McClelland Wilderness

A fantastic blend here. Just a wonderful, sweet, spicy and mild English blend. An all day smoke that really sings. This blend could not be more appropriately named. Weather your camping in late summer, hunting in the fall, ice fishing in winter or going for a spring stroll through the forest this blend is made for the outdoors. Such an earthy, natural blend that just seems to enhance the beauty of the wilderness. You'll never catch me on a fishing trip with out my deep bowl corn cob and a tin of McClelland Wilderness. An absolute favorite.

I was leery buying this one at first, as I normally don't care much for McClelland's latakia blends because they usually lack both the complexity and strength I like in English/Balkans. Wilderness, however, is the first latakia blend from this company I've fallen in love with, in large part because it remedies the most important of those two issues.

This is one of the most complex things I've ever smoked, rivaled only by the new Magnum Opus blend from Hearth & Home and some batches of seriously aged Renaissance and Samarrah I lucked into. Every few seconds the flavor seems to shift, yet always retaining a subdued sweetness and the smoky spice of both types of latakia. It never fails to hold my attention throughout the smoke, as it never grows tiresome or bland. While some reviewers have stated they don't taste much latakia, I have to question whether they are simply accustomed to the sharp, smoky Cyprian variety. This is the closest thing to Syrian "lat bomb" I've ever smoked! But that also means the character is very different from Cyprian-based blends, which have a "smoky" or "campfire" flavor. The Syrian, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of red wine, incense, or even curry. Hannah has stated publicly that this contains nearly 35 percent Syrian latakia, which is a prodigious amount of that particular leaf (which is considerably stronger in flavor than its Cyprian counterpart).

Fred Hanna, of course, is known as one of the world's premier experts on the legendary Balkan Sobranie mixtures, and it's interesting to note that the ingredients listed on the label are a dead ringer for the Sobranie "white" mixture of old. It's also worth noting that Hanna has not chosen to describe this as a recreation of that famous blend, although he has said publicly that his appreciation for the classic mixtures is what inspired him to take on this project. I doubt that he could have recreated the Sobranie's flavor with the constituent tobaccos here (McC's virginias are too pungent and unique to ever sucessfully mimic those used in European blends) but this stuff is absolutely superb on its own terms. I've picked up flavors that I've never before encountered in a pipe tobacco, and I've gone through hundreds of blends over the past 20 years. Hanna has said this blend has 12 different tobaccos in it (Syrian, Cyprian, a mix of Vas and a whole slew of orientals) and boy does it show!

The burning characteristics here are pretty good if not spectacular, it's very cool in the pipe, and it doesn't have much potential for bite.

If I have a criticism, it is one voiced already by several others. Wilderness has relatively little in the way of nicotine strength even though it is (to my palate) full flavored. I like powerful blends such as Old Joe Krantz, Billy Budd, Bosun Cut Plug, etc., and Wilderness falls far short of those. On the other hand, I've run into VERY few blends of this type that satisfy my cravings for Vitamin N, and Wilderness does at least have more nicotine than other McClelland mixtures (I estimate it to be about the same as Carter Hall).

Anyhow, Wilderness has shot to the top of my English/Balkan rotation with a bullet. Primo stuff. If you go into it looking for nicotine or a large dose of Cyprian latakia, you will likely be disappointed. For the rest of us, four stars.

If words like subtle, smooth, and creamy appeal to you you might enjoy this blend. There's a huge distraction for me in Wilderness. This is something I'm noticing to be a recurring theme in the McCllland blends I'm exploring. The foundation for this blend must be a Cavendish that I would classify as aromatic. The taste and aroma are unmistakable to my palette, and I mean like 1Q type of Cavendish. This is the dominant flavor, with the other elements piggy-backing ever so lightly on that foundation. The result is a aromatic crossover, that might be "wild" for the aromatic piper. Considering that pound for pound this is on the top of the price scale for pipe tobacco, I am surprised. I would advise the piper that enjoys, say, Dunhill blends, and are interested in full tasting tobacco, to steer clear of this.

This is a fantastic tobacco blend. From charring light to end, Wilderness is sweet with a distinctly fragrant incense-like wood smoke scent. Faint hints of McClelland's fermented Virginia tang are also noticeable, as are the hints of the holiday spice flavors that one finds in their Matured VA's. However I find that the most compelling aspect of Wilderness is the use of both Cyprian and Syrian Latakia which seems to deepen the aroma while providing a richness in flavor that is both profound and unique. This has been done in a few other blends, but the Syrian/Cyprian harmony struck in Wilderness is superb.

As the bowl progresses everything just gets better. The Latakia while used generously, never overwhelms. The smoke remains smooth, creamy & lightly sweet and the spicy quality of the Orientals provide plenty of sparkle, making the later portion of the bowl all the more interesting.

