McClelland Stave-Aged Virginia 35 Ribbon

I love this stuff! It burns clean and clear, and the tin note is amazing. Almost like root beer. The flavor is excellent all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I finished my tin quickly and definitely need to get more!

The only reason I don't give the blend a four out of four, is because it's not something I reach for every day.

The strength of this seems to be your average Virginia, it's a nice medium that's definitely not lacking. The flavoring was not overpowering and very simple. I'm not sure if the wood block does help, but I would think it does. It gives a great taste you look for in a blend such as this.

The taste besides the casing is very good, McClelland always does a full Virginia. The room note was also very nice. The wife approved and said it was pleasant. Definitely one I would recommend if your looking for a stronger Virginia aromatic.

Like a "Cream Sickle" , orange and vanilla flavor ( ok maybe Bourbon) ,but very well done, not cloying. I'm not an Areo smoker, but I can get by with this. I thought this was very bitey when I first opened a fresh tin, but give this two weeks to breath, and it is a creamy Virginia. I'm sure new pipe smokers would like this and probably good for public smoking. As you get halfway down the bowl, this turns into a nice flavorful McC Virginia and you lose the topping. I never give Aros 3 stars but this is a 3 star, even for me. Will bite if you don't pay attention

Agree with most of what reviewer, "DK 10/08/2012", said

I LOVE THIS TOBACCO! Sorry for using all caps but I felt it was necessary. This is a tobacco that goes well with a glass of bourbon and a good book. I paired it with Elijah Craig 20 year bourbon and it was incredible. The use of the stave in this tobacco is such a wonderful touch. It smokes to a nice ash right from the tine and burns wonderfully. McClelland hits another home run in my book with this one and I have two more tins on order!!!! Thumbs up and I hope this tobacco is around for some time to come.

High sugar lemon VA, high sugar red VA, plus stoved red VA - very rich taste, yet easy smoking right out of the tin. This blend did not tend to bite the tongue if the enthusiasm got too high; more like gives a warning note of heat and allows one to back off and resume enjoyable puffing. The essence of bourbon from the barrel stave is just enough to detect during a bowl, and leave a hint on the tongue afterwards. Sort of an afterglow 🙂 My taste buds' reaction is similar to the first bowl of 2000 Red Ribbon I smoked: a classic right here in front of me. Looks like I'm gonna have to cellar a case of this tobak too.

Great Virginia taste with a touch of bourbon flavor, definitely not an aromatic, just a hint of added flavoring. Rich tobacco taste, never bitter. Moderate nicotene level. A great addition to a Virginia lovers rotation.

This is a really great blend for the Virginia lover. The smell from the tin is sweet raisin/plum with a hint of oak...the oak cube in the tin is a great idea in my opinion. Burns clean to a white ash fresh from the tin. Has a great sweet woodsy flavor with a hint of bourbon lingering in the background. This is a great morning pipe to start your day or late evening complement to your favorite whiskey or dark beer...even coffee if that is your preference.

I really enjoyed this blend and plan on buying some tins for cellaring as I can only imagine how well the flavors will meld over a couple years.