McClelland No. 2020 Matured Cake
(3.21)
Matured Cake Mixture combines the characteristic sweetness and zest of a fine matured Virginia with the unique aroma, softness and rich, nutty flavor of a distinctive Oriental Mixture. Aging this blend of lemon and orange Virginias, Xanthi (Macedonian Orientals) and latakia in cakes develops an extra margin of smoothness and an uncommonly rich flavor that is refined, not heavy.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Oriental |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, 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
|
3.21 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 22 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 06, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
To note, I was gifted a sample of this and was very thankful to try it due to McClelland's absence from pipe tobacco. I was initially greeted by what I now recognize as that sweet, musty, tangy MC Virginia taste that I now try to find in other pipe tobacco. At the top of the bowl, I almost thought this was a straight VA, since I didn't look anything up before lighting the bowl. Then I started getting some slight background notes of wood and orange juice from the orientals and some occasional puffs of smoky campfire from the latakia, and then I realized this was an English.
The sample I received was dry and rubbed out, so the bowl did get relatively hot on me and I had to set it down several times. Toward the middle of the bowl, the orientals started to get a bit bitey and started to irritate my nasal passages as even the best orientals tend to do. I started think that this reminded me somewhat of SQ - Squadron Leader and GLP - Maltese Falcon and what I imagine Star of the East Gold might taste like (though I haven't tried the gold version yet), though noticeably sweeter. After a while, the sweet virginias slowly started to vanish and all I could taste was oriental and a rare bit of latakia. I think if the virginias would have held throughout the bowl I would have enjoyed this a lot more, as even though I like orientals, they can bother my nose at times.
That being said, this was a rather complex blend and I was happy to try it.
The sample I received was dry and rubbed out, so the bowl did get relatively hot on me and I had to set it down several times. Toward the middle of the bowl, the orientals started to get a bit bitey and started to irritate my nasal passages as even the best orientals tend to do. I started think that this reminded me somewhat of SQ - Squadron Leader and GLP - Maltese Falcon and what I imagine Star of the East Gold might taste like (though I haven't tried the gold version yet), though noticeably sweeter. After a while, the sweet virginias slowly started to vanish and all I could taste was oriental and a rare bit of latakia. I think if the virginias would have held throughout the bowl I would have enjoyed this a lot more, as even though I like orientals, they can bother my nose at times.
That being said, this was a rather complex blend and I was happy to try it.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Dublin Filter 106 Smooth
PurchasedFrom:
malt
Age When Smoked:
5-10 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
It took me a while to figure out this one. I couldn’t figure out what was it; was it an oriental, as described? Was it a spiced up Virginia? Was it too strong for me? Or wasn’t it? The last time I smoked it – it was no less than great. Maybe it was the aging process that kicked in (It sat in a jar for 6 months) or maybe it was the right pipe to smoke it in; it was probably a combination of both. The tobacco really balanced. The first few draws were nothing like I remembered – it was sweet! It was a sweet Virginia with a nice, subtle touch of a smokey Latakia. Later on the Latakia was more present, but still – the aged Virginia component was really there, taking the lead. The smoke was rather cool, although there’s a little bite there. Perhaps it needs to age for a little longer. Nonetheless, this is easily an all-day smoke with low nicotine. I smoke this as a crumbled cake – just as it comes. It might require a few relights, but I like the complexity it gives. All in all, I’d recommend this one, especially for the price it’s sold!
Pipe Used:
Freehand horn pipe (Albine)
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 04, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Very nice rich, sweet Virginia blend. Virginia's are prominent in the first part of the bowl and the Oriental and very light Latikia come on in the second half. Definite Virginia tongue bite for me even going slowly so this is an occasional blend for me. Nice nuttiness toward the end. Moisture is about right leaning a bit toward the wet side. Nice price on a good Virginia bulk. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 20, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Quite some time ago I decided to try every bulk McClelland blend. I didn't succeed in that I got some fatigue from the various blends and so everything kind of merged together... I also wasn't very good at smoking pipes yet, and wasn't smoking particularly good pipes either.
With that said, I recently started smoking back through the leftover samples from that odyssey, and the first hint on this one was that the bag had the least amount left of any of the English blends.
This is a really great blend. It's got an interesting broken flake cut, it has no PG to speak of, it's got high quality components, and a lot of interesting flavor.
There's just enough Latakia that you can tell it's in the blend, so Lat-heads will find this seriously lacking. It's very oriental forward, with just enough VA to keep it from being astringent, and just enough Latakia to give it some body.
I'm not giving it four stars just because I haven't smoked it enough, and generally, I think I like Pease English blends better than McClelland. I reserve the right to change my mind, and this goes on the BUY list for me.
With that said, I recently started smoking back through the leftover samples from that odyssey, and the first hint on this one was that the bag had the least amount left of any of the English blends.
This is a really great blend. It's got an interesting broken flake cut, it has no PG to speak of, it's got high quality components, and a lot of interesting flavor.
There's just enough Latakia that you can tell it's in the blend, so Lat-heads will find this seriously lacking. It's very oriental forward, with just enough VA to keep it from being astringent, and just enough Latakia to give it some body.
I'm not giving it four stars just because I haven't smoked it enough, and generally, I think I like Pease English blends better than McClelland. I reserve the right to change my mind, and this goes on the BUY list for me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 29, 2012 | Medium | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
I cant tell so mutch about it. But what i can tell is that this tobacco is great! 🙂
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 03, 2008 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
Enjoyable smoke, good quality virginia/turkish with creamy taste, I received the falke sample was very dry, I packed it as it is and its really delightful. I would recommend this blend to anyone.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 21, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I waited to review this blend, and I'm glad I did. I find that each time I come back to 2020 that I enjoy it more. I am mostly a straight Va. smoker, but I find this Va/Or blend interesting without being overdone. Nice mix between the Va and Orientals. I do love a flake, and find that after drying, and rubbing out that 2020 packs, lights, and burns good. Nice sharp flavor. This may not be in my rotation for now, but I reach for it when I' in the mood for a light English blend. Rate * * *
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 02, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Another winner from McClelland. It has its own natural and subtle sweetness which makes it an appropriate all-day smoke. Most enjoyable, as it the bulk price.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 21, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Very nice blend of natural sweet Virginia with nutty burley and the tang of Orientals, with just enough Latakia thrown in to smooth it out. Reminds me a little of Sam'l Gawith's Bob's Chocolate Flake, minus the chocolate. Nice round smooth flavor, slightly smoky from the Latakia, maybe a tad too cigarettish in the room note from the Virginia, but overall not bad at all. Will definitely keep this one in bulk and let it age, perhaps experiment with blending it. Might be good for someone wanting to avoid aromatics. It's the only McClelland blend I've tried so far (after about a dozen or so) which lacks that ketchupy aroma.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 10, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This has a nice, smooth, creamy taste. I didn't get a lot from the Virginias in this blend - the Orientals hold my attention throughout the smoke. This is a top choice if I'm in the mood for a light English blend, but not remarkable or exciting enough for four stars.
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