Tobaccos McClelland - No. 5100 Red Cake

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2013-02-19		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The "ketchup" smell of the tobacco mildly translates to the taste, though it disappears after a short time. It has a deep, very ripe rich explosion of tangy dark fruit, earthy, woody, bready, sugary red Virginia with light spice and vinegar notes along with a touch of tart and tangy citrus and grass. I would not classify this as a complex smoke by any means, and it's not designed to be that either. The taste level almost reaches medium. The strength is a little closer to medium than it is to mild. The nic-hit is near the center of mild to medium. Works well as a mixer or as a straight smoke, and can be an all day companion. A fairly moist product in the tin or in bulk, some people prefer to dry it some, which won't hurt much. Some dry it out completely, which I do not recommend that as it will lose some of its inherent richness, although you would lose less than you would if you did that to other blends. Burns slow, cool, clean and smooth with a very consistent flavor that never weakens. Won't bite or get harsh no matter how fast you puff. It does have a few small rough edges. It will leave a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle unless you are a wet smoker. Requires some relights as it does burn a little wet. Has a very pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is sweet.

-JimInks

44 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-02-07		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is quite a tasty if monodimensional smoke. As someone who normally smokes flakes and broken flakes, this is a great tobacco to burn in a new pipe. Loads easily and burns very well, if not quite as well as a flake (once you get 'em going!). This also dries out nicely and I found one reviewer's claim of problems there and that this included humectants to be in direct opposition to my own experiences. But I've read enough of his other reviews to believe that he arrives at his conclusions honestly, so I guess it's simply a matter of a difference in opinion. No problem there!

I suspected this might make a good blending tobacco when I first smoked it and I'm tickled to see so many reviewers doing just that. I really like one reviewers idea of this Red Cake, the McClelland Stoved VA and some Perique - sounds like something I oughtta try! By itself this blend is very nice and very smokable, but it's not (for me) one of McClellands best blends. But getting to the top of that mountain would be quite a feat, as McClellands has at least a dozen blends that I find 4 star. Try this if you like straight virginia or if you're an aromatic smoker wondering what all the straight VA hubbub is about. This will start you on your journey.

31 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-01-08		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

With McClelland's wide range of superior Virginia ribbon and flake blends, I find my needs for quality and taste satisfied. 5100 is no exception to McClelland's well-earned reputation. It is a nice, middle weight and moderately sweet red Virginia pipe filler. I used 5100 to break in a new pipe as a neutral tobacco with plenty of natural sugar to help build a delicious cake. While I appreciate the subtly of single varietals, I prefer blends of Virginia leaf. I find them more interesting overall.

On another note, I wondered, when reading the reviewers of this tobacco that found some artificial flavoring (which is what you are saying if you indicate anything but 'none detected' on the Flavoring field), if there is not a misunderstanding. The overall rating has the flavoring of 5100 as "extremely mild." This indicates that enough reviewers think this is cased or topped with flavors beyond those fixed naturally in the leaf processing. It would be helpful if those reviewers stated how and with what they perceive this or any blend is so manipulated, for I find nothing but tobacco flavor.

Also, the "Curing Group" is not fire-cured (candela cigar leaf and some Burley tobaccos are cured with open flame; Latakia over smoke) as indicated on this site for this blend. 5100 is flue-cured (meaning controlled, radiated heat providing the temperature to cure/fix the leaf color and prevent decomposition, not open air or flame). If you want to taste fire-cured pipe tobacco, try Orlik's Dark Strong Kentucky, Gawith, Hogarth & Co.'s Brown Flake and Dark Flake, as well as a touch of it in Montgomery by GLPease (which erroneously is categorized on this site in the Air-Cured group!). I am sure there are other examples of blends with fire-cured pipe leaf.

24 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SeoulSister (37)	2014-03-30		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I only smoke English blends and Lakeland scented flakes so when I decided I wanted to expand my horizons, my husband suggested starting with 5100 Red Cake. The tobacco has the ketchup smell that everyone talks about but it didn’t put me off. I dried it for a while before packing it. After lighting it, I didn’t get any of the ketchup smell in the taste. I just get a sweet, slightly spicy taste with a very, very slight grassy note. As I got further through each bowl, the sweetness from the Virginia grows and leaves a nice sweet, stickiness on my lips! It never burns hot and there is no bite. I was very pleasantly surprised by this mild to medium blend and I found it very pleasant to smoke! Even though this is not a typical smoke for me, it has made me want to try other straight Virginia blends.

Age When Smoked: 5 years old

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2014-03-26		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The reason why McClelland IMO has created the gold standard with Red Cake is because of its duel usage potential. 5100 Red Cake is a mild, red Virginia that smokes well enough on its own, but really rings the bell as a great component tobacco for other blends. My stash is from 2009 and at five years old, it is quite sweet, very mild in strength and offers a little bit of tang. It is also forgiving for “puffers” as it doesn’t bite. I generally don’t gravitate toward the McClelland Virginias I have tried because I prefer a little more strength than the McClellands I have smoked. Red Cake is no exception to this for me as it is mild and not very complex. But, boy it is a tasty tobacco all the same and it ages wonderfully. Personally, for the reasons mentioned, it’s a three star tobacco for me, but I can easily see this being a favorite for many looking for a mild straight red Virginia.

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2006-01-14		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Very Pleasant

I find McClelland's 5100 to be very similar to McCranie's Red Ribbon. (Both are tinned by McClelland). This tobacco smelled delightfully Virginia sweet in the pouch. And the flavor is wonderful and naturally sweet, just a really remarkable very delicate Virginia flavor. I can see where this straight Virginia would be a wonderful end of the day smoke if your palate has been overloaded. It could be a good first pipe of the day smoke too due to its lightness. And finally, it is a great blending tobacco and marries well with blends that you like but think may need more sweet Virginia to settle the other components. As for me, I love mixing 5100 with straight Burley blends to give me the sweetness I so much enjoy while still getting the strength from each puff that Burley tobacco can so often provide. No matter how you smoke 5100, it will be palate pleasing, I assure you!

13 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Anchkema (8)	2005-10-10		Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I wouldn?t be content if I didn?t have a few Bell jars of McClelland 5100 Red Cake snugly aging down in the dark, cool pipeweed corner of the basement. As an inexpensive bulk, with a little aging on it, 5100 compares favorably to Rattray?s Hal O? the Wynd.

The aroma of 5100 out of the Bell jar and in the room is delightful. Smoked properly, it delivers a hearty mouthful of taste with no bite. The first third or so of the bowl is mild and sweet. Later the smoke becomes heavier, retains sweetness and becomes a tad harsher, but not at all unpleasant. 5100 leaves a sweet taste in the pipe bowl, allowing the piper the option of a taste treat by following with an occasional bowl of a Latakia mixture.

That said, 5100 has a few idiosyncracies of which new and seasoned puffers should be mindful.

As a rubbed out flake, 5100 visually appears as an attractive heap of small bits of high quality leaf, ranging from gold to dark brown. It also has a humectant that retains moisture even after several years of aging. To me, this is fair warning of a tobacco that requires a light hand in packing, several matches to get burning properly and vigilance to keep burning. I can?t recall ever smoking a bowl of 5100 through to the bottom without relight.

For me, getting optimum taste from 5100 requires 15 minute smokes, allowing the smolder to expire, light tamping, putting the pipe aside to cool for 10 minutes, and then repeating. A small price to pay, I?d say, for a great and, in comparison, inexpensive pipeweed.

Using the uneducated thumb method to cram as much 5100 into the bowl as possible, lighting up with one of those awful pipe torches, then stubbornly huffing when the smolder begins to expire, will inevitably lead to gurgles and wrong-headed exclamations about Virginia?s tendency to nip or worse.

But with a skillful touch and a little patience, such unpleasantness is easily avoided and the smoker will count himself fortunate and wise to have put away an ample store of this excellent and affordable Virginia.

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	oldcodger (74)	2014-08-02		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I give Bulk No. 5100 a four star rating because it is the bulk tobacco that I smoke most, McClelland is justly famed for their Virginias, and I am fond of a number of their tinned blends, in particular No. 22, No. 24, No. 25, and No. 27 from the Matured Virginia series. I like 5100 even better, and even though I meander through many offerings in the bulk department of McClelland and many other brands, I smoke 5100 more than any other bulk offering.

This is a fully rubbed out small ribbon. Identified as a cake, at some point in its preparation, probably in the fermentation process, it was pressed into a block and then later put into its rubbed out form. It has some of the acetic "ketchup" smell that all McClelland Virginias manifest, although this is lighter than most of its siblings. The "ketchup" odor does not bother me, although it is apparent in the pouch.

As a red Virginia, this tobacco has considerable natural sweetness. I do not detect an additional sweetening element.

The tobacco lights well, not as easily as some which share its smallish cut, but nevertheless without difficulty. I have to trouble in keeping it lit.

The room note is of a pleasant natural tobacco variety. It will not elecit the compliments of non smokers that a sweet aromatic may, but neither will it engender complaints.

The nicotine level is on the low side. Virginias have the reputation for being bite prone, but I find no need for extraordinary care in the puffing technique to protect my tongue when smoking 5100.

I personally do not jar bulk tobaccos for long time storage. Many of those who do laud 5100 as a good candidate for long term aging. McClelland bulks use tobaccos with less maturity than those in the tinned blends, and thus it seems reasonable that aging will improve this offering.

Yes, 5100 is monochromatic. But its taste, on the light side of medium, wears very well. My own habit of varying my tobacco from smoke to smoke may be partially the cause, but when I return to it from whatever is in my current rotation (I normally have five tins, pouches, or baggies open) I find it to be a treasured friend. Likewise, when smoking large bowled pipe, I do not find this a smoke which grows dull before the end. In the case of 5100, the end is a dry light grey powder.

My current pipe collection numbers 51, including two Dunhills. The brace of Dunhills are not what I consider my best two, but they handle Virginias better than any others in my rotation.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2013-10-11		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The smoke was mellow, medium/mild with a good tobacco flavor. It struck me as a Anniversary Kake without the perique, and it was a very good smoke. There was a mild sweetness that transitioned to a slightly more sour/tart taste as the bowl progressed. This blend grew on me, and I found I liked more and more, as I smoked my way through the 4 oz. I suspect the blend benefits from a dedicated pipe, and this may have explained the liking it more and more. I did not get a lot of complexity or top notes, but this is a solid smoke that is not exotic.

This is my first taste of a McC tobacco and so my first review of one. Just for the record, I did not mention the "K" word.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-01-18		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

5100 Red Cake has been in my daily line up for about three years; I have about a pound of it cellared; I'm working through some that's about two and a half years old now.

So, yeah, I like it.

5100 isn't monochromatic -- there's a compact group of flavors here: nutty, woodsy, summer-barbeque-y -- but it's straightforward in the way you want for an all-day standard. The flavor is very full and satisfying, and there's little to no bite.

All that being said, it's not a four-star blend for me. There's a certain roughness -- even coarseness -- to the flavor, especially in the first few minutes of a bowl, that holds it back from that level. And, perhaps because of this, I find that it's hard to fully enjoy other blends for a while after a bowl of 5100.

Yes, it does have that trademark McClelland Heinz/vinegar/ketchup tin aroma in full (you decide if that's a problem; it's not for me).

And, while it does respond well to aging (most tobaccos do, I think), you shouldn't expect the miraculous transformation that some of these reviews suggest. It gets notably smoother, but it's the same basic animal after two weeks or two years.

I've gone on at some length about the negatives, though, which may give a skewed impression. 5100 Red Cake is a fine tobacco that fills a certain (important) niche very well: it's a straightforward, satisfying, value-priced blend that you'll reach for often... when you're wanting something to smoke while you're out cleaning up the garage, or driving around, or wanting a full, satisfying, but undemanding smoke at the end of the day.

Oh... and 5100 is terrific for breaking in new pipes and rehabilitating musty and/or funky estate pipes.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Noorrmm (192)	2002-01-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Appearance: Medium to dark red ribbon. The ribbons are quite uniform in length and width (about average). The tobacco was moister than I like it, but might be perfect for many. I happen to like the dryness of Cornell and Diehl blends.

Aroma: Rich sweet aroma with only the merest trace of the ?vinegar? smell that seems to pervade McClelland reviews. The trace dissipated in a short time.

Packing: No problem in any size or shape bowl. Easy to get a nice, springy surface.

Lighting: Nothing unusual in the lighting, neither oo easy nor too difficult.

Initial flavor: Smooth, refined and rich. Not a subtle virginia at all. Makes me realize why I like blends with Red Va. Has a full range of flavor components, from the high notes to the low (but not very low).

Mid-bowl: Continues to charm the palate with layers of flavor, when smoked slowly. With cellaring, this might rival Rattray?s Hal O? the Wynd for flavor.

Finish: No significant change at the bottom of the bowl. Leaves a dry ash in a clean pipe.

Summary: Might be a little too strong for an all day smoke for many, but YMMV. An excellent choice for fans of deeper Virginias. An amazingly good tobacco for the price. I plan to cellar a few pounds for the future, and might try using it as a blending base.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2017-05-17		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

McClelland - No. 5100 Red Cake.

I remember hearing Matches860 describe this as a Religious Experience on one of his YouTube videos. That sold it to me!

The Cake has been rubbed to an easy to manage ribbon, and mine arrived with a good moisture content. In colour it comprises a few dark pieces, a couple of light ones, but is mostly a medium brown.

The smoke: the description does a pretty damn good job of summarising it! I find it an exceptionally easy-going blend. The Virginias give a relaxed and velvety flavour with a definite sweetness. The taste is unadulterated: it's pure, and untainted by extra flavours. I find it becomes EVEN MORE insouciant feeling as the bowl progresses, going from soft, to out-right silky! The burn from 5100 is great, as is the temperature.

The nicotine's mild, and I like the room-note.

No. 5100 Red Cake = highly recommended.

Four stars.

Pipe Used: Peder Jeppesen

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: 4noggins

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Young Piper (304)	2016-03-17		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

5100 is an interesting animal, being an all red Virginia I had read it would age very nicely so ten years ago I ordered a pound and a half from Dave at Bufflehead tobacco, I smoked the 8 ozs and canned the pound. I had intended to age the pound for a couple of years and forgot about it so here I am with a decade old pound of 5100, and you know what? I much prefer the fresh 5100... ah so is life. The fresh 5100 is tangy! oh so tangy, in fact it just makes my mouth water thinking about it, the smell of vinegar and tomato, vegetables and plum, so delicious. The aged 5100 has greatly darkened, mellowed and defiantly smoothed out but removed all the fresh attributes that I love. I do prefer the Orange Virginia's that are used in the Christmas Cheer blends and wish that they would create a ribbon blend of Orange Virginia's but until then I will continue to buy 4 ounces of 5100 at a time since I do prefer it super fresh but YMMV so by all means try ageing your 5100 but understand that you will lose the delicious tang that it is known for when young. I will use the aged 5100 to enhance Haunted Bookshop and other C&D blends that need a better red Virginia or a shot of spice.

Age When Smoked: fresh and 10 years

Purchased From: Bufflehead Tobacco

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tantric (321)	2002-09-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

I am not a fan of McClelland´s processing and blending techniques. My first experience, Deep Hollow, was rather frustrating. I mean, who ever thought of concocting a Vanilla and Vinegar blend? Subsequent samples (Brindle Flake, Old London Pebble Cut and B. Hartwell?s Reserve Blend), though better in taste and depth, still had that unexplainable acidic-BBQ tang which, unlike some of the above reviewers, I find it erodes the essential flavours and resins of natural pipe tobacco. So it was with some trepidation that I opened the 3 Oz pouch of 5100 Red Cake that I received a couple of months ago. What a surprise! There is a certain vinegary note in the pouch that somehow lingers in the initial taste?But then, after a few puffs, the acerbic taste dissipates and gives way to a very nice and well behaved Virginia! Following the sensible advise from my fellow reviewers, I proceeded with extra caution in order to avoid potential tongue bite. But again to my surprise, I encountered none. The natural flavours and sweetness of matured red Virginias (in a certain way reminiscent of McConnell?s) were all there, very subtle and delicate. Though visually not a very attractive tobacco, the crimp short ribbon cut makes it very simple to pack. It has a wonderfully slow burning rate (great for DGT), it smokes rather cool and the room aroma is acceptable.

