McClelland No. 2035 Dark Navy Flake

Alot of people suggest that this is the bulk version of dark star and I would have to agree with them. The only differance is that this does not seem to be aged as long and seems to be not quite as uniform as dark star in the flakes cut. Neither one of these factors bother me because I generally rub out the flakes at least partially anyway and I always like to age my tobacco as well. This is highly recomended and is a very good value tobacco. Buy some and age it a while, very tasty!

All in all, this is a decent Virginia smoke. It takes a bit of work to get going.

In comparison to the other bulk McClellands, such as 2010 and 2015, I found this to be somewhat more subtle, with more of a citrus-like tanginess to it.

Really not bad at all but frankly I enjoy both 2010 and 2015 more. But it is certainly worth a try if you enjoy this genre.

November-2003.Bulk No.2035 Dark Navy Flake. Well after hearing so much about this tobacco,I was extremely excited to be able to finally try it.Though it's not to bad at all,it did not thrill me.Honestly,I can't see what the fuss is all about.It light's easily enough & is fairly well behaved & didn't leave any goop at all.Maybe a good blend if you enjoy a beer or stout while smoking.You could do alot worse.

Looking at this tobacco in the pouch reminds me of dark, earthy things. I recall pictures of Irish farmers cutting blocks of peat from the old sod of mother Ireland. I see rich, heavy top soil. The scent in the pouch is also rich, heavy and earthy. I remember walking behind the plow as my father plowed a field, seeing the rich bottom land sliced and rolling over into furrows.

This is a very interesting, evocative tobacco. It does come rather moist. Drying a bit does benefit 2035. It has an unusual consistency, rubbing it out is a little different. Obtaining a good burn in the bowl does take a little work.

Smoked, to my palate,it yields, not suprisingly, a rich, earthy, dark taste. The smoke it yields is in itself pleasant to the nose. It does produce "gurgle" and the residue on the pipe cleaner is quite foul. On occasion, I have added a little Perique and found that to have a nice effect.

I do intend to smoke this from time to time. My mainstay will continue to be Virginia/Perique flake. However, this is a very nice tobacco in its own right. And bought in bulk it is a bargain. michiganmike4msuatjunodotcom

ADDENDUM: About a year has past since I saw the last of my #2035. And in that year I have not not missed it, nor thought of purchasing more. My actions speak more loudly and truly than my previous words. I did not enjoy it enough, evocative as it is, to buy more. Based on this, I am going to lower my previous "smoke on occasion" to "might try again, but will not keep on hand."

My tobacconist brought out a bulk bag of what looked like grass clippings that have been soaked in tar and cut into flakes. Is this tobacco? I thought to myself, or an unholy union twixt tobacco and road paver. I took a smell and lo, only the smell of sweet sweet Virginia! Rubbing this tobacco out is a challenge to be sure as the texture is more like caulk than tobacco, but once you've got it to the right consistancy and have it in your pipe this is a great tocbacco for all occasions. McCleland's must have a great fermenting process for this one because the natural flavour and sweetness of the tobacco comes through all the way to the bottom of the bowl. The tobacco burns long and cool and if rubbed out well enough will smoke to the heel of the bowl with no problems. I highly reccomend this tobacco to anyone who even half enjoys a good Virginia. As with many Virginais this tobacco only improves with age, but is also a great smoke right over the counter.

Incredible stuff. Bulk form of Dark Star (need I say more). At $20 a pound, heck, for any price, this stuff is as good as it gets. I've got two pounds stocked away, because as good as it is, aging makes it even better.