McClelland Blackwoods Flake
(3.50)
The characteristic, natural sweetness of mellow, red Virginias mingles inextricably with the richness and inherently spicy aroma of black stoved Virginias in this doubly aged red and black all-Virginia cake mixture. An artistic achievement in tobaccos for the pipe, this beautiful mottled flake is incomparable in smoothness, balance and refinement.
Notes: From McClelland: Occasionally we meet someone whose familiarity with a variety of tobaccos, sensitive palate, and desire for "that special tobacco" provide an inspiration for us. In seeking to satisfy a taste other than our own, we pleasantly surprise ourselves with beautiful results. This is what the Personal Reserve Series is all about. We developed this concept early on as a way to enhance our creative spirit. We are proud to offer these fine pipe tobacco blends, and hope you will enjoy them.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Personal Reserve |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.50 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 18 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 04, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This 100g tin is from 2005, purchased in 2006, and finally opened in July of 2013. As a longtime fan of Virginias the large number of four star reviews here really got this smoker excited about trying this one. And tried I have, in a variety of pipes, at different moisture levels, partially and fully rubbed out or as it arrived in the tin, packed with varying techniques in greater and lesser densities, lying down, standing up, sitting, with and without beverages, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, while fasting... In short, convinced I was going to love Blackwoods Flake, I have never applied so much effort to exploring a tobacco, in trying to eke out whatever qualities it might have to offer. It has been six months now. The remainder of the tin is fully rubbed out and had a moisture of about 13-14% as I loaded the last pipe, a level I have found to be optimal for so many Va's, including many that I enjoy from McClelland, and, still, I'm stumped. Eight years of age on a highly touted Virginia! How promising! And yet I could not get this one to yield its secrets. It is hard to believe that this is the same tobacco that everyone has been talking about. If there were not so many positive reviews from so many esteemed reviewers I would be tempted to come to the conclusion that there are no extracts to be extracted, but as it stands I will open a tin of more recent production soon to give it another go.
Is it to be recommended? Sure. With so many enjoying BF so much, maybe this is the one for you. Hope so! Perhaps this was just a poor batch. Will update/upgrade if I have better luck next time.
Is it to be recommended? Sure. With so many enjoying BF so much, maybe this is the one for you. Hope so! Perhaps this was just a poor batch. Will update/upgrade if I have better luck next time.
Pipe Used:
Several. All reserved for Virginias w/out topping.
Age When Smoked:
8 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 05, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
I shouldn't have expected Blackwoods Flake to live up to the majesty of Dark Star. I hoped for Red Virginia royalty, and this blend fell short as a result.
Presentation is nice, and color is appealing, I don't mind the signature McClelland tin aroma at all; however, in this case it managed to linger on much longer than in other McClelland VAs I've sampled (and way beyond my trusty Dark Star). I sensed the aroma carrying into the flavor of the tobacco, and it came through every so often in a clove-like note. Not my favorite.
Overall, the smoke is very good -- even great at times. No bite. When Blackwoods Flake clicks for me, it's superb. But when it's a little off, it couldn't be less inviting. The quality of the leaf, as well as McClelland's handling and processing of same, is top notch ... no question. This one just doesn't deliver consistently enough to be a regular in my rotation.
Presentation is nice, and color is appealing, I don't mind the signature McClelland tin aroma at all; however, in this case it managed to linger on much longer than in other McClelland VAs I've sampled (and way beyond my trusty Dark Star). I sensed the aroma carrying into the flavor of the tobacco, and it came through every so often in a clove-like note. Not my favorite.
Overall, the smoke is very good -- even great at times. No bite. When Blackwoods Flake clicks for me, it's superb. But when it's a little off, it couldn't be less inviting. The quality of the leaf, as well as McClelland's handling and processing of same, is top notch ... no question. This one just doesn't deliver consistently enough to be a regular in my rotation.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 05, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
McClelland's - Blackwoods Flake.
Personally, I found that this one was bitey, vinegary, and did not want to dry out. The flakes kind of reminded me of cut rubber strips. I dont find the famous McClelland tin note off putting as some do, but here it carried over noticeably into the smoke, which was a little off putting. Probably the spiciest virginia flake I've ever smoked. Aside from the malt vinegar the tobacco itself was tasty and a quality product, but there's so many other virginia flakes out there that I dont have these issues with...
Personally, I found that this one was bitey, vinegary, and did not want to dry out. The flakes kind of reminded me of cut rubber strips. I dont find the famous McClelland tin note off putting as some do, but here it carried over noticeably into the smoke, which was a little off putting. Probably the spiciest virginia flake I've ever smoked. Aside from the malt vinegar the tobacco itself was tasty and a quality product, but there's so many other virginia flakes out there that I dont have these issues with...
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2010 | Very Mild | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was looking forward to a strong robust red virginia, instead I get an insipid mouthfull of warm air with only a hint of tobacco.
Having now stored the contents of the tin for just over a year of aging, all I find is that some things never change.
If you are looking for a mild inoffensive smoke with a hint of sweetnes, this coul be it.
Perhaps I was spoiled by the comparative powerhouse of 5100 Red Cake.
Having now stored the contents of the tin for just over a year of aging, all I find is that some things never change.
If you are looking for a mild inoffensive smoke with a hint of sweetnes, this coul be it.
