McClelland Arcadia

The waxy texture and too-perfect moisture level indicate generous portions of propylene glycol used as a humectant. There is quite a bit of 'Latakia,' likely the Cypriot variety of the smoky weed, but there is more too it than Latakia. The casing is a common but unidentifiable flavoring...the propylene glycol?

Of course, there are the Virginias, including generous helpings of MClelland's dark stoved Virginia. But this is the most English of the English blends I have sampled from the American tobacco firm.

No tongue bite, even when smoked fast, but it does leave a lot of moisture behind. Mind the gurgles!

Tin note is mostly Latakia, but the room note is a delightful, old fashioned, Grandpa's pipe smell that will please most of the rabble. Indeed, I may buy more of this simply for the classic aroma so loved by those unfortunate enough to taste it themselves.

I'm half way through my first tin of this blend and I am liking it very much as my start of the day smoke. The nic level is low so I want a higher octane later in the day.

The Va and Orientals are nicely balanced with the Orientals adding interesting notes to the flavour. It is an interesting change from the Lat bombs I'm fond of but it is still plenty 'English' enough for me.

It is probably a good starting point for aro smokers interested in trying something different.

Recommended.

This starts out sweet snd smooth,as you reach the half way point. The flavor gets richer this has been cellered since 08 that may change things. However I remember this being about the same when it was a new tin.

Update: Better than before the,flavor is bold but not over the top. Burns to a perfect ash, smoking a bowl in a Upshall as I post:) 4-stars

This is one of those odd little tobaccos that seem to have everything I want and then just miss somehow, somewhere. I want to fall in love with it, but I just can't.

It is a lovely smoking tobacco. It appears a mottled black, brown and yellow in the can. The orientals give a slight resiny/grassy quality to the tin aromas mixed with the honeyed qualities of the Virginias. It packs like a dream and smokes cool, dry, and long.

I can't remember who it was, but some scribbler once described a woman like this: "She just missed being beautiful and in just missing was not even attractive." It's mean, but I find it curiously apt to describe hallowed and hollow Arcadia.

The good news is, this is the sort of tobacco I like a lot. Rich and full, cool smoking and not very bitey. Room note is not bad compared to a heavier English.

The bad news is, I already have a tin of this stuff and it says "Presbyterian Mixture" on it.

The good news is, this is cheaper than Prezzy and comes more dry.



There is nothing new under the sun, but if everything mimiced old favorites as well as this, we'd be better for it.

EDIT 040408

I find this less like Presbyterian now... perhaps some ghosts doing the talking. A very pleasant smoke, with some nice hints of something almost like a basma... Good work McClelland

Just to ante-up a bit of a review here to go along w/the troops, I find this to be a welcome change of pace from the heavier English blends out there today. This is a multi-colored shag and the cut makes for easy packing and lighting. The moisture content was a bit on the damp side but in no way a major problem; just let some dry a little and fill your pipe, no worries. The flavor @ lighting is typical English w/the earthy, smoky flavors you would expect to taste, maybe a tad citrusy, but IMO lighter and smoother than some blends. It reminds me a bit of McC. Trollshaws (but lighter) and McC. Scottish Woods (but not quite as sharp). There is an underlying sweetness and a minimal tart/sour note as well. Virtually no bite and burns nicely down to a white ash leaving the pipe clean and dry. The room note was surprising to me. At a tobacco shop where I used to work I smelled a sweet almost aromatic scent coming from a fellow employees pipe in the room where he and I were doing some shelf arrangement. When I asked my co-hort what he was smoking he said "Arcadia." I've not had the same comment, but I'm usually alone when I smoke this. Whatever, I enjoy the stuff when I have the chance to smoke it, and will probably keep a tin around the house. A very nice milder, cool smoking English. Tasty. By the way, the story about Holmes, Watson and Arcadia is called "The Crooked Man," it is in the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, and, I quote, (Holmes speaking to Watson), "Hum! You still smoke the Arcadia mixture of your bachelor days, then! There's no mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat." End quote. I believe there is another reference but I'm not sure where @ this time. Nuff said. Works for me!

Appearance: Rather fine cut for an English blend, almost a shag. A good range of colors from light to black, evenly distributed.

Aroma: Fairly typical English/Oriental once it dries a bit and loses the ?vinegar? smell.

Packing: Packs easily in any size pipe, but seems o be best in small to medium bowls.

Lighting: Very quick lighting when it?s a the right humidity.

Initial flavor: Just an average English blend. I can taste the Virginias (which are not particularly rich), he Orientals (which are also somewhat subdued), and the moderate Latakia. In short, nothing jumps out for me. There is some nice layering, but not quite the flavor level I?m looking for.

Mid-bowl: The fine cut can smoke hot unless you?re careful. The flavor develops a bit more depth as you progress through the middle, bu still not outstanding.

Finish: A bit more Latakia evident at the end. It does leave a fluffy whte ash, but so does Raven?s Wing.

Summary: Leaving aside the debate about whether this is or isn?t a recreation of Craven (which I enjoyed greatly, but too many years ago for a valid comparison), the blend is just OK, but suffers in comparison to others I?ve reviewed recently. If there had been a Dr. Watson, he would have spent his tobacco money much more wisely.

Upon opening the tin the smell of Frog Morton comes to mind immediately. However, there is the smoky component missing and the ribbons are just a bit lighter than FM.

Perfect moisture level to load and light. Took a couple of lights to get going, but after that no relights necessary. Kept lit with light tamping.

The smoke was very similar to FM, except again no latakia and hence not any of that smoky campfire flavor present. However, one gets the sweet, tangy, woodsy, incense like tones throughout the smoke. However, the flavor isn't as strong, bold, or as rich as FM. It's a nice creamy, mellow smoke that is very enjoyable. A must try (though that makes it difficult with the loss of McClellands)!

I am starting to think that smoking Orientals without latakia is the pipe-smoking equivalent of kissing your sister. While smoking Arcadia and McC 2050, I find myself missing the latakia. Not very satisfying. Where's my Pirate Kake?