Personally, I still prefer other Virginias (most recently Stokkebye's Navy Flake--with Perique-- and Curly Cut--straight Va). But this one undoubtedly is a very nice and, shall we say, invigorating experience, highly recommended to any Virginia lover.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2016-12-27		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

ORIGINAL REVIEW 12-27-2016

This blend delivered all I expected of it. Straight Red Virginia in a ribbon cut. The tin note of this is the ketchup type aroma one would expect in a McClelland Virginia. The taste is similar to other McClelland Vas as well, but this one is a little earthier than I expected.

I did mix it with some other blends and had some great results, but on its own, this is incredibly monotone and can get boring in a large bowl. I don't really think the point of this blend is to smoke it straight even though many do. It is good quality leaf and it has many uses.

UPDATE 6-19-2019

Just 2 and a half years since my review of this and wow, how the tobacco landscape has changed for our hobby. This no longer being available with the rest of the McClelland line has seemed to skyrocket this one in popularity and lore. IMO, much more than it deserves.

Shortly after my review of this, I purchased 4 oz with the express purpose of seeing how it ages and/or using it as a blending tobacco. I broke this down into two 2 ounce jars, the first of which, I just finished.

I am happy to report that the tobacco did gain in sweetness in just two years time in slumber, but not to the point where I would change my rating of it. It still is what it is: that being McClelland's blending red Virginia. It is the reason the primary focus of the Virginia lovers when McClelland blends were widely available was on blends like Blackwoods, CC, No. 27, et al....

Those blends brought more to the table than 5100, which remains a monotonous experience that is best done in a smaller bowl. So I will hold this one at three stars, but if you see it reasonably priced somewhere, still available, and you have never tried a McClelland Virginia, then I would highly recommend it to you as McClelland's lowest level red Virginia is still better than any Red Virginia on the market today.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2015-03-10		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I should have paid more attention to the part of the description that reads "exceptionally soft". It is just that. While the flavor is that of fine Virginias, it's just too mild for me. The body is also a bit too mild to satisfy. It's clear that this cake was not baked for me. Having said that, if you prefer mild bodied tobaccos with mild flavor, you will probably really like this.

Mild in body and flavor. Burns nicely.

Pipe Used: MM Mark Twain

Age When Smoked: fresh bulk

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bonneville (52)	2018-03-03		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I've been meaning to review this tobacco for quite some time, and was only reminded that I haven't by the fact that McClelland has now ceased production of tobacco and is closing its doors. What a shame and what a loss for the pipe world!

5100 is a fantastic everyday Virginia. Simple on the surface but there is depth there for those really willing to explore. It is medium in body and strength. It's got a delicious tangy sweetness, packs easy, and burns perfectly. How do I describe the sweetness? Its so natural that its hard to draw comparisons. But I think if I had to describe the flavor, I would say it tastes like a fluffy marshmallow.

And man, I'm sure kicking myself for not stocking up more on this. I have only about a pound in my cellar. It really is such a perfect all-round Virginia. In fact, I can't think of a more versatile tobacco that has ever existed. Great for blending, breaking in new pipes, or puffing on all day enjoying the subtle nuances of the finest VA leaf America has to offer.

R.I.P. 5100 Red Cake. The pipe community mourns your loss.

Pipe Used: Peterson 106

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Purchased From: Beehive Cigars

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DoctorThoss (146)	2011-10-15		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Tolerable

I've smoked a lot of McClelland tinned products, and this was my first bulk offering. I wasn't exactly overwhelmed.

This stuff looks and smells great, mouht-watering even. But -- as if often the case with McClellands products -- it's way too mild for me. I picked up occasional hints of sweetness and hints of things like plum or apricot. In other words, typical red virginia accents. But I really had to strain to find them.

On the plus side, this stuff smokes very easily and bites less than most straight Vas.

This is two stars to my palate, but YMMV. At the least, I can see how some Va smokers really like it. But when I'm in the mood for this type of mixture, I'll pick Blackwoods Flake every time.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Denevei (58)	2011-01-08		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This is probably the most popular of McClelland's bulk blends, and must be one of their most popular blends overall. 5100 is Virginia, straight up, and a wonderful tobacco for do-it-yourself blenders. It's also a great smoke on its own, which is how most people I know use it. The tobacco is sold in various amounts, but I like to buy at least a pound. According to McClelland, the blend starts as a cake, but is sold in a fully rubbed form. The pouch aroma is pleasant, but definitely smells like a robust Virginia tobacco.

5100 packs very nicely into a pipe. From the first light the blend delivers a nice, mild but full flavor typical of Virginia tobacco. There is a pleasantly creamy undertone to it, though not as noticeable as, say, McCranie's Red Flake or 5115. But the overtone is slightly fruitier than Red Flake, too. For my way of smoking, the flavor gets a bit stronger as I get through the bowl, but it remains pleasing and satisfying, never acrid. Like all Virginias, the sugar content of 5100 makes it likely to cause tongue bite if smoked hard, but an experienced Virginia smoker can enjoy this blend as an all-day smoke without worry.

5100 is an extremely pleasing and delicious tobacco. I've blended it with others, such as 2035, with some success, and have also added in a dash of perique. Perique, mixed lightly with 5100, gives it more fruitiness and seems to actually make it milder. I would have to say that this ranks as one of my favorite tobaccos. It's a standard by which other, similar blends may be judged. An amazing value for the price.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-12-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Very Pleasant

I have read the reviews of smokers that smoked a bowl or two to write a review and those who smoke it occasionally. This has been my primary smoke since 1999 and I have smoked it on and off for years before that, beginning in 1987. I was trying to figure out what my friends at McCranie's Pipe Store saw in it. Prior to that I smoked a lot of aromatics and I was a cigarette smoker.

Herein is a commentary that what the tobacconists told me years ago, that in order to fully appreciate one's pipe and tobacco one must quit smoking cigarettes. They were right, and when I finally did, I discovered a whole new world of pipe smoking. The longer I smoke my pipe the more I appreciate this tobacco right here under review. This is my main smoke. There is not a day that goes by that I smoke the pipe that I do not smoke this excellent tobacco. The advertisement that you might have heard is right this is a very rare find in the tobacco industry.

If you invest a pipe to the cause, preferably several pipes and smoke this tobacco more than once under various conditions you will discover that it is complex in flavors. It is sweet without being syrupy. It is mild but full of flavor. The flavor tones are not one dimensional, it is both sweet and tart and the flavor tones are both round and high. In other words there is a full spectrum of flavor. you will, if you give it a chance, discover that there is a full wall of flavor that comes from a natural, un-flavored straight tobacco. It is neutral, inasmuch as you can smoke this tobacco in a pipe that you smoke an aromatic, that if aromatics are your thing, this is a nice full real tobacco change up, that if given a chance could become your main smoke.

It is not overpowering but it is rich in flavor. I personally love this tobacco more than any other on the market today. It is my constant "go to" tobacco. It burns well from the top to the bottom of the bowl, any bowl. Different pipes, different shapes render different characteristics of the smoke, but this tobacco acquits itself wonderfully in all of them.

I recommend this one to everyone, novice and seasoned alike. But you have to give it a chance and throw away your preconceived notions.

This is one of the best sellers most places and for a reason. If you don't like it, that's great as far as I am concerned. Until they kill tobacco absolutely, they will keep making this and that will mean more for me.

On a scale of one to four, I give it a ten.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeathMetal.org (231)	2017-08-21		Very Mild	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

The blends we reach for most are often those which are uncomplicated on the surface, but have hidden inner dimensions. When the jar or tin is first opened, "No. 5100 Red Cake" gives off the characteristic vinegar and fruit smell of McClelland Virginia blends which is frequently compared to ketchup, and not without reason. Relatively moist, the tobacco spills easily into the pipe and because it clumps easily, naturally forms a densely packed bowl. Upon lighting, the ketchup flavor transmits briefly, but then the vinegar seems to burn off and is replaced by the malt, rye and wine-like fruit flavor. After some effort to get it lit, the mixture burns relatively easily but will require a few re-lights, and rewards the smoker with multiple dimensions of straight Virginia flavor with its sugary edge removed, vegetative aftertaste trimmed, and a warm and pleasing inner collection of flavor metaphors emerging. Using the capillary pressure action of the breath smoking technique, a moderately experienced smoker will experience a tapestry of varying flavors from grain through something almost like Perique in its tangy, piquant fruitiness. Comparisons to wine are not overstated. At times, an inner sweetness emerges which is less raw than that of most Virginias, more like a background honey flavor mixed with the stronger taste of something oddly like wild rice or cracked wheat. The added moisture improves flavor at the expense of a few relights and more moisture in the bowl. Over time, this blend becomes a clear favorite for its chimeric character. It would be a good all-day smoke, but many of us use it instead as a favorite ingredient to mix with other blends, for example dumping it in a 1:3 ratio into "Burley Flake #1" or "Brown No. 4" to sweeten and expand the flavor and enhance the strength of the 5100, which is naturally quite mild.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ddmholst (23)	2015-01-04		Very Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

first off the tin note, or jar note in this case, is outstanding. There is a bit of the ketchup smell but not as strong as say Xmas cheer or other mcclelland Virginias. There is a sweet and smoky fragrance like a good quality bbq sauce. When I first opened this I couldn't stop smelling it and started salivating at the prospect of smoking it.

Packing and lighting are basically par for the course. No real problems here. Although this does what most virginias do and doesn't burn exceptionally well. Requiring more relights than say a vaper. Not really a big deal. I tend to smoke my virginias sipped slow and on the verge of going out anyway.

Unfortunately this blend is too weak for me. I suppose it's mostly high notes but it's just too flat for me. I could see how a piper who likes light Virginias would love this. It's easy to obtain. Comes in bulk and is cheap. I enjoy smoking this but would just prefer it to be stronger. I suppose that's why I like strong vaper blends. Ones with a bit of kentucky.

Pipe Used: Mm cob and various briars

Age When Smoked: 1 month

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	GabrielCRT (115)	2020-10-03		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I worked at a cigar shop for a number of years and had access to every McClelland tin and bulk tobacco but unfortunately I did not appreciate it at the time. Luckily I saved whatever I didn't like in mason jars to revisit in the future.

5100 is excellent for what it is, a mild and subtle red Virginia. It doesn't have bold or complex flavors but the few notes it offers are satisfying throughout the entire bowl. Its tart, sweet, and spicy with some mild fruit notes. Drying the tobacco out a touch removes any bite the tobacco might offer. It burns easily, the room note is pleasant for a straight Virginia, and the low nicotine content makes it a great all-day smoke. If i had access to it I would certainly purchase more.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (403)	2019-06-09		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Unnoticeable

I will start off by saying I will not even consider this a review but a notch in my belt that I have gotten to try another McClelland blend since their closing. This is another one that I thought about buying but just never got around to doing it. I was given about 3 bowls worth of this last week at our pipe club. It is smooth and tasted good, mild mind you but good nevertheless and I smoked it in one of my favorite Meerschaums. I can see why this one is/was very popular. I also had to look up and see what Red Virginia was and read that it is the leaves from the upper portion of the plant. McClelland really knew how to blend their Virginias and this is one of them.

Pipe Used: Altinay Meerschaum Poker

Age When Smoked: Unknown

Purchased From: Gift

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Knightsmoker (218)	2017-04-08		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a wonderful blend. If I rated as a VA it would be well above the average mark but it is more than that, it is in a fairly rare genre (at least for me) of being a blend of Red VA. Most red VA's that I have tried straight up to this point turn ashy and cigarette like but not here! This is what red VA is. Nice deep, rich tangy dark fruit notes that red VA should have. There is a light spice note, reminds me of cinnamon. A little earthy and a note here or there of toasted gain. Slightly complex but not overly so and can be smoked all day as it does not bite. It can be used to mix and adds depth as well as tang to other blends when added with a light hand. The nic. hit is mild. This is soft and round and I doubt that it will age well over a long period of time. One reviewer noted his experience with aging it and confirmed for me that fresh is as good as it gets, nice! I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to try red VA. anyone wanting to get to know the various nuances of a red to pick out more in other blends would due well to start here as well. Just a great blend.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SpeedyPete (29)	2017-01-05		Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant

I've been smoking Red Cake for quite a while now. As a straight VA smoke, it's one of the best, if not the best, red Virginias I've smoked so far. It's sweet tasting, easy to light and leaves a wonderful after taste. I'm also a VaPer lover and I sometimes add a tad of perique. But, with or without perique, this is one excellent tobacco and an everyday smoke that won't disappoint any true tobacco lover

Pipe Used: Various briars and cobs

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: 4noggins

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2016-08-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

There's always a lot of talk about the fabled "ketchup" smell you find in McClelland's red Virginias. This one especially. I've heard that McClelland uses vinegar as a casing. I'd believe it. Fortunately, the vinegar/ketchup smell dissipates pretty soon into the smoke, and you'll pay it zero mind after that.

What's left is a wonderfully sweet, voluminous Virginia smoke. Lots of freshly baked bread and sweet oats in the aroma, and rich, fermented stone fruit on the palate. Comes just a little bit moist most of the time, but lights pretty well and keeps lit, all the way down to the ash.

This may be the standard-bearer for red Virginia. You can smoke it straight, or use it as a base for home blending. Me, I prefer to salt it with a tiny bit of Perique, then age it in jars for as long as I can stand the wait. And wait you should; this stuff ages magnificently.

Four stars.

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Old Nate (17)	2014-12-05		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Ahh, 5100 Red Cake. I love this tobacco for its simplicity. It has that famous McClelland ketchup smell and I love it. The ribbon cut always seems to need about an hour of drying time but this can be smoked right out of the jar, but does perform best when you notice the weed no longer has that damp feeling.

Like I said, this is an easy tobacco to work with and packing can be done many different ways. Gravity fill, Frank method... Whatever. Once lit, it has a nice steady burn and there is a slight sweetness to this blend. My first go with it, I wasn't picking up any of the sweetness and was rather disappointed, but as I worked my way through my first 4 ounce purchase of 5100 I started picking up on it's charms. The sweet smoke has a slight roundness to it, nothing about it hits you in the face with flavor, it just slowly builds to a good all day smoke. Some friends told me it smells like cigarettes, but I believe the room note is wonderful.

I would recommend this to beginners as it is not strong at all and also to experienced pipe smokers looking for a good smoke in an affordable package.

Pipe Used: many

Age When Smoked: new and approx 1 year

Purchased From: B & M

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-05-16		Mild	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Straight red virginia, nice and sweet. After about 5 years of age this becomes sublime. It is a very nice tobacco to smoke straight, or to have on hand if a blend is really bitey. A staple to one's cellar.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smoke_Ring (158)	2013-05-02		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

McCelland Bulk No. 5100 - Red Cake [this is not a cake cut]

Star Rating = 4

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst

Pouch Note = 6

Room Note = 8

Flavor = 7

Bite = 8

Burn = 8

After Taste = 8

Raw Score =45

Rated Percentage = 75%

Comment = Smooth, Mid Strength Flavor, * Ketchup Pouch Note, but it's a tad Sweet

* Foot Note: McClelland famous "Ketchup" aroma and / or taste comes from the natural fermentation of unstoved / non flue curded Virginias that are aged in cakes.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dedalto (25)	2011-09-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is my all day tobacco. I think I went through 5 pounds this year. I suppose aging would improve if I ever had any left. Nary a gurgle, a nip, or a relight problem. Just put in pipe, lite same, contentment.

