McClelland No. 5100 Red Cake

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!