Perhaps I was spoiled by the comparative powerhouse of 5100 Red Cake.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 27, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
You may enjoy this for what it is - a smooth sweet medium red combined with a spicy stronger black stoved virginia. And spicy it is, way to much for me. After a few puffs all I taste and feel is pepper, and derive no further pleasure from the smoke. Tried different pipes, drying etc., same problem. Must be a chemistry thing. I personally prefer a hint of latakia for my spice with a mellower softer smoke with more sweetness and less pronounced tobacco aftertaste (SL). Another fine McClelland product, just not on my restock list.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 02, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This was spicer then I expected (black pepper) it was good when you are looking for that flavor it had some sweetness to it but I got a lot of spice
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 05, 2014 | Strong | Mild | Full | Strong |
And, finally, my last review of the year. I saved this particular tobacco for the fall season, it seemed appropriate—the name and all. First the good news. I really enjoyed the taste of this tobacco. I found the taste rich and on the sharper side, as Virginia's often are. The side stream was excellent, and I really like that, it's a feature in smoking a bowl of tobacco I always look for and enjoy. Blackwoods Flake passes the grade on that account with flying colors but, and isn't there always a but? This tobacco was way too strong in the nicotine department for me, and played havoc with my throat—this was not a smooth smoke, rather harsh, in fact. Really, it reminded me a lot of what Mac Baren's Virginia No. 1 does to my throat. I marginally prefer what Mac Baren's V1 gives me in taste over this one, so I'll have to give Blackwoods a strong two stars (like a 2.75). I'll revisit this again next year to see if I've changed my mind.
Pipe Used:
Nording Freehand
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes&Cigars
Age When Smoked:
?
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 19, 2013 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I don't think this review is going to make me very many friends. This tobacco seems to be one of the highest rated blends on TR. I just don't get it. Is it a quality product? For sure, but it is not in any way exciting for me. I am a huge Virgina fan and there are many blends I would reach for before I reach for this one.
This tobacco comes in a chunky broken flake type of configuration. It is really wet from the tin, and even dried out gives me troubles. The smell in the tin is definitely McC ketchup.
This is a dark tobacco but just doesn't do it for me. If I am looking for a dark tobacco you can all keep your Blackwoods flake, just leave me to my wessex Brigade campaign.
This tobacco comes in a chunky broken flake type of configuration. It is really wet from the tin, and even dried out gives me troubles. The smell in the tin is definitely McC ketchup.
This is a dark tobacco but just doesn't do it for me. If I am looking for a dark tobacco you can all keep your Blackwoods flake, just leave me to my wessex Brigade campaign.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 03, 2012 | Very Mild | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
A great friend and fellow Pipesmoker recently sent me a tin as a gift and i am very greatfull to his generosity.
The tin was popped and the smell was typical McC Virginia, Tomato Sauce, Vinegar with some Cloves and maybe All Spice. While not the biggest fan of the Vinegar/Tomato sauce aroma, this did have promise and i was really looking forward to smoking it.
I have dried it for about a week to the moisture level that i prefer by leaving the tin open to air out. I do this successfully with all Virginia blends to get the results i seek.
I loaded up a bowl a few moments ago and lit up. It took pretty well and i started puffing away to get the taste experience. All i got was tongue bite, lots of it and decided to dump the tobacoo.
I know it may seem too soon to review but i have smoked many blends and this is a sign of things to come.
I understand that this blend is very popular and my experience is based on my personal body chemistry, YMMV.
Mo, South Africa
The tin was popped and the smell was typical McC Virginia, Tomato Sauce, Vinegar with some Cloves and maybe All Spice. While not the biggest fan of the Vinegar/Tomato sauce aroma, this did have promise and i was really looking forward to smoking it.
I have dried it for about a week to the moisture level that i prefer by leaving the tin open to air out. I do this successfully with all Virginia blends to get the results i seek.
I loaded up a bowl a few moments ago and lit up. It took pretty well and i started puffing away to get the taste experience. All i got was tongue bite, lots of it and decided to dump the tobacoo.
I know it may seem too soon to review but i have smoked many blends and this is a sign of things to come.
I understand that this blend is very popular and my experience is based on my personal body chemistry, YMMV.
Mo, South Africa
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 13, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I really wanted to like this one. It has so many good reviews on here plus I'm a big virginia fan. But I had problems with this tobacco that kind of detracted from my experience of it.
For one. When I rub out the flakes and spread out the resultant ribbon on a plate to air out, when I come back to it the next day it's still rubbery and moist. No big deal, I'm just used to an hour or so usually doing the trick on desiccation. For two, there was so much vinegar in this tobacco, that at times I wasn't sure whether I was smoking tobacco or fish and chips. For three, this blend tended to sting my mouth... maybe partly my own fault, but I suspect that the excessive vinegar and curiously hygroscopic nature of this blend had something to do with it also.
So I don't know what to think at this point. I have a small amount left. Guess I'll let it breathe some more, cellar it for about 8 months, give 'er another go and report back. Or maybe not.
For one. When I rub out the flakes and spread out the resultant ribbon on a plate to air out, when I come back to it the next day it's still rubbery and moist. No big deal, I'm just used to an hour or so usually doing the trick on desiccation. For two, there was so much vinegar in this tobacco, that at times I wasn't sure whether I was smoking tobacco or fish and chips. For three, this blend tended to sting my mouth... maybe partly my own fault, but I suspect that the excessive vinegar and curiously hygroscopic nature of this blend had something to do with it also.
So I don't know what to think at this point. I have a small amount left. Guess I'll let it breathe some more, cellar it for about 8 months, give 'er another go and report back. Or maybe not.
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