I find it is actually complex smoke. It never tastes the same. Sometimes sweet and grassy. Other times it has a sweet and sour burn. Always tasty and blissful.

Oh, and I use this stuff like salt. I put it everything. Lately, I have been doing 1/2 red cake and 1/2 Briar Fox which makes for a tasty treat.

Red Cake is my good morning kiss and my evening prayer. 4 Stars

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	KinnScience (30)	2010-04-07		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I've been smoking 5100 for a year along with other blends, particularly VA's in an attempt to find the best VA. Naturally, there are several that take the top slots including OG, HOTW, FVF, and yes 5100. (note: the above mentioned is not exhaustive as there are others that fell into the "top 10" but that is for another post)

Pipes brands used: Dunhill, Charatan, Ferndown, GBD, Peterson, Stanwell, and one Gourd Calabash. (all pipes were pre-1963 except the Stanwells and the Calabash).

5100 is the epitome of an English VA. It is so special that there is nothing else like it in my opinion. This tobacco, it may surprise some to know, is used in a number of high grade blends that are on the market today. It is a rich, full, and sweet red VA that ages like a dream.

When you first light the bowl you immediately taste the tangy sweet flavor of citrus inherent in this blend. I have read the minimalist comments of "ketchup" which I think carries a negative connotation. Anyone can reduce and/or minimize a complex flavor experience to some common reference. We could all say that wine tastes like Welches Grape juice or that caviar tastes like sea water. However, such reflections by the masses dismiss the subtle and complex flavorings that can only be detected by a patient and attentive palate.

As you move through a bowl of this remarkable leaf you find a smoky flavor enhanced by a bit of grass with an undertone of cashew that reflects continually off the dominant flavor of plum and fig which remain primary through the last few puffs. Toward the bottom there is a hint of raisin.

Buy this tobacco in bulk and age it. You will note an increase in all of these flavors within even a year of proper aging. This tobacco is a real gem and I can only hope that subsequent years are as kind.

I am amazed, not that such a wonderful leaf exists in our world, but that it is available in bulk. It truly is one of the most under-rated tobaccos I have come across, and I hope it continues to be available to everyone at an affordable cost.

Update: 3/31/11 This VA blend is still the best English VA on the market. McClelland warehouses have the best tobacco in the world. They are, IMO, the source for blenders who want to create notable tobacco blends. 5100 is a great tobacco to use as a foundation for some of the best blends in the world, and it is a great smoke by itself. Though I love flake/blends like OG, FVF, etc. I give 5100 4 stars for both its stand alone ability as well as being the best for blending. There is so many things you can do with 5100, that the possibilities are nearly endless.

I cracked open a 2 year old jar and never cease to be amazed at how aging can improve a VA. 5100 is no exception, and it becomes even better with age (if it is possible to improve upon perfection). I bought another 5 lbs of this because I never want to be without this blend and there is no way of knowing what the future holds. I did note that the price had gone up significantly (almost 50% increase over the original price) on this blend since I started purchasing about 3 years ago, not sure why. Sure, there have been increases in all tobacco for a number of reasons, but this one went up before the others ... and in excess of what the fed issues would warrant. Perhaps the importance of this Red VA became more obvious to everyone.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-03-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

03-223-2006

A half pound of 5100 has been aging for the past six months. I began smoking it last week. It was a worth while wait. This tobacco, as others have obseved, does benefit from aging.

Also, I am coming to the conclusion that McClelland may have done some fine tuning to the blend. When I first purchased it two years ago, I saw virtually nothing but unstoved red and orange Virginia. This batch contains pieces of dark, stoved, broken flake that simply was not present in my first purchase two years ago. At the very least, it was not there to the degree it now is.

Regardless, whether it be the aging, some find tuning by McClelland, or a combination of both, it is in my opinion a better smoke for me than it was two years ago. It was problem free with regard to filling, lighting, smoking and keeping lit. I had no problem with tongue bite. And I find the taste and scent of the smoke to be very good.

10-15-2004

I purchased a half a pound of 5100 for about three months. Also, I am smoking less frequently now, no longer having several bowls per day and I think my tongue may be less jaded as a result. In any event, I am enjoying 5100 much more than I did when I wrote my original review. As a result, I have raised my ratings in both the strength, taste and recommendation catagories. I like the stuff. The maples and oaks in central Michigan are reaching their peak of color. This Tuesday my wife, daughter-inlaw and I are taking a drive along the north shore of Lake Michigan on Hwy. 2. I hear the fall colors are spectacular. I am going to take my 5100 along with.

=============================================================

I welcomed the new year by attending worship at my local church, observing the naming of Jesus in the Christian calendar and by trying McClelland's 5100. 5100, in my opinion would make an excellent base for blending. Standing alone, I found its mildness and subtle character a hindrance. There simply wasn't enough "there" there. It is a lovely tobacco in every other respect, to the eye, the nose and to the touch. It wasn't there on my palate, however. Perhaps there is some variation from batch to batch.

If you like more there there, 5100 may not be it. If you like a very mild tobacco, or are looking for a good blending base, 5100 will serve you most capably. A good new year to you all!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-05-15		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I have said many times that McClelland's #5100 is the best tobacco I have ever tried that costs less than $25USD per pound. #5100 is pretty straight-forward red Virginia tobacco. The smell is beautiful and sweet, and can be savoured in itself. #5100 packs into the pipe well and lights well. The flavour is that of Red Virginia but is more complex than it sounds - I note a different flavour each time I light up.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CountryPiper (19)	2019-10-27		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

This is the Holy Grail for me, top of the line blend. Nothing crazy complex but very reliable and makes a great blending agent. Rich flavor, dark fruit, and some citrus. I prefer this blend in the dryer side, it burns better and allows me to enjoy the flavors. Great after taste and room note here, a nice sweet tang that anyone can appreciate. Such a shame this blend is gone, it was one of the best all around smokes available. Some age mellows this smoke and really helps to bring out the fruit.

Pipe Used: Dunhill Brandy/Chris Asteriou Bent Billiard

Age When Smoked: 3 Years

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	runswithdogs (41)	2018-09-29		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Very Pleasant

What an incredible Red Virginia this is! I recently popped open a 14 year old tin that had been vacuum packed and sealed by C&D, and after that wonderful whoosh when I popped the lid, my senses were greeted with a deep, rich, dark red ribbon cut that delights the senses with its fruity aroma, and just a suggestion of spice.

I broke this tin out of my cellared collection to break in a new Tao pipe, and I can’t imagine a better tobacco to do that with. The ribbon cut packs well, lights easily, and smokes with a sweet, creamy, rich flavor and room note. It is blends like this that remind me why I love pipe smoking so much. Light nic hit, incredible room note, no bite, just a perfect Virginia.

6/17/20 update: I just cracked open an 8 oz. 2002 tin canned by Bufflehead. All I can say is: wow! After 18 years this stuff sings. I’ll be enjoying half of it thru the summer and will break out the other half (safely cellared) next summer. There’s just nothing quite like this blend. I tried Sutliff 515, but as another reviewer noted....it’s just not the same.

Closest I have found, and almost as hard to find, is McCranies Red Ribbon.

Pipe Used: Misc dedicated Virginia pipes

Age When Smoked: 14 years & 18 years

Similar Blends: McCranies Red Ribbon.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Goose55 (33)	2018-09-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I had over 2 pounds of this tucked away in 1/2 pint Kerr Jars for about 2 - 1/2 years and just packed a bowl after some time of not touching it. I'm smoking it in my 1st ever and one and only Meer, and it is simply delicious. Refreshingly sweet, soft, & silky. Smoked it right out of the jar with no dry time needed. I can perceive that the aging has done good things to this tobacco. Wish I had not 2, but 20 pounds of this stuff.

Pipe Used: Bekler Meer

Age When Smoked: 2.5 years

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: McClelland Aurora Red Virginia blend..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	arpie55 (77)	2018-06-06		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I happened upon this at a local cigar shop that sells pipes and tobacco with a pretty good selection of bulk blends. Knowing that McClelland's were hard to come by since their going out of business I decided to buy an ounch at a hefty $5.99. After about my second bowl I was so impressed by the pleasent, smooth smoke of this blend I went back to the cigar shop and bought 4 more ounces at the $5.99/ounce price tag. Expensive but worth it. Unfortunately, even if you want to try this you will be hard pressed to find it, I believe the shop that I bought it from might have a few ounces left.

The bag note of this is super, it is fully rubbed but requires a little seperating before packing, it lights easily but does require a few relights through about the first 1/3 of the bowl but then levels out to a nice rythmic smoke with medium volume. The flavor is sweet but not over the top; mild and consistent with a good aftertaste. No tongue bite and does not get hot. Overall, somewhat reminiscent of Dark Star in flavor but maybe not quite as bold or complex.

What a loss

Pipe Used: Savinelli, Radice, Ascorti

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Cutter's Cigar

Similar Blends: Dark Star.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2018-02-20		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco transports me back in time to when I first started smoking a pipe. My local tobacconist started me with some red Virginia blends from McClelland to get me away from the goopy Aromatics I had been smoking at the time. Every time I pack a bowl, I am immediately swept away to the crisp fall nights of my first semester of college, accompanied by the rich, dark, tangy fruits that this blend has to offer.

The ketchupy tin aroma does slightly translate to the first third or so of the bowl, so make sure that it is your cup of tea, I know some people are put off by it. Mind you, this isn't Christmas Cheer, quite. This is a bit more monochromatic than most of the Christmas Cheer blends I have tried, but it is an unmatched red Virginia like none other. There is a bit of earthy spiciness that this blend can give as well, that is very pleasant, along with the typical McClelland musty Virginia taste. Mine always did tend to smoke a touch on the moist side, so be sure to give this McClelland a good dry time, since they love to retain their moisture.

This is a mellow smoke, that will not lash at your tongue in anger if you try to rush him. It is a delightfully mild tobacco as well, with no noticeable nicotine hit. Stock up, this one is not one you want to run out of, seeing that it is a reasonably priced bulk. Overall, this is a perfect red Virginia that will be one for the history books, I'm afraid, since just this year McClelland announced its extinction. Get some if you can get it, you will not be disappointed.

RIP 5100.

Pipe Used: Briar

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	steppx (186)	2017-08-22		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Very Pleasant

I rarely meet a veteran pipe smoker who doesnt have a half pound of this around. Its a genuine classic. Not complex but absolutely delicious. It is what it is....red virginias. But this is McClelland and that means the best Virginias you can find in all of the world of pipe tobacco. There IS some nicotine, its not all that weak at all. Id rate the nic between mild and medium...right about half way. Many folks use this as a blender and Im sure it works fine that way but Im rating it as a straight smoke. Its a great all day smoke in fact and thats how I use it. Mild but flavorful and very cool smoking given its just virginia in a kind of thick ribbon cut. Its a classic of its kind, thats for sure. I highly recommend it. Pure tobacco. Three and half stars.

Purchased From: 4noggins

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Danno44 (8)	2017-08-14		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

What I have in cellar now and smoking has just over 1 year of age. The tin note to me is pleasant, a little sweet and nice light spice and a hint of the typical McClelland "ketchup" smell but not strong. Fresh it is still very good with more of the McClelland fresh smell, which I enjoy but many don't. Packs, lights, and burns very easy with a great taste. I enjoy this on its own, and have read it's a good mixer, but have yet to use as such. Very mild, light nicotine hit, overall a very pleasant and relaxing smoke. I get a sweet flavor that has no harshness or bite at all and a just hint of spice layered in the sweetness. In no way is it a sweet smoke like an aromatic can be, it's seems to me to be just the natural tobacco that's sweet with nothing added that I can taste. I don't pick up the ketchup taste at all but could be the reason behind the light tangy spice flavor. The taste is pretty constant throughout the bowl, maybe the last 1/3 is richer in flavor in a good way. I smoke it in primarily in two pipes, an Amorelli Billiard and a Basil Meadows Merchant Service Bing replica (made to the exact specifications used by the now defunct pipe company that made this style of pipe for Mr. Crosby). It smokes excellent in both pipes, but find it really shines in my Bing. Room note is pleasant and could easily be an all day smoke. I was gifted a sample with 14 years of age and it was outstanding. Based on that sample (flavors really blend together well and is extremely smooth), I consider this a "cellar it" blend and have some sitting and aging away.

Pipe Used: Amorelli Billiard, Basil Meadows Bing

Age When Smoked: Just over 1 year

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	William H. Hardy (95)	2017-05-25		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I wonder why it took me so long to try this stuff. It's actually pretty great. One-dimensional? Yeah, but it's really good for what it is. 5100 has some sort of sugar water sweetener added to it, which I wish was not there as heavily as it is, however it's not overpowering and does not interfere with the flavor of the tobacco. I wouldn't smoke it all day every day, but it could be an all day blend for you if you just want some mindless puffing. This is not to say that it is completely boring. There is some depth to this tobacco if it is smoked slowly. Now, as a caveat, I smoked this tobacco at about a month of age after it arrived from SmokingPipes. I think it has great potential for aging, though. If it's this good fresh, age can only improve it.

Strangely enough, when I opened the bag, the first thing I thought of was ginger cookies. There's a little spiciness and sweetness to it that reminds me of those. Yes, there's a bit of the McClelland "McVinegar," but this has never really bothered me.

As a straight Virginia, I would give this a 3.4 or higher. As a blender, I have to give it higher marks; it works magically with just about anything that you might want to mix it with. I can see this as a great mixer with Latakia or Perique or even with heavier blends when one wants to tone them down a bit. Try it out. If you like straight Virginias, this stuff is great. It never bit me and leaves little to no moisture after the smoke. It can become ashy during the last bit of the bowl, but most tobaccos can become ashy when smoked in a large enough bowl.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stefanos (222)	2017-04-29		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin note is heavenly! Sweet spices like nutmeg with a trace of vanilla, a suspicion of camphor and a red Virginia tanginess. Aromatic and yet discreet and fine. Obviously it is scented a little bit but it smells so natural.

Upon lighting from the get-go, 5100 is a fantastic if uncomplicated tobacco! Fantastic full taste at medium strength. It is nutty, sweetly spiced, mildly tangy. I am sure there is some sweet nutty topping here absolutely congruent with the natural tobacco taste. Mike McNeil is a master at that. Perfect smoked on its own and very good when used in blends.

I could imagine myself smoking only this tobacco and being satisfied. Do yourself a favor and purchase a load if you don’t have already! ------ such a pity this tobacco won't be around anymore.....

Similar Blends: McClelland's Aurora and quite similar in style and strength to the Grand Oriental series tobaccos without the Orientals..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gladi8tor96 (143)	2016-08-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Dark brown, red, and a few black ribbons comprise this tobacco in the bag. Sweet, tangy, earth are the flavors I get when I sniff from the bag.

Loads and lights easily with just one match. Behaves well, but can smoke wet if packed too tight and/or too fast. Burns down to a nice white ash.

The smoke is sweet and rich. Tastes of molasses, fig, bread, with hints of wood, and tangy highlights. Absolutely no bite or spice. This is a great red VA blend. Reminds me a lot of Virginia Woods, but without the topping. The flavor of this tobacco seems more natural. This is not a smoke that needs contemplation...it's one to pack and go for an enjoyable journey. One of my favorite red va blends.

Pipe Used: Cob, Billard, Bones

Age When Smoked: 1-3 Months

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: McClelland - Virginia Woods (Craftsbury Series), Hearth & Home - Louisiana Red (Signature Series).

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Planet Scott (66)	2016-07-09		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Update 5/24/2019 After a few years, the ketchup aroma disappears. There is a significant richness, but is not overwhelming to where you can only take a little at a time. Possible all day smoke for the more experienced. Sadly, this is no longer available.

The tin/pouch note is overwhelming ketchup/Worcestershire. Moist but not wet, takes time to dry sufficiently. Once dried properly, it packs well, lights easily and stays lit with relights only needed if I set it down for extended periods. As others have mentioned, not overly complex, but a solid, decent straight Virginia. Slightly spicy, grassy and sweet. Nothing overpowers or overwhelms.

