McClelland No. 27

Well, I cannot speak to the "effervesant (sic) of the open tin" either. Not a clue what that translates to.

I've never encountered the tin-described "shag-cut cake" before, but I like it. It's a millimeter thick broken flake that instantly rubs out to, yes, shag. Don't pack tightly. It lights readily and is easily kept lit even when moderately moist.

It is certainly the most sourly pungent of any McClelland blend I've ever sniffed in the tin. It carries forth into the smoke. Presumably the top dressing is added to neutralize alkaline smoke, but geez! Perique normally serves this purpose; this blend has none. The result is a unique sweet/sour taste that I rather enjoyed. Once dried of the topping half way through the bowl, the taste goes away with little remaining. At that point it is vaguely ashy and bland. As such, I'd compare this blend to a cheap aromatic.

Many finer Virgina blends are available. Keep looking.

The tin note is the familiar aroma typical of this brand, vinegary, sweet and spicy. Most of the tobacco appears very dark, almost black, with some lighter streaks. Sugar crystals can also be seen. Although tin is quite old, it maintains a good degree of humidity. Despite that, I immediately charged the pipe and the tobacco lit up easily and stayed lit with no more lights than average. If the smoke is hasty, it generates humidity if the precaution of drying it a little before has not been taken. With a medium cadence it does not bite the tongue, but it is advisable not to rush it too much, also so that the flavor is not lost. It is fresh, smooth but tasty, sweet, somewhat toasted, sometimes spicy, and also salty.

Excellent tobacco, once again a great job from McClelland.

Red Virginias are my favorite, so that’s one important point to make. The other is that this tin, the second No. 27 I have gone through, is 16 years old (my first tin was ten years old). After two tins, I thought it was time to add my own two cents.

After that whoosh from opening a well-aged tin, I was greeted by reddish-orange broken flakes, a strong fruity aroma, and surprisingly little of that McClelland vinegary-ketchup odor.

The flakes rub out easily, and a light pack is how I prefer smoking this tobacco. This is a noticeably sweet, creamy blend, meant to be smoked ever-so-slowly (or it’ll bite you). Wonderful room note, light nic hit, no noticeable casing at all—just pure, sweet, well-aged red Virginias. Similar to Aurora or 1776. A fine all day smoke.

Personal preference, obviously, but blends like this are the reason I enjoy pipe smoking so very much.

Lots of good and accurate info already. Sharp and sweet, I like the flakes more than the usual McC presentation - they seem 1/2 as thick as usual.

Delicious. Tangy and sweet. All high notes though. I like it a lot.

This is the third of the McClelland Mature Virginias that I have tried, and it is the one I have enjoyed the most so far. The tin aroma was not as ketchupy as Nos. 22 and 25, but it was still present enough. I have to say this particular smell does nothing for me. It did not carry over into the smoke, however.

The broken flakes were very nice in quality, and they rubbed out perfectly. The moisture content of this year-old tin was just right. In flavor, this one was a bit stronger than the others, but in a good way. There was a deep, almost bold flavor to the smoke which lasted to the bottom of the bowl. Interestingly, this blend seemed to come alive in a briar billiard, while being more subdued in a cob. The room note, while not as offensive as MV No. 25, was still too much for others. While I would smoke it again, I wouldn't go out of my way to acquire another tin.

(1.75oz tin smoked over 20 days in December.)

UPDATE 7-31-15

I just finished up another 100g tin of this and must say, it is just another fantastic Virginia from McClelland. The sweetness of this blend is just spot on. It is very similar to my tastes to Blackwoods Flake and several other McClelland Virginias, but it is a great tasting and performing Virginia nonetheless. I have another tin that I plan on aging, but I did not notice a whole lot of difference from the last tin I smoked which had about 6 years of age on it. That is a good sign I think.

I am not changing my star rating on this one as I think three stars is good and there isn't enough setting it apart from other McC Vas to push into the "you have got to try this" category for a fourth star. If you like MCC vas, you will like this.

ORIGINAL REVIEW 12-11-12

Just finisehed a 100g tin of this from 2006. The taste was incredible, but the only thing holding me back from a four star rating is that their are just too many others I choose to grab before this. This can only be for one reason and that comes down to nicotine content.

If you find the nicotine in this adequate for your needs then this would indeed be a four star blend.

McC #27… I'll just bypass the tin aroma, as it's been described 7 ways to Sunday already. I have found McClelland (and C/D for that matter) Virginias to be among the finest available. Of course I may prefer one of their blends over another, but that's just my taste preference, not a quality issue.

Yet another Virginia blend, this one smooth and easy smoking, with a typical American taste signature, meaning no anise/licorice taste, just tobacco. As I like my tobacco a bit dryer than most, so I put a bowl full out for a few minutes under my desk lamp, which is all it took. A bit dryer now, I packed the bowl a with light tamp, lit up, and my test was under way. One word came to mind in the first few full puffs “gentle” gentle and tasty with some sweetness to be more precise. As the tin indicates, “an all day smoke”, if this is what they were trying to create, this stuff is a masterpiece, you could not ask for more. Completely bite free, gentle and never developed any harshness, sounds like an all day smoke to me, and a dang good one. Top quality Virginia tobacco, with a user friendly manner, what's not to like. This tin won't last long at my house, most is gone already. If this describes what you are looking for, look no future, for that person, 4 stars. My personal rating 4/5 due to its mildness.

06/10/04

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McClelland #27 is one of the great Virginia flakes out there. It's a broken flake of light and dark brown Virginias. The tin aroma is, of course, the vinegar aroma that you will either love or hate. This is a pure VA tobacco with no topping or casing. The flakes come a little moist for me so I air the tin until it's to my liking.

A slow and steady draw will yield a sweet natural VA flavor, but if you puff too hard, you'll burn your tongue due to the high sugar content of the leaf. It doesn't have as much of the "citrusy" tang as say 2010, 2015, or #22, but the flavor is more rounded and sweeter, typical of a red Virginia. In fact, it's the sweetest natural tobacco that I smoke. While not terribly complex, the flavor is excellent all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

It also ages well. The tin I'm currently enjoying is 2 years old and I have many more tins in the cellar. Moreover, you have to try DGT with this blend; it will knock your socks off.

McClelland #27 is most similar to Wessex Brigade, in my opinion. They are both sweet and tasty VAs that taste as good or better (yes, definitely better) at the bottom of the bowl, as they do when you first light them.

08/30/09 Recently opened a tin from 2001 (8 year aged) and let it air for about a month. The broken flakes have darkened compared to the 2 year-old tin in my earlier review. The taste is full and rich, with excellent high notes. Boy, what a treat for a McClelland Virginia lover like me. A spectacular smoke in every way. I have quite a few more tins from 2001. I'll open another in a few years and gloat, I mean report back.

Yet another McClelland blend that greets you with a vinegar aroma upon tin opening. Nicely prepared reddish to brownish flakes are partially rubbed out and I smoked them as received. Easy to light and keep lit. However, contrary to the tin claims, this is not an all day or indoor smoke for me. Although I had much better success with large bowled pipes, @ the pace that I sometimes smoke @ work, by the end of the day, my tongue was scorched. I've experienced similar results with other red VA flakes. You must smoke them slowly to allow the natural sweetness to develop and save your tongue. McClelland blends in general are not my wife's favorite aromas and #27 is near the bottom of her list. Within McClelland's portfolio, I'd pick Blackwoods or bulk 2015 flakes far before this blend.