McClelland Wilderness

This English is lead by the Virginias and Orientals with the Latakia providing a strong base. There is a nice amount of sweetness, but I wouldn't quite call it a sweet English. The wonderful Orientals counter-balance that sweetness to a certain degree. My tin was slightly dry and just the way I like it for immediate smoking. Lights well and burns great. Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. Although I could easily detect the McBBQ in the tin note I couldn't taste it in the flavor. This isn't my favorite type of English, but I found myself enjoying every bowl. It's a great smoke.

Tan-to-brown-to-black in color, a beautiful looking ribbon cut with an astounding tin nose. Light but pungent, there is no doubt of the presence of Syrian latakia. A lighter tasting version of its Cyprian brother, Syrian adds a wine-like taste and bouquet.

Well, this didn't bring to mind any long-lost blends of yesteryear, but it stands pretty well on its own. I wasn't as impressed with the flavor and smokability of this one as I was its Fred Hanna stablemate, Legends, but this is certainly a worthy blend. It may be more complex than Legends. There was a pretty active tapestry of flavors weaving in and out, with the Syrian latakia adding its usual mild sourness and piquency. The orientals were of the spicy variety, which made the overall picture gel. I found this one a little difficult to smoke when I wasn't paying attention, as the blend forced me to deal with it. As I said, this is one active blend that didn't seem to want to rest. However, the flavor was far from assertive. I wouldn't have objected to a little more "oomph".

As with Legends, a pretty good smoke but nothing I'll smoke again too often. The oriental/latakia market is booming (although Syrian seems to be the provenance of one U.S blender) and there just isn't enough boldness here, even amidst the activity. But if you want a good tasting smoke that is very complex and you like a mild blend, this one could be for you.

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.

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 too Latakia dominant to deserve four stars. I cannot sense the "depth" in this mixture as compared to...say, Mississippi Mud & some other Latakia blends.

Very nice. I would call it a very soft (creamy to some) Oriental tobacco. Keep your "Nose Peeled" while smoking this one as it has many different aromas and favors floating around - as other reviewers have already said. You can't really tell what's coming next and I suppose that's the joy of it. Tin aroma is very similar to Legends but this is more like a loose cannon as far as flavor goes. A more or less incense like aroma most of the time. Somewhat damp right out of the tin but not as extreme as some McClelland blends. It is good to me now but I'll wait for final judgement later on.

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.

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.