McClelland No. 24

The odor from this can is a bit different than that of No. 22; I would define it as being from a RED vinegar. (See my comments on VA No. 22 as to this odor in general.) It comes in medium-sized, reddish flakes with veins of lighter color running through them. Somewhat on the moist side, they rub out easily into strands that pack well. This tobacco burns similarly to VA No. 22 - lights easily when rubbed out, but needs an above average number of relights. As with No. 22, I generally smoke this in my large Savinelli estate billiard; going back to a partially finished bowl later on doesn't seem to hurt the flavor. While SLIGHTLY less tongue-biting than No. 22, this blend still required a very slow and careful smoker, with some time on his or her hands. The first third of the bowl is sweet, but slightly richer and more complex than VA No. 22. Getting into the second third, the taste becomes even richer, but with a bit less sweetness. Again, as with No. 22, the most flavorful part of the bowl is in the last third. The tendency to bite and smoke wet at the bottom is still there; I would recommend drying the tin for a couple weeks or so. Overall, I enjoy this more than VA No. 22: it has a bit less bite and a slightly richer, more mature flavor. The only Virginia I'd reach for before this would be McClelland's Dark Star.