McClelland No. 2015 Virginia Perique Flake
(3.44)
This tobacco is made from rich, orange and red Virginias to which enough St. James perique has been added to create a refreshing smoke.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Perique |
| Contents | Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.44 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 41 - 50 of 101 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
So I bought several ounces of McClellands 2015 over a year ago and my impressions have changed somewhat over the course of that time. I got this based on the fine reviews on TobaccoReviews.com when I first started my journey to discovering Va/Pers and I must say that I was slightly disappointed at first, but I chalk this up to my inexperience and naivete concerning the style.
The blend is a great value due to being available in bulk. The "flakes" come more as a broken flake with a lot of loose tobacco to boot, but I don't count this against it as I generally like to rub this blend out anyway. While I can certainly appreciate a pretty presentation, for me it is what is on the inside that counts. The color is a deep, dark reddish brown with flecks of lighter tobaccos peppering the flakes.
The tin/bag note is the typical McClelland vinegar, BBQ, Worchestshire sauce smell that is associated with their Virginia blends. Some will say ketchup, but to me it goes way beyond this. This will put some smokers off of the blend but it doesn't for me. I've smelled many Virginias that have a similar aroma and I just associate it with the curing and aging process that the leaf goes through. There is a dried fruit aroma as well a spicy characteristic which is imparted from the Perique as well. Not much of the sweet hay and citrus smell that the brighter Virginia blends seem to have. This is darker and headier in aroma.
The mechanics are good, maybe a relight or two, but I find that after a drying period, it lights and behaves beautifully. No real bite, but will turn harsh and ashy if you puff like a train.
The taste when new was lackluster for me. This is for several reasons. First, I didn't know what to expect from a Va/Per at the time. I was an English-only kind of guy, so I was expecting big, bold flavors and intensity, and that is not what this blend is all about. After becoming more accustomed to Va/Pers and their flavor profiles, I began to appreciate 2015 for what it is. A very nice, all day Va/Per with lots of upfront sweetness and enough Perique figgy spice to keep it interesting. This changes with age, but I'll get to that later.
The nicotine is noticable, but not overwhelming. It satisfies and I don't feel the need to smoke another bowl for several hours (if that). The mouthfeel (Strength/Body) is Medium when new, but that changes with age, and the Room Note is that of your typical Va/Per. Pleasant to most pipers and tolerable to nonsmokers.
So, what about aging this blend? Do yourself a favor and age it for at least a year or more, and this is why. The blend is good when new, but nothing spectacular. It will satisfy some Va/Per-heads, but I believe that most who look for complexity and nuance will notice a HUGE difference after at least 12 months in a jar. How does it differ from when new? Well, the first thing I noticed is the sweetness of the Virginias is much more pronounced and the complexity offered by the Perique comes through much clearer than when the blend is new.
But one of the things that I noticed even more so is the body of the actual smoke. It becomes creamy and dense and coats the palate and carries all of the flavors more fully than when it is new. This makes the blend much more satisfying as well as affordable. Instead of smoking two bowls to be satiated, I only need one and I'm good for the day. This is why I will always have this blend in my cellar and will include it in my rotation after it has aged properly. At the current prices, you could easily purchase a couple of pounds and put it away and only draw what you need for a week's worth.
I also find that this blend works best in pipes with tall, narrow bowls, but YMMV.
The blend is a great value due to being available in bulk. The "flakes" come more as a broken flake with a lot of loose tobacco to boot, but I don't count this against it as I generally like to rub this blend out anyway. While I can certainly appreciate a pretty presentation, for me it is what is on the inside that counts. The color is a deep, dark reddish brown with flecks of lighter tobaccos peppering the flakes.
The tin/bag note is the typical McClelland vinegar, BBQ, Worchestshire sauce smell that is associated with their Virginia blends. Some will say ketchup, but to me it goes way beyond this. This will put some smokers off of the blend but it doesn't for me. I've smelled many Virginias that have a similar aroma and I just associate it with the curing and aging process that the leaf goes through. There is a dried fruit aroma as well a spicy characteristic which is imparted from the Perique as well. Not much of the sweet hay and citrus smell that the brighter Virginia blends seem to have. This is darker and headier in aroma.
The mechanics are good, maybe a relight or two, but I find that after a drying period, it lights and behaves beautifully. No real bite, but will turn harsh and ashy if you puff like a train.
The taste when new was lackluster for me. This is for several reasons. First, I didn't know what to expect from a Va/Per at the time. I was an English-only kind of guy, so I was expecting big, bold flavors and intensity, and that is not what this blend is all about. After becoming more accustomed to Va/Pers and their flavor profiles, I began to appreciate 2015 for what it is. A very nice, all day Va/Per with lots of upfront sweetness and enough Perique figgy spice to keep it interesting. This changes with age, but I'll get to that later.
