McClelland Virginia Woods
(3.00)
Formulated for a smooth, rich flavor with an incomparable woodsy aroma. Blended from finest matured red cake, stoved black Virginia, wide-cut bright Virginia and other premium tobaccos. Virginia Woods offers one of the ultimate experiences in fragrant matured Virginia blend smoking.
Notes: Community note: There is some debate about whether this blend is an aromatic or Virginia (straight or otherwise) offering. There is definitely a noticeable top-note, and the blender admits such. Most reviewers find the fragrance and taste obvious, so classification as an aromatic may make sense.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Craftsbury Series |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | Other / Misc |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.00 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 51 - 60 of 82 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2019 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Somewhere in my cellaring frenzy when McClelland was broadly available, I managed to put up a tin of this that managed to age nearly five years before I popped it. It was all but forgotten until I seen someone singing its praises on a forum to which I replied that I also enjoyed the blend.
I popped onto TR, where I review every tobacco that I have smoked enough to form an opinion. It was then that I discovered I was talking out my ass, and in fact, had never tried this. Needing to remedy the same I popped my sole tin immediately.
I was indeed talking out my ass, as this struck me as kind of ordinary and boring for a McClelland VA. This puts to rest a weird feeling I have been having lately when I smoke McClelland blends. It seems the last few that I have had as repeat smokes have tasted better to me than the first time around. I was starting to theorize that the fact that the tobacco was no longer made and heavily sought after was, in fact, influencing my tastebuds.
I can say that I will not miss this one. It is a rather eclectic Virginia as it contains many different varieties of the leaf, but still manages to be boring to my tastes. It does have the same McClelland aroma as all of the other MC Vas. "ketchuppy"; this does lift as you work your way to half bowl.
I guess the description let the cat out of the bag on a topping, but I did not notice one. I will take their word for it. The blend is just kind of boring, and with the different varieties of Virginia, it still manages to maintain a rather monochromatic taste, that is rather dull. YMMV It is also pretty weak in the Nic strength category, which is something I come to expect with MC blends in general, but usually the taste makes up for this weakness; not with this one.
If you seen this tin at a B&M at the price it sold for when it was available, I would recommend buying this, but in no way, would I recommend paying Christmas Cheer prices for this. You will be disappointed.
I popped onto TR, where I review every tobacco that I have smoked enough to form an opinion. It was then that I discovered I was talking out my ass, and in fact, had never tried this. Needing to remedy the same I popped my sole tin immediately.
I was indeed talking out my ass, as this struck me as kind of ordinary and boring for a McClelland VA. This puts to rest a weird feeling I have been having lately when I smoke McClelland blends. It seems the last few that I have had as repeat smokes have tasted better to me than the first time around. I was starting to theorize that the fact that the tobacco was no longer made and heavily sought after was, in fact, influencing my tastebuds.
I can say that I will not miss this one. It is a rather eclectic Virginia as it contains many different varieties of the leaf, but still manages to be boring to my tastes. It does have the same McClelland aroma as all of the other MC Vas. "ketchuppy"; this does lift as you work your way to half bowl.
I guess the description let the cat out of the bag on a topping, but I did not notice one. I will take their word for it. The blend is just kind of boring, and with the different varieties of Virginia, it still manages to maintain a rather monochromatic taste, that is rather dull. YMMV It is also pretty weak in the Nic strength category, which is something I come to expect with MC blends in general, but usually the taste makes up for this weakness; not with this one.
If you seen this tin at a B&M at the price it sold for when it was available, I would recommend buying this, but in no way, would I recommend paying Christmas Cheer prices for this. You will be disappointed.
Age When Smoked:
4 yrs 10 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2019 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a very nice blend (shock of shocks, a great VA from McClelland). The topping on this evident from the tin note: classic McC VA and a wisp of vanilla/whiskey. This one is quite different than other McC VA's and it is the melange if the topping and the superior VA leaf used. In a word creamy is how I would describe this blend, not something you expect from a straight VA. The earthy and rich sweetness of the VA leaf and the subtle topping create a creamy flavor and mouth feel I have never experienced in a smoke. There are bready, toasty and flavors along with sweetness, hints of grass and hay. No real citrus here but. The layers of flavor come across as Virginia but also a transcendence to another plane of VA flavor. I will make the analogy that this blends use of topping is like adding a splash of cream to a nice cup of coffee. Highly recommended if you ever can come across it.
Pipe Used:
Briar's, meerschaum, clay's and cob's
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 09, 2012 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Wonderful and pleasant tobacco. Very light body in the mouth but full of flavor in the nose! Fruity, lightly sweet, lightly barbeque, lightly vinegar/sweet&sour. Suprisingly complex for such a mild blend. Behaves perfect. If you enjoy Orlik Golden or red virginia dominated blends, you will almost certainly like this. If you like latakia or stoved tobacco in your virginia blends, you will like this. If you only enjoy perique heavy virginia blends, this will probably not be your favorite. If you can't stand McClelland's standard 'topping', then you will not enjoy this. Fantastic recommendation as a first tobacco as well!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Tin marked 07. The preservative smell is light and the tobacco is quite moist upon opening. Another variation on matured Virginia tobacco ribbon cut. A very good winter smoke, burns well from the newly opened tin. I will dry the tin for a few weeks to see how this works out.
