McClelland Wilderness

I just finished a couple samples of this from a friend -- the end of his tin. I must say, if the end of the tin is this good, it must have been great throughout. This was on my to-try/to-buy list recently, and having smoked some finally, it's a definite to-buy.

Smooth Syrian latakia definitely comes out even though this blend is very well balanced on the VA/Or/Lat front. The description says "sweetness, richness...creaminess." Yes, definitely yes, to these three descriptors. This is great stuff.

Wow! I think Fred Hanna gave Tad Gage a run for his money on this here blend! I went home with a sample tin of this yesterday and I can't believe how good it is! It reminds me of 3 Oaks Syrian, only a bit more full bodied and complex. I think I may have a new favorite blend! Only time will tell. The room note is fantastic too!

Some will tell you there has never been an English blend I hated, but that's not true. The owner of our local shop brought back a number of blends from the RTDA show. He put out a few of them out for us to sample, and this was one. It was the last of the group I sampled and I enjoyed them all However, Wilderness was over the top. I'm thinking that Fred Hanna is my new favorite blender. I'd even bet if GLP tried this one he'd say, Wow!

Great from the match to the bottom of the bowl. Good latakia flavor without knocking you over. It has a hint of sweetness that comes in and out. I'm only hoping that they eventually pack it in a larger can. I know I said the other day that Nocturne my new go-to, but I may have been a permature.

I tried this blend when it first came out. The tin aroma is similar to another McC blend...Yenidje Highlander but the taste is quite different. There is black, brown and light colored leaf in the mix. For the first few puffs, I mainly noticed a spice-like flavoring. This flavor soon deminishes and the various tobacco flavors begin to meld and interact.

I'm not experienced enough to sort out the types of tobaccos in this blend but the compilation evolves into a satisfying, anytime smoke. The Latakia presence is not overwhelming but is applied in good balance. This stuff burns great, produces good tobacco flavor & is fairly easy on the palate for a Latakia blend. Wilderness doesn't produce a sweet tasting smoke but delivers more of a straightforward, smoky tobacco flavor. I did not immediately crave another bowl but will probably get lost & wander in the Wilderness again soon.

I'm not overly fond of this mix and feel it is already much over-rated. For me, it was lacking in strength I cannot sense the "depth" in this mixture as compared to...say, Mississippi Mud, Old Dublin, Yenidje Highlander & some other Latakia blends.

This seems to be what I stuff in my pipe after a long day of trying new blends, and I need a tongue saver. The different tobaccos all smell and taste fresh, smoke cool and it leaves a rich, creamy aftertaste. I can close my eyes and picture why this is called Wilderness - Earthy tones always leaving a cool, satisfying feeling during its entirety.

a very good verginia based english blend. if you like a light, sweet, woodsy english blend this is for you. this has made its way into my regular rotation.

A special Oriental , quite difficult to put words on it even after 2 tins because it's quite complex but certainly interesting .

A great blend to be kept.

The tin aroma is similar to another McC blend...Yenidje Highlander but the taste is quite different. There is black, brown and light colored leaf in the mix. For the first few puffs, I mainly noticed a spice-like flavoring. This flavor soon deminishes and the various tobacco flavors begin to meld and interact.

I'm not experienced enough to sort out the types of tobaccos in this blend but the compilation evolves into a satisfying, anytime smoke. The Latakia presence is not overwhelming but is applied in good balance. This stuff burns great, produces good tobacco flavor & is fairly easy on the palate for a Latakia blend.

Wilderness doesn't produce a sweet tasting smoke but delivers more of a straightforward, smoky tobacco flavor. I did not immediately crave another bowl but will probably get lost & wander in the Wilderness again soon.

I'm not overly fond of this mix and feel it is already much over-rated. For me, it was lacking in strength and Latakia dominant to deserve four stars. I cannot sense the "depth" in this mixture as compared to...say, Mississippi Mud & some other Latakia blends. Therefore, IMHO, McC's Wilderness merits three stars!! Sampled in a size two Stanwell.

When I first began this blend I found very little to appreciate. After smoking a few bowls I now can detect the magic. The flavors of the orientals really creep in and play a fine tune.

I suppose I should say the VA is purely a base. There is a detection of its earthy sweetness, however, at no point is it really in the spotlight. The Latakia is very mild, hardly detectable. Then there are the orientals. They are strong and seem to enjoy a friendly spar between the two types on your tongue. Overall this blend is enjoyable.

As some side notes I will add these thoughts. This is not, in my opinion, considered an English blend. The latakia is to muted and the orientals are more pronounced. I will also add that as such it does have some difficulty in staying lit, though, I find that to be true in most oriental heavy blends. I feel compelled to also report that I have smoked this in VA designated pipes with no ill effects, do not let the presence of latakia deceive you in this blend, it is merely a complement, not a major role player.