McClelland No. 2010 Classic Virginia

I should of tried this earlier, this seems like a "2 stroke " version of 22, similar but without the basso woodsy notes of same. Actually its smoother & a little more McC fruity as well. great caramel room aroma. Unrubbed , small-bowled slow-smoking seems best for it.

Along with McClelland 2015, this is the best tobacco for the money. But, it's not cheap tobacco; it's high quality VA broken flake that never fails to satisfy. I buy it in 5 lb. bulk and age it in Mason jars. I just never seem to tire of this wonderful tobacco. I like it much better than its cousin, #22.

I really like the citrus tang that complements the sweetness. It starts out light and builds as the bowl progresses. I find it pretty complex, not in a Haddo's way, but in a straight VA manner. It requires a slow "breath smoking" method to pick up on the subtle flavors. This is probably not a VA for newbies, but one for experienced slow smokers. It could easily be an all day smoke.

I recommend that you smoke the broken flakes whole, without rubbing them out. Also, put some up in Mason jars and come back in about a year.

UPDATE NOTE: To date, this tobacco has four "favorite" ratings and two "not my cup of tea" ratings. Conclusion? You will love it or really dislike it, but the odds are 2 to 1 in its favor. A great tobacco!

2010 (bulk) is very close to McClelland #22 (tin). It's naturally high sugar content could sting the heavy puffer, but for those with good Virginia technique it is a joy. A zesty, almost refreshing blend, the sweet, lemony high range develops and richens throughout the smoke. The mid-range features a lovely toasted marshmallow/caramel character, with a light creaminess that works well with the top range. The bass flavors are more of an extension of the mid-range elements, but tend towards light brown sugar as the bowl burns down. The flavor develops and gets better as you go, and it is with regret that I bid the final wisp of smoke goodbye.

Hey, this is some tasty pipeweed. If you like your Virginias on the citrus end of the specturm, the orange and spice in this blend will knock you out. The weed smokes fine as is out of the bag, but some may prefer to give it a good rub and some air time as well. Either way, it smokes clean with no dottle. The standard Virginia bite warnings apply. The taste remains fairly constant, with some intensifying at the end, but mostly it's a straightforward toasty-sweet orangey-citrusy blast from start to finish. If you want complexity and refinement, try #27. If you want something to whap into the old pouch for the long day ahead, this should do the trick. Hard to beat this kind of quality and flavour at this price!

The very definition of "an honest Virginia." I prefer this to its more expensive sibling, McClelland's #22, probably the tobacco it most closely resembles. It is more robust, sweeter, and more consistent (though less subtle and varied) than #22. Almost as good as Blackwoods Flake -- which at bulk rates makes this an incredible bargain. Not as smooth As Blackwoods, nor as sharp as their recent Christmas Cheers, 2010 is a great "baseline" VA against which others can be judged.

It comes in a broken-flake form and, as with most McClelland flakes, it does not rub out easily. So unless you like your flake on the "chunky" side (as I do) a little extra work is required. As with all McClelland VA's, it requires careful smoking.

A nice switch from my normal Latikia's. This beautifully blended tobacco has a wonderful Virginia flavor, well blended, with a hint cedar. I filled an old Savinelli and tapped it lightly. After the initial match, I relit the tobacco and it stayed with me for over an hour as I drove a mountain road.

Now, maybe it was the beautiful morning, or the pines glowing in the morning light, but this was a really fine smoke. It burned perfectly, not too hot, with very little tounge bite. I will smoke this regularly, especially when I get into a non-English mood.

Tobaccos like this (and a few of their others) lead me to believe that McClelland really is one of the very best blenders in the world.