McClelland No. 2020 Matured Cake

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 * * *

Being a new pipe smoker, I picked up quite a few samples trying to get a feel for what I liked in a tobacco. 2020 was one of these samples. At first this one came in last of all the samples that I had purchased. It bit me badly although I did enjoy the taste. The taste of 2020 is what kept me coming back to it. This tobac taught me patience in that I had to rub it out and dry it then remember to puff slowly as I have a tendency to be a quick puffer. this is partly due to the fact that i had started with aromatics with no bite like evening stroll and m55. Folks have told me that virginias/flakes should avoided by the beginner due to their tendency to bite etc. I personally think that every beginner should dive into some virginias. let it bite them and teach them some patience and condition their tongue. I really appreciate the edge that 2020 has and it's taste is wonderful. I'm really not advanced enough to go into detail about how the orientals compliment the va's etc. I do know that this stuff tastes great and has pulled me away from the aromatics and taught me a thing or two about smoking flake. I would highly recommend this to the beginner and anyone else for that matter. I love this stuff. 4 stars.

Upon opening my bag I thought,well I made a mistake the odor of Latakia hit me in the nose,Im not a big fan.However upon lighting the Latakia takes third to the Orientals and Virginias just smoothing out any rough edges.Preparing and lighting was somewhat difficult mainly due to the fact it needed to dry out some but also due to the rough cut.Once lit a creamy smoke exuded.The Virginias did not overpower the Orientals are vice versa,there was a complimenting of each with the Latakia there to knock down any rough edges.

If looking for a straight tobacco taste,this is not it how ever if you are looking for a blend whwer each component complments itself you have found it,HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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.

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.

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.

This is a fine Virginnia / Oriental tobacco blend. It is fairly coarse and my baggie was just a little on the moist side. If you like Virginnia tobacs but are searching for more flavor without Latakia or Perique, give this a go. Smokes long and full flavored, but will bite some if puffed too hard.

I think #2020 is to latakia as #2015 is to perique. Here you get an acceptable level of latakia spice with a straight Virginia base. Not complex, but interesting and tastey. The trick for me is to give #2020 plenty of time to age in order to smooth out the Virginias. When fresh it can be rough and harsh and a bit acrid. I dried this batch until there was no moisture remaining. I then added back a little moisture to make it pliable and "bingo," a very good smoke. This has been aged at least a year. For those who like McClelland Virginias and want a comparatively inexpensive English blend, this is pretty good stuff provided you are willing to work with it. Even with age, the Virginias will speak to you if you push them. Recommended to the frugal smoker of English blends. Paddy.

#2020 is a creation of a few of the world's finest NATURAL tobaccos. The taste of the blend has the natural sugar levels evident of red and orange middle belt Virginia tobaccos, with some delightfully tasting spice flavors from a small amount of Latakia, and an hint of aromatic oriental. The tobacco taste is very similar to the aroma of the jar. Rubbing out this beautiful, broken flake tobacco--you may appreciate all the old fashioned qualities of 2020. This tobacco won't let you down--the Natural flavors intensify as you smoke--so smoke SLOWLY, and keep the tobacco at the right humidity--not so wet you can't light--but not so dry that it burns too fast. I prefer this tobacco after a full meal, in the evening. It's very smooth, medium in body, and truly unique. A great blend. I tried this and quit cigarettes.