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 71 - 80 of 171 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 08, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I really like this tobacco. As has been noted, it must be dried out some to be properly appreciated. It is is spicy, full, sweet tobacco from top to bottom. Very, very good. No bite if you've got any skills at all.
@@update@@ 2015 is also very "durable". Some days I pick up the pipe, and it just isn't the thing, so I lay it aside and do something else. Other times half a pipe is plenty. I left some 2015 in a pipe for three days going through this sort of process, and just finished it off this morning. It was at least as good as fresh.
update #2 10/08/07 broke out some 2015 just now with 6 months age to it. I left it on the dashboard of the car to dry out a bit, and overdid it. I doubt it could get any drier. Its still fine, actually, if not rubbed out. I arrange the broken flakes vertically in the pipe and sprinkle the top with the fines, and have a remarkably cool, flavorful smoke.
update #3 12/8/08 I just opened a jar of this with over a year and a half on it. It has mellowed considerably. When new it could be a bit harsh, and also I think I remember it being sweeter. Now it's more mellow and spicy. I suppose the perique character gets infused with aging, sort of like letting a spicy stew "rest" before eating it. I usually smoke this in a narrow cob with cup of good coffee at hand. Seems to be more flavorful in a narrower pipe. I dry it, then rub it out, unless I'm smoking outside and its windy. In such conditions rubbed out will burn too fast and too hot. Even so, I wouldn't say it has a nasty bite, it just loses flavor and lets you know your doing it wrong.
@@update@@ 2015 is also very "durable". Some days I pick up the pipe, and it just isn't the thing, so I lay it aside and do something else. Other times half a pipe is plenty. I left some 2015 in a pipe for three days going through this sort of process, and just finished it off this morning. It was at least as good as fresh.
update #2 10/08/07 broke out some 2015 just now with 6 months age to it. I left it on the dashboard of the car to dry out a bit, and overdid it. I doubt it could get any drier. Its still fine, actually, if not rubbed out. I arrange the broken flakes vertically in the pipe and sprinkle the top with the fines, and have a remarkably cool, flavorful smoke.
update #3 12/8/08 I just opened a jar of this with over a year and a half on it. It has mellowed considerably. When new it could be a bit harsh, and also I think I remember it being sweeter. Now it's more mellow and spicy. I suppose the perique character gets infused with aging, sort of like letting a spicy stew "rest" before eating it. I usually smoke this in a narrow cob with cup of good coffee at hand. Seems to be more flavorful in a narrower pipe. I dry it, then rub it out, unless I'm smoking outside and its windy. In such conditions rubbed out will burn too fast and too hot. Even so, I wouldn't say it has a nasty bite, it just loses flavor and lets you know your doing it wrong.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Smelling this tobacco reveals a hint of vinegar. Nice and sweet all the way through. The nicotine is just right and is a little bonus to this fine tobacco. 3/4" bowl smoked for an hour - I'll definitely be buying more.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 17, 2008 | Medium | Mild | Very Full | Pleasant |
I smoke Churchwarden pipes, I have to say this is a great smoke, seems like the Perique is more noticable toward the bottom, very good smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 06, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is my latest stop on my trip down the Viginia super hi-way. I have sampled at least 30 Va. blends over the past 6 months. Most of them I have like, or loved. This one is in the love category. Whats not to love? Lots of sweet red Va., with just the right amount of Perique, and at a bulk price. IMHO this ranks up there with most of the high priced tin competetors.
As with most blends, I find that drying benifits this high quality tobacco. Once dryed out I gave it a good rub. This yielded an easy load, light, and burn. The flavor is of sweet, natural Va. tobacco that I have come to love. The Perique seems only to be in a supporting role. With the quality, and price 2015 is becoming an all day smoke for me. All things considered I rate this one at * * * *
As with most blends, I find that drying benifits this high quality tobacco. Once dryed out I gave it a good rub. This yielded an easy load, light, and burn. The flavor is of sweet, natural Va. tobacco that I have come to love. The Perique seems only to be in a supporting role. With the quality, and price 2015 is becoming an all day smoke for me. All things considered I rate this one at * * * *
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 29, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Update 5/29/08
I'm going to waffle again here and put this back to 4 stars. It is that good most of the time and only once did I get a 3 star batch.
Original Review Follows
I opened it and did smell that ketchup smell, but who cares. Lit it up and at first this didn't burn well for me, I almost despaired because I could tell there was some taste here. I let it dry a bit, even though it didn't seem wet to me and packed it less tightly and voila an awesome smoke! This is truly great stuff and has currently taken over the top spot in my rotation. I get consistently good taste out of this one. If you like Virginia tobacco go out and get some!
I'm going to waffle again here and put this back to 4 stars. It is that good most of the time and only once did I get a 3 star batch.