3.5 stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Old German puffer (106)	2015-09-25		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

With the rain pouring down today I opened a jar of 5100. One of my winter indoor smokes. Jar has been sitting for several years. It is perfect. Multidimensional in taste I have 3 pipes that I hold for just this blend. It packs well with a nice palm roll. Flavor changes with each puff. I really like it when I get half way down to the bottom of the pipe. Never gets to hot and the flavor gets better the longer I smoke it. Thank you fall.

Pipe Used: Tinderbox Monza

Age When Smoked: bulk in jars over 5 years

Purchased From: WASH. DC

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Flatticus (24)	2014-10-19		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is without doubt the bulk tobacco I smoke most often. I used to shy away from the ketchup note as well, but aired a bit and dried properly it's not detectable in the smoke to me. Not one dimensional to me, there's enough sweet and spicy both in this to keep me satisfied bowl after bowl. Smoked slow there's a wonderful, delicious nutty taste to it that I just cannot get enough of. Like others, I have found this an excellent blending base but mostly I just enjoy it on its own. This will be in my cellar for a very long time. At the price, given the quality, I just can't see not having a good bit of this put back. Definitely a staple for me.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum, Briar

Age When Smoked: Fresh up to a year

Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

Similar Blends: McCranie's Red Ribbon, McCranie's Owners Choice.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SecretAgentMan (27)	2013-12-07		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I smoked 3 bowls on 2 successive nights through an MM Washington. Took a bit of drying before I could really enjoy it, say about 20-30 minutes out of the pouch. The first impression that sprang to mind when I began puffing was, "barbecued chicken." Sweet, a bit tangy, with a hint of earthiness but not heavy or in your face. Early on I got the impression of peanuts and raisins, which became more intense and changed as the bowl diminished to hazlenuts and currants, with an added pleasant note of cumin. Nicotine strength slowly and gently increased to a moderate level by the end of the bowl. I really enjoyed this and recommend it.

Pipe Used: MM Washington

Age When Smoked: 1 week from purchase

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-10-13		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

This is one of my all time favorites, ive been smoking it for years.

Packs and lights easily and stays lit. Slightly sweet with a great tobacco taste. Deep, earthy flavors which make for a satisfying smoke. No bite, never bitter. Many smokers say 5100 is pedestrian however most have pounds in their cellar. A classic red Va.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SopwithCamel (255)	2011-12-08		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

This is a very pleasant, simple and natural smoke.

It does indeed have hints of tomato in the smell. While burning it is gently sweet, and at times a little toasty. In short a mild, natural tobacco experience.

There hasn't been an OTC Virginia in a long time... Schermerhorn Flake maybe? But I agree with beaupipe, this gives a similar experience as some of the old reliable OTC Burley blends, but with more natural sweetness.

If you enjoy a simple straightforward and mild smoke you will like this. It is widely available and very affordable here in the U.S.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	beaupipe (102)	2011-12-08		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is one of the most popular ready-rubbed bulk Virginias on the market these days. It's also a widely used blending tobacco, both for home chemists and store-brand mixologists. It's easy to understand its popularity, I guess. It's inoffensive, and forms a pleasant base for all manner of add-ons.

On its own, 5100 is a decent, if innocuous, smoke. The tobacco is a pretty reddish brown color, well rubbed out. On the nose it suggests sweetness with dried fruit aromas (figs and sun-dried tomato) mixed in with a vegetal smell reminiscent of tomato leaves. In the pipe, 5100 is moderately sweet, reasonably smoky, and a little dull.

If there were any OTC Virginias remaining in the US market, I bet they'd have a lot in common with 5100. It's not bad, but it is a little bland, pale, light. This stuff is, I suppose, worth keeping on the shelf in case an uncomplicated, mild-mannered Virginia is called for.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TK Pipe (101)	2010-12-24		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

McC 5100... Originally buying this Virginia tobacco for blending purposes, I soon discovered it also is superb smoke as is. It is sold as a bulk product, and I find the moisture content about right straight from the baggie, but if need be, it can be easily changed. For review purposes, my favorite pipe for this stuff is a medium briar, which I load with a bit more tamp pressure than normal. Getting it lit properly, takes a little more effort. About 3 tamp and lights have become my SOP for this stuff, but once underway, you are in for a real treat. Smooth, bite free and volumes of flavorful smoke. Take your time with this stuff, and it is anything but boring, want a flavor change? Increase or lower your sipping rate, and there it is... Or not, it's up to you, it seems to be well mannered, under a wide range of smoking styles, not that many pure Virginias can make that claim. So what started out as basic blender, has provided me with one of my favorite, any time smokes. Add a dash or two to a plain drugstore burley, and you may be real surprised. McClelland fills yet another space in my rotation. 4 Stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	al1 (58)	2008-09-18		Mild	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable

This is ok. Not much more. It has some kind of humectant in it that prevents a proper airing out from doing much good.

If you don't mind a wet dottle this might suit you. I demand a tobacco smoke dry to the heel, or I pass on it. I pass on this one. It tastes good from first light, this is deceiving because it always goes sour around half to two thirds of a bowl.

I love mcclellands tobaccos, They are practically all I smoke and this and 5110 are their only non aromatics I have found the humectant characteristics in so far.

I suspect the humectant is to keep the hay grassy nose burning smoke this type of tobacco can produce at bay. Unfortunatley the smoking qualities are disrupted as well. After mid bowl the steam kicks and the good brown sugar flavor goes flat from all the moisture the humectant won't let escape. You can't keep this lit either due to the moisture. Very frustrating blend. If it would dry I believe it would have much better/ richer flavor.

I love Mc 2000, 2010, 2020, 2035, #27, #24, #22 and christmas cheer- these always smoke dry and cool to the heel after a little airing out. I support Mcclelland to the fullest as I smoke their stuff about 99% of the time. I just don't enjoy this 5100.

Try it, you may just enjoy it. If you are the kind of smoker like me take what I said into consideration. I smoked pounds of this aged and fresh over the last year before writing this review.

If you will check my profile you will see this is sadly the lowest I have ever rated a Mcclelland blend. So it goes I guess.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-06-19		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A nice surprise....after reading the informative reviews here I decided to try 5100 Red Cake. For the lover of all things "Virginia" (which I am) this blend has it all! Flavor...mild/sweet...pack,light, and burn are good. Price is great. I can find a lot to like here. I have some 5100 in the cellar....if it gets any better...WOW, if not its is still up there with any of the tin brotheren. For now I rate it a VERY solid *

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-06-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

This is a physically soft strandy red-ish tobacco. Upon opening the pouch you get a little of the McClelland scent ketchup and tobacco but it seemed to my nose more tobacco. It loads up nicely with no rubbing out for there is no broken flake to it as far as I could tell. This is very mellow upon lighting which is a good start and it burned ok for me with lil gurgle and did not burn my tongue which is always a plus for a Virginia. So what is the problem? 5100 for me just never developes beyond this starting point of flavor. It is a fine tobacco but the nuance is unchanging just nice and mild all the way down to the end of the bowl. I've smoked other Virginias that change as you smoke them and I like that experiance better.

It should be noted that I am an ouncer and not a pounder as for as my monthly consumption of tobacco. If you smoked much greater quanities of tobacco than me 5100 would probably be a nice mellowing out tobacco away from the sweetness of aromatics, the nut hut of Burleys, the madness of English blends and complex Lakeland flakes. I can not say anything negative about it but would probably not buy more of it.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-04-04		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I really enjoy 5100 as a first pipe of the day with a cup of coffee, and since it is not overly strong, it makes a nice all-day Virginia.

5100 isn't overly complex, but sometimes that is a good thing. If you want a pleasant Virginia smoke, give 5100 a try.

Excellent for evenings and reading.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-02-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I bought a whole pound of this with the intention of aging for various lengths of time and trying it. So far I have some that has aged for three years and still has not improved very much. Some people love this but I have nothing but bad experience with it. No matter how slow I puff at it, or what size pipe I smoke it in I get the same results - a bite that would rival a pitbull! I am a big fan of some of the mcclelland virginia blends but this one just does not agree with me. Maybe it is just my chemistry or something because many of my friends love this and do not have the problem of this biting the way it does me. Ok, I just popped a mason jar of this open after 10 years of aging - What a difference! Not nearly as bitey and much smoother. If you can age for 10 years than I recommend this. I have to uprade this to 3 stars!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Paddy (127)	2003-09-22		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I buy this tobacco in 1 lb. bulk and smoke about five bowls of it a week. I agree with all the positive comments above. The negative is that it is very one dimensional in flavor, but that mild, Virginia flavor is something to look forward to. As Inquisitor does above, I mix ten pinches of 5100 with 1 pinch of McClelland Perique to boost the flavor. I put it in an old McClelland tin with the plastic top and give it a few shakes. Both tobaccos are of a similar cut and blend very well. The result is an outstanding smoke. I recommend Red Cake to the Virginia lover, and I highly recommend Red Cake/Perique to one and all. Paddy. __________________________________________________ 9/22/03 To ten parts #5100, add one part McClelland Perique, one part McClelland Latakia and one part McClelland Oriental. It compares favorably to Stratford, Three Friars and Bayou Morning. Absolutely scrumptious.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-02-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

Well... Red cake , I bought just a 50 gram sample, finished it some time ago but I wasn't sure whether I liked it or not?! 2 out of 5 smokes were pleasant enough ( mainly the first half of the bowl) with a sort of fruity red tang. In regards to bite- the red VA's tend to 'abrade' the tongue & dry the palate, rather than all out bite, Unlike 22 which you can almost hear rattling while you smoke it & will strike out if puffed too hard BUT will not slowly abrade the tongue or dry the mouth out ( I found that anyway). 3 outta 5 smokes a-draggin' away on red cake I found an annoying bitterness & aftertaste especially when delayed relight used & is probably why I haven't rushed back for more, something about it pisses me.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mijnnif (130)	2022-06-09		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I was lucky enough to have a pipe smoking friend that provided a small sample of this for me to try. Bag note is spicy, sour and sweet fine ribbon cut. I am sure it was a cake once . My sample was quite aged but still had just the right amount of moisture. Initial light brings mild spiciness and slightly sweetness from the tobacco no toppings on this one . Very nice as you smoke through the bowl some of the spiciness subsides a bit and the sweet VA becomes the prominent flavor. Extremely wonderful blend. Nic hit is very mild. No bite whatsoever. Easley an all day smoke. Light puffing will allow you to enjoy this one better. I am hoping Sutliff Matured Red Virginia 515 RC-1 is a close match as advertised .

Pipe Used: Dr. Grabow duke tasting pipe

Age When Smoked: gift not sure but aged a bit

Purchased From: friend gift

Similar Blends: Sutliff Matured Red Virginia 515 RC-1.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mariusK (33)	2019-05-21		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Very Pleasant

Delicious, sweet and mild blend, very consistent through the whole bowl. If you fancy something pleasant that doesn't bite, this Virginia blend is a very good choice.

Pipe Used: Mastro de Paja bent bulldog

Age When Smoked: 8 yesr

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Oldbelt (10)	2019-04-21		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Mellow,just simply what a red Virgina should be. After sitting for 5 years in a Ball jar, it has taken on a whole new character of smooth rich tobacco taste. Unfortunately no longer available, those fortunate to have some put away will be rewarded with tobacco that may never be seen again. I could not imagine not having this available. Luckily I have enough put away to keep it in my rotation, but feel sort for the next generation of pipe brothers who will never know this pleasure.

Pipe Used: Randy Wiley Galleon

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Purchased From: Smoking pipes

Similar Blends: None..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	OhioTony76 (59)	2018-06-05		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

5100 has a light top note I love. I don’t know how to discribe it. Whatever it is I like it, I know that. It perfectly complements the sweetness of the tobacco. It’s very light and more noticeable on the retro. It’s almost flowery, but not Lakeland like. It’s a smooth and easy going tobacco that is simple but can still keep your attention. I prefer ribbon cut straight Virginia over flakes. They burn cooler in my opinion. I wish I had more 5100 Red Cake. RIP.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LannarkGent (145)	2016-12-18		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a good, solid look at the stars virginia, I did not find the Vitamin N to be overwhelming. A pleasant tobacco that is highly smokeable.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jesperff (4)	2016-03-16		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

When I tried this tobacco first time many moons ago it was love at first puff - what a pleasant smoke though it took a little time to get used to the characteristic but not unpleasant McClelland 'ketchup aroma'. However, these days I only smoke it with some age on it (+1 year) and it seems that the major changes (improvements) happen after at least 6 months when it becomes very smooth. And the 'ketchup' more or less disappears.

Maybe It becomes too smooth and pleasant actually, it does stay the same during a bowl and is not what I'd call interesting or complex. But I sure like it :-)

Also excellent for blending experiments as a rather neutral and very forgiving background to more 'exotic' weeds.

Pipe Used: Mostly Stanwell Billiards

Age When Smoked: At least 6 months, preferably more

Similar Blends: Aged 5100 is pretty close to McClelland's Virginia Woods.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimmerWest (5)	2016-01-28		Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The Best Red leaf I've seen and the sweet flavor is astoundingly terrific. Smoked by itself alone in the bowl makes for a mild but enticing adventure. In fact, it made me take to the jungle and explore what it can become when mixed with GLPease Montgomery. Well, in a word Fabulous but more importantly it is what was missing in Montgomery to twain together for a pure unadulterated enjoyable flavorful sweet surprise smoke. All the way down to a quarter inch from the bottom of the bowls and bowls smoked so far. I mixed 8 ounces of Montgomery to 8 ounces of 5100 Red Cake. Unbelievable Richness!

1. Better Still, Air Dry both Montgomery and No. 5100 Red Cake on a large platter for 16 hours.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Tortuga 305, Roma 804, Porto Cervo 812

Age When Smoked: Brand new out of the Tin

Purchased From: www.cupojoes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ATW (110)	2015-12-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I have some that's 4 years old. Purchased 2 oz as my first pipe tobacco away from Capt. Black. Bought 2 more Oz a week later and ventured on to other blends but I dipped into 5100 every so often. Not much else to say about it except that's it is definitely worth buying and gets better with age. It's smooth but will bite is your not careful. The bite does get better with age. It has s creaminess akin to Mississippi River without the other tobacco. Just a nice simple but deep VA. I got 2 more oz yesterday and compared it. I enjoy this stuff but age does a lot of good with this stuff. It mellows out the possibility of bite by a long shot. The 4 year old doesn't bite me like the new sample does. My mouth is pretty raw from the new sample. Still a flavorful creamy blend but I strongly recommend age on it. That being said I give it 3 stars because of the large difference of bite that it gives.

Pipe Used: Briar and cobs

Age When Smoked: 4 years old and new

Purchased From: Ye Ole Pipe Shoppe

Similar Blends: Virginia components of SPC Mississippi River.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	leacha (15)	2015-07-29		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Since I do not have a highly refined palate, it's hard to describe tastes and flavors that I experience. I only know what I like and do not like. So here's my rating scale and a brief reason for the rating.

★★★★ = Excellent - Apocalypse blend, cellar worthy.

★★★☆ = Good - Not part of regular roatation but keeping a few tins/ounces is wise.

★★☆☆ = Fair - A smokable blend that is worth trying again.

★☆☆☆ = Poor - Do not smoke! Trade off or give away to the unsuspecting.

Because tastes and blends change over time and depending on what pipe is used, I reserve the right to change my rating at any time.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	quantumboy (130)	2012-03-01		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The first ten minutes it's lovely. The next ten minutes it's good. The next ten minutes it's average.

