McClelland No. 2015 Virginia Perique Flake

This review is a work in progress. I recently received a small yet extremely generous sample of this, probably four bowls’ worth.

I typically like to get to know a blend a little better before I render a verdict, but I’m going to do my best to savor every moment in an effort to truly know this defunct classic.

I’ve had this blend in the distant past, and enjoyed it. But I didn’t make a huge deal about it, because I thought it would be around forever, as popular as McLellands was/is.

This sample, is extremely broken flake at this point, and a shade beyond chestnut brown. Shiny, oily and offering a hint of the famed McLelland ketchup bag aroma.

This first bowl took to flame fairly easily, thanks to a decent rubbing out. The first third of the bowl was unremarkable. It truthfully wasn’t especially flavorful, and was especially boring for a VaPer. It’s begun livening up towards the end, but that’s a little disappointing considering I have only three bowls remaining.

I’d rate the flavor at this point as mild to medium. Reminiscent of a creamy exotic tea… some nice stewed fruit notes. The perique is very mild in this one.

As I near the end of this first bowl, it’s really come alive. Still mild to medium, but a lovely medley of flavors. Mostly darkly sweet, with a bit of a tart edge. The perique is finally starting to step forward, particularly on the retrohale. Better late than never.

This one has finished very strongly, like Secretariat at the Derby. Each quarter getting a little stronger. Still, my memories of this recall a stronger blend.

The description atop this page uses the word “refreshing,” which absolutely applies. Once done, the finish is somewhat reminiscent of the feeling in one’s mouth and throat after a breakfast glass of cranberry juice. So yes, refreshing.

I ran a pipe cleaner through my cob nosewarmer and repacked. You know... for science. I wanted to see if that initial weak start may have been due to this pipe having been previously tarnished by other Virginia blends.

And, yes, this second bowl starts much more crisp and tasty than bowl one. The overall flavor is basically unchanged, but maybe a hair past the mild-to-medium mark. Not quite medium, but closer. And certainly closer to my vague memories of #2015.

Everything is just a little bit more in focus on this second go round. The perique, all figgy and juicy, is much more apparent. Definitely not overbearing. I’ve found I have a level of tolerance when it comes to perique. Bayou morning for instance is far too much. This dear departed masterpiece’s portion of perique sits very comfortably in the position marked EXACTLY RIGHT.

As I approach the halfway point of this second bowl, I try to remember a VaPer this good. I thought Sam Gawith St James Flake was great back in early January, when I was still relearning to smoke a pipe. But it’s disappointed since. I love Gawith Hoggarth Louisiana Flake dearly, and it will have to do. I seem to recall finding Escudo pretty great too, but haven’t really had any since my return. I may need to pop my lone tin soon to see how it stacks up. Luxury Bullseye Flake is very pleasant with a little age, but it ain’t this.

Now I remember why I was so disappointed when I learned of this company’s untimely demise upon my return to pipe smoking six months ago, after a nearly decade long absence. I have smoked a LOT of different tobacco in those six months. Very few approach the perfection attained here.

I bemoan to the depths of my soul the fact that I didn’t have a chance to cellar 2-3 pounds of this. It’s one lovely straight VaPer. It’s not something I’d smoke exclusively, but it would make an outstanding every day breakfast smoke.

And while I’ve never been one to devote a particular pipe to just one blend, this is one that would have certainly been worth that. In fact, I’ve decided that, going forward, this pipe will be the exclusive domain of VaPers. In honor of what is one of the all-time greats. Oh, McLelland’s... we hardly knew ye.

2020-12-29 Update:

I popped a new jar from 2017 which I had packed up back at the end of McC production. The jar had a satisfying "pop" and the jar-note is sweet with that little bit of "ketchup/vinegar" which made me love this one back then. The sweetness of the Virginias has increased with time and the perique still provides spice. I let the flakes dry for a couple of hours before smoking and find that it still smokes a little moist, but nothing that a quick swab of a pipe-cleaner can't fix.

A couple of more years of aging have mellowed it even further and I took out some to enjoy over new years and sealed the rest back up to slumber further.

I still hold out hope that I'll find a magical stash of this somewhere to add to my collection and dwindling cellar.

2018-09-05 - Review

I think I'll miss 2015 the most of any of the McClelland bulks.