Original Review Follows
I opened it and did smell that ketchup smell, but who cares. Lit it up and at first this didn't burn well for me, I almost despaired because I could tell there was some taste here. I let it dry a bit, even though it didn't seem wet to me and packed it less tightly and voila an awesome smoke! This is truly great stuff and has currently taken over the top spot in my rotation. I get consistently good taste out of this one. If you like Virginia tobacco go out and get some!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
update 3/08 It has about 5 years age on it now. The moisture level is just about perfect. It's taste is a little cleaner now from when it had 6 months of age on it. 2015 has smoothed out quite abit and burns cool. The sweetness of the Va's and Perique taste has amplified through the years. This DGT's like few other blends I've smoked. There is no bite whatsoever. This now tops St. James Woods, Escado, Solani 633 and Reiner's Light Golden Flake in my top 5 Va/Pa blends.
9/04 original review One of my favorite Virginia/Perique blends. Brown broken flakes with that infamous McClelland vinegary smell, although when smoking, it has a BBQ like smell. It needs drying out before smoking. 2015 ages wonderfully tastes sweet and peppery, but burns cool. Very reasonable price purchased 5lbs for aging. A must try for those how enjoy V/P mixtures.
9/04 original review One of my favorite Virginia/Perique blends. Brown broken flakes with that infamous McClelland vinegary smell, although when smoking, it has a BBQ like smell. It needs drying out before smoking. 2015 ages wonderfully tastes sweet and peppery, but burns cool. Very reasonable price purchased 5lbs for aging. A must try for those how enjoy V/P mixtures.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 12, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This blend has been compared to Peretti's London Flake and indeed it is very similar in looks, tin aroma and, until recently with me, the flavor. 2015 is more of a broken flake. I find it to be milder, less harsh with richer notes toward the middle and bottom of the bowl and a little drier. The descriptions of both tobaccos on this site indicate that both are made of Orange and Red Virginias with a little Perique. However, Peretti's web site currently lists the ingredients of London Flake as Orange and Lemon Virginia with Perique, so I don't know if they have changed the blend, but I have noticed as of late that it has had a more sour taste to it, thus I have become more attracted to this stuff. I find it is a good all day blend what with the milder characteristics. Much less irritation but the flavor has not been compromised. As other reviewers have noted, if the VA/P blends seem too harsh for some, they should give this a try. I have not been disappointed. The price is reasonable too, relatively speaking.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 03, 2008 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have just finished a one year old sample from my cellar, and I love this stuff. It must indeed be dryed out prior to smoking, as already noted. I find it to start out peppery and spicy, then it settles down to a most delightful full bodied smoke. The Perique is just the right level for my taste. The quality of the leaf seems to be very high, and if one smokes this gently, an enchanting interplay of the Virginia's and Perique is your reward. This blend DGT's very well- in fact I often pack a nice half bent briar with this and take a few puffs in the morning before work, then lick my chops all the way home in anticipation of the after dinner pipe with a nice drink. I often smoke myself into a major hiccup fit with 2015, partially from the Perique and partially because I just devour it. Just be sure to dry it out. If I smoke it in the garage, Mrs Frosty sneezes her head off. McClellands is to be thanked for their gift to Vapers!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 01, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Cheap, plentiful and of the highest quality. Those are the words I would use to describe this broken VA/Perique.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 01, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
9/1/2007: This review is different from my typical review. I bought 2015 searching for a VAPER to buy in bulk, that was economical, and worthy of setting aside for years aging.
Conclusion: Worthy right out of the bag fresh, and I anticipate this will age extremely well. Of all the VAPER Flakes in the same genre that can be bought in bulk in the $30 lb. range or under, 2015 is my pick. I frankly think it is better than even SG's St. James Flake.
Wish I had bought this three or four years ago when it could be had for near $20 lb.!
P.S. St. James Woods is a little different, but not much in terms of flavor. One big difference, SJW is already well-aged at purchase. Of course, it sells for a premium price and rightly so.
Update: I had the pleasure of opening a Kerr jar put away sealed since September 2007, so about 20 months aged. The tobacco color is more uniform, much less red hued from the fresh batch and more brown and dark brown. The overall flavor and Virginia sweetness have deepened, edges are softer now, and it is just a pleasant, tasty smoke. I think I would have a hard time differentiating this from SJW if I smoked both with a blindfold. I look forward to 2015 after five years aging.
Conclusion: Worthy right out of the bag fresh, and I anticipate this will age extremely well. Of all the VAPER Flakes in the same genre that can be bought in bulk in the $30 lb. range or under, 2015 is my pick. I frankly think it is better than even SG's St. James Flake.
Wish I had bought this three or four years ago when it could be had for near $20 lb.!
P.S. St. James Woods is a little different, but not much in terms of flavor. One big difference, SJW is already well-aged at purchase. Of course, it sells for a premium price and rightly so.
Update: I had the pleasure of opening a Kerr jar put away sealed since September 2007, so about 20 months aged. The tobacco color is more uniform, much less red hued from the fresh batch and more brown and dark brown. The overall flavor and Virginia sweetness have deepened, edges are softer now, and it is just a pleasant, tasty smoke. I think I would have a hard time differentiating this from SJW if I smoked both with a blindfold. I look forward to 2015 after five years aging.
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