Not a favorite, but a nice MOTR red virginia for those who enjoy a spicy red VA ribbon. If this is your type of smoke you'll probably find a nice all-day blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-08-11		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I purchased 5 ounces of this tobacco, on the recommendation of a friend. Didn't buy the full pound because I wasn't sure if it would be okay with me. Upon receiving the tobacco, it has a nice moisture level, and a classic Virginia smell to it. LOVE that smell, made my whole study smell like it! I packed my pipe with ease, and had no problem lighting it at all. A very pleasant smoke, no tongue bite, and your palate is hit with a nice sweet nutty flavor. Definitely will be buying more of this in the future, and cellaring it. Seems like a good all day smoke to me, and is sure to become a standard for me. A lovely straight Virginia blend, and for the price it cannot be beat. McClelland never ceases to impress me with their blends.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Big (321)	2011-04-03		Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant

For myself, this tobacco is too mild, no N hit. I tend to stoke this up trying to get some N and all I do is overheat the tobacco and cause bite. This is all my fault and should not be held against the truly fine Virginia this is. The tobacco is sweet, packs easy, burns well and has a nice flavor (it's almost like it contained a touch of Perique, raisin tingle almost like the base for Escudo). I can see where this would make a very nice blending tobacco, maybe with some Perique or a touch of Prince Albert.

Update:For something extra special, blend 50% Mac Barens Virginia #1 with 50% 5100 Red Cake. This seems to make the Red Cake more interesting and at the same time eliminate the bite from the V#1. Another blend to try is 2/3 RC and 1/3 C&D's Briar Fox ; this gives a little base to the RC and a little more interest to the BF.

Update: Every time I try this It just gets better. I've had this cellared now for 6 months and it is good. More interesting , the McC Vinegar is now that tangy sweet and sour, I love it. I've got to buy more and cellar. Good just straight. It is very similar to Aurora not quite as flavorful, but close, and for the price, it beats it. Bumped to 4 stars.

Updated 9/15/2014- I've slightly soured on this blend and reduced my rating to 3 stars. I agree with reviewer , " pipeline 2006-01-08 " ( 8years ago!), in that if you find a flavoring you should try to identify it.....Sooooo , I feel there is a minor "Lakeland Floral" scent and taste . I really don't remember this in some of my earlier bulk batches, I think it is more of a quality control issue in processing this batch bulk run after a batch of "Old World Classic #5115" without the proper cleaning of their equipment? I'm not a fan of LF.

Pipe Used: cob

Age When Smoked: 8 months

Similar Blends: McC Old World Classic Cake #5115 , P&C's -Scotty's Old Red.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JohnnyMcPiperson (119)	2011-01-28		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This was a nice sweet VA I had a small sample of it a couple summers ago and I enjoyed it okay. Found it to be nice on a sumer afternoon with a book at the coffee shop. It was mild enough that it melded well with the summer heat, and yet it had enough sweet flavor to keep me going throughout the bowl. Good enjoyable, mild VA, no bite, nice and smooth!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	radioisotope (17)	2010-12-24		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have been smoking this off and on for about a month now. I was fortunate enough to find it at my local tobacconist. To me it is one of the best VA's I've smoked. At first it is nutty with light fruit notes, but in a natural sense. As you move down the bowl it becomes more like baked buttery bread. I was still greeted by a good sweet tobacco flavor. Lately I've learned that Va's are good when mixed with perique so I went to my Tobacconist and got some straight perique, went home and threw about 20% in with the 5100 and it is astonishing! The flavor is hard to describe but it will knock your socks off, maybe like a spicey plumb, mixed with baked bread? Lots of Vitamin N. Good tobacco flavor still pleasent though. If you love perique and Va's this is the way to go. I also would recomend putting some in a mason jar and storing it away. My tobacconist said it can be hard to get in the U.S., and it is great for aging!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	strongirish (249)	2009-06-06		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Once in awhile, I am in the mood for an evening VA blend smoke but I am more of a burley smoker. I love the VA taste, but my main complaint is that it usually bites for me as I am a rather fast smoker, just my personality. But this one surprised me. It was smooth, tasty and biteless in my large Stanwell billiard. It did have the vinegar ketchup smell of McClellands in the pouch but not at all in the taste. It lit rather easily after loading and smoked down to the bottom leaving a fine ash in the bottom without any moisture at all. It is kind of a riff rubbed out flake medium brown in appearance, and as I smoke it I was just rewarded with a clean, honest, sweet smoke with a very nice room note. I really enjoyed this blend and was ready to reload and go another round.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-03-27		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Red Cake is really pretty nice. For once I'll try to say something succinctly.

This tastes like a blender, in a lot of ways. I think it is a constituent of some more pricey blends.

I think it is nice to smoke on it's own when I'm looking for a light virginia with a little twang.

It's kind of flat tasting past a half bowl for me.

I've been told this is the weakest of all virginias Ever.

It has, in fact, little twang.

But, it's really nice.

If you put this in a jar, near the window, in a west-facing south-Austrian appartment for a week or two, (but only by accident) it sings. (and twangs)

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2008-08-28		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Tolerable

Just another great Virginia from McClelland, only that this one's got nothing that will keep me coming back to it. This blend provides a sweet, smooth smoke, but it lacks the depth and subtetlies of other great MC like Blackwoods Flake.

Great blend to smoke now and then, and even better for blending your own mixtures.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipemanuk (76)	2008-06-24		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is rapidly becoming a favourite, albeit with one ounce of perique to one pound of tobacco. Without it, it's still pleasant enough, but the perique releases so much more flavour and sweetness to the blend that I'd rather not smoke it without it. It's one of the bulk blends that is, as far as I am concerned, perfectly smokeable straight out of the bag....unlike 5120 for instance. Having said that, I've jarred up 4 lbs for the cellar! The smoke is a lot fruitier and fresher than 5120; it's not quite so ready to bite as some other McClellands and at the amount of perique I use, there's no real pepperiness. All in all a good smoke my friends. I keep an old Mc tin full and the smell of the tobacco is delightful. All in all a worthy 4 stars....even without the storage but definitely with the perique. IMHO it does need the perique. Without it, its pleasant but a bit dull.

Update June 2008

I love this stuff...have settled to my 5100 + perique blend as the everyday tobacco in my pouch. Friends love the smell of the unsmoked tobacco as much as the smoke itself. Treated gently there's no bite though if I'm working in the garden or doing any task where I am likely to puff too often (one of my faults) then I fall back on Carter Hall or PA.

Update June 2009

Just gets better and better...5100+perique...sweeter, fruitier and richer in flavour. What I love about it is that I can smoke 2015 and have a creamier, bread dough like VAPER and then 5100/Perique to contrast it. Two utterly outstanding blends from McClelland. God Bless them.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-06-16		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

update....06/08 I just cracked my first pound of what is now 5100 aged three years. Put simply, of the scale. I don'tknow what happened inside the jar in 36 months but it must be the same thing that leads the blind to see, the deaf to hear and impotent to breed. I meant that in a good Christian way, momma. (lol) and no, I didn't add a dash of sildenafil citrate prior to sealing the jar in wax. all jokes aside. this tobacco really is something special with age. There is a seductive oily satin that fell on all the textural nuances of what I have already written, concerning this blend, prior to aging. Alot of subtley sweet, seductive nuttyness bounds from this mix. In short smoke it, but age it and it will be one of the best you've partaken in. This is a fine VA that is really pleasing to the senses. As others have stated, there is no characteristic vinegar essence associated with many of McClelland's VA's. IMHO, this is an extreme value for the bulk price. It may be one of the better VA's I've had.

Flavor: A mild nutty flavor is consistant throughout the life of the bowl. I also detected a bit of a leather note that complements the nutty essence well.

Smoking characteristics: I had no bite from this blend, even when smoked aggressively. Each bowl does require a couple of relights but the flavor was so good that I decided that I could really care less.

Overall: Super blend that could serve as a confirmed all day smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Philo Beddoe (221)	2007-01-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Sweet, tangy Red Virginia that says McClelland as soon as you open the bag! This tobacco has grown on me over the years, it was a bit too subtle for me early on, but my tastes have definitely come around. I smoke 5100 often after dinner as a sweet palate cleanser, I find that the gentle tang and easy sweetness are very enjoyable after a meal. This is one tobacco that I would recommend that everyone should try and if it's not to your liking, revisit it every five years or so, 5100 may yet surprise you.

Highly Recommended

Purchased From: Bulk - from local B&M

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	haredawg (47)	2006-12-29		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Tolerable

I just can?t hang with the whole ketchup thing. I don?t want my tobacco to smell like a corn dog minus the corn dog and leaving just stick and ketchup. The flavor was adequate once it started burning. I used most of the two ounces I had purchased in bulk to mix in with a locally blended heavy latakia blend (cascade Cigar in Portland Oregon, Trafalgar blend)mainly to hide the smell I didn?t find the red cake very interesting by itself all condiments aside, the real benefit is the stuff is cheap and it?s not awful.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-11-07		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is an excellent sweet VA, and one of my favorite McClelland blends. Red Cake is a medium red VA that smokes cool and does not bite like most VA's. It is an excellent all day smoke by itself and is great for blending. Like other reviewers, I like to blend Red Cake with McClelland's Perique to create a classic VA/Perique blend. IMO, this is an excellant tobacco for those whishing to start smoking VA blends.

Highly Recommended

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sasha (228)	2006-04-12		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Great Virginia, if I had been in McClelland's chiefs shoes I would have tinned it. The ketchup flavour is not so evident as in other productions of this brand, so you can easily detect the great quality of the leaf. The burning is cool and even, the taste keeps mild but present throughout the bowl. A little too mild for me but a fine smoke

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bugenhagen (9)	2006-01-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I've been experimenting off and on with various McClelland Virginias, and this one (5100) has so far turned out to be my favorite. It is cool, sweet, and nutty. The pouch aroma isn't like other McC Va's. No ketchup.

It takes a bit to get it lit, but once lit, it smokes cool and evenly down the bowl. I learned about this from a friend who gave me a few ounces of it that he'd been cellaring for about a year or so. Then my son brought some home with him from Annapolis in the guise of a local house blend. I will be buying more of this very soon.

UPDATE 2016! After ten year I still stand by my comments above. Red Cake is a mild to medium Virginia that is a nice change of pace from others like Capstan, Dunhill Flake, and Orlik's Golden Sliced. It also mixes well with burleys in blending.

Bugenhagen

Pipe Used: Peterson, Missouri Meerschaum

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-12-23		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I'm in the minority here, but I just don't find 5100 a good tobacco, even with ageing. IMHO, 5100 is just a plain old Virginia.

McClelland makes one of the best Virginia's, namely 2015.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-05-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This blend has been well reviewed and I don't have much to add. I have had a great deal of success blending perique with 5100. I add between 5 and 10% perique, age in Mason jars (the longer the better), and allow it to dry a bit after opening, and it becomes one of my favorite tobaccos. The perique adds a wonderful dried fruit flavor and seems to bring out the nutty/citrus flavors of the red Virginias.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Beer (345)	2004-09-01		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

If you don't mind not having fancy tins or you are on a budget, this is a very tasty, round and non-bitey red virginia. Very highly recommended, and it becomes even better with a pinch of Perique. Not wet, with less of the usual McC ketchup. Fruity, sweet (with notes of cinnamon) and sour at the same time: a marvelous tobacco that you must try at least once! I would even dare to say that it's better than most of McC's tinned tobaccos!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-01-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

5100 is, if there ever was one, an "all-day Virginia".

5100 is straight red VA tobacco, rubbed out completely. It's a middle-ground in flavor, not as sweet and floral as a bright Virginia, nor as deep and tangy as a stoved variety. A hint of sweetness will come through, and then some nuttiness and toasty flavors.

Room aroma is tolerable, but fairly straight tobacco. Leaving the room and re-entering gives the impression of toasting nuts. Some have indicated a cigarette-like odor, but I don't detect it.

This bulk will probably benefit from aging, but I can't keep enough around. Most important is drying. This bulk ships pretty wet, and if smoked right out of a fresh bag will be a sopping bowl o' bite with no flavor. If this has been your experience with Red Cake, leave it to dry and come back to it. At the proper moisture level, it's a dry, sublime smoke with a greatly reduced bite potential.

Update: Wow - age really transforms this tobacco. I packed some of this away for a while in a Mason jar and forgot about it. I discovered it a short time ago, and it's been love ever since. The toasty, slightly grassy flavors of the blend when new have given way to sweetness, toastiness, and a caramel-like goodness that is extremely appealing. The blend has darkened ever so slightly in storage, and has maintained its moisture level. However, it has undergone a dramatic flavor shift in a fairly short period of time. I recommend storing this away for six months before smoking. You'll be glad of it.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (562)	2022-12-06		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Jar note of mild vinegar, tangy stewed fruit, and hay. Tobacco is a dark reddish-brown ready rub, moisture content is a little high, may need some drying. But no prep really needed. Burns slow with many relights. The strength is mild and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and consistent, with notes of very earthy, wood, very bready, mild spice, lemon grass, mild fermented dark fruit, orange peel, moderately spicy, floral, a mildly sweet hay background note, and a moderately peppery retro. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: Peterson Bard Rusticated 221 Fishtail

Age When Smoked: 6 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J. Ward (71)	2018-07-30		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

McClelland Red Cake is absolutely superb. The red Virginias are slightly tangy and carmel sweet, smooth and rich with a bit of earth, and a slight bit of spice in the last quarter of the bowl. This blend ages beautifully, becoming even sweeter still. The best red Virginia blend I've ever had the pleasure of piping.

Pipe Used: cobs and briars

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	hawky454 (107)	2017-07-02		Extremely Mild	None Detected	Mild	Very Pleasant

This is a nice intro into the world of VA's. It's got great flavor and produces thick clouds of creamy smoke. It is very forgiving and won't bite you even if you call it names and slap it around a little. I usually enjoy this as a "chore" blend for when I'm doing "honey-do's" around the house. Also makes for a great blending tobacco if you want to try blending your own baccies at home. It's a little weak and boring to get my undivided attention but it definitely serves its purpose and it will get ya going in the right direction.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sheldon Richman (15)	2017-04-03		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

First impression: excellent! Toasted but not fruity. Little or no nic-hit- I can see this as a daily smoke. A good tobacco to enjoy while working. Very nice!

Pipe Used: Clay

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

Similar Blends: Dark Star, but lighter..

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AnglicanSmoker (4)	2017-03-21		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Tolerable

Excellent tobacco. This is a definite favorite. It's got a great, pure, mild sweetness to it and it made me fall in love with Red Virginia's. Easy to smoke and doesn't fry the tongue. If you're used to flavor bombs this one might seem lacking until you smoke several bowls through the same pipe. This is a great introduction to Red Virginia's and I can't blame you if you start with this one and end with this one.

Age When Smoked: Fresh to aged 10 years

Purchased From: various retailers

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Right Wing Piper (11)	2017-02-03		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco stands well enough on it's own, but as a blending tobacco it really shines. The tobacco ages remarkably well and produces a natural sweetness just not found in aromatic products. Smoked properly, there will be no bite and could very easily be used as an all day smoke.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum, briar, cob

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Just For Him

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Foz594 (5)	2016-08-03		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Wow! This is a rich satisfying and naturally sweet Virginia. Packed well, minimal relights. Let it dry a bit and from the first draw I was hooked. Full tobacco flavor, no flavorings, all natural. This is a rich luxurious and silky sweet bowl full of chewy scrumptiousness. This is why tobacco is my favorite vegetable

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mesh (51)	2016-03-10		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

This may lack the richness of some other VAs but it's not lacking in flavour. Despite its cut, it burns slowly and doesn't easily overheat. I didn't get any tongue bite. The ketchup scent is noticeable in the pouch note but isn't as strong as some of McC's tinned VAs.

I'd buy again.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lyle (32)	2015-11-29		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is a great blend, period. It's often used as a blending component, but I love it straight and I think it's a good example of a simple, solid Virginia tobacco. I use the word "simple" in the sense of "pure", not one-dimentional.

