McClelland No. 2015 Virginia Perique Flake

In a nutshell, classic virginia with Perique. It's good stuff, but I'm not a huge fan of Perique in non-english blends, so I don't appreciate the addition. It's still a good tobacco, just not in my preference for virginias.

In reference to my review notes, it would seem that I found this offering "middle of the road". Untrue. I rather enjoy 2015. I only smoke a handfull of the McLellands offerings due to being highly susceptible to tongue bite from their particular way of handling of virginia. That being said, 2015 is a refreshingly unvolatile va/dash- of- perique broken flake that behaves well and rewards gentler puffing. There is some humectant agent applied as the tabak will stay quite damp even during a dust storm, but I do not find it offensive in flavor or burning characteristic. Lightup is straightforward and the resulting smoke is satisfying. I am not a proponent of DGT(I smoke when I fill a pipe) and as such cannot say whether the flavors improve with such treatment or collapse. In all, a good smoke, though not so economical in Canada.

This is one of the best bulk tobaccos that I have ever come across. The Virginias are of a high quality and the perique is tasty indeed. Next to Escudo this may be the most well blended VA/P that I have tried to date. Complex enough to satisfy when I'm in the mood and yet has good enough burning characteristics to smoke when I don't want to pay much attention. This would be a good place for an aromatic smoker to begin with all natural tobaccos. It stay sweet the whole way through and the Perique, while gaining in intensity as you smoke your way down, never gets beyond the nice spice stage. This acts like it wants to nip the tongue but thankfully never quite gets to that point. In fact, for a McClelland Va it is remarkably bite free. A low price tag makes this bulk blend a heck of a bargain!

This is probably my favorite Virginia/Perique blend on the market. Fresh from the baggie, it'll smoke hot and a little wet, but with some ageing/drying time, it turns into a pretty good smoke. I find this goes best in a larger pipe, rubbed out- and a pipe with a filter helps cut down on tongue bite and doesn't take away any flavor. The trademark McC smell isn't strong and it's one of the few McC blends I actually like. Try it after it's aged a year or so and you'll notice a huge difference from new stock. Sure, it's an inconvenience to HAVE to age the stuff, but hey, it's cheap and worth the wait.

My first couple of bowls of this were an experience I shall never forget as the perique was overwhelming as if someone had poured West Indian chilli source all over it. I really got the wrong end of the lollipop. However it must have been a rogue couple of flakes that did'nt get mixed in right. But at the price these things happen. I am glad I tried some from another part of the bag because this tobacco is perhaps the finest virginia/perique blend I can remeber. Complex and rich in a medium sort of way, a true classic of the type .Perhaps not as visually appealing as Escudo but on a par taste wise and a third the price. Nuff said.

The tobacco is a broken flake, dark brown with flecks of lighter leaf. The tin aroma is the usual McClelland Va. odor of vinegar or catsup. I suspect they use vinegar in some part of their curing process, perhaps to reduce the alkali level of the tobacco, but who knows. I buy this in 1 lb. bulk and let it age a little, and smoke perhaps five bowls of it a week among the other twenty or so tobaccos I have going at any one time. I have found that the smoking characteristics of this blend may vary from batch to batch. Some times I need to dry it out completely before adding back a little moisture to make it pliable for packing and smoking, otherwise it can offer a little bite. This batch is, however, rather moist but burns smoothly and offers no bite. I rub out the flakes thoroughly in my palm as I do with most flake tobaccos. I make a little chickpea size dottle, gradually fill the bowl, tamp lightly with my fingers and fire up. The flavor of the smoke is always consistent and is a combination of natural Va. sweetness (no sweeteners added that I can detect) and a light Perique tang. This is not a complex smoke, simply good Va. and good Perique. It is an excellent smoke for those who like the pure tobacco flavors. Paddy.