McClelland Old Dog
(3.56)
One of the most loved in this series, this is a full English mixture dark with cool, smoky Cyprian latakia, spiced with fragrant Xanthis from Macedonia. These tobaccos marry under pressure with aged, sweet flue cured Virginias and smooth jet black Cavendish to create a very rich, satisfying blend with a tin aroma this is incredibly appealing. Sit back comfortably to ponder the meaning of life with Old Dog as your companion.
Notes: "Ashton Revival" introduced at Chicagoland Pipe Show in May, 2010
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Ashton Revival |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, 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
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.56 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 17 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Opening a tin of McClelland's Old Dog is always a treat. The aroma never fails to make this smoker smile. Smokey, leathery latakia bolstered by a subtle and promising sweetness, it is strangely familiar and very inviting. It never fails to relax. It does, however, arrive a bit moist in the tin. Reducing the water content to about 13 or 14% by removing the lid of the tin for a day or two and shaking the tobacco occasionally seems to do the trick. At this reduced moisture level it takes beautifully to the match, burns comfortably and will not bite. The first sips are delicious, velvety and rich with soft, deep latakia and pleasing fruitiness. As the pipe progresses (about the middle third) savory orientals emerge spicily as the virginias develop a toastiness balancing and enhancing the initial flavors. Exhale through the nose to experience the smoothly exotic elements of the orientals. From here to the bottom of the bowl flavors weave in and out deliciously. Smoke slowly for the full benefit.
Was wrong to be concerned about the black cavendish in this mixture. It is employed beautifully and never overshadows (nor oversweetens) the other constituents in this well balanced blend, which is an excellent take on a very special variety of English mixtures.
Nicotine? Yes, a bit, but never a threat.
Easily approachable, richly satisfying and very relaxing, Old Dog is a wonderful and trusty companion. Highly recommended (to the novice as well as the afficionado).
This tin is from 2010.
Was wrong to be concerned about the black cavendish in this mixture. It is employed beautifully and never overshadows (nor oversweetens) the other constituents in this well balanced blend, which is an excellent take on a very special variety of English mixtures.
Nicotine? Yes, a bit, but never a threat.
Easily approachable, richly satisfying and very relaxing, Old Dog is a wonderful and trusty companion. Highly recommended (to the novice as well as the afficionado).
This tin is from 2010.
Pipe Used:
Several. All reserved for untopped Latakia blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 03, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Smoky, spicy, sweet & sour, woody, fruity, and toasty. If this one doesn't hold your attention you may have Attention Deficit Disorder. A wonderful and complex smoke that I really enjoy. Another great McEnglish.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in flavor. Burns great. I like to dry it a bit, but will burn well straight from the tin.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in flavor. Burns great. I like to dry it a bit, but will burn well straight from the tin.
Pipe Used:
MM Country Gentleman, Diplomat Apple, Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Very Pleasant |
As full an English in strength and taste as there is on the market today, this Old Dog will hunt!
It compares favorably to the revival of Celebrated Sovereign but is not quite as soft due to the Cyrprian rather than the Syrian Latakia. I also think the heavier on the Virginia and lighter on the spice approach is what makes this one stronger. You'll find a whisper of leathery taste with some sweet spicy undertones as you work your way down the bowl.
Yummy stuff!
It compares favorably to the revival of Celebrated Sovereign but is not quite as soft due to the Cyrprian rather than the Syrian Latakia. I also think the heavier on the Virginia and lighter on the spice approach is what makes this one stronger. You'll find a whisper of leathery taste with some sweet spicy undertones as you work your way down the bowl.
Yummy stuff!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
If I appear today to be posting overly high ratings (with one exception) it is because I rarely post negative reviews of those blends I try which are of a type I do not normally enjoy. There is little point in my stating I don't like so-and-so aromatic when I find so few enjoyable for me. Negatives on Latakia-containing English blends or VaPers I would not hesitate posting however.
This blend is a "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much". At least that was my first thought when I lit it up at the B&M. I had never tasted such a sweet English.I smoked this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much" the rest of my drive into work and then lingered before going in to finish the bowl. Six hours later for lunch I loaded up another bowl of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much". I finished it at afternoon break.
On way home I smoked yet another bowl of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much" and when I got home I loaded a fresh pipe for yet another smoke of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much".
Four days later my tin was empty. I can almost not wait to get back to the B&M for another 2- 3 tins of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much".
My favorite McClelland to date.
This blend is a "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much". At least that was my first thought when I lit it up at the B&M. I had never tasted such a sweet English.I smoked this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much" the rest of my drive into work and then lingered before going in to finish the bowl. Six hours later for lunch I loaded up another bowl of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much". I finished it at afternoon break.
On way home I smoked yet another bowl of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much" and when I got home I loaded a fresh pipe for yet another smoke of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much".
Four days later my tin was empty. I can almost not wait to get back to the B&M for another 2- 3 tins of this "blend-I-don't-think-I-like-very much".
My favorite McClelland to date.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 18, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
As a new piper, used to cigars, this is an early favorite. I tried a few different English house blends from my B&M, told em I liked the smokiness of the Latakia in their "925", and that I enjoyed the sweetness their "Pimlico", which they called an English, but said is a borderline aromatic. I figure it had a ton Cavendish in it, without any sort of flavoring.
