McClelland No. 2020 Matured Cake

I would say this blend should be tinned, but I rather like the bulk pricing so I'm begging that they never tin it. This is my hands down favorite. Sweet, interesting, not too heavy but has a little kick at the end when the flavors get earthly. Ages very well. Burns well from top to bottom with minimal pleasant relights. Can burn the tongue if pulled on too hard, but hey, its a Virginia blend. Does not need any special attention other that rubbing and drying which are the only draw backs. If I could change one thing it would be to have this ready rubbed...call it 2021

This is one great way to get some latakia/orientals in your routine for a va smoker. This flake smokes good after some thorough rubbing and drying. Is a little difficult to get going, 3-4 tries, but after that only needs a couple well spaced relights to complete the bowl.

I was very, very impressed with the exceptional balance between the va's and the latakia/turkish. This one is sweet and smokey all at once never getting to that floral level you expect from latakia. It starts off favoring the latakia, then the va's chime in quickly. It builds flavor the whole way down to the heel where I ended up dry with no dottle,and a dry stem as well. Absolutley no bite when smoked with patience. It leaves such a pleasent taste in my mouth for a while after smoking. Like smokey honey or something, I still taste the latakia- yumm. Much different than the usual bitter aftertaste from heavy english.

This one has so much character and is not monochromatic or boring at all. You can taste where you are in a bowl of this after you get used to it. It is a very complex flavor for a bulk tobacco. Keeps me interested and I never want to set it down until the bowl is done, Then I soon desire more even though I find it very satisfying. The nicotine level is low to medium- I expected more there but then I could smoke a second bowl....



I will be ordering and cellaring more of this great flake. I like this better than most other oriental/english blends. A pepsi cola tastes good while puffing this one too, or a glass of some goow wine.

Truly one of the best blends I have ever had the pleasure of smoking.

You need to try this! Nothing beats GL pease caravan but this is an excellent blend if you like mclelland's style and presentation.

The tin note has got an acrid and fermented note of Orientals. The moist content would appear to be rather high at first sight, but once you start crumbling those flakes down they seem rather dry ("goldilocks" I'd say). The smoking experience is musty, spicy, with zesty undertones, and oriental forward. The oriental tobacco comprises the backbone of this blend whereas the latakia seems to act as a buffer in between the former and the virginia leaf it contains. The thickness and appearance of these flakes reminds me of SG, but somewhat easier to break down into a coarse broken flake. I am finding the marrying of all different profiles and flavours quite balanced and right on the spot. And as you progress with your smoke it gets darker with a favour profile that hits many fronts. I think there is so much going on with these flakes, so a rating of four solid starts is appropriate.

McClelland - No. 2020 Matured Cake.

A low point, if it can be considered 'low', is the robustness of the tobacco; although it's been partially broken it still needs some extra processing (for the way I load), and stone me it needs some vigorous rubbing.

When lighting this I opt for a jet-flame, my usual Zippo lacks the power to initiate a burn as the tobacco's still quite chunky. The taste of the smoke's quite well rounded; although there's a slight piquancy from the Latakia and Orientals, it's still really smooth; the Virginia's the platform, with the other two adding a slight zest: a subtle smokiness and a little cream and nuts. At first, I get just a small amount of nuttiness, and only a tiny amount of sweetness; for the first quarter the Virginia seems grassy instead of sweet, but after that point it develops a slight honey-sweetness, with the nuts showing up once the burn's settled. I don't get any tongue bite from 2020, and the nicotine's just below medium; an anytime of day smoke.

This is quite a unique blend; slightly smoky, slightly sweet, and quite nutty, but sadly it bites me a bit!

Recommended.

I really enjoy this broken flake in any pipe I own. Primaraly a Virginia guy, I do smoke nightcap and other latakia blends at night for a change. I've been looking for a virginia based tobacco for the sweetness, with some latakia in the background for that smokey flavor. This is as high a quality bulk tobacco as i've ever bought in a can. Its slightly sweet, the orientals smooth it out and the latakia adds its flavor without being over the top. Perfect for night time relaxation, no bite, and no cotton mouth the next morning from latikia overload. Probably won't appeal to guys who prefer super heavy balkan type blends, but it's just what i've been looking for when a bowl of nightcap seems a little too heavy after smoking several bowles in the course of an evening. It's smooth enough to be an all day smoke as well, and at the rate i've been consuming it, its getting there quickly!

Update 11-28-11

I do not know where the smokey taste comes from, but I understand that this blend contains no latakia. No matter....it's still a very enjoyable blend with a smokey and sweet aftertaste. I have experimented and found that fully rubbed out it lights and burns very easily.

This was like finding real ambrosia! Or priceless mithril! A beautiful flake. I didn't find any bite, but it is well to smoke slowly to benefit the flavor this tobacco offers. A must try if you enjoy McClelland's orientals.

Update: I have to say, yet again, how wonderful this tobacco is. Also, after having the chance to smoke this in my house a few times(I normally smoke outside) I really enjoy the room note.

I've had some years to make my way through most of the big names in virginias, vapers, english blends, and va/oriental mixes. The quest for me has more or less ended with the discovery of this blend. It is perfect.

I can't claim to be a huge english fan although i enjoy such blends as ten russians and london mixture. I've always enjoyed the sweet snork on certain english hybrids as well. The latakia component in this blend is just that, a sweet snork that tops off the whole with a sugary and comforting element.

The midrange of flavour comes in from the orientals and some virginias. It's of spices, and develops surely as the bowl burns. Initial taste is less pronounced but it will rush in soon. Don't worry on this account. Combined with the snork you are left with an almost spice bun, spice cake flavour here.

Lastly the whole thing is built on the famous maclelland virginia foundation that indeed is smokeable all on its own to me.

This blend touches all parts of the tongue and nose in terms of flavours and thus delivers what feels like a mouthful of flavour. The room note is also desireable in this sense and one could easily sit in a cloud of this stuff to the delight of the senses.

What else can i say, i just bought a pound and will be buying more for the cellar. I see it as an everyday smoke for my tastes but have yet to smoke it in hot weather.

If you haven't you need to try this tobacco. Bottom line.

honestly not what i was hoping for. burns hot, wet and tastes like burning leaves. gonna try it after it sits for quite some time.

For a bulk tobacco this hits the spot. I bought 8 ounces for around $23.50. It was an impressive english mixture with virginia blended in. It is pretty much an all day smoke for me. I enjoy the sweetness with the nuttiness of the orientals mixed in. I must say this is definitely a good blend to start on regardless of how often you smoke a pipe or if it is your first time trying a pipe. This tobacco does not disappoint.