to this tin. The smell is wonderful, the moisture is still just right and the ribbons are now dark brown and black. It packs and lights easily. For a Virginia this is very rich and complex. There is some tang on first !ight then the smoke settles into a sweet, slightly fruity and consistent smoking experience. It's not the in your face sweetness of some Virginia tobacco but hits just the right note. It burns well, has a pleasant aftertaste and again for lack of a better word is somewhat complex for a Virginia.
In my opinion, McClelland could work magic with Virginia tobacco. There are other good ones out there but McClelland is missed.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell 2008 Pipe of the Year
Age When Smoked:
13 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 21, 2015 | Very Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I bought a couple tins of this with high expectations. It seemed right up my alley, but it just didn't click for me.
The ribbon cut is really consistent, which makes packing easy. Sometimes I packed as is, but more often I rubbed it out for better consistency of burn.
It seemed to be full of moisture and it never really went away, so I'm guessing there's some amount of propylene glycol present. I tried drying it out, but it didn't seem to change the taste or burn too much.
There was an overwhelming note of nougat here for me. Overwhelming. I'm not super big on sweet Virginias, preferring more zesty and tangy flavors, so my taste here may be out of the ordinary. It seemed like it had to be lightly topped with something to amplify that flavor, which rode roughshod over the more standard McClelland red and orange Virginia palette.
I smoked through one tin and traded the other away. I can see how others enjoy this blend, but it simply isn't for me. I'll still to my Full Virginia Flake.
The ribbon cut is really consistent, which makes packing easy. Sometimes I packed as is, but more often I rubbed it out for better consistency of burn.
It seemed to be full of moisture and it never really went away, so I'm guessing there's some amount of propylene glycol present. I tried drying it out, but it didn't seem to change the taste or burn too much.
There was an overwhelming note of nougat here for me. Overwhelming. I'm not super big on sweet Virginias, preferring more zesty and tangy flavors, so my taste here may be out of the ordinary. It seemed like it had to be lightly topped with something to amplify that flavor, which rode roughshod over the more standard McClelland red and orange Virginia palette.
I smoked through one tin and traded the other away. I can see how others enjoy this blend, but it simply isn't for me. I'll still to my Full Virginia Flake.
Pipe Used:
Lots of them
Age When Smoked:
One year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
No longer available - this one for me was the apotheosis of red virginia leaf in ribbon form. Easy to pack, easy to light and possessing great subtlety and depth. What's not to like? 4/4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 17, 2019 | Mild | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Can’t improve much on what DK has said. This is an outstanding sleeper blend that is now gone forever. If 5100 is sweet, this is its savory “yang”. It’s just as it says, Rich. I smoked a gifted ounce of this and now I will be on the hunt for more . Burns fantastic, smells great, and comes at the perfect moisture level in the tin. Love it.
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