McClelland Navy Cavendish

Maybe I was suited for navy service in the 19th Century, but more likely I've got a thing for lost arts. This throwback Cavendish is fantastic.

This one has grown on me over time. I agree with many of the other reviews in that the first few puffs leave you wanting a bit more than what it delivers, but if you can stick it out it gets better. Much of what I found out was user error on my part. To fully enjoy this blend I find that I have to somewhat kiss my pipe 6-8 times with small gentle draws then after 6-8 kisses one long even draw. This, for me, seems to really help bring the full flavor of the rum out and dramatically changed my impression of it. If you are looking for a knock your socks off rum flavor, this probably isn't your blend. But if you enjoy a good virginia with a smooth sweet rum in the back this will be for you. Be sure you rub it out well, i've noticed it can be a bit tricky to keep lit well if it isn't rubbed out enough.

McC Navy Cavendish … This one smokes too much like a cigarette tobacco (Camel) for my liking. I found little stand alone taste/flavor in this blend, except when fully inhaled. Many seem to love this tobacco, maybe for that reason, but for me I want a blend not so dependent on being smoked like a cigarette, to find satisfaction. For that reason, this one is off my list of expectable pipe blends, and I can only somewhat recommend it to others.

Something different for me. At first I was not too thrilled, but this one is growing on me. I think anyone who tries this has to give it a chance. A bit hard to light (two matches at once solves that)and it definately needs some finger work to loosten it up really good before packing. But all well worth it. Burns nice and slow. Good flavor. In fact, a very complex flavor. becoming a favorite of mine.

I was having no luck with this tobacco until I read Gordy's review, and you know what? Using a coffee grinder I had around the house did the trick. I shredded it to about the consistency of Prince Albert, which worked wonders for this product. The flavor is ketchupy/grassy. The room note was not that remarkable really yet it wasn't unpleasant. That's really the only way I can describe it! It's good. I won't buy it again, but it is nonetheless an exceptional smoke. And it does the trick when I am in the mood for a Virginia. Although I would rather smoke Escudo or perhaps some Wessex Brigade Classic VA.

I bought a tin of this blend from Grant's in San Francisco to compare to Mac Baren HH Mature Virginia. This blend; in my opinion, stomps the Mac Baren. It is not full bodied but has a pretty descent flavor component to it. I rub it out and let air dry for about 30-min and this blend smokes like a dream. Has some nice buttery notes and even hints of caramel to it that builds up to the rum on the lasting finish.

I recommend this blend for seasoned and even some newer smokers as well. I feel it is a good blend for English blend smokers who dabble in Matured Virginias now and then.

I cannot give this one a wholehearted recommendation. I bought a tin over a year ago and after a couple of bowls, shelved it. Recently took the tin down to give it another try. Still smelled strongly of barbecue sauce. Rubbed out easily, lit easily, but just not much of a flavor. Not worth the price, I would save cash and just go with smoker's pride black cavendish. Perhaps I just don't have the palate to appreciate this blend?

Tried this blend again. Tin has been sitting for over two years. Barbecue sauce smell is gone. Smoked in a meer churchwarden and had terrible tounge bite. Changing my rating to not recommended.

Not a fan of virginia's used to like lane's oriental cavendish,this was strong all around, my wife smelled the first wiff and that was from inside our garage outside of the house!The blend reminded me of a reasonable escudo loved the rum casing!

Some of the reviewers find this a bland tasting tobacco, while others praise this one for its full and rich taste. I have had both experiences and think I can tell you why. Normally (with the other McClellands Virginias) I smoke more or less straight out of the tin. When the tobacco seems a bit moist I dry it for max half an hour. Doing so with NC I found it a nice but rather bland tobacco. Then I got on car holiday for a week, and found it uncomfortable to take the 100 gr McClellands tin with me . I put 50 gr in a empty smaller tin of another brand, Rum Flake (Gawith). I didn't finish this thin in the holiday week and forgot about this tin and its leftover content(20 gr approx.). After 2 months I discovered this almost empty tin again and decided to smoke the leftover, which had turned incredible dry (seems that the tobacco dries much faster in traditional tins than in the Mc tins, with plastic lid). I was rewarded by an incredible tasty full-flavored tobacco. So the trick is (and some other reviewers pointed this already also out): this tobacco should be consumed very very dry, just take it to the point that it is as hard as stone. Then sip very slowly, and you will be rewarded......