The nicotine is noticable, but not overwhelming. It satisfies and I don't feel the need to smoke another bowl for several hours (if that). The mouthfeel (Strength/Body) is Medium when new, but that changes with age, and the Room Note is that of your typical Va/Per. Pleasant to most pipers and tolerable to nonsmokers.
So, what about aging this blend? Do yourself a favor and age it for at least a year or more, and this is why. The blend is good when new, but nothing spectacular. It will satisfy some Va/Per-heads, but I believe that most who look for complexity and nuance will notice a HUGE difference after at least 12 months in a jar. How does it differ from when new? Well, the first thing I noticed is the sweetness of the Virginias is much more pronounced and the complexity offered by the Perique comes through much clearer than when the blend is new.
But one of the things that I noticed even more so is the body of the actual smoke. It becomes creamy and dense and coats the palate and carries all of the flavors more fully than when it is new. This makes the blend much more satisfying as well as affordable. Instead of smoking two bowls to be satiated, I only need one and I'm good for the day. This is why I will always have this blend in my cellar and will include it in my rotation after it has aged properly. At the current prices, you could easily purchase a couple of pounds and put it away and only draw what you need for a week's worth.
I also find that this blend works best in pipes with tall, narrow bowls, but YMMV.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli Autograph, Il Ceppo Egg
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
New to 1 Year, but best with age
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 08, 2017 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
No. 2015 Virginia Perique Flake is the third of about a dozen samples I picked up of McClelland’s, so far excellent bulk blends. I rub all of my flakes out completely and this one needed about a half an hour of dry time before I loaded up. It left my hands smelling like Catsup, made me want, you guessed it, french fries.
I have smoked many other VaPer’s and this one is exactly what I have been looking for, bar none. It is medium in strength and flavor and I can smoke it all day long and never get bored with it. The Perique is at the perfect amount; you get the spicy richness that is balanced perfectly with the Virginia. It smokes cool and clean from the start to the bottom of the bowl, I just cannot find anything bad to say about this one, Four Stars.
I have smoked many other VaPer’s and this one is exactly what I have been looking for, bar none. It is medium in strength and flavor and I can smoke it all day long and never get bored with it. The Perique is at the perfect amount; you get the spicy richness that is balanced perfectly with the Virginia. It smokes cool and clean from the start to the bottom of the bowl, I just cannot find anything bad to say about this one, Four Stars.
Pipe Used:
Ben Wade Bent Billiard, Mario Grandi Fatta
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Wonderful bulk flake tobacco. It’s easier to rub out and you actually get "ribbons" rather than little lumps/chunks.
The Virginias are sweet but not cloying, the perique is peppery and leathery and the two play together very nicely giving you a satisfying smoke throughout the whole bowl. The flavor is mouthwatering and is surprisingly consistent down to the heel of the pipe and when finished you're left with a very clean palate without a funky aftertaste.
Full flavor, pleasant/tolerable room note, and not heavy in strength which makes this a great all day smoke. I can smoke this stuff back to back all day and be very satisfied. It won't blow your socks off with complexity, but it is definitely not one dimensional. Ages well too.
Anyone that likes strong tastes like perique owes it to himself or herself to give #2015 a serious try. You will not be disappointed.
The Virginias are sweet but not cloying, the perique is peppery and leathery and the two play together very nicely giving you a satisfying smoke throughout the whole bowl. The flavor is mouthwatering and is surprisingly consistent down to the heel of the pipe and when finished you're left with a very clean palate without a funky aftertaste.
Full flavor, pleasant/tolerable room note, and not heavy in strength which makes this a great all day smoke. I can smoke this stuff back to back all day and be very satisfied. It won't blow your socks off with complexity, but it is definitely not one dimensional. Ages well too.
Anyone that likes strong tastes like perique owes it to himself or herself to give #2015 a serious try. You will not be disappointed.
Pipe Used:
L'Anatra, Dunhill, Viprati
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 07, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I remember the first time I smoked this va/per and the love affair with tasty, zesty, flavorful Virginia Perique blends began! This tobacco sings in your mouth! Almost immediately I notice the sweet spice of the perique that reminds me of tart raspberry pie. Both sweet and spicy with the flavors bouncing off each other throughout the bowl. From charring light to mid bowl the flavors are bright and spicy and fruity. I would describe them as alive throughout the first half and by the second half of the bowl the tobacco starts to develop a little more adding a slight nuance to the flavor profile, but the tart and piquant exuberance of the tangy Virginia and zesty perique is still very much in play. Make sure to enjoy these flavors as they are developing, and mingling with your personal taste buds. In other words, don't overpuff. It will be easy to do, because this is a delicious smoke, and while I find myself wanting to gobble it up, I definitely notice diminished flavors and a slight acrid taste develops if you go this route. But if you take your time, and allow 2015 to absolutely work to its full potential. This is when you notice the deep fruit spice that I am constantly reminded of when handled with care.
