McClelland British Woods

Every time my dear friend comes over and says try this I always end up pilfering a few bowls for later consumption. This is in my opinion McC's 2nd best blend. The best being the discontinued "OLD DOG". This is truly a wonderful and rich crossover English blend( I consider all McC blends to be crossover when they contain Latakia).It is Zesty and sweet all at once. If FMOT is a high school diploma,tis is your Phd. Read Embee's review for all my sentiments.

Another terrific smoke ! Highly Recommended if one likes English - Balkan blends. It is refined, complex and very delicious. Others have described the nature of this blend quite well. I find it to be very similar, in fact, near identical to Odessey. The Latakia is perfect and hums cooly in the background and the Orientals and Stoved Virginia balance is so complex one could lose themselves in the enjoyment.

Cheers, VC

I find myself becoming more and more of a McClelland fan. And British Woods only reinforces this.

This is a full, rich mixture that's well-balanced and utterly satisfying. The Macedonian leaf adds a great dimension.

BW smokes easy, and cool. A wonderful evening relaxation smoke.

This is a good one! British Woods has the customary McClelland tin aroma of vinegar and spices, likened to ketchup, Heinz 57 sauce or salad dressing by some; I don't find it unpleasant, though it has little relationship to the flavor or aroma of the tobacco when smoked. A pipeful of British Woods is silky smooth from start to finish, rich and creamy with a unique flavor and aroma. Its fragrance has been said to resemble incense, which is not inaccurate; it puts me in mind somewhat of autumn leaves and distant fireplace smoke too. The smoke is luxuriously dense, almost chewable. It stays lit quite well, and doesn't bite. British Woods is an ideal, relaxing late-evening smoke, one to be slowly savored, perfect for the day's last pipe.

This blend was a true discovery. I am acquainted with the other McClelland blends and I must say this one is one of the best. The leaves are a bit hard to pack but that makes for a loghter smoke than your Frog morton for instance. The oriental leaves, especially latakia, are the predominant flavors you will enjoy throughout. The Virginia is hardly noticeble but that is hardly a flaw. This tobacco smokes mildly throughout and there is no risk of a burned tongue. The blue smoke has a full and earthy aroma; definitively one of the best tobaccos to make smoke rings in a peaceful afternoon of smoking. Surprisingly, even at mid-bowl this tobacco does not smoke wet and preserves its light but full characteristic. A more specific description of the composition of the blend on the tin would have been helpful. I'd love to know if there is any perique or Basma in here. It is however definitively a good candidate for a full all-day smoke, although perhaps a bit too flavorful for beginners.

Ahhhh British Woods! My go to blend! It should be called "Old Reliable" It's A very tasty smoke that I find extremely well rounded. This is one I take with me no matter where I go. I always keep at least 6 tins aging in the cellar. You can't be disappointed with this fantastic blend!!

My favorite McClelland tobac. This is a Latakia silky soft english. The smoke is spicey and you can almost chew the blue swirls of smoke. Delicious, robust, and highly enjoyable. But wait I've found that this tobacco can be "kicked up a notch". After you have smoked about half of the can add some Edgeworth Ready Rubbed to it,(about two tablespoon fulls).Put the lid on the can and mix it up good. Now take some light rum,(tablespoon full) add it to the tobacco and mix well. Let it stand a few days and then let it dry a bit. Then you can thank me because you'll be smoking one of the best English spice tobaccos you'll ever put in a bowl of a pipe.Honestly it really is GOOD. Dang did I ever get off the subject here.Anyway this tobacco "by itself" is a true winner. No bite,no cloying in the bowl, and as always like most english tobaccos it goes exceptionaly well with Scotch Whisky.

Forgiveness is devine. Well, you see, I've got this Peterson 4th of July 2000 Dublin...and she's picky. Really picky! I introduced her to a number of other English and American English blends and she just couldn't be pleased. They were apparently so brash that she couldn't stand them without getting angry and hot under the collar. The fine old families like the Dunhill's didn't suit her. My American buddies - those Froggy favorites were quickly spurned. The mysterious Balkans didn't excite or intrigue her. What was I to do? On a chance outing (as these things often turn out) to the river with my dog I dug into the bottom of my smoking carry bag and discovered some two year old British Woods. It was love at first sight. Our American-English hero tamed the hot headed Irish beauty in their first encounter. They developed an exclusive relationship and are now happily married. The groom is perhaps the most forgiving gentleman I have ever met. Picky about neither pack nor puff he burns smoothly and cool in nearly all bowls but seems to favor his little Dublin beauty the most...giving up a delightful side smoke and lovely flavor. While perhaps not "the grail", this is truely an all day blend with excellent balance and a very acceptible mellow sweetness...and above all that packing and burning forgiveness that makes it an easy and welcome companion. In a word...devine!

I guess I made the wonderful transition to English tobaccos relatively quickly. I was first introduced to the McClelland line with Frog Morton which is still one of my everyday tobaccos. Although I frequently enjoy contemplating at the end of the day with the truer, heavier "My Mixture 965"'s and "Nightcap"s of the world, I feel McClelland's "British Woods" is a true sleeper out there. I find that it is perfectly balanced, reasonably complex, flavorful "English-aromatic" that fills the air with a sweeter, woodsier aroma than that of more potent, Latakia-laden Englishes. There is never any problem with keeping the pipe lit, no tongue-bite, it smokes quite cool, and no extra care needs to be taken to successfully pack your bowl. Simply put, it is one of my favorites.