McClelland Deep Hollow

This blend is the best of the crossover blends I have tried. It has all the delicious attributes of VA tobacco, but the black Cavendish adds a cooling effect to the blend. The tin note is very reserved, what you do get is the typical McClelland vinegar smell. I mostly smoke English tobacco and find when I get careless I smoke VA's too hot. This is not a problem with this blend. I would say that the Cavendish does not add much to the blend in the taste department. The Va's are naturally sweet, complex and delicate. What the Cavendish does offer is a safety net to puff without paying as close attention to your speed.

Revision 02/26/2008: This remains a pleasant tobacco, IMO; however, I have apparently exposed myself to too many much more substantial tobaccos which leave me finding Deep Hollow just a bit too light. McCranie's Red Flake gives me the tang and sparkle that I used to enjoy in Deep Hollow whilst also giving me real tobacco flavour.

Original review: I first reviewed this tobacco a few years ago and, although I had smoked many tobaccos before then and have smoked quite a few since, THIS is the blend to which I keep returning. Other favourites have come and gone from my cellar, but this is the only one (aside from Balkan Sasieni and McClelland's 5100) that I keep in constant supply. A slightly sweet, woodsy aroma is left behind in the room, and it burns to a fine grey ash. I have searched unsuccessfully for a reasonable facsimile of this blend that can be purchased in bulk. I have resigned myself to purchasing multiple tins of this blend each month just to make sure that I will never have to go without.

Of what I understand to be "crossover blends", this is my favorite. Not as good as a straight english or vaper, but a nice changeup.

This is a nice tobacco very similar to Virginia Woods but not quite as good. It will improve a great deal with age. The more age the better. When what I have of this is gone I wont be getting any more just because I'm going over to Virginia Woods for what I keep this around fore.

If you like red and black VA's which are flavorful this is the one. The strength of this weed is it's ability to keep the tastebuds interested and happy while engaged in another activity and in such, are smoking in auto mode. Packs, lights and burns easy with no tounge bite. I wish this came in bulk.

Deep Hollow, natural or aromatic? It appears that the majority consider this an aromatic. Well, if so, it's sure not a goopy Lane (ever notice how well those two words go together?) type aromatic. As a matter of fact this is the kind of blend that die hard English/ Va smokers will nod and say, " Ahh yes, a crossover blend." Well maybe it is but it's a very relaxing pleasant blend just as is. Although a bit too sweet for an all day smoke this one does indeed make a nice change of pace for those times when something gentler is desired.

If you're just getting started in the wide world of Virginias this might be a good one to try, never mind the labels. If you seldom smoke anything but "pure" tobaccos this might be an eye opening change of pace.

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I recently opened another tin of this a year or so later than when I did this review. What a difference a year makes. While I still stand by most of the earlier review it's plain to me that this stuff is certainly an aromatic.... and I just don't care that much for aromatics any more. That being said I still think it would make a good starter blend for someone moving away from Lane type aromatics and looking for a more real tobacco.