McClelland Blackwoods Flake

From my notes back in 2010 from a prior account: This review is based on a two year old 50g tin that was opened & sampled a in 2010. The tin and contents were then placed into a freezer bag & sealed for a few weeks... maybe months. It's still plenty moist & fresh and required some drying time. I noticed a tart, fermented vinegar-like aroma upon reopening. Not so much the ketchup smell that some have noted.

This stuff doesn't taste anything like it smells. This is an excellent Virginia blend that produces the sweet VA goodness many of us enjoy. I love a blend that has a natural, sweet flavor & this one does. It is a bit sharp & tangy initially but when the DGT method is employed or after 1/3 of it burns off, a burst of mild, sweet flavor surfaces. It doesn't bite like some VA blends might. Very tasty & thoroughly satisfying in nicotine content as well.

Double aged red VA with a black VA, stoved process facilitated plenty of sweet tobacco flavor. A good combination of quality leaf infused in this mixture. Also leaves a pleasant, sweet, tingly taste on the palate. I'm "e pluribus unum" on this one to concur with all who gave this blend its well deserved, highest rating. This tin was gone in no time once I got started on it. Should have bought at least 100 tins. They would bring enough $$ today for one to retire on. Outstanding... off the chart, even.

I understand why this blend is obtaining legendary status. It just feels "right" while smoking it. Very enjoyable indeed. And when compared to my other tobaccos, there is something about it which makes me relax and think clearly. As well, it doesn't give you that cigarette/ash-tray aftertaste some other tobaccos do. It really has a flavor of it's own accord.

It does have a bit of a vinegar smell straight out of the tin, but this is rather misleading. Very cool vintage-looking tin it comes in, you could use it for decoration.

Mine did not seem to need any drying time, I smoked it less than an hour after purchasing it with great results. This flake is slow burning, this stuff lasts a while even when drawing hard.

Rubbed out the whole tin it was very moist checked it daily left it to dry out for about one week smoked it daily and just did not enjoy it seems to me all the Mcclellands are starting to have very similar characteristics and tasting the same with slight variations a little disappointed I was expecting more oh well.

pop a tin leave it on the self a couple a weeks rub it out let it dry about 30 min and never look back on second thought just fold and stuff

When I started smoking pipes, I smoked aromatics only. I used to say cigars are like a good steak and pipes are like desert. Then I discovered English blends and Virginia flakes and found pipe smoking to be more satisfying than cigars because of taste and variety. I think of aged Virginia flakes as comfort food. They may not have the complexity of English blends but that one taste note is delicious. Virginia flakes certainly have what I call the "Yum" factor. Blackwoods Flake is my favorite aged Virginia flake and number 1 on my rotation. As with all flakes, smoke it slow for the greatest enjoyment. If you are a heavy puffer you will heat this one up too much, burn your tongue and miss out on a great tobacco.

I have posted my review under the other listing for the same blend

I love full Virginia's and I was afraid that I won't find another I like as much as SG Full Flake (since this one is impossible to find). Guess what? I did! The tin caught my eye at a local tobacco shop and I remembered the rave reviews... so I bought it.

Popping the tin reveals perfect moisture jerky like flakes and the sweet smell of Virginia that I love so much. I lightly rubbed it out, packed it, lit it, enjoyed it! Great slow smoke. Nice billows. Most importantly a good full bodied Virginia taste.

If you like Virginia Flakes, I can't see how you wouldn't like this one?! I'm going to go back and buy a few more to put away for a rainy day...

I'm smoking a bowl as I write this review, and this tobacco is truly fantastic. I've now worked my way through about half of a 100g tin and it hasn't gotten old yet. I'm a lover of virginias and this one is right up near the top of my list. The sweet notes that pop in and out as you smoke this blend are a pleasant surprise.

I love the look in the tin and the partially broken up flakes. They are thick cut and break up easily. I think they can use a little drying time before lighting up. I usually let it sit out while I smoke another small bowl beforehand. I typically go with the fold and stuff method opposed to rubbing it out. I think this adds in more of those little sugary hits as you smoke it. It keeps lit well and burns down to a nice gray ash.

As with all tobaccos, never suck this one down! You'll ruin the smooth, sweetness that makes this blend wonderful. Sip it slowly and thoughtfully, you won't be disappointed. This blend is a 100% must for anyone that loves straight virginias. I will always have some on hand.

Since smoking the very first bowl of this one it has been among my absolute favorites. It's difficult to add anything new to the long list of praises here, so I'll just keep it short: It behaves exactly like a dark Virginia blend should (in my opinion), and the way it presents those deep and slightly sour notes is simply fantastic. A Virginia masterpiece.

Very highly recommended.