McClelland Navy Cavendish

A fellow piper recommended I try this McClelland concoction whilst I was perusing my local tobacconist's wares. Anyone having viewed any of my previous reviews would have picked up on my reticience to smoke flakes not containing latakia, as I seem to have a rather tender mouth. However, I have been experimenting with some flake virginias from time to time, so I thought why not a cavendish? The tabak tumbles out of the can in a haphazard broken flake. A slight rum flavor is detectable via olfactory sense; I was not blasted with "atomic ketchup", as others may have been. Flakes are greasy to the touch, so I find it is best not to rub out too fully, lest your mouth become a bbq pit. Flavor is straightforward-smoky, with hints of rum emerging ever so often. I kept my puffing cadence to a bare minimum and was rewarded with a gentle but full smoke. Navy Cavendish is not usual fare for moi, mais c'nest pas terrible, and I will finish my tin.

This is not one of those "to die for" tobaccos, IMO. However, it is a nice change of pace. It does have the distinct McClelland odor on opening the tin, and was a little on the moist side. My first few tastings left me feeling disappointed.

I put some in a plastic film cannister and promptly lost it for a couple of months. Upon recovery yesterday, I found that it had dried considerably (though not died up) and was much less ductile, crumbling on folding into the pipe. This was a considerably different experience. It smoked cooler and very much more tasty. I usually do not like flake tobacco this dry, (I am not all that big on flake tobaccos in general) but for Navy Cavendish this seemed to be just the ticket.

Being a good scientist, I had to go back to the tin, which was still more or less at its initial moisture content to see if my initial impressions held true (replication).

Yup. When moist, this stuff is BLAH. Bottom line, this is smokable (and the rum flavor is BTW more apparent) given a good bit of drying. Now I am wondering how the leathery Dark Star (good right out of the tin) would taste given the same gentle and slow drying treatment...

I received this tin several months ago from a friend and I promtly opened it: at the moment I didn't like the smell, just a bit acid. I agree with a previous reviews about a smell of ketchup... Havin' kept the tin with its plug for 4 months before I decide to smoke it. Few days ago I took the tin, wondering if it was still wet ok... and it was! The tin is perfect! I crushed a few flakes and filled an unsmoked Castello Sea Rock lovat with a Pot bowl. It was easy to keep lit. A very nice aroma in the room (no wife sorry:-) ).The initial smoke was appreciable, not able to taste the rum very much. Found a light touch of sweetness, and that is good. After 1/2 of the smoke it started to become a little strong for my taste. First I smoke a full bowl, not liking the final taste... then decide to stop at 2/3. A pleasant smoke! It is not an all day tobacco, but I will keep it in my mind for occasion.

This is a very fine navy cavendish. The mature Virginia, pressed into cakes, and soaked in dark Jamaican rum provides the smoker with pleasant surprises. Upon opening the tin the aroma is very appealing and inviting. The tobacco rubs out easily and packs very nicely. It lights easily. The first puffs bring a bit of a bite. This tobacco needs to be smoked slowly and gently. Role the taste in the mouth, sit back, and relax. Very shortly the bite disappears giving way to a luxurious mellow rum flavoring. The taste is well rounded and complex. The deep richness of the rum is not overly present, but there to smooth out the Virginia's top. The acidic sweetness of the Virginia is rounded out so that the full taste is balanced. Not an all day smoke for my taste, but a tobacco to return to often non the less. This cavendish is strongly recommended to smokers who prefer navy cuts and recommended to those who enjoy Virginias and other non aromatic tobaccos.