All of that being said, this is not a very fussy tobacco. I usually use the three layer method when packing but it also works using the frank method and delivers nicely. The aroma from this blend is perique upfront, and once you get a second whiff and your nose adjusts to the forward perique, you'll start to discern the familiar Virginia plum like tang, especially the McClelland VA smell for which they are so well known. How pleasing is that smell? All of us pipe smokers have become quite accustomed to this beautiful essence and it is there in full force, Virginia and Perique, nothing better. I bought this one from my local tobacconist and it is definitely a little moist and benefits from a good degree of drying time (user discretion). I like to dry it for at least 2 hours, depending how fresh my supply is, which is usually jarred so it is fresh.
Smoke it, enjoy it, and savor that tangy sweet spice. It is sure to please both the Virginia lover and the Perique-o-phile. This is a nice middle of the road blend that can be smoked several times a day, but me personally, I like to keep it to no more than just once a day as it is a mighty peppery blend and I love to look forward to this one when I have it on hand. Plus there are so many baccy's to smoke, you can't go wrong with savoring this mighty fine concoction by the Virginia masters at McClelland.
All of that being said, this is not a very fussy tobacco. I usually use the three layer method when packing but it also works using the frank method and delivers nicely. The aroma from this blend is perique upfront, and once you get a second whiff and your nose adjusts to the forward perique, you'll start to discern the familiar Virginia plum like tang, especially the McClelland VA smell for which they are so well known. How pleasing is that smell? All of us pipe smokers have become quite accustomed to this beautiful essence and it is there in full force, Virginia and Perique, nothing better. I bought this one from my local tobacconist and it is definitely a little moist and benefits from a good degree of drying time (user discretion). I like to dry it for at least 2 hours, depending how fresh my supply is, which is usually jarred so it is fresh.
Smoke it, enjoy it, and savor that tangy sweet spice. It is sure to please both the Virginia lover and the Perique-o-phile. This is a nice middle of the road blend that can be smoked several times a day, but me personally, I like to keep it to no more than just once a day as it is a mighty peppery blend and I love to look forward to this one when I have it on hand. Plus there are so many baccy's to smoke, you can't go wrong with savoring this mighty fine concoction by the Virginia masters at McClelland.
Pipe Used:
Many
PurchasedFrom:
B & M
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 2013 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Ok this is the blend that makes me really love va and have a great smoking time. Is a medium taste, not too mild and not too strong but i can feel the sweetness of va. I smoke it with a slow smoke and give a smoking pleasure from this blend,and i really enjoy a sweet taste of virginia tobacco and the perique touch. So i no doubt to make this blend as 1 of my favorite blend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is a really nice VAPER!! My package came to me from pipesandcigars.com (about 44 bucks for a pound!) yesterday and the baccy is at the perfect moisture level to just pack a bowl, light and enjoy. There is that unique aroma to the unlit tobacco that many have talked about, this being the smell of fermenting vegetable matter, or perhaps some special process that McC employs as they ferment/age this blend. Either way I find the aroma to be very alluring and not terribly unlike some other fermented VAs I have experienced.
This medium to dark brown, broken flake packed very easily after just a little additional rubbing. It took to the flame pretty well and though the volume of smoke is only moderately thick, the taste and aroma are excellent. There was a little tongue tingle when first lit, but no discomfort after the first 10 puffs or so. The perique is perfectly blended with the sweet VAs and produces a sweet/savory smoke. Very nice indeed. After finishing the bowl my mouth felt quite clean and clear of any potential residual distaste. This is definitely a real winner for me, and it will be welcomed as a regular indulgence. Highly recommended!
This medium to dark brown, broken flake packed very easily after just a little additional rubbing. It took to the flame pretty well and though the volume of smoke is only moderately thick, the taste and aroma are excellent. There was a little tongue tingle when first lit, but no discomfort after the first 10 puffs or so. The perique is perfectly blended with the sweet VAs and produces a sweet/savory smoke. Very nice indeed. After finishing the bowl my mouth felt quite clean and clear of any potential residual distaste. This is definitely a real winner for me, and it will be welcomed as a regular indulgence. Highly recommended!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 03, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Probably the quintessential VaPer. The Virginias, of course, are outstanding and the Perique adds just the right amount of spice. A great "sweet and sour" VaPer and probably the best I've smoked. Sadly, I don't get around to ordering it very often, as I like to try new things. However, I probably should be ordering this rather than other stuff.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 14, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have smoked this blend on and off for many years and it is still very good. Nice fresh grass sweet smell out of the bag. Somewhat moist so a little drying time is good. Coarse even when rubbed out so for me it burns better in a larger bowled pipe. Sweet smelling when lit but with a robust body in the flavor. Perique adds a little nuttiness and peppery taste. A great change up from Latakia blends which I love. Very much recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 05, 2012 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This has been on my rotation for years. This is my favorite VaPer blend. What I find lacking in most VaPers, MC2015 has it all in spades: Flavor, coolness, peppery with sweet and sour balance. Samuel Gawith's St. James Flake is a close second.