Update After some drying, this tobacco delivers a nice flavor that is malty with some fig finishing. It is one smooth smoke that is not overly sweet. As for the woodsy aroma, I might be confusing it for the malty taste, of course I am a Latakia smoker as well so that would play tricks on my taste buds.
Virginia lover
Update After some drying, this tobacco delivers a nice flavor that is malty with some fig finishing. It is one smooth smoke that is not overly sweet. As for the woodsy aroma, I might be confusing it for the malty taste, of course I am a Latakia smoker as well so that would play tricks on my taste buds.
Virginia lover
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 08, 2011 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This is a nice smoke. I could see me buying more of it for the winter. I kind of taste the ketchup steak sauce taste lightly in the first half of the bowl. only get the slightest woods aroma every once in while. i have changed this from 3 to 4 stars. i have grown to really appreciate virginia woods
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 02, 2011 | Very Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The tin I will rate is dated 06 on the bottom and it had turned almost brown from the smoke in my local tobaccnist's shop. I had tried Virginia Woods back in the late 1990's and was not to impressed, so I thought I would revisit the blend and see if my taste buds had changed.
Opening the tin I did not smell the McClelland humidfier scent that some refer to as a Kethcup smell. I have smelled it in many other McClelland blends, but not this one. The smell is of mown hay and mellowing slightly fermented Virginia leaf.
Lighting the blend was easy but it took a while to really get the taste going. After I let it settle down, the nice billowy smoke tasted of sweet murky Virginia and the nico was quite stimulating. Take it easy with this, don't rush it. This blend is delicious but I don't get the "woodys" aroma that is suppose to be there. Well done McClelland.
Opening the tin I did not smell the McClelland humidfier scent that some refer to as a Kethcup smell. I have smelled it in many other McClelland blends, but not this one. The smell is of mown hay and mellowing slightly fermented Virginia leaf.
Lighting the blend was easy but it took a while to really get the taste going. After I let it settle down, the nice billowy smoke tasted of sweet murky Virginia and the nico was quite stimulating. Take it easy with this, don't rush it. This blend is delicious but I don't get the "woodys" aroma that is suppose to be there. Well done McClelland.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 24, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This is my first straight virgina, and I'm still not too sure about it. When I opened the tin I got the tomato sauce smell, and could taste it a little in the first few puffs. The strength of the tobacco builds the more I smoke it, the last bit is the best. I would describe this tobacco as high frequency, none of the earthy flavours here, just sweet and sharp. This could easily burn your toungue if you're not careful.
I'm not sure if its this tobacco, or virginias in general, but although its good quality, this one is not for me.
I'm not sure if its this tobacco, or virginias in general, but although its good quality, this one is not for me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 21, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Virginia woods … Yet another fantastic Va. Smoke from McClelland, the likes of which few others seem to be able to match. No anise, harshness or soap here, just smooth, satisfying slightly sweet Virginias. One of my all time favorites. Four stars for sure.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 08, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This is one of my favorites. When you open the tin, there is a very nice spicey type scent. Packing is easy, the tobacco was a bit damp out of the tin and it seems like it wouldn't stay lit but oddly enough it does. Tamping takes it to the bottom nicely, but for me it usually takes a one time stir to finish the rest. The room note lingers, and does indeed remind me of the some forgotten woods somewhere. It has a sweetness on the tongue and the tobacco taste is in the medium range compared to my stronger blends. I didn't get any tongue bite from the pipe and I puff in a fairly quick pace since I like a large amount of smoke wafting about. I could literally smoke Virginia Woods all day.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 14, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Opening the tin took me back to younger days as a child around Thanksgiving or Christams time when homemade Minced meat pies were comming out of the oven. A tad bit of sweet & spicey and the tang of currant raisins , fruit and all those wonderful things they put in that pie came out of this tin and into my nose without McClelland intetntion to do so.
As you can imagine that Minced meat is a very complex old fashioned pie so this smoke may seem complex but its not. Its sweet and mildly acidic (when compared to the acid of #27) at the same time and the two blend very well together to become one. Then theirs this nice mellow smokey quality to it that wraps this well bodied toby up nicely.
Its definately worth trying to see if its for you.
As you can imagine that Minced meat is a very complex old fashioned pie so this smoke may seem complex but its not. Its sweet and mildly acidic (when compared to the acid of #27) at the same time and the two blend very well together to become one. Then theirs this nice mellow smokey quality to it that wraps this well bodied toby up nicely.
Its definately worth trying to see if its for you.
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