They suggested Old Dog would be a split between the two, and another house blend, "Regimental Standard".
I love Old Dog, at the very least, a fantastic smoke for someone who wants to get started smoking pipe tobacco.
Smells great out of the tin, sweet, smoky, almost fruity, kind of incense like, but when smoked, tastes more to the smoky side. To new inexperience palette very intriguing and fun to smoke. Exactly what I wanted.
They suggested Old Dog would be a split between the two, and another house blend, "Regimental Standard".
I love Old Dog, at the very least, a fantastic smoke for someone who wants to get started smoking pipe tobacco.
Smells great out of the tin, sweet, smoky, almost fruity, kind of incense like, but when smoked, tastes more to the smoky side. To new inexperience palette very intriguing and fun to smoke. Exactly what I wanted.
Pipe Used:
Briar - Brigham 2-Dot
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
Age When Smoked:
Just Opened
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 03, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
McClelland - Old Dog (Ashton Revival).
The blend's 50/50 black and brown, pretty coarse, and of a good hydration. There's no ketchup in the tin-note, strange but true! Lighting up Old Dog couldn't be simpler.
The smoke, without doubt, has some heady flavours: sharp Cyprian, and odoriferous Orientals. But these two are kept in check by the fruity-sweet Virginia and the viscous black Cavendish. The Latakia and black Cav' also make for an exceptionally cool smoking experience, too. I can't fault the burn, a bowl can be smoked with hardly any relights, just the occasional tamp.
Nicotine: mild for a blend labelled English. Room-note: I quite like.
Old Dog? A very good smoke, highly recommended:
Four stars.
The blend's 50/50 black and brown, pretty coarse, and of a good hydration. There's no ketchup in the tin-note, strange but true! Lighting up Old Dog couldn't be simpler.
The smoke, without doubt, has some heady flavours: sharp Cyprian, and odoriferous Orientals. But these two are kept in check by the fruity-sweet Virginia and the viscous black Cavendish. The Latakia and black Cav' also make for an exceptionally cool smoking experience, too. I can't fault the burn, a bowl can be smoked with hardly any relights, just the occasional tamp.
Nicotine: mild for a blend labelled English. Room-note: I quite like.
Old Dog? A very good smoke, highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Brebbia Fat Bob
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Tin stamped 2017, but opened fresh.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 31, 2013 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A very nice Latakia mixture that delivers a rich and dark taste. This blend lights well, stays lit, and burns cool to the bottom of the bowl. And, like a good Old Dog, it does not bite.
Pipe Used:
blasted billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Iwan Ries
Age When Smoked:
3 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 01, 2015 | Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
finally finished a tin of dunhill emp and opened this old dog bought from japan, (cos cant find nothing in hongkong other than ordinary big brands..). a bit wet from the tin, aroma is subtly sweet and not as much latakia as expected compared with emp, and even a bit musty. bigger chunks and cuts than most other baccy, but light easy in my corncob. very very cool smoke after first lights, subtle latakia, very sweet tho, for me. not fruity or candy sweet but kinda like sweetness from some plants used in cooking. middle of the bowl the latakia started to come out, but i still havn't got the tastebud for oriental as others reviewers said, soft smokiness and spicy, creamy all the way, even a hint of chocolate i am not sure if it were ghosts in my corncob, which i had smoked some borkum mixture with. sweet virgina (i guess they are) turned toasty with faint reminder of latakia and spiciness at bottom of bowl, mostly ashes left. i find it the best smoke i have had compared with others, flavored or not, house blends or brands, but my gf finds the room note pungent tho. my only odd feeling is i find a hint of ammonia-like smell from bowl whilst burning (again, could be ghosts). will try it on other pipes next time.
UPDATE: thanks for other reviewers, the sweetness resembles cinnamon, very very cinnamon, starting to grow on me. love this, altho takes some drying time, but worth it!
UPDATE: thanks for other reviewers, the sweetness resembles cinnamon, very very cinnamon, starting to grow on me. love this, altho takes some drying time, but worth it!
Pipe Used:
corncob
PurchasedFrom:
japan
Age When Smoked:
half year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Had a bowl of this today and really enjoyed it!!! A friend gave me a little bag to try out. At first light, The latakia proudly stands out. And the orientals are present as well. It burned great throughout the bowl. Did not cause any bite or burn to my mouth. I smoked it out of my Wizard MM cob. A cool short smoke that had me wanting more the whole time! Not overpowering in the N department. Would be a great english to start with for beginners!
Pipe Used:
Wizard Corn Cob MM
PurchasedFrom:
friend
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a nice English blend for my daily smoke. Not overwhalming taste, easy to enjoy, and nice start for daily smoke. The sweetness is clear and sharp, with smokey floral and herbal taste almost similar with the Dunhill My Mixture 965 but less complexity. With a proper packing and slow smoking, the light is easy to keep and without tendency to bite my tongue. Slow burn, great smokes, medium strength, medium taste, and with my Stanwell 11 Black Diamond, I'm enjoying an hour pleasant smoke. The taste is not full nor strong, but it it quite pleasant, I love the sweetness of this blend.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell 11 Black Diamond
Age When Smoked:
New
target="_blank"