I bought a large amount of this at one time and I keep it a resealable jar, on hand for times when I need a dependable Virginia ribbon. I don't have experience with aging it for any length.

If you want a reference for Red Virginia, go no further. If you want a delicious, high quality Virginia, go no further. If you want something to blend with condimental tobaccos, by all means, start here.

Pipe Used: Many, mostly dedicated to VA

Age When Smoked: I bought mine in 2009, but keep opening the jar

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	Autumn joy (47)	2015-02-25		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Red cake 5100 I was first skeptical of this blend because I always take note of the tobacco scent before I smoke. Well I need some fries with this tobacco because it smells like ketchup as mentioned in other reviews and I agree. Anyways I did not judge this by its cover and packed and lit it. The smoke was rather enjoyable the Virginias really shined in this blend adding that good sweet virginia flavoring. I would recommend this to any pipe smoker looking to try a good English blend.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Pipes and cigars

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2015-01-18		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The usual top quality McClelland tobacco. Great red virginia flavor. Not as aged and smooth as their tinned red virginia in blends like blackwoods flake or saint james woods but great for bulk. I smoke on it's own or blend with 5105. I was looking for a cheap alternative to my favorite smoke blackwoods flake. I'll always have a bunch of this on hand jarred in the cellar. I also put a little armagnac or cognac on my 50/50 mix with 5105 and it makes a great aromatic. Nicotine strength is mild to medium. It's around or less than McClelland flakes.

Pipe Used: briars, meers

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bluesmoke (75)	2014-11-30		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Ahhh, the classic red cake. Another wonderful staple of McC. This is a mild, mellow, easy burning blend which has notes of sweet red wine, grassiness, hay, and roasted nuts. This one is great to store/cellar and have on hand always for a simple yet simply satisfying smoke. These flavors are not over powering, but pure in their presentation, definitely an easy smoke to enjoy in dreams lost to the hours of a relaxing day or evening. BYWTPOTHS

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hybrid12 (26)	2014-10-26		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

While not normally being a fan of straight Virgina, this weed is exceptional in taste, strength and quality. It has a slight sweet essence with a hint of fruit for flavoring. Though I would classify this as medium strength, I was surprised by the nicotine in this weed. This may in fact be the best Virgina tobacco I have had the pleasure of puffing on. This weed goes straight to the top of my list and will be a mainstay. This is a must try for any aromatic lover!

Pipe Used: cob

Age When Smoked: right out of the mail

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	inthewoodspiper (5)	2014-06-22		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Highly recommended for blending or stand alone. Very soft in texture and taste, and I will often reach for this when in the mood for something light on the palate and easy smoking. Priced reasonably it is a good value in bulk.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: fresh from bulk order

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-05-12		Medium	Strong	Very Full	Very Pleasant

If you think this is a good blend try it after aging 9 years. I had to stop pipe smoking from 2005 - 2011. I luckily had a fairly good stock put away & they are all now 8 - 12 years aged. I liked 5100 back then & I love it now. The flavors have intensified as well as loosing any sharpness they once had. The taste is quite fruity now with a great deal of complexity. It burns cool with absolutely no bite no matter how hard you push it. The room note is also getting often complimented. If you have a chance to cellar this for awhile you will be amply rewarded.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Abadakus (9)	2013-01-12		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin description says "exceptionally soft". But don't misunderstand it. Yes, this blend isn't robust at all, it has no striking, predominant notes. But the mixture of Virginias in it produces lots of fine and pleasant details. To me it seems really quite deep and sophisticated. So try to concentrate on it, puff it slowly, and it will reward you with a rich and very satisfying smoke.

The only reason why I can't give it all four stars is this. The taste of tobacco itself is so mild, that the ketchup really stands out above it. Sometimes feels like smoking an aromatic.

Pipe Used: L'Anatra

Similar Blends: McClelland - Aurora (Collector Series).

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mnadz (69)	2012-09-29		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I usually find virginias way to mild for me. I am probably going to stop trying to find a straight virginia that I like. Saying that, this one did offer a little more punch than most I have tried. If I had to smoke a straight virginia, it would be this one.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jallen49 (25)	2012-08-21		Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Its true that this is a one dimensional blend, but that one dimension is a delicious one.

The ketchup smell is there, but it doesn't translate in the smoke... The taste to me is a mildly earthy, very musty taste, with just a touch of that Virginia zest.

Smokes cool, mostly dry, and is overall well behaved.

Can't fault it! Classic old reliable Virginia.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	brogreggblues (45)	2012-06-28		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Rich red VA blend. A little one dimensional, but deep and satisfying. Slight tanginess which is appealing. No tongue bite.

A nice change of pace for this regular smoker of English blends.

I'd smoke it again.

3 stars.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-06-10		Very Mild	None Detected	Mild	Very Pleasant

My first English blend. I never knew who made it until i got curious and found it on here. The pipe store i got it from coundn't tell me who it was cause they "didn't know" who made it (there house bulk blend with out a name expect for 5100). Guess they didnt tell me so they can make money off of it instead of someone getting it cheaper online.

one demension smoke definitly, but so worth having around to keep from smoking all of the expensive stuff up.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-04-30		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

OLD RELIABLE!

I tend to think of 5100 as rather pedestrian. There's nothing much exotic about it-- McClelland's is a US producer, it's some slightly flavored VA ribbon cut bulk and every dime store tobacconist has it in a jar. But every time I go back to it, it's a wonderful smoke. Every pipe smoker should try 5100, IMO. I have some cellared and always try to keep some open to smoke.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-02-16		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is my standby blend. It's unassuming, slightly sweet and easy to smoke. If you're searching for something complex, with layer upon layer of flavors and notes and midbowl changes, then this is probably not going to appeal to you. If you're looking for something that's got a nice, natural sweetness to it, something that you you can kick back and smoke and just think or read or doing some other task, then this may be it.

It's pleasurable to smoke and it's not something that you're going to miss out on if you like to smoke while taking a walk, working in the shop or doing any other task. This and the fantastic price are the reasons I continually stock this tobacco. I've never noticed a ketchup-vinegar taste to this McClelland tobacco, just a nice, earthy sweet taste and the smell in the bag is what comes to mind when I think of tobacco.

As a side note, I know a lot of reviewers are talking of this being a good mixer, and I'm sure it is. I've mixed it with 5105 and it's good. I don't know yet if I like it more than just straight 5100. It's good to know some folks have found ways to improve it to their liking, but my current preference is to just smoke it straight.

I wholeheartedly recommend it. Definitely worth a try, especially at the price. A great smoke for when smoking is background noise and works fine as the main show too.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-10-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This makes a great blending tobacco for VaPer or VaBur lovers. I use it primarily for the latter and find that it always kicks up the flavor component of many of my straight burleys. A 50-50 mix of this and CH makes a great lazy day blend. In fact, that is my Sunday football mixture this year. On its own not very interesting but a decent smoke if you're in a stoved Va. mood.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2011-09-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Mild and mellow -- a nice slightly (and naturally) sweet straight Virginia. May be too mild for some, but I enjoy it.

Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is not very often.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Capt (339)	2011-08-30		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Carter Hall is my all day burley, Red cake is my all day VA. This is a great blend for yard work and chores. Doesn't require a lot of attention, and won't bite.

This is a rare blend for McClelland, as it doesn't have a nose full of vinegar like most of their VA's. Although somewhat monotone, it can add depth to blends that lack it. It has a nice nutty flavor that is pleasant outside or in.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-05-31		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a great starter for those who wish to venture into the straight tobacco smoke. Mild and forgiving by itself but in my opinion 5100 true strength is as a blending tobacco. High quality at a great price.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-12-13		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I had not smoked 5100 in a few years and just recently returned to it. I had forgotten how good it is! Excellent natural sweetness with a spice note in the background. I don't detect the ketchup odor that others have noted. The bag aroma struck me more like dried fruit. If you enjoy Va's give 5100 a try. I think you'll like it.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-11-28		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I've been smoking 5100 off and on for about 6 months based on a recommendation from a fellow pipe smoker I met while shopping in a B&M in Nashville.

5100 is a great English VA. This tobacco is used in a number of high grade blends that are on the market today. It is a rich, full, and sweet red VA that ages well.

When you first light the bowl you immediately taste the tangy sweet flavor of citrus inherent in this blend. You can smell the ketchup scent that is typically of McClelland tobacco, but this does not translate into the taste of smoking. As you move through a bowl of this remarkable leaf you find a smoky flavor enhanced by a bit of grass. Toward the bottom there is a hint of raisin.

Buy this tobacco seems to do better with some aging. I also like the fact that this one seems to taste better if you smoke a little the let it go out and come back to it later.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	grumpyoldprofessor (11)	2010-11-23		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

5100 has been my favorite Virginia blend for several years now. It's not exciting or bursting with flavor, but it does always have a good smooth flavor, which I can most easily describe as lightly sweet and buttery. It's consistant and consistantly good.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-10-26		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Red Cake represents an honest, no gimmicks VA. It starts with a nutty taste that stays for most of the smoke. Red Cake smokes dry and cool and delivers a soft smooth taste throughout. I am smoking it a Grp 3 Sasieni Mayfair Apple and it goes great with my evening coffee. If you looking for an english style VA with a straightforward presence, give 5100 Red Cake a go.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-07-18		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a hard tobacco to rate on a four star system. I gave it all four, but in reality, I'd rather call it a 4 out of 5.

To my mind, it's the Carter Hall of Virginias: a simple, cheap and available all day smoke. I have watched my tastes change from burley towards Va's as of late, and I find Red Cake fills the same role as CH for me.

I actually call it a favorite of mine; in reality, there are blends I like more. Thing is, I always come back to it, whether to cleanse my palette or just to smoke mindlessly for a while.

The fact it is a blending component means it's useful too. Got a 'baccy missing 'something'? Drop a pinch of 5100 in, and it will no doubt help things along.

The only downside, I suppose, is it's one dimensional character. If you only smoke the occasional bowl, or always smoke looking for complexity, Red Cake will no doubt disappoint. If you're looking for a quick work break smoke, or one to pair with yard work, etc., this may well fit the bill for you. It does me.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-07-16		Mild to Medium	Mild	Full	Very Pleasant

It has layers of flavor from hints of spice to a light sweetness. It's a fantastic mix, for example, with a black Cavendish, and a little Perique. I smoke it daily, and it's one of my all time favorites with no bite, and a good, pleasant scent in the room that my wife loves! In the evening, it's a great mix with a good coffee, or a snifter of Armagnac for evening relaxation time.

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	Hemlock (69)	2010-06-11		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

OK, so it smelled like cloves in the 1 lb bulk bag. I was worried it was the wrong blend. This is appears to be topped, but not cased. After taking out a couple oz. into a jar for a few days, the clove aroma dissipated and the more characteristic Mc. VA aroma was apparent. Kind of cool how blenders know how to manage a blend from bulk, mass recipe concoctions to end up as a few grams of a totally different aroma and flavour by the time it become a gram or three in a bowl.

Good smoking, slightly treated with PEG, and a generally good blend for trouble free, readily burning VA. Gives the same satisfaction of a good VA flake without the work. Despite the apparent topping, it turns out to have a VA flavour throughout. Good for regular smoking, albeit, might be considered a bit plain so a good base for adding a dash of perique or some other condiment of your liking.

-- Red Cake is a solid foundation tobacco, worthy of keeping around by the pound in mason jars. With a dash of perique sprinkled in, one creates an archetypal VaPer. Huge volumes of smoke emerge after a proper charring light-- and it can last a full bowl with single match. Inoffensive smoke, with a briny... including a loveley woodsy, stewed fruit depth of flavour when I sprinkle with perique and have it to the right dryness. This is one of the pinnacles of pipe smoking enjoyment and should be in your cellar if you like aromatics, virginias or VaPers

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-05-22		Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

At first unpacking this tobacco is slightly moist, but nothing a little airing won't cure. The packing is easy, very few remnants of stems remain which can be easily picked out. The fragrance of the unlit tobacco is nice to smell; however, there is a moderate characteristic McClelland ketchup aroma, nothing too pervasive though it does also come through in the smoke. The lighting is a bit harder if you don't air out the blend but once the bowl gets going, it's a nice sweet smoke that stays consistent throughout. The bowl won't bite unless you really tug at it, but be careful, once the bowl starts to burn hot, the flavour changes for the rest of bowl and it's never quite as sweet as when it stays cool throughout.

I recommend this for when you have time to really sit down and enjoy the blend, it won't bark unless you really tempt it to but absent minded puffing while doing something else may cause it to bite.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-03-20		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Many folks in our club and on the Forums had recommended this. I mooched a bowlful off of a fellow club member, and like it well enough to buy a pound. Sweet, easy to pack and light, easy to keep lit, it's just a good all around smoke. It's a staple for me now. If you like virginias...give it a try. You may just fall in love all over again!

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-12-24		Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

I am generally not a Virginia smoker, but recently tried this blend. I tend to smoke heavy Latakia blends, but just fell in love with this mixture. I find like rather like the sweet, soft smoke of 5100. It's a nice change from the Latakia and Perique blends I generally smoke.

Appearance: Medium to dark red ribbon. The tobacco is a bit moister than I like.

Aroma: Rich sweet aroma with trace of the vanilla. However, I don't believe it has a top dressing of any flavoring. The tobacco just as this nice sweet aroma that reminds me of vanilla.

Packing: No problem in any size or shape bowl.

Lighting: Initial lighting is slow due to the moisture level, but once it's going it burns well.

Initial flavor: Smooth and rich. No bite!!

Mid-bowl: When smoked slowly, it offers layers of flavor.

Finish: Clean finish and leaves a dry ash. I didn't notice any of the "goop" that you tend to find with aromatics.

Room Note: Very pleasant room aroma....my family likes it, which means I can smoke in the house.

Summary: I will end up using this mix as an all day smoke. I'm told by my local tobacconist that 5100 makes a great blending base. He uses it in several of his shop bulk blends.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-11-25		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

WOW! What an amazing tobacco. It's become a reliable every day smoke for me. If you are considering making the switch from Aromatics to Big Boy tobacco, start here. It's been a cornerstone in this hobby for me.. it's allowed me not to necessarily judge a tobacco on its smell--- as this smells like Ketchup--- but on how it smokes. Leaves relatively no goop in the pipe, and smokes great every single time. Quick! Stop what you're doing and go buy some!

Now!

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-09-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Very Pleasant

A solid brick cornerstone in the cellar of a Virginia smoker. Cool smoking and burns very well. The sweetness that develops as the bowl progresses has to be tasted to be believed. Stands up well on its own, and also seems to blend well. I frequently liven up some less-exciting blends with 5100.

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	catdaddy (18)	2009-03-27		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant

This is a high grade blend of some of the finest Virginia tobaccos you will find in bulk form. It ages well, keeps it's moisture level well and seems impervious to the elements. When all my other tobacco has gotten too dry or moist due to the weather, Red Cake is always spot on. It has become my go-to tobacco and in my top 5 overall.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-03-11		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a wonderful VA tobacco. Up to now when I wanted a pretty straight forward virginia I would most likely have Old Gowrie. I'm glad to have this option now. Red Cake has a wonderful, slightly sweet taste too it. It doesn't seem nearly as strong as some other VA blends I have, and I've had no bite from it since I started smoking it. It stays very cool inside the bowl, and it burns evenly and consistently (smokes almost effortlessly). It is truly a joy to smoke this tobacco, and I give it 4 stars

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-03-03		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is my favourite of all the McClellands I've tried. It is mild, sweet, and has no topping. In a briar, the sweetness of the virginias dominate, but in a meerschaum, the flavour transforms into a spicy taste that I can only describe as 'red', sort of like the soda Itzred, but not like that at all. This is not a full Virginia blend by any means, but it has a sweet, red taste that anyone can enjoy. Since it's not one of my all time favourites, I can only give it three stars, but I would recommend this to anyone. Also worth noting is the low amount or lack of the vinegar (ketchup) that McClelland applies to the rest of their tobacco.

