McClelland Virginia Woods

I don't like this blend as I do all of the other McClelland VA's that I have gotten to know. It has the usual McClelland Catsup tin note- the ribbons are beautiful, easy to pack, and keep lit, and though the first third of the bowl is enjoyable enough I did find that this blend gives off too much moisture for me. In fact- and MUCH to my surprise- the bottom of the bowl of my pipe was wet???? I'm not a wet smoker, and I do not over heat my pipes; what causes this? Could it be a casing or a topping laid with a heavy hand?

This came as a surprise to me as this blend is the only blend by McClelland that I have had such an experience- and it wasn't from just one bowl, I smoked several different bowls of this blend in several different pipes.

There are many of my counterparts that would disagree with my recommendation for this blend, I hope they excuse me, however it is not for me- but try it and see what it does for you.

If you are an Aromatic fan, add one star. Not one I liked much. Good topping flavor, just a bit too much. Quite similar to Mellow Mack and that type. Not what I expected from something with the word Virginia in the title. Will smoke some more when the summer heat subsides.

Seductive, this. A friend passed a tin over to me which had been coagulating for six years or better, a gift of rare proportions. Tin aroma is muted but still retains the tendrills of well prepared virginias. Initial flavor is VERY subtle, you will not taste any of the nuances if you've smoked an English prior to. Around bowl three, likely due to palate and pipe adjustments, revelations slink in. Now the true depth and mysteriously velvet-like flavors begin to show up. I found that this smoke did not lend itself well to enthused puffing, as it will bite but of greater import, the dynamics disappear when coerced instead of beseeched. I am not a patient man by virtue and have left many mild and subtle tabaks in my wake, abandoned in the quest for more forceful experiences, hence my suprise at enjoying this offering, it being exceptionally mild and deviously subtle. Those who crave an experience when smoking, one requiring total devotion to briar and technique would do well to have a go here.

Like the Mc C Aromatics in appearance (same ribbon cut and colors), but without the sticky casing. There is some typical Cavendish sweetness in the nice alternance of sour and candy sweet (in a monodimensional way). Sometimes a bit boring and not on a par with the best virginias from this brand, but good.

June 2004. Virginia Woods. I have just opened an aged tin of V/Woods and I feel compelled to say the ageing process is remarable.Very little ketchup smell at all with this aged tin. What a diiference age makes to this tobacco,not a sign of a bite,very smooth and absolutely delicious. I'm far more impressed now,than even in my first review.Thumbs-up. 8 out of 10.

This is obviously a quality tobacco. Considerable drying time is required and there is very little bite. Although I enjoy a number of the McClelland virginias, there's something about this one that I just can't get my head around. It tastes like 5100 (I like 5100), it tastes like Dark Star (I like Dark Star), but somehow the combination of the 2 just doesn't work for me. The sweetness of the blend is too distracting for me. Still it's a quality product and worth a try....tastes being subjective.

Virginia Woods is one of the nicest tobacco's I have tried.It light's easily & behave's very well. Plenty of Virginia flavour in varying degree's,& strength.But 'never' overpowering at all. The virginia's are mixed well,offering a good all round taste, that stop's it from being dull & boring,that make's for a very pleasant change. The flavour's were consistant right to the bottom of the bowl.I didn't detect any tongue bite at all,even when I puffed a little faster.I could smoke this very easily all day.Very Pleasant! *Highly recomend* Four & half star's out of Five,in it's class.

Tin aroma is light and slightly sweet, and flavor is much the same when lit. Smoke it slowly and there's plenty of that light Virginia sweetness. Try to hurry it and it'll scald your tounge. Overall, a nice mild smoke.

I was lucky enough to have a pipe smoking friend that provided a small sample of this for me to try. Bag note is spicy, and sweet fine ribbon cut. My sample was quite aged and just a bit on the dry side. Initial light brings mild spiciness a bit tart citrus and slightly sweet from the tobacco. Very nice as you smoke through the bowl. Some of the Initial spiciness subsides a bit and the VA becomes the prominent flavor but the citrus and the spice is still there just not the main flavor. If there is a topping it is extremely light. I am thinking as my sample was a bit dry and aged so that the topping is perhaps a bit less noticeable. At the 1/2 point of the bowl I started to get just a hint of vanilla or caramel . Wonderful blend. Nic hit is very mild. No bite whatsoever. Easley an all day smoke. Light puffing will allow you to enjoy this one better. Goodbye McClelland even though our meeting was brief it was nice knowing you.