McClelland CPCC Scottish Woods

I just popped this tin a few days ago and my preliminary thoughts are it's a keeper. In a large bowl I found it acceptable but mostly the latakia was at the forefront. Next I tried it in a small bowled canadian and it really started to sing with all components complementing each other. I'm looking forward to exploring this blend further.

Right off the bat I will say that McClelland tobaccos have never been among my go to blends. Scottish Woods will be my exception. Excellent blend, tin note sweet sour vinegar with smoke. Packs well into the pipe and takes fire well. Initial flavor is Latakia and grassy Virginia, the subtle sourness of The Turkish soon joins the party and the experience is almost complete. Even though it is not listed the presence of black cavendish is there, at least to my taste. True Scottish blend and a damn fine one at that. Burns clean throughout the smoke with copious amounts of thick grey smoke. Not a strong nicotine blend and can be smoked anytime of the day for that matter, in fact I have gone through a tin the last 2 days. Will order more for sure!

Visually, a mix of mahogany and black tobaccos. It has none of the pale green and yellow leaf I expected of an Orientals forward blend. On this basis I suspect the entire mixture itself might have been lightly stoved rather than just the Virginias. The tin note has Latakia up front and centre with sweet and sour citrus-like and acetic aromas. There is also a caramel like casing or top note, of that vanilla/malt sort so favoured by tobacco blenders and which I suppose to be an attempt at a liquor aroma.

The stoved component of blends in theory provides slower and smoother smoking, allowing for a larger percentage of otherwise fast burning, acidic Orientals. My take on a Scottish blend is that either stoved Va or Cavendish serves this purpose. Regardless of intent, that is the outcome here and the result is a light, bright and very smooth mixture.

Despite the initial note, Latakia is not a big part of this mixture, and that component serves mostly to anchor the blend as the bright Orientals and sweet Virginias do their thing. This is a very sweet tobacco, naturally sweet, and is a very refreshing smoke. As the bowl progresses there is an earthy, peppery component, that if I were told was from a smidgeon of Perique, I would not be surprised. Perique however is not a listed ingredient.

A fine tobacco. As a side note, it is nothing like Presbyterian, in my opinion, in case a prospective buyer thought that the naming of this blend was indicative of that. Goes beautifully with a nice strong cup of Assam.

This is a tasty, spicy, somewhat sour blend, and it it very very flavourfull. Smokey like old dog or 3 oaks syrian. The biggest drawback, like every Mclelland tobacco I have tried, it it's weak in nicotine. Really really weak.

This is no good for me, a shame because I love the taste. If you don't like nicotine this could be the one...

Scottish Woods is very similar to oriental no 14, but the LA and OR dominate, rather than the Stoved VA as is the case with no 14. It is richer, stronger, and less sweet.A true Scottish Mixture! This is a very good discovery for me and will rebuy. If you like rich, spicy and smokey, then try Scottish Woods.

A quality mature tobacco, my tin dated as 6 months old. Not a sweet Virginia component, but nice balance. I find the spice a little too hard on my tongue so this will go to the cellar.

Update (10/29/11) Well a few months in the cellar and time to breath and we have a winner. This starts out smoky (lat.)and sweet & sour ( McCVV, McC Vinegar Virginia), I love it. Then the Latikia fades quickly and the Orientals take over, but at a sip they stay in perfect balance with the McCVV, no harsh spice or bite. This is smooth, interesting and flavorful. Just don't try to push it. I just tried this against Rattrays RR and this wins hands down, much smoother and bigger Oriental flavor (Smyrna leaf I believe), earthy , musty with a topping of Sweet and sour. This is my "VaO" for the rotation. I have to agree with reviewer,"Sinister Topiary"

Update ( 9/20/12 ) Call me crazy, but this is very similsr to Chelsea Morning

Wow. What a wonderful tobacco! Just the right amount of Latakia and Orientals/Turkish to compliment McClelland’s typical high grade Virginias. Tin note is that classic leathery, smoky Latakia, but I find this a rather sweet, flavorful smoke, consistent all the way to the last puff. Years ago this was my introduction to what a Latakia laced blend offered, and though I prefer straight Virginias, when I need a Latakia fix, this is one of my go-to blends.

Aromas of leather and nuts very presente and enjoyable. The taste is like that as well, a bit sweet and low body. Very low nicotine and very pleasant to smoke. An every day tobacco

Effng sublime. Can take a few minutes to hit its stride, but mind blowing once it does. Flowery, leathery, notes of incense and campfire, beautiful. .