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	Fly ticky (26)	2009-02-23		Medium	None Detected	Very Full	Very Pleasant

This is one of my favorites.A very straight forward virginia.You can smoke it straight or blend it with tobacco that dont suit ya.I like it straight but also patch things with it.Ok gents give it a try if ya like virginias you will like this.Its good enough to be tinned.Also ages well.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-02-21		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another classic and worth every piper's attention. One of the five or so Virginias I always keep on hand and great one for introducing a new smoker to Virginias.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-01-07		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

If you like McCranies Red Ribbon, you'll like this. While I haven't smoked them back to back, they are pretty darn close to being twins in my memory banks.

at least it's a ribbon, so you don't have to fight with the dreaded McClelland flake, allowing it to pack easily enough. getting it to burn can take about 5 or 6 charring lights before it really wants to take off.

Flavor is vinegar-like at the start, which quickly fades to a slight smokey sweetness. around mid-bowl, the sweetness is just in the background while a more tangy and smokey flavor prevails. i've dried this to as much as i can, it still has a tendency to go out even while overpuffing to keep it going.

if you like red VAs and McClellands VA flavors but not their "broken flakes/chips of solid wood", then this may be up your alley.

for me, i give it an "eh, it's alright if this is what you're wanting."

*update - my large 4 oz sample is now 3 years old, and this blend has grown on me a little bit. i wouldn't scoff at it, and wouldn't mind keeping it around, although it's not a favorite, it's still pretty good.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pseudo Nim (129)	2008-12-26		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was love at first pipe. I do like a red virginia, so I bought a half pound from 4noggins and now my only regret is that it wasn't five pounds.

I'm not overly fond of the ketchup smell that seems to eminate from McClelland tobacco's, but for a tobacco as rich and tasty as this, I could forgive almost anything, smooth burning and no bite, takes well to the match and low maintenance, burning down to a fine white ash and well behaved throughout the bowl.

This may yet find it's way into rotation, if not, then a special treat (on a regular basis).

IMHO, this would be an excellent tobacco for an Aromatic smoker to try, should they want to come over to straight virginias, but require a little more taste ie sweetness, that are to be found in some flakes, and/or do not feel happy about handling flakes.

A well earned four stars.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-11-24		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Well, 22 months after I posted what's below, I really need to say that I repent of my misdeeds. I'm not so much of a latakia guy these days. I've finally developed my palate for good Virginias, and now rarely switch back to latakia blends. Only in Fall and winter now, will I break out my English and Balkan blends,

Having said that, I might still not enjoy 5100 by itself very much. I've found a recipe for an every day blend that has become my very favorite. The base is 5100, to which I add some ounces of 5105, Stoved VA. Finally, just two ounces of McClelland's Blending Perique, and I have a pound of a mild VaPer. And so far, I've laid several pounds of it aside. 5100, as a blending leaf, is really superb. The Mason jars of this blend that have matured now for a little over a year are already fantastic. I can't wait until it's a few years old.

I'm a latakia blend guy, but have always admired the people who are all gaga over great Virginias. This was recommended to me, and so I got it, hoping that it would finally be a straight VA that I could love. But, not to be. Great aroma, but one dimensional. Lika all VA's to me, it can bite. This should be considered as a component in blending, to me, and not an end-all in itself. It's of obvious good quality, and I'd think that when it was blended with a good Cyprian latakia and either a tasty Turkish or even a cubed burley, this may be part of a real winner.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-09-26		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tried this blend last night as a means to start building cake in a new Boswell. I greatly enjoyed this tobacco. It was a pleasant, smooth tasteful smoke. Subtle hints of nuts throughout, and no bite at all. A little troublesome to keep lit but it could have very well been the way it was packed (it was only a 1/3 of a bowl). Another great McClelland tobacco!

-Adam

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	Pipe4ever (204)	2008-09-26		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

One of my McClelland favorite along with 2010 and bwf. This one is very gentle smoke, please the palate, soft, simple, some chocolate background and creamy feeling.

If you like Anniversary kake or w.o.laresen old fashioned you will probably love this one.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-07-10		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Well, though I think this is a cool smoking straight VA, it really is too mild for me. It burns well and hopefully will work as a blender with some of my English mixtures to give them a little more sweetness and tang. Right now I'm trying 8 parts of Squadron leader, to one part of perique to 4 parts of this 5100..I'll let it sit for a bit and see what happens. A big plus for this tobacco is the price, this is one you might want to consider.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-04-27		Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Only been smoking this since the euro soared;didn"t know it was there! Well what is put in my pipe most is virginias ! I love it;was blown away by bulk price ! I will spare you the comparisions to the VA heavys like rattrays etc. Cellared some; if it's the same in two years i'm still loving it'if better WOW! I normally don't buy bulk! When the dollar strengthens and the imported spun virginias are handy again ie OG I Will keep this on hand as well ! If you like Virginias Get some vincenzo

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-02-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I came close to editing my previous review of this classic tobacco and then elected instead to submit a totally new one.

I have smoked 5100 regularly for a number of years, both fresh from the bag after ordering and with a couple of years' age on it. It is a fine, medium-bodied Virginia with an underlying sweetness that remains consistent throughout the bowl. The flavour is slightly earthy, yet sweet and tangy all at once. Setting some aside to age improves certain characteristics of the tobacco as the flavour becomes deeper and a bit more complex. However, the tanginess - which I personally enjoy - disappears. Therefore, although I continue to set aside some 5100 for aging, I mostly smoke it without bothering to cellar it in Mason jars.

Now, if this came in a broken flake...

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-01-13		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is the only tobacco I buy in bulk. Enjoyable from start to finish, provided I do my part. Some smokers have objected to the "ketsup" smell of a newly opened bag of this tobacco but personally, it gets my mouth to watering.

This is an all day smoke for me, good indoors or out, and one of a few that smoke to the bottom of the bowl with no nasty surprises and burns to a fine grey ash. The flavors seem to me to be changing constantly through the entire bowl.

This tobacco is good right from the start of a new bag, however a few months of ageing makes this an exceptional smoke.

(1/13/08)Since the original writing of this review I have found that an outstanding tobacco can be made with a 50/50 mix of 5100 and Prince Albert.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-11-24		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I'm glad I waited to review this as I wasn't real happy when it first arrived. This blend has taught me to be patient since this tobacco gets better as it sits, dries, and airs out. I bought a pound a month ago and find it gets better each week. If you buy this and don't find it terrific...put it aside and you'll change your mind later.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-11-11		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

This is a great blend, the red VA's are exceptionally sweet, I almost thought it was cased. It is very light and easy on the tongue. It does age very well, and I feel that it is an easy choice for when I need a break from Latakia.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-10-19		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

As a big McClelland fan, I bought this bulk tobacco thinking it would perhaps be a rubbed out version of their more red Virginia flakes. But it really is something else entirely. Someone mentioned humectants, and I think I believe them. There is something sticky, no doubt a mild topping, and maybe a humectant. You know, even after leaving it out 24 hours, this tobacco is about the same stickiness/humidity level.

+++update+++ just a few days later and I've realized that the Red Cake has dried substantially, leaving behind a sort of residue. It smokes and tastes better now, but given the amount of time it took, I'm leaving my rating at two stars for now.

extra update* Well it's been a while since I've tried it, but I just had a tobacco that was so similar to this one, I had to note it here. Prince Albert, the alleged codger burley of yore, has almost the same flavors and burnability as this. Must have been what they were going for. I actually find Prince Albert to be a little bit tastier, probably due to the burleys rather than mostly Virginias. the color of Prince Albert is much browner as well.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-10-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This medium ribbon has a typical funky ferment in the pouch.

The flavor is mellow red virginia and is somewhat subdued, without many highs or significant lows.

The flavor of 5100 is pleasing, the burn is easy, and the price is right.

Chamber Gauge: Narrow to Medium

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-09-07		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

It starts out with a slight flavor of nuttiness and mid bowl it turns to a slight wet smoky vinegar flavor.

Packs and burns well. I recommend it.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-08-15		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

Simply a nice, mild, sweet virginia.

Monochromatic for sure but really not much to dislike.

5100 is not my favorite McClelland Bulk but for fans of the red weed, this could be an all day smoker at a bargain price. This should make a nice blender.

*

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-06-02		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I have smoked several bowls of this blend aged for 7 or more years. It is spectacular!

Pure sweet VAs fermented superbly, making for an incredible smoking experience. It took very little concentration to enjoy the characteristics of this blend. It served as a fine accompaniment for pleasant conversation and game playing with friends. I say this simply because there are some tobaccos that are best smoked with no distractions. There was nothing bitter or otherwise unpleasant about this tobacco to rattle my game.

I did not notice any distinct apricot, date or fig notes, which I tend to find in the Rattray's trinity (Hal, Gowrie, and Marlin). While I enjoy those aspects of the above mentioned tobaccos, I find that a change of pace is rewarding. If you are looking for a change from expensive tinned tobaccos, then cellar some of this tobacco and enjoy. I do not think VA lovers out there will be disappointed. I smoked this tobacco in a Rinaldo and Ascorti.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-03-04		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

A relatively inexpensive, quality virginia. Tasty, without a hint of bite. Refreshing while being smoked, as well as aftertaste.

We are not smoking a classical music piece here folks, but a satisfying mild to medium Virgina TOBACCO. Gets better and better with age.

Highly Recommended.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-02-07		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

5100 is a pretty good smoke. Mild, pleasing flavor. I like it. Mine came a little wet, and didn't light the best in that condition. Relighting didn't cause problems though.

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	Jazzplayer (9)	2006-10-27		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This tobacco is a good everyday tobacco. It is sweet with a nutty aftertaste. I would agree that the longer this tobacco is aged the better it gets! I have tried the tobacco fresh and one that came from being stored for 9 months, what a difference! I have one jar still in storage and will let that one sit for another year.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-10-26		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

A good Virginia. Nutty, Sweet. A good bargain for daily use.

BETTER PICK: MCCLELLAND CHRISTMAS CHEER 05' OR 06

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-09-26		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

The true Virginia flavour only emerges half-way down the bowl, and it is a very pleasant flavour, indeed. But I think I'm going to have to tinker abit with it, to see just what I could blend in to flesh out the first half of the bowl, as it is very light. Perhaps some other stoved Virginians, or a bit of Burley to get the overture engaged. But I think addding Latakia would only smother the subtlety and softness of this quality red cake.

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	romaso (45)	2006-06-21		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a full-bodied Red Virginia that is also naturally sweet. There may also be an added sweetness, but if so it's quite mild. I find this much more interesting that the light Virginias like 2010.

This is one of my favorites.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-04-04		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Mmmmm.. Sweet Virginia. I ama relitively new smoker of Virginias and I have to say that this is one of the blends that won me over. This is the sweetest non-aromatic stuff I've ever smoked. This is what good cavinsish wishes it tasted like..

My first impressions were that it tasted kind of squashy like pumpkin pie-ish but in a natural pulled form the tobacco way, not added like a pile of sugar.. I really enjoyed that flavor all the way through. It burned rather cool as well.

Definately my favorite right now and due to my experience I encourage any one who has not tried this blend to give it a shot.. especially if you'd like to see what a sweet virginia really is.

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	dualkarnain (75)	2006-03-29		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild	Tolerable

Wow! I just had my first bowl of 5100 and I'm impressed with the taste. I haven't aged it yet so can't comment as to the benefits letting it sit may provide.

The sweetness is unique and enjoyable; I'll order more in the future.

Goes perfect with some brandy and cran.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-02-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

To be brief, it smells rather unpleasant upon opening the tin or pouch. It smells like ketchup. It doesn't taste all that great and has a tendency to bite really bad.

But wait! Age this stuff for even a few months (the longer the better) and what you will find is one incredible smoke. The ketchup odor disappears and the taste is nothing less than incredible. An entirely different tobacco when aged. Naturally sweet with a hint of caramel and a delicious room note.

Don't write this tobacco off. Just store it away in a mason jar for a year if you can wait that long. It's well worth it.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-01-25		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This has become a staple to tobacco for me. I enjoy blending this 2:1 with 2010, which is a bit flat by its self. It wasn't love at first light, but rather a slow building relationship. I don't normally blend already blended tobaccos, but I find my self enjoying the 5100/2010 mix more and more often. I will generally have 5100 straight as my second pipe of the day, due to it's mildness. It's not a complex tobacco, by any means, but has enough simple character to earn my approval.

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	RCUSElder (244)	2005-12-21		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have been smoking this blend on and off for the last couple of years. My original batch was purchased by a BOB who had it for about 5 years (so he said)before he pawned off to me. Recently, I purchased some fresh for comparison. All I can say is that this is a delicious red VA! Whether fresh or aged, it is delicious. I am ussually a Balkan lover, but sometimes I'll smoke this exclusively for a couple of days, it is that good. It has the flavor of Hal O'the wynd, but without the knock out punch of nicotine and strength build up of that blend. In fact, I find it sweeter and more fragrant too. DGT is to die for. A dedicated pipe is recommended to get the most of this blend. The main difference between fresh and aged is that the fresh can be a little nippy if smoked fast. If sipped, no tongue-bite. Get some, age some, and enjoy. Truly, a blend that should be listed among the classic great VA's. Enjoy...

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-12-05		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

5100 Red Cake descent but not memorable straight Va tobak. Can be purchased at most B/M at a reasonable price. Very moist and needs to be dried thoroughly or relights will be inevitable. Will bite the first 1/3 of the bowl but settles and the sweetness of the Va`s come thru but, levels off leaving you wanting more. Maybe a Va smoker might enjoy this blend but, for this BIG INTAKE, I need a bit more thrust. A "NoGo" for this piper!

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	Ranger (79)	2005-11-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A naturally sweet smelling, pleasantly tasty, all day smoke. Nicely cut and at the perfect moisture level for smoking in any size pipe. Maybe not the "best" leaf on the market, but a decent cost versus quality ratio.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-10-23		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I have tried various ages of this fine bulk tobacco and am amazed at the differences. I just got done sampling some stuff "fresh of the plant" and it is bland and awful. I have packaged up the remainder for aging. However, give it a few months/years and pow!, you hit the zone!. I love red virginias and appropriately aged 5100 is excellent. There is an underlying earthiness complimenting the red virginia tang and spice. Buy this stuff, ram it into a mason jar, and be patient. You will be rewarded with an excellent smoke! I don't even want to talk too much about DGT...5100 makes my mouth water.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-09-28		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

With its sweetness and astringency, 5100 is pretty straightforward Red Virginia. A little wet and bitey like most of McClelland's VA's, but not bad for the price. I've had better and worse. I'm not a big fan of red VA's, but when I am in the mood for one I far prefer Hal O' The Wynd or one of C&D's offerings.

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	tavancleave (11)	2005-07-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

McClelland?s 5100 is the quintessential all day smoke. It might not be as complex as other Virginia blends but it burns well, taste great and doesn?t roast your mouth. This has become one of the most consistent tobaccos in my smoking rotation. This tobacco will do you well and I highly recommend that you give it a try.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-06-26		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I got a sample of this blend in a trade I did on a cigar board I frequent that also has a pipe smoking room... The first time I smoked it once I recived it I did not take notice to how good it was... That was about a year ago... Then today I smoked a bowl...

It was pretty good the aroma was excelent, strength was pretty mild... I could not detect the flavors of different things in the tobacco while I was smoking it I have a tendency to not detect those flavorings... But it was pretty good...

I'm gonna have to buy a pound of this stuff because I plan on smoking it more often... I also must mention that as with most Virginia blends there is a bite to those tobaccos, there was a bite to this blend as its a Virginia blend but the bite went away after a while...