Altogether, Wilderness is not a flavor hammer, it's actually quite mild. But that's not to say it's lacking in flavor. If anything it's a perfect example of what makes most McClelland blends so great. Wilderness is perfectly balanced, mild enough to smoke any time, and yet it has plenty of flavor and complexity. In fact there's enough nuances and tricky little olfactory sensations in a bowl of Wilderness to write plenty more about. And of course all this makes for a very wonderful smoke.

I know that I am going to go against the majority on this one. I really loved Mr. Hanna's Legends so I couldn't wait to try Wilderness. The tin smell is fine with me and at first light, I found Wilderness a slightly sweet, creamy smoke. There is a lot going on in this blend. The mix of different flavors is very interesting. My issue comes up when I reach about mid bowl and the flavor really turns nasty for me. I tried several different pipes in hope that I had just selected the wrong briar. I have come to the conclusion that there is something in my chemical makeup that just can't tolorate this blend. A quality tobacco for sure, but just not for me. Two stars.

I bought two cans of this last year while I was stocking up on Syrian tobacco. Not only is this tobacco no longer in production neither is McClelland unfortunately. I have finished one tin and really liked it. I cannot really describe Syrian tobacco but I can usually tell when smoking it and this had a fair amount. It smoked well and what I liked about it was that it was not sweet just cool, spicy and smooth. I will save my last can until some special occasion or on my death bed.

When I was stocking my cellar I was sure that I would have some regrets in the end and Wilderness is one such casualty. Over the last few years, I had too many open containers and so many more blends that I wanted to try. So if I wanted to try something I would just buy it and cellar it until I winnowed down my open containers enough to try it later.

Such was the case with the tin of Wilderness I bought 2 1/2 yrs ago. I, unfortunately, did not get a chance to try this til after the cat was out of the bag about McClelland's dwindling Syrian reserves and production ceased. Although aware of the Syrian shortage in plenty enough time to do something about it, I had not found a Syrian blend worthy of deep cellaring until I tried Wilderness.

This blend is fantastic. It is a ready rubbed blend that carries the strong scent of McClelland Virginia leaf, or Ketchup as some say. The smell doesn't carry through to the smoke as far as I can tell. The Virginia presence is strong and provides much of the sweetness one experiences. The star condiment as far as I can tell is the Yenidge. It is by far the dominant taste IMO. I really can't tell the drama leaf from the other elements, but it may have a lot of play in the side stream note. This blend also has both Cyprian and Syrian Latakia, but neither is overwhelming in presence and both play back in the blend. There is little smokiness and leather to this blend and I think it is the better because of it. In fact, I find this to be a Balkan that is more on the refreshing side and it makes for a good warm weather smoke.

Now, for my favorite part of this blend. It is the side stream aroma. I spent almost as much time sniffing the top of the burning bowl as I did smoking it proper. If they sold incense that smelled like this I think I would permanently burn it in my garage.

To now all has been positive and the only negative I can find is that I can't find it anywhere to buy another tin. If anyone does not like this blend I will trade you for it. If you are in a B&M and are reaching for it and you see me coming through the door, watch out. lol This stuff is that good and is bound to go down as one of the great blends that they don't make anymore.

Wow this is darn good. I was surprised just how well this smoked. I know they use Syrian and Cypress Latakia. With the lack of any more Syrian Latakia being available I was afraid it would be loaded up with Cypress Latakia and just a touch of Syrian. Well let me tell you that is not the case. It is very well blended and the taste is really good. If you like me love the flavor and taste of Syrian Latakia you will not be disappointed with this blend. Of course outstanding room note cool burning and not much in the way of bite. This is a true four and one half star smoke in my opinion. Unfortunately I can't do half a star so keep that in mind. This is a blend you can enjoy in a large bowl.

My first experience with a English/Balkan blend was Frog Morton On the Bayou. Loved it until it got some age (4Months). That Toad turned to card board. No more McClelland for me. For some reason I picked up three more McClelland tins, one happened to be Wilderness. I have really begun to enjoy orientals via Sqaudron Leader and H&H Larry's Blend. Today, I said "what the heck, it's time to open that 2 Year old tin of Wilderness".

First half of the bowl was mild, reminds me of Sqaudron Leader. By mid-bowl the orientals are dancing with the Syrian and Cyprian Latakia. The Latakia is definitely in the back ground. The red Virginias are really nice, they remind me of SPC Mississippi River. I haven't reached the end of the bowl quite yet, Oh! There it is sweet leather. Nice. Hints of orange spice, earthy leather....very exotic. (This stuff gets so subjective 😜)

I really hope after jarring, Wilderness doesn't do what The Lousiana Toad did and turn to bland card board spiced with tape.

I'm journeying back indoors to repack this pipe. This rarely happens.

UPDATE May 22 2015 I made a statement about the Latakia being in the background, I don't know if that is entirely accurate. You may sense that it is but I think the Syrian Latakia brings a little sweetness that marry's well with the red Virginia. Giving Wilderness an illusion of lat. in the background. Of course this isn't any where in the ball park of being a Lat. bomb.