McClelland No. 24

The virginias in this blend are typical McClelland fare: sweet, grassy, with a ketchupy aroma that fades in a week or so. The drama imparts a subtle oriental flavour with floral and citrous notes, as well as a weird sweet taste that strengthens with age. Give this some time--it tastes like hot air until it gets at least a year on it.

I opened the tin of No. 24 and took a sniff. I immediately detected the scent of fine matured Virginia. For those of you not used to the scent, do not let the pungent odor deter you, it is not even similar to its smoking qualities.

I love the flakes, easy to rub out and easy to pack. I found that it took a couple more matches to get going well, but that was a minor inconvience. The first puff provided me with what I suspected: smooth, mellow VA flavor. Not tangy or sour but sweet. As I was enjoying an incredible VA experience I began to notice the Drama, which added a nice smokiness and spice to the flavor. If puffed slowly, this tobacco has no bite. The entire experience was a treat. To top it off, it has a great aroma that is friendly to the smoker and to friends.

I ve been having great luck with McClelland lately. The can says robust, I would say a nice Virginia with greater flavors. A good buy.

Virginia No.24 huh so this is why people enjoy Virginia's. No.24 was really a pleasant surprise for me for I wasn't expecting to enjoy it very much...but did...a lot. I'm thinking what made this a good experience was that No.24 was richer and fuller than I expect this type of VA to be. This will easly replace my tin of Mac Barens Virginia Flake...hands down! McCelland sure creates some yummy stuff. I will be keeping this in supply.

Goes well after a bowl of Frog Morton or On The Town,

This is a very nice tobacco. Very full bodied and flavorful tobacco without being overwhelming. This is a sit and smoke kind of tobacco a little to complex to be doing to much. If you want a real treat drink some hot chocolate with a shot of Myers's dark rum in it. The flavors of the dark rum and chocolate match the flavors of the tobacco perfectly.

"Typical" Mc initial flavor with the pleasant virginia sweetness and tang. But, there's something extra; a yes, the gentle hint smokiness from the drama. Nice! The drama intensifies gradually through the bowl but does not overpower the experience. I give it three stars only because I get an enjoyable smoke about 75% of the time. Something odd happens every now and then in that the smoke is ashy and somewhat bitter, but I think it's me (body chemistry) and not the tobacco.

Typical McClelland flake! The difference here lies in the presence of some oriental leaf, which makes the sweetness of the virginias less evident and adds some pungency. The thick flakes are difficult to fully rub out, so this is a perfect blend for smoking outside. My tin was 3 and a half years old, and the flakes were covered with sugar crystals: this may have helped in creating a very nice, complex smoke. It certainly is a flake which requires your attention and which after a while can actually grow on you. A bit bitey, though, but nothing that a seasoned Virginia smoker won't be able to handle!

This was my first experience with Drama, a Turkish tobacco which proved enjoyable. The tin aroma is pretty typical of the McClelland 'vinegar' although not as intense as others. Nicely formed chestnut colored flakes that are easy to pack without rubbing them out and result in a cool, rich smoke. Although tasty thruout, this blend is spicier, even @ a slow burn, than I prefer for an all day smoke. However, after meals or for a change, it's a mellow smoke.

The tin aroma is typical McClelland, slightly vinegary and fermented. The small flakes are mostly red with a trace of yellow leaf, and rub out easily. The flakes are slightly thicker than the offerings of S. Gawith, and so I finf them the resulting rubout to be a bit coarser. The result is a tobacco that burns slowly, and often requires a relight. The flavor is zesty with a trace of spiciness (probably the Drama), and is best at a slow burn. It burns quite cool, but if puffed agressively loses some of the flavor nuances. It lights easily, starting out with a medium intensity of flavor, develops a more pronounced richness in the middle of the bowl, and ends just a bit tingly on the palate. I find that it needs to be dried a bit before it smokes properly, this seems to be a McClelland trait. It leaves a clean, white ash.