McClelland British Woods

Well this stuff didn't waste any time in bumping Westminster off the shelf! By the way Westminster grabbed hold of my GLP Blackpoint on the way down! This is (to my taste) a great mid-day blend and better suited to a larger bowl which in this hovel happens to be my top of the (house-hold)line Poul Winslow Crown 300. Truth be told I'm still not getting this famous "ketchup" out of the tin, and while on the subject; the "tin" part of the equation is this blends weakest part. In all other aspects McLBW is a keeper. PS: My better half (much, much better) walked in mid-pipe and announced that the room smelled like it had it's own fireplace in it! (no small accomplishment for an English blend).

For those who find my reviews pedantic and uninformative, I'll just summarize my opinion at the beginning: BUY YE THIS TOBACCO AND YE SHALL SEE THYSELF IN PLEASURABLE SMOKING FOR ALL ETERNITY.

Now, onto the review:

Pipe: Brookfield quarter-bent 9mm filter, Apple-shaped bowl.

Weather-A fine sunny day. Avg. temp 73F. Pleasant humidity. Slight breeze.

Modifications- Denicool crystals in lower third of bowl, 9mm Bari Katalyzator filters as needed.

Packaging- 50g tin, Personal Reserve on label.

Initial Impressions- A dark blend of black and dark tan tobaccos. Moisture level is good for a McClelland. Tin aroma is potent and slightly acrid, with a woodsy, earthen scent underlying the overall smell. Packs well and is springy and fresh.

Lighting- Lights immediately with no initial hits of acrid odor. No tamp needed. Only a couple of relights needed and those are optional. The tobacco burns well and cleanly.

Smoking (First Third)- The taste is almost completely different from the tin aroma. The smoke is rich, full and creamy. There are woodsy aromas and smooth highlights of good tobacco flavor. No tongue bite. Lends well to medium puffing pace. The Virginias come up with a caramelly sweetness, but it's subtle, and not overpowering.

Smoking (Second Third)- The taste seems to mature and increase in volume, with a spicier forefront and an almost bitter chocolate hint overlaying a solid palette of warm tobacco flavor. This is a cool blend, but the "taste" is a warmer taste (as opposed to a menthol) and the smoothness never lets up. This part of the smoke is so rich and satisfying, I want to chew the smoke. Fortunately, the label is a bit misleading and this does NOT have the donkey kick of a strong, packed English blend. It's more of a medium to slightly full strength and doesn't seem to pack a giant nicotine wallop.

Smoking (Last Third)-Denicool crystals simply absorb nicotine, but I'm sure there are people out there that would smoke them if they could figure out a way to do it...

Aftereffects- The room note was wonderful throughout and continued to be so, even as the breeze blew the scents around and mixed with the cooling Fall air. No moisture present at bowl bottom. Crystals were dark brown color. No pipe fouling. Ash was clean, dry and grayish-black. No foul mouth taste present. No numb tongue, either.

Overall Recommendation: For the aromatic afficionado, this is a MUST BUY. For the English smoker, this is a MUST BUY. For the Virginia nut, this is a MUST BUY. This is a good tobacco to break in a pipe with and a wonderful tobacco to smoke on cool Fall nights. It's probably too strong in taste to be an all-day smoke, but I'd definitely recommend it as a nightcap or as a third companion on a walk in the autumn leaves with someone that you love. This is a classy tobacco; it's the witty Englishman with the smoking jacket and a roaring fire on a wintry day, not a 300-lb. bruiser spoiling for a fight.

This was a sweet surprise! Very mild yet a warm note to this blend. The blend is a perfect combination of Virginia, Macedonian & Orinetal tobaccos. It seems McClelland is becoming my number one brand of pipe tobacco. This blend is a mild all day smoker with just enough taste and virtually no bite. The aroma is pleasing and not overwhelming. But since I have restricted myself to evening smokes I will have to wait all day to enjoy this fine blend.

Aged 11 yrs and it still one of the great MC blends markings(370699) this still has the great flavor as I remember. Reminds me of FM but more sweetness and latakia near the bottom of the bowl, This seems to be the virginia coming through. I took a 6 yr break from my pipes and finally went back to them. Thats why all these blends have been aged for so long. I must say it's great to be back!

I am one who loves latakia in tobacco, but at times desire a tobacco without the latakia. When I opened the tin I knew imemediately I was in for a treat. When I packed my bowl with this tobacco, and lit up I received One of the greatest smokes I have ever experienced. Although when I stuck my nose into the tin the latakia seemed to be very prominent When lit there is much more going on here. Along with the smokey latakia there is a spicey yet mild background. Then I also detected the macedonian floating around too. I currently have this in my full rotation of tobaccos. For me this tobacco literally takes me to another place. I more than love this stuff, and will keep it handy. I really enjoy this with a morning cup of coffe. I smoke this on a regular basis since finding it. I also will note that as many state about that so-called ketchup aroma with these tobaccos--I really didn't find it with the "British Woods". For me this is a top of the list of must smokes for a true pleasure. I rate this at the top of many tobaccos I have smoked. I cannot say enough about it---I really love this stuff, and plan on keeping it at the top of my rotation for now. A truly great blend tht for me trips my trigger.

This blend has a wonderful woodsy flavor with enough strength to make it interesting. Looking for that one special blend for an evening front porch smoke?

I forgot how much I miss McCelland. It’s been a number of years since I had one of their blends. But I do still have few in the cellar that I’ve been saving. With what’s going on in the world today between the markets and the corona virus you’d think the world is coming to an end. So, it’s a perfect excuse to break out something from the secret stash before it’s too late!!!

This tin is vintage 2006 so it had a lot of time to mellow out. The tin tone is very rich and pleasant and not as big or sharp on the nostrils as other English blends. Maybe all the age mellowed it out and it is without the classic McCelland vinegar top notes. The smoky fragrant latakia leads the way followed by lightly floral undertones from the Orientals and I’m also getting a slight spiciness and a touch of Virginia’s sweetness.

The moisture level is perfect, and no drying time is needed at all. The smoke itself is very rich smooth and creamy with no harsh notes or the slightest chance a bite. It never gets hot. I get a consistent soft sweet and smoky flavor with slight sweet and sour notes in between. This is one to savor and enjoy.

I love this stuff !!! Scored 8 x 100g tins at an estate liquidation, all dated 1999. When my stash runs out, what are my options for substitution ? I guess this is less of a review, and more a question for the board. Thanks in advance.

Just got this in! Wow, while opening the beautiful tin I found marvelously blended ribbon cut VAs with great amount of Black Latakia Leaf. Smell out of tin is fantastic. Pure campfire delight with a sweet touch of VAs. Lighting needed 3 or 4 strokes , but then it burnt down like a charm. Tasty and aromatic latakia and orientals melt together with a nice VA sweetness . Gets spicier along the bottom of the bowl. No tongue bite. Awesome blend. McCleland rules.