McClelland No. 5110 Dark English Full

As is the case with most of my experiences with this blending house, they are makers of some of the most consistently light tobaccos I have ever had the displeasure of smoking.

5110 is no exception. The description is full of promise but it is short on delivery. Don't get me wrong, these are all very good component tobaccos here. They just don't sing. For some reason McClelland just doesn't have the knack of making blends with any real strength of character. They are all very light in flavor and nicotine. The burn characteristics are usually not great either. This blend is no exception there.

In an effort to say something good about 5110, I would have to say that it smells nice in the bag. Yep, that's it. I wish I could say more. I was born and raised in KC and would love to smoke McClelland more, but just don't like their style. They get close with this one, but just need to amp it up about three or four notches, as they need to do with most of their blends, and not just the bulks either.

Another great tobacco for the light body lovers out there. Hell, if you like light body tobaccos, McClelland has you covered. Try any of them, you'll probably like most of them. Cheers!

I was sent this as a sample. I am mainly a Virginia smoker, but smoke Englishes from time to time as a change-up. When I smoke Latakia, I usually like either a whole lot, or just a touch. I am a bit more wishy-washy on medium Latakia blends, and this is one of them. I can't put it down, though. I can taste the oriental (Turkish?) and probably some stoved Virginia, and it is nice. Nothing bad I can say about it. I could puff it from time to time. Will I buy any more? Probably not. So what? Others might love it, and this is what makes our hobby so interesting! I am enjoying this bowl, as I enjoyed the 3-4 others I smoked before typing up this little review. I just can't think of any particulars: this blend doesn't move me like a pure aged Virginia. Each to his own.

Very good blend. Slightly too sweet initially. Enough Latakia but predominately VA, especially towards the middle and bottom of bowl. You can taste the oriental influence. Burns well once dried out, arrived a bit on the moist side. I could smoke this all day. Will buy more to cellar.

I really like this stuff, Its become my regular daily smoke in a Peterson Killarney, Decent flavors, Lotsa smoke, no bites, Highly recommended

Have always enjoyed Latakia with Virginia mixed in and have tryed several blends of this type, however this blend is by far the best I have tasted so far and I can smoke it all day without toung bite because it is not too harsh, which can be a problem with dark English tobaccos. I like to switch over to Aitadis's Flying Dutchman blend while I'm smoking Dark English. I am very, very satisfied with Pipesandcigars.com service, and recommend them.

Started off as most pipe smokers smoking aromatics exclusively. I soon found out that although they had flavor they also had a tendency to bite badly. Don't know if this is due to the casing or blend. After many episodes of tongue bite I wanted to try plain tobacco and ventured into English. I got an eye opener b/c if you are not careful you find most English/Balkans very, very, strong which is just as bad as tongue bite. I have bought and smoked Penzance, Davidoff Royalty, Dan's Independence, Ashton's Consumate Gentleman & Artisans's Blend, Stokkebye's Proper English, Peterson's Sherlock Holmes, Frog Morton series all 3 (very good), Lane's and Altadis (all very bad), and Gawith's Squadron,Skiff,and Dunhill's EMP(no longer available) . I have found that McClelland's 5110 to be for price and smoking the best! My rotation; 5110, Penzance, 2045 and until I finish them Aston's Consumate Gentleman. Try 5110 and you'll fine it to be very, very simular to Frog Morton and you can save money by buying it in bulk. Highly recommended

I used to love this smoke. It is a very tasty rich blend, good for afternoon or evening smoking. Has a definite latakia smell and taste but some good va and orientals are in there also. It is very mildly flavored or topped to my taste. Although it is not too complex a flavor it is very rich and satisfying. The taste reminds me of creamed coffee and caramel at times. Pouch aroma of leather and english toffee. Sweet, but not too much.

This tobacco burns and packs especially well. Smokes cool with much thick smoke. Tastes good all the way down the bowl. Very few relights also. So smooth I never have tongue bite issues.--- Ehh, I was wrong it steams too much for me.

If you like medium english blends you should like this.

Update: I still reccomend this to bulk only smokers but try Bombay Extra in the tins if you want a better version of this and don't need it in huge quanties.

Update: Since my great revelation about drying out my tobacco's which kept me smoking cool and dry I have found this one to be cased or contian more humectant than I find acceptable. I am sad to lower my rating to two stars but I find much more joy in Mcclellands 2000 series of tobacco's

Still good for frog morton fans. I just haved moved on to what I enjoy more.

The Virginia was hot. The Latakia was coarse. The other Orientals were not top-shelf variety either. I suppose I've just given all the reasons why McClelland's didn't bother to put this stuff in tins. Still, for a moderately English presentation at a bargain price, this would be a good choice for those who prefer lighter English fare that will not leave your palate worn out.

Appearance: an almost even mix of dark and light ribbons, though leaning to the dar a bit. A fair number of stems.

Tin Aroma: Latakia. It is almost impossible to smell anything but Latakia in the tin.

Physical Charteristics: a very loose blend. the uniformity of the cut seems to work against itself, at least in the cohesion department. Easy to pack using the 'trickle' method, but care must be taken to mix it well before packing, or the lighter colored ribbons will be much underrepresented in the smoke.

First Light: A musty flavor reminiscent of camp fires signals the amount of Latakia here. The charring light is easy, and the top layer burns nicely. The second light is just as easy, and 5110 catches easily with only the smallest puffs to urge it on.

Notes: I really only like smoking this blend in two settings; sitting by the fire during winter, with a good book, and something strong to drink, or during the fall, outside in the woods. Yes, I like smoking Latakia outside, big suprise. The woodsy taste and aroma just seem to beg for it. This is particularly good in a BIG pipe, like those Nording freehands that can be had cheap. Very easy to puff too hard and really heat this one up. A vaguely sour taste under the Latakia. not bad, just an interesting pungency. Burns evenly, requires miniml tamping.I cannot recommend this for all-day smoking, as it begins to wreck the palate completely after three or so bowls, but it does make a nice evening smoke, or a 'treat' tobacco.