McClelland British Woods

Ahh Barry Levin, without you, where would we have been. One of the few good English Blends McClelland produces, this is no heavyweight. The taste is good and satisfying, and reminds me of walking in the woods on a fall day. It has a kind of burning honeyed muskiness underlying the smoky acidity of the latakia and Macedonian tobaccos. The overall smoke, though, is fairly light and light on the nicotine. A great all dayer, a good second stage for the English novice.

Many of the reviewers have noted that upon opening, the blend was quite moist-I am no exception. After a couple of wet bowls, I let it air out a bit before embarking on it again. There are no nuances as one smokes down the length of the bowl. Pretty much what you taste in the beginning, is what you taste at the end. I find it to be a "nice smoke," smooth and gentle. Maybe a little too gentle, (my everyday is Kendal's Dark Shag). Due to the inclusion of Stoved Virginia, this blend to me is sort of, a "beginners english blend." Mind you, I am not stating that as a put-down of either the blend, or those that enjoy stoved virginia. It is just that for myself, this blend is o.k., nothing I would look forward to "kicking-back" and experiencing. I good smoke for puttering around the workshop or yard.

On a few occaisions I have recommeded this blend as a first try for an English. This is a well balanced English without a Latakia smack you in the face left hook. The tin aroma to me is musty, moisture content a little too high so a little dry time is needed. But, too dry and British woods looses character. British Woods is fairly easy to load up. Light, tamp and re-light, and away you go. Personally I do not find the taste of any topping. This blend has a sweetness to it along with the woodsy nature of the Latakia, very nice.

Another tobacco I hoard. It is a bit expensive and almost as pleasing as G.L. Pease Blackpoint. Wish I had a cellar full of either. Highly recommended for fans of English-type blends.08/06/2004

06/09/2006. Not one I smoke any longer. A little too "Frog Morton-ish" for my tastebuds these days.

An excellent blend to get to know English-type mixtures without the too-heavy Latakia of most.

Of the many McClelland latakia-focused blends, British Woods is at the top; this blend may be the most robust and well-balanced among the lot, though it is still characteristically a bit weak and a bit too sweet. And among those blends, though, this is the one I am most likely to keep in rotation.

McC's British Woods and Bufflehead's "Barrow's Goldeneye" remind me of each other even though they are different tastes. Both are tasty, both need to be smoked with some care to avoid bite and burning problems, both are Fun smokes for the times when the "something else" one wants needs to be well-bodied and tasty. British Woods isn't as well-behaved as B's Goldeneye but it's still a nice "occassional" tobacco that any English/Oriental fan ought to try. I agree with those that dispute the labels "dark" or "heavy" for British Woods. "Fuller", yes, "richer", yes, but not "dark or "heavy". A single tin lasts me a long time but I never seem to be without one because once in a while, British Woods simply hits the spot with style. Can easily give it three stars.

Tiger

It took me awhile to get used to the difficult packing, strong tin aroma, and all the relights, but once I mastered it, this has become my favorite smoke for special occassions.

A extremely well balanced english blend from McClelland. The prose on the tin is quite misleading, I don't find this to be a "dark" or "heavy" blend at all, on the contrary it is a wonderful medium blend with a fairly bright, almost fruity taste and cleanly smoky aroma. It is fairly sweet blend (nearly as sweet as FrogMorton IMO), but the orientals help prevent it from cloying while the virginias cut the bitterness of the orientals. The Latakia is surprisingly moderate, but plays nicely around the edges of the mouth and adds more spice than smoke to the taste.

This review is based on old tins of Barry Levin British Woods that have been resting quietly in their bail top jars. The McClelland version may be different and your mileage may vary.

Veddy British. Perfect moisture. Some fermented aromas of big red wines present. Like Claret. Some vintage port-like sweetness, balanced with some nice tannins that are almost "rusty" in character. Very nice indeed. Leathery aromas in the jar.

Some "leaf lock" after their long rest, so fluffing was needed. A wee bit of air helped the moisture. Loads well with a light hand. Takes the match like a champ. Burns to a pristine gray ash with some dottle...no big deal.

Full, Rich and Dark sums it up nicely and accurately. Cold weather. Fireplace. Miles Davis Kind of Blue. Islay malt with a wee bit o' water, no ice. An old Bogey film noir.

Life is good.