McClelland No. 5100 Red Cake
(3.38)
This blend is a style of English Virginia that has seldom been seen in the United States. A sweet, exceptionally soft, fully rubbed matured cake.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.38 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 31 - 40 of 193 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07, 2010 | 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.
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 23, 2006 | 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!
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!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 15, 2004 | 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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2019 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
3 Years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2018 | 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.
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
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 2018 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
Age When Smoked:
2.5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 06, 2018 | 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
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
PurchasedFrom:
Cutter's Cigar
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 20, 2018 | 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.
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
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2017 | 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.
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 14, 2017 | 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
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