McClelland No. 2035 Dark Navy Flake

Mclelland 2035 dark navy flake. I use a sort of fold and roll method to fill the pipe ( a cob) so the flake is sort of an endwise bundle in the pipe, and rough up the top to light. This takes some effort, and the smoke is on the pale side early bowl. I believe I have to relight three or four times at first. Once I hit mid bowl, though, it starts to burn quite well. The flavor is light, but engaging, obviously virginia. Pale sweetness, midrange spicy tobacco, with walnut and citrus notes. Lingering aftertaste I don?t much care for is the only negative. This is an excellent pick for driving or working outside.

After just finishing up a disappointing tin of Old Gowrie, I will give 2035 3 stars by default. It is far sweeter tasting and gets better around the middle of the bowl. The only advantage that Old Gowrie has over 2035 is that it burns better.

It is not fair to compare these two blends though as they have nothing in common.

Over time, I could see 2035 becoming a 4 star blend in my rotation. It is sweet, rich and doesn't scorch my tongue.

I am partial to lemon leaf and having it stoved is a pleasant change of pace.

Yes, it is somewhat difficult to work with, but it is worth the effort.

As for being the same as Dark Star only in bulk, I don't know that I totally agree with that notion. But I do like them both and give a slight edge to Dark Star.

Strange tobacco: it looks like the Dark Star, it smells like the Dark Star, it rubs and packs like the Dark Star....and smokes light years from the Dark Star! This one too is a quintessential McClelland Virginia, but it lacks the deepness, class and refinement of the Personal Reserve one (but has the ketchup). Mind you, if the Dark Star is tinned and costs the double there must be a reason! However, this is a good way to pass an hour, though it could be more interesting; a bit monochromatic but a nice companion for an all day smoke if you like those classic Kansas City Virginias. One star more for its beautiful burning characteristics: no need to relight, dry, cool...Absolutely no trouble to the end of the bowl

how unique a hobby we have, such that we break up what appear to be shards of leather or bark into a bowl of briar. How I love the unique textures and subtleties of pipe tobacco.

This is a true tobacco, with a gentle, bite-less virginia tang. Builds through the bowl, with hints of citrus amongs plumes of smoke. It has the wonderful McClelland acidity correlated to the typical aroma many ascribe to ketchup--a good thing!. Rub the flakes a little, stuff the bowl, then top with a heavily rubbed top layer for a good even light.

It reaches a crescendo at midbowl. Due to the stoving, it's a bassy blend with very few high notes that one expects from bright virginias. Does not fatigue the senses. As with many virginias you must draw on the pipe gently to understand the appeal. Funny how many complain about "hot" blends, never considering that both the smoking method and the blend must be synchronous to judge a tobacco fairly, and understand its merits. Although it doesn't stand out amongst the crowd of legendary blends, this is definitely recommended to non-aromatic smoker.

This review is based on limited tasting. I do find the blender description accurate. There is a zesty flavor in there, but mostly it tastes of very high quality stoved Virginia. I do get a bit of spiciness, and a bit of mouth fatigue from it, but on the whole, it's minor. I used a small hand held grinder to break up the flakes, which seemed to work well. I also let it dry out quite a bit initially before using the grinder. I am trying all of the bulk McClelland offerings to see if I like any of them other than 5100 and 2015, and so far, this is one of the best of the other Virginia blends. I can't give it four stars because it isn't Union Square, or Old Gowrie.

This is a bit hard to prepare, either folding or rubbing out, and a challenge to get lit. However, once lit it smokes beautifully, down to a nice ash. The smell is incredible out of the jar. The middle 1/3 of the pipe is the best, I think, but the taste is good throughout the bowl. I find it has its best taste when I don't rub it out, but pack my bowl by folding the flakes up. I am not sure why that is.

This is a very nice smoke, I recommend if you like VA or flakes or both, get yourself some of this and try it both rubbed out and folded. It's a treat.

This is a very good smoke and an even better blending component. Thick, dark flakes that rub out easily. burns slow and tastes smooth. Great in a large pipe for a long smoke, but better as a belnding component along with burley and latakia.

It really does not rub out it just kind of breaks up into small chunks. Currently, smoking this in cob and it taste pretty good. Lemony, vinegar with short lingering after taste.

Burns hot and wet with no tongue bite. I'm still searching for my ultimate smoke.

I believe this to be a quality VA. Dark-stoved and earthy, this VA has a bold essence that ventures slightly into the realm of sweet. Once lit this tobacco burns consistantly but leaves alot of residue in the plumbing of your pipe. I love this VA because I find it to be almost biteless, even when I smoke it agressively.

During the stoving process, alot of the natural sugars seem to remain in the tobacco. I believe that this accounts for some of the sweet/smokey textures that are present, while smoking. All in all I believe that this is a quality bulk navy flake. I have two lbs. in the cellar to hopefully ripen into what will be a wonderful treat for the future. Like most VA's well aged stock takes on a totally different demeanor that its original.