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-06-08		Medium	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

mcclelland 5100 is my favorite virginia blend and, IMHO, one of the finest blends of any kind on the market today. virginias are very tasteful if done right, and can bite like a pit bull if done wrong(as many are). i love the pouch aroma and the appearance of the tobacco. it lights and burns easily, and has a lovely nutty taste with spicy overtones. it stays that way all the way to the bottom of the bowl, not turning harsh as many tobaccos do. i also like the fact that mcclelland's bulk blends are priced very reasonably, and made right here in my home state of missouri(in KC). i agree with the other posters, this is an "old reliable" tobacco that you can always turn to for a good all-day smoke.

revision, june 2005- i am downgrading 5100 down one star to recommended. this is because i have found other virginia blends that are more complex that i like even better. that doesn't change the fact that this is a good tobacco, however. it will still be a staple and a regular smoke for me.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-04-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

5100 is not complex in flavor by any means, however, it's a very user friendly, soft, sweet, smooth, creamy and toasted nutty flavored all day smoke. A perfect auto pilot red virginia. A great bulk smoke and aging only improves it further. Great when smoked straight and also has lots and lots of potential as a mixer. It also comes at a great price in bulk form so what's not to like? 4 Stars in my book and one of my favorite smokes.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-04-04		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

As previously noted, this is a fairly mild, but flavorful tobacco. After finishing a 2oz bag, I found that I missed this tobacco. The flavor is light and could stand a bit of oomph. I expect that with some aging, the flavor will greatly improve.

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	Mr. Dottle (162)	2005-01-14		Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Based on the reviews here, this tobacco is well liked by the masses but I will be among the few dissenters although I certainly like most McClelland blends to varying degrees. While I liked the looks and pouch aroma of 5100, it proved to be marginally sweet and monochromatic in the bowl. I found its burning qualities lacking as well. Its burn is non uniform, i.e., it burns in the center of the bowl but not the edges. A tobacco that has poor burning qualities is a big negative for me. I think this tobacco is best suited for blending and not to be smoked straight. I much prefer McCrainie?s Red Ribbon, a more upscale, tastier, better burning and pricier version of 5100 and worth the extra price.

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this tobacco 5.0 out of 10.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-12-21		Very Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I'm another one who read all the good reviews and rushed out and got a half pound of this fine Red Virginia leaf. The tobacco is pressed into cakes and then cut all to pieces in well broken form. I filled a bowl up right in the parking lot of my local Tobaconist. As the rest have said,and I agree, it does have that vinegar tang smell,but it smells good to me. Lighting was fairly easy,even though it was on the moist side.Good mild Virginia taste.This is still young tobacco,and could stand about a year in lock up. I have put this in the cellar to age in mason jars,and look foward to next Christmas Lord willing I make it there.I have high expectations that this is one heck of a good leaf after aging.Exquisite!

Update: This is not the same tobacco I put in the jars last year!It is just amazing what a year can do to this tobacco. The taste is now so relaxed, and the bite factor is hardly present.The mellow tang,the creaminess of this blend is really wonderful. I also had put a small measure of blending perique into the jars with the 5100.I highly recomend this,as it gives it a colorful fruity taste that complements the red virginia so well.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-11-07		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I like Red Cake. Being mostly an aficionado of medium strength English and Balkan blends, my use of Va's is only once in a while. But Red Cake is hands-down my favorite Va. tobacco, probably because it is so tasty and yet so "user-friendly". As a couple reviewers have mentioned, it's the perfect "auto-pilot" Va. Beyond that, I could echo much of the praise of the many other reviewers but will simply say it is definitely Four Stars.

Tiger

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	Danno (106)	2004-10-14		Very Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

5100 is a simple, tasty ribbon virginia. Not complex, very mild in delivery and strength and easy on the palate. I have played with mixing a dollop of perique into it as well and the results are good, but not comparable to 2015. I enjoy this tobacco on occasion, when I have time to indulge it with my undivided attention and a good cup of tea. Delightful in its honesty. Refreshing in its humilty.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-08-11		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is my regular smoke. I smoke more of this than all other blends combined. The pouch aroma is sweet and tangy. It packs easy and is also easy to light. If hurried, it can bite some. For a straight red virginia it has plenty of depth of flavor. The flavor is straight forward tobacco with some sweetness and some citris. I often get positive comments from non-smokers on the room aroma. This blend is great as it comes and only gets better with age.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-08-07		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

You have to smoke this very slowly to appreciate its finer points. There's not much else I can say about this blend that others haven't. I was blessed enough to get a small amount that has been aging for 3 years, and it was quite a smoke. I regret giving most of it away, but such is life. :)

I've come to enjoy this blend very much from time to time, and I appreciate it more and more with each lighting. It looks like I just may be buying a pound of this stuff soon.

Sorry to say more of the same, but, in agreement with 90% of the posters here, I give it two thumbs up.

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	Spike (296)	2004-08-06		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Actually a little mono flavored for my main smoke. But as a Virginnia it is very hard to beat. Probably the best bulk Virginnia available. Makes a great mixer too. Takes a slow draw like most of this type to avoid the feared tongue-bite when smoked straight. I would love to have a few pounds of this after a long term cellaring.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-06-28		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a wonderfully refined Virginia with a rich, slightly sweet flavor. Although it abrades my tongue a bit after a few bowls, it seems remarkably non-bitey for a Virginia. If this blend has any faults, it's that it can seem a little boring after a few bowls in a row. This is a tobacco that every smoker should try once, though, and seems something of a classic of its kind.

Update 6/28/04: Having smoked nearly a pound of this tobacco, I find, ultimately, it is just too light for me. The quality of the product is without doubt: I just wish it was fuller (both in taste and in strength.) I've downgraded my rating to "smoke on occasion."

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-03-16		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco is high quality through and through. I will add the same bit of caution that some others have given as well: age this tuff at least 6 months and smoke slowly?it will only improve with age. Also, it needs a bit of drying out before you really begin to dig into it. Otherwise, the moisture and ?greenness? of it will likely burn your tongue and mouth to a crisp.

As far as how often I smoke this, let me say that I reach for it as a morning smoke (when I get to smoke in the morning of course) for its mildness of strength, tang and spice. Don?t get me wrong, I like strength, but this is precisely what I want when I?m not seeking a powerhouse. The smooth, silky clouds this weed produces are some of the best I?ve ever known ? especially for a Va.

I?ve also seen 5100 compared to McCranie?s Red Ribbon. There are similarities and there are differences. The complexity is subdued in 5100 ? but this is not a bad thing! RR is still my favorite, but as my supply is finite, I will enjoy it slowly.

Enjoy.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-03-11		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

#5100 is a good example of quality red virginia tobaccos. The mid range is most notable, with the bright high range somewhat subdued but still present. Just a touch of the low end. A bit mild in strength to me, but overall a great tobacco at bulk price.

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	Horse Bodotes (19)	2004-02-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This tobacco has been described very thoroughly by the previous reviewers, so I will just add my brief $0.02 worth:

5100 is one of my favorite tobaccos and has become my personal standard of reference for matured Virginias. Although I consider myself to be an English/Balkan guy, I probably smoke more 5100 than any other single blend. The sweet, creamy taste keeps me coming back again and again.

Frankly, I don't know what else one could ask for in a tobacco (assuming that you like Virginias in general): 5100 is a quality product w/ a wonderful deep flavor, it is (relatively) cheap, it is readily available and stores and ages remarkably well. What's not to like?

Many have commented on the "ketchup" smell - I have noticed that aroma w/ some of the McClelland stoved blends but I have never had that experience w/ 5100. I can't recommend this fantastic blend strongly enough.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-12-04		Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I find this to be an excellent straight forward Virginia.

Although I prefer something with a little more umpf, this is a very good everyday smoke that smokes all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

I think that it could be a good candidate for anyone that would like to dabble in their own blends. As a nice mild dry virginia it could blend with most other baccys.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-10-17		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

October-2003. 5100 Red Cake. I thoroughly enjoy this tobacco,& don't find it to be overpowering in anyway.I love & enjoy Virginia's,as well as English,& Balkan's. To me,this has a delicious flavour,& doe's not bite.I don't puff-fast! The flavour's are consistant,to the bottom of the bowl."Without being boring" Lights up well,with only one or two relight's,in a fairly large bowl.Provides a good clean smoke. Fresh,or Aged,I love it.And thoroughly recommend it,a definite winner for any Virginia fan.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-07-30		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I like Mc Clelland 5100 Red Cake. In my opinion, it is a good, reliable, all day smoke. It's got a nice controlled VA flavor, and does not seem to have much bite. Smooth, velvety, and sweet. What's not to like? I let a few ounces dry a little bit, and there was no bite at all. The tobacco is easy to pack, takes a few matches to get lit, but once going burns to a nice white ash. Like most VA's it can gurgle a bit, though. This is one of the few "quality" tobacco's my local tobacconist carries, so it's a staple in my rotation. And the price makes it a great value. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't give 5100 a try.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-06-23		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I use McClelland 5100 as part of a blend I put together, it makes for a very interesting taste, and aroma.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-06-17		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The poor man's Red Ribbon. I seem to have this on hand at all times. Now, Red Ribbon is a work of great genius, so taking a step down to 5100 is like stepping down from Mozart to Haydn...still pretty much not too shabby! A flavoursome smoke, not complex. A great yard weed, something to whap into the old pouch for the trail. I don't seek complexity in an all-day smoke for the most part, so for the price, this one is a sure winner.

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	Pounder 5000 (178)	2003-05-09		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

AH!!! the classic bulk Virginia. This stuff is becoming something of a legend. It deserves it. Although there are other Viginias out there that are better- none of them come with this price tag. The blend is indeed very similiar to Red Ribbon, but with less complexity- but whose complaining at a bulk price? This blend has got to be aged to truly experience it. Afterwords however this tobacco is very tasty. It reminds me of a campfire- all warm and toasty, with a richness that only comes from good Virginia tobaccos. You can't go wrong here- go and get some!

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-04-05		Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Tolerable

NOTE: The two-star rating is based on 5100 with Perique added. By itself, it isn't my cup of tea.

Well, I guess I'm the lone dissenter on this blend. It smells absolutely wonderful in the bag (I bought a 1/2 pound based on prior raves). The interest ends there. I found the flavor to be very weak, almost tasteless. What flavor there was reminded me vaguely of cigarettes. While there was a hint of toastiness, it was purely in the background. It also scorched me.

I don't rule out the possibility that my mouth has a bad chemical reaction to this blend. McClelland Virginias are among my favorites (at least 5 of them), so I was mystified and saddened.

One tip, which raised this to a two-star: The addition of 5 - 10% Perique to this blend vastly improves it. The Perique adds a rich, cool element to it, and seems to reveal flavors hidden within 5100 that otherwise lie dormant.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-03-24		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I smoke this as a change of taste from my usual English blends so it takes some time to acclimate yourself to its sublties. It has that famous McC aroma to it but there is a sweetness underneath it. It looks to be a mixture of dark and light tobaccos. The first light requires that you work at it before you tamp for the second light. Only occasional re-lights after that. Immediately the sweetness of the Virginias envelops the palate with a pleasant tingle on the tongue and through the nose. The flavor becomes almost like caramel at mid-bowl which lasts until the bottom of the bowl. Like all Va.s one must be careful not to rush the experience to avoid the mild bite that develops from the tingle mentioned above. Overall, a pleasant Va. that is tame and tasty.

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	NEWMAN (305)	2003-02-20		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A fully rubbed out blend that results in wide ribbons of reddish VAs intermixed with < 5% golden. The pouch aroma is sweet with just a hint of the typical McClelland vinegar. However, that never bothered me even when stronger in some of their other blends. From packing to the last puff, this is an effortless smoke that needs little attention. Smokes evenly and without bite or a wet heel. The cool, sweet, creamy smoke is consistent from bowl to bowl and within a bowl but lacks much complexity. A good smoke, but I find some of the others in McClelland's 2000 series much more interesting. However, although some may feel it's boring, I can still enjoy it as as all day smoke. VA fans, give it a try.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-01-28		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

5100 is a very good red virginia that is quite similar to McCranies Red Ribbon, but to me is not quite as flavorful. My sample had been tinned by McClelland in 1993 for a collector. Normally this blend only comes in bulk.

5100 is fairly sweet as unflavored virginias go and burns pretty cool for a virginia. I often have a bite problem with virginias, but that is not the case with 5100. The cut is a medium ribbon and the quality of the blend is excellent.

I gave this one a 3 star rating, but when I want this sort of smoke, I generally go for the McCranies.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-01-21		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Ketchup and vinegar are words usually banded about with McClelland virginias and I can see the point. A strong acetic acid ouses from this tobacco and if you get any gurlgle then boy does it taste bad. Don't let this put you off thou. This is an outstanding tobacco. Complex and rich and about the right body and strength for me in a straight Virginia, veterans reckon this gets a lot better with a couple of years in the jar bringing the Ph into line. This was my first taste of McClelland tobacco and if this is a bargin bulk then the rest of the range promises some real treats. Recommended.

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	Jaybee (77)	2003-01-13		Mild	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Is there anything more fickle than pipe tobacco or a pipe smoker? I purchased some of this a few months ago based on reviews from some people with which I seem to share common tastes. Upon opening my package I was met with an aroma that left me...well queasy. My first pipeful did nothing to remedy this situation. It actually made me a bit ill. The following two pipefuls only served to convince me that I had made a grave error! Only my modest investment in a 1 lb. bag kept me from tossing the whole mess!

A few weeks later(mainly out of boredom) I decided to give it another shot. WHAT?! I had to go back and make sure that I had loaded my pipe with the right stuff. 5100 provided me with one of the best smokes I've ever experienced. It's been a regular for me ever since.

Was it the tobacco? Was it me? Maybe both. If I had given up I would have missed a nice experience indeed. High recommendations, the second time around!

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2002-09-08		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Two words define this blend, and others have used them too. OLD RELIABLE. I've smoked a lot of this tobak in years past and will probably smoke a lot more in years to come. I hesitated to review this because many of you have already described #5100 to a T, and I will state only that I couldn't agree w/you more. Sometimes this stuff has a bit of a tingle, sometimes smooth as glass, maybe a little sweet, perhaps a bit sour (but tasty) like maybe a slightly sweetened lemonade. Burns well, packs well, lights well. The point is it's a good red Va. smoke that keeps you interested. It's a no-brainer smoke that works w/whatever you're doing. Sometimes simple is best. I have also used it to blend w/very pleasant results. Many tobacconists have it w/their own name on it, and yes, it's a great value. I've got some that's been stashed for quite a while now. It does get better w/some age. Do ya like smooth, tasty Red Virginias @ a good bulk price? Try this.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2002-01-30		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

To some, the red Virginia by which all others are measured. By alternate turns sweet, creamy, and enjoyably tangy (perhaps like fresh wasabi). Smoke exhaled through the nose has a very pleasant astringency. Aromatic smokers looking for a little "more" from their smoking experiences, this one is definately for you. Many have lauded it as a great blending tobacco; I have taken to packing a thin layer of it in the midst of a bowl of another blend for a shot of Virginia in the midst of other flavors. Though it is a common-enough mantra, aging, even 6 months, improves this blend to a ridiculous degree - increasing the sweetness and mellowing out any bite propensity (over-puffing a bowl with no age on it does include this possibility). Buy it by the pound, forget about it for at time, and, upon rediscovery, it'll be a delight.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2001-10-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

5100, Red Cake, straight bulk red Virginia, fastest aging tobacco I've seen... ambosia. This is my regular "auto-pilot" smoke. Whenever I want a good smoke without having to think about things too much this is the blend I reach for. I order another pound or two every time I get close to finishing an eight ounce jar.

I'm continually amazed at the calibre of this blend. I'll try various tinned Va's and it seems that my highest praise for any of them is that they taste like 5100. Then I remember that this stuff is cheaper than Lane bulks and I ask myself why would I bother with the tins? Get some, get some canning jars, fill them and check back in about three to six months. You'll see what I'm talking about.

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