It's a great broken flake and I can only wish that I'd bought more of it before it disappeared.

It's a great middle of the road VA/Per with to me the perfect amount of perique mixed into it. When I opened the jar which has aged a year now, it has that that signature "vinegar/ketchup" smell that you expect from McC.

Easy to pack, I pack a few bigger pieces in the bottom and a few shreds on top to help with lighting. A charring light and then it burns great and slow without any noticeable tongue bite.

Highly recommend and I hope to find more somehow.

Since I do not have a highly refined palate, it's hard to describe tastes and flavors that I experience. I only know what I like and do not like. So here's my rating scale and a brief reason for the rating.

★★★★ = Excellent - Apocalypse blend, cellar worthy.

★★★☆ = Good - Not part of regular roatation but keeping a few tins/ounces is wise.

★★☆☆ = Fair - A smokable blend that is worth trying again.

★☆☆☆ = Poor - Do not smoke! Trade off or give away to the unsuspecting.

Because tastes and blends change over time and depending on what pipe is used, I reserve the right to change my rating at any time.

U.S. smokers are truely blessed with this beauty from McClalland. I paid 2 x the US Price in duties & tax alone for the 8oz I imported into Australia. Well it was worth it. On opening the bag I was greated with the famous ketchup aroma. I was immediatly struck by the course broken flake texture, stems and all. As it was fairly moist i took out about 1/2oz teased it apart & let it dry some for about 24 hours. After some time the room filled with the pungent aroma of pireque. With great anticipation i filled the small bowl of my Peterson Donigal rocky 999 & struck a match & proceded to light. This stuff takes a bit of effort to light, Char Light & a few relights is the go. Starts out a bit thin with Pireque immediatly to the fore but then this starts to blend into a combo of rich VA & peppery spicy Flavors coming in layers. Mid bowl & this beguiling tobac starts to hit it's straps. It delivers a rich creamy smoke that is extreamly satisfying & rewarding when puffed lightly. This smoke is a journey, with the pireque slowly building to be more noticable at the end. There is little tounge bite or moisture. I will, dispite the cost, be geting more of this tobacco with the intention of ageing, given it's moisture content it should be a good choice.

Well, I have to thank my buddy Tim for this one. I used to smoke mostly latakia blends, with only a little smattering of Virginias when the mood was right. After trying 2015 it has become my go to smoke. It has never done me wrong, just don't go crazy with the puffing or your tongue will jump out of your mouth and slap you in the face. Just let it air out a few minutes prior to smoking and take your time and savor it's delicious tobacco taste. If you're new to the world of Perique blends, give this one a go.

Don't want to beat a dead horse here, or a four star tobacco, so I will add very little. Top of the line virginia/perique with an equally unbelievable price. I've been smoking King Eider lately and this is very similar in texture, moisture and smell, although in both taste and odor, 2015 is slightly sweeter, and much more affordable. The best of its class.

I discovered the pleasures of 2015 Virginia Flake late, having stupidly assumed that all McClellands "...were about the same". Not so this fine broken flake Virginia. The Perique is there only to round off the flavor and dispel any hint of bite, not to dominate. The first time I tried it I was on the road with an empty pouch. Finding a little tobacco shop, I stopped by to reload. The shop was pretty bare and lacked whatever I was smoking at the time, but the shopkeeper pulled out a big plastic bag and said "Here, try this. It's a McClelland Virginia- Perique". I nodded and he filled my pouch with a few ounces.

Thank you very much!

It's all been said before and I won't repeat it except to say that this is this gold-standard by which I now measure Virginias-- and none have measured up yet. A sweet, full smoke that just gets better to the last of the bowl.

Five Stars if there were that many.

Update: June 19th 2005. After smoking much poundage of this fine blend, I am more fond of it now than when I first tried it. This holds up and is consistant. The tangy, sweet and slight peppery taste and aroma continue to please. I have found that rubbing it out thouroughly and letting it dry for a few days enhances it's delicious flavor.

Original review; It's all already been covered by the many reviews here. Mild, smooth and nutty with a hint of spice. Mmmmmmm-good!

I can't ask any more to a blend! This blend is spicy, tasty and with just the rigth dose of nicotine.Easy to burn, with out bite tongue. The mature virginias and the perique are the perfect marriage. Congratulations to Mac Clelland's fellows.