My prep is slightly rubbing out a wad then shaping it into a football that I can load as one unit into my bowl. I like smoking this best with a Duncan Mill Aerosphere pipe as it absorbs the moisture exceedingly well.
If you like VaPers, give this one a shot.
PS - I'd been smoking LJ Peretti's London Flake for years until I found an on-line store that sells MC2015, whose description was very similar to London Flake. When my purhcase arrived, it looked exactly like London Flake. Smokes exactly the same. If Peretti's London Flake isn't MC2015, I'll eat my hat.
My prep is slightly rubbing out a wad then shaping it into a football that I can load as one unit into my bowl. I like smoking this best with a Duncan Mill Aerosphere pipe as it absorbs the moisture exceedingly well.
If you like VaPers, give this one a shot.
PS - I'd been smoking LJ Peretti's London Flake for years until I found an on-line store that sells MC2015, whose description was very similar to London Flake. When my purhcase arrived, it looked exactly like London Flake. Smokes exactly the same. If Peretti's London Flake isn't MC2015, I'll eat my hat.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
**UPDATED REVIEW 2017** I have smoked this blend on and off from 2011 on. I figured I'd provide a more descriptive review.
From the bag the redish, medium-brown flakes provide scents of tangy, sweet earth with hints of hay and dark fruit. Definitely a McClelland VA blend. It reminds me of red cake in smell, but not quite as sweet and a bit of spice.
The broken flakes are easy to load in a bowl or to rub out and load. Lighting is a breeze and I find one I get it going it tends to continue if tamped gently occasionally.
The red va's provide a natural sweetness and tang that includes dark fruit notes, some toasty caramel hints, and some earth and just a tad of hay. The perique is a condiment in this blend as it also deepens the dark fruit flavors and rounds them out with just a bit of spice. The smoke is not harsh and doesn't bite. It reminds just a bit of redcake but with more going on....more spice and a great variety of flavors. Definitely worth ones time.
** OLD REVIEW 2012** I have found, when the mood is right, especially on a nice summer day, that I love a good VaPer. With the virginias in these blends, it has been my experience that they are of a lighter nature, like Escudo, Scottish Cake, Bulls-eyeflake, Navy Flake, etc... These 'lighter' virginias produce a sugar-cookie, hay-ish, like sweetness that I very much crave. With this blend of red and orange matured Va's though, I have experienced something different than my typical VaPer blends. This tobacco seemed to be richer and fuller than the aforementioned VaPers. There seems to be more depth and the sweetness is heavier, like comparing a sugar-cookie to a rich cheesecake. The smell from the bag of this blend is exactly how it tastes & smells when smoked. Truly delightful!!!
From the bag the redish, medium-brown flakes provide scents of tangy, sweet earth with hints of hay and dark fruit. Definitely a McClelland VA blend. It reminds me of red cake in smell, but not quite as sweet and a bit of spice.
The broken flakes are easy to load in a bowl or to rub out and load. Lighting is a breeze and I find one I get it going it tends to continue if tamped gently occasionally.
The red va's provide a natural sweetness and tang that includes dark fruit notes, some toasty caramel hints, and some earth and just a tad of hay. The perique is a condiment in this blend as it also deepens the dark fruit flavors and rounds them out with just a bit of spice. The smoke is not harsh and doesn't bite. It reminds just a bit of redcake but with more going on....more spice and a great variety of flavors. Definitely worth ones time.
** OLD REVIEW 2012** I have found, when the mood is right, especially on a nice summer day, that I love a good VaPer. With the virginias in these blends, it has been my experience that they are of a lighter nature, like Escudo, Scottish Cake, Bulls-eyeflake, Navy Flake, etc... These 'lighter' virginias produce a sugar-cookie, hay-ish, like sweetness that I very much crave. With this blend of red and orange matured Va's though, I have experienced something different than my typical VaPer blends. This tobacco seemed to be richer and fuller than the aforementioned VaPers. There seems to be more depth and the sweetness is heavier, like comparing a sugar-cookie to a rich cheesecake. The smell from the bag of this blend is exactly how it tastes & smells when smoked. Truly delightful!!!
Pipe Used:
Billard, Corn-Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New from store - 1-3 months
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