McClelland No. 25
(3.09)
A balanced mixture of our smoothest and most refined red and black aged Virginia cake tobaccos in a fully rubbed form. Ideal after dinner when a rich, satisfying flavor is most desired.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Matured Virginias |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.09 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 17 of 17 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 03, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This has been reviewed excellently already, so I'll only add a few extra thoughts:
I love the roughly even mixture of red (some orange/red?) and black VAs. It gives a nice balance between the high and low "notes" that's just right, and makes for a better smoke than a red or dark, stoved VA by itself.
Having it fully rubbed makes for convenient packing, which is nice on occasions when I'm feeling lazy or pressed for time, but it doesn't have the flexibility of a flake.
I prefer this mixture dryer than most other blends I smoke. Not crunchy, mind you, but close. I seem to get a dryer and sweeter smoke that way, which stays lit easier, and less chance of tongue bite.
If treated with the respect it deserves (i.e., smoked slowly, like all virginias), I find this to be non-fatiguing, for a VA blend - meaning I can smoke several bowls in a row, and not have to worry about whether I'm going to be able to taste my food the next day.
While I won't claim this is my favorite VA blend, it's really quite good and I'd encourage anyone who likes VAs to try a tin.
I love the roughly even mixture of red (some orange/red?) and black VAs. It gives a nice balance between the high and low "notes" that's just right, and makes for a better smoke than a red or dark, stoved VA by itself.
Having it fully rubbed makes for convenient packing, which is nice on occasions when I'm feeling lazy or pressed for time, but it doesn't have the flexibility of a flake.
I prefer this mixture dryer than most other blends I smoke. Not crunchy, mind you, but close. I seem to get a dryer and sweeter smoke that way, which stays lit easier, and less chance of tongue bite.
If treated with the respect it deserves (i.e., smoked slowly, like all virginias), I find this to be non-fatiguing, for a VA blend - meaning I can smoke several bowls in a row, and not have to worry about whether I'm going to be able to taste my food the next day.
While I won't claim this is my favorite VA blend, it's really quite good and I'd encourage anyone who likes VAs to try a tin.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 26, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Noorm's review says just about all there is to say about this blend, so I will simply add a couple of remarks.
This is a tobacco to relax and be comfortable with, pleasing in an unassuming way. Not a nicotine powerhouse, nor a stunning taste sensation. Smoking it is a little like relaxing before a warm fire on a cold winter's night in the company of a faithful dog.
People who enjoy Rattray's Dark Fragrant may well enjoy this blend.
This is a tobacco to relax and be comfortable with, pleasing in an unassuming way. Not a nicotine powerhouse, nor a stunning taste sensation. Smoking it is a little like relaxing before a warm fire on a cold winter's night in the company of a faithful dog.
People who enjoy Rattray's Dark Fragrant may well enjoy this blend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I've smoked a few bowls of this now, and there really aren't any complexities to it, so I guess I'll review it. I can't think of anything new to say about it that I haven't said already about other tobaccos in the Matured Virginia series, except for one thing: it would be a good place for someone to start who has never tried these blends. It has "McVinegar," but not too strongly. It's a "McVirginia," but, unlike their usual broken flake, which has to be dried and rubbed out, you can pretty much pack this one right out of the tin. You will get more nuances from Blackwoods Flake, for example, or a purer single-malt type Virginia experience from a well-aged tin of Christmas Cheer, but #25 is a nice combo of red and black Virginias of high quality perfectly cut for immediate packing. Instant gratification. Puff this Virginia as lightly or as heavily as you like-you will get no bite, or stinging sinuses. The best way for me to put it, though it is somewhat of a cliche, is that this blend is user friendly. I would be as likely to buy this as any other McClelland Matured Virginia, especially if it had more years on it than my 2006 tin. Sure, I enjoy the more hands on experience, as it were, of their usual broken flakes, but this is a tobacco that, as long as you like this style, would never let you down. Good smoke for the French inhale, or nose blowing. I'm just noticing that, as I reach the bottom of this bowl as I type this review. There are no major taste changes at the bottom of the bowl either. This does not have to be a bad thing.
11-7-2022 It's been a while since I smoked this, and I sure do wish I had some more, and even though I don't have another bowl to smoke, and it's highly unlikely that I will ever see it again, I'm upgrading to four stars. Not sure why I gave it three in the first place, and at this point, would give McClelland's worst blend four stars just out of respect.
11-7-2022 It's been a while since I smoked this, and I sure do wish I had some more, and even though I don't have another bowl to smoke, and it's highly unlikely that I will ever see it again, I'm upgrading to four stars. Not sure why I gave it three in the first place, and at this point, would give McClelland's worst blend four stars just out of respect.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 01, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Glad I got this blend, im a big Virginia smoker so this is right up my alley. The tin note is pretty nasty but when its lit it smells pretty nice. Taste is great and sweet just like a good VA should be. The only down side is that it could bite if not smoked slow, it did bite me alittle. Otherwise great blend i loved it. If your a Virginia smoker go for it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 19, 2008 | Medium | Medium to Strong | Medium | Tolerable |
This is a very tasty, if somewhat montonous smoke. Actually, I adore it blended with a few things- one of my favorite concoctions is to blend this with GLP's Falcon and even a little 965. then it's downright delicious and more balanced, like honey roasted-smoked peanuts or something.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2024 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
My tin, when opened, was only about 1/4 of the way full. Not sure if this was a 'rip-off' from the seller or if the tobacco had shrunk with age. The smell from the tin is quite sweet and pungent with a hint of tang. It looked almost like dust and shag dark brown and black.
Loads and lights easy, but is a bit testy to keep lit, as sipping is the best to get all the flavor from this tobacco.
The smoke is soft and light and has a nice tobacco flavor that is slightly woody with lots of sweet and, as someone already mentioned, toasted marshmellow. It's a nice blend and am sad that I won't have the ability to purchase more or stock up on it.
Loads and lights easy, but is a bit testy to keep lit, as sipping is the best to get all the flavor from this tobacco.
The smoke is soft and light and has a nice tobacco flavor that is slightly woody with lots of sweet and, as someone already mentioned, toasted marshmellow. It's a nice blend and am sad that I won't have the ability to purchase more or stock up on it.
PurchasedFrom:
Another piper selling his McClelland stash after the demise of McC.
Age When Smoked:
From 2015
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 28, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
October-2003. Virginia No 25. Almost look's like tea leave's,making it very easy to light.Has a nice mild Virginia sweetness to it without a bite.Very easy to smoke & not troublesome in anyway.Different in many positive way's,compared to the usual run of the mill Virginia's.Suttle,but definitely not to weak to be enjoyed.Smoke's nice & clean all the way. If your looking for a Virginia that's not complicated & won't bite your tongue off,but with a very nice taste.Then this is most likely it!
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