McCranie's Red Ribbon, vintage 1983
(3.60)
This beautifully aged red Virginia is brimming with the rich mellow flavor only nature can provide. It is a special allotment of a 1983 crop North Carolina leaf that we have secured for our discriminating pipe smokers. Available in flake or fully rubbed.
Details
| Brand | McCranie's |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | 50 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
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.60 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 41 - 47 of 47 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I have discovered nirvana. If I could only smoke one tobacco for the rest of my life, this would be it.
I can honestly say that this is the tin that moved me away from aromatics to straight Virginias (and a particular fondness for reds). And I haven’t looked back since. In fact, I found the natural sweetness and complexity of this blend far surpassed that of any aromatic I smoked.
After 19 years, the dark, sugary flakes made for a sweet creamy smoke unlike any other Virginia blend I have tried. The tin aroma of fruity, raisins and figs, the dark (due to 20 years of aging) easily packed ribbons, and the consistent mild smoke were simply fantastic.
Packs easily, mild nic hit, wonderful room note. This one is a masterpiece.
I can honestly say that this is the tin that moved me away from aromatics to straight Virginias (and a particular fondness for reds). And I haven’t looked back since. In fact, I found the natural sweetness and complexity of this blend far surpassed that of any aromatic I smoked.
After 19 years, the dark, sugary flakes made for a sweet creamy smoke unlike any other Virginia blend I have tried. The tin aroma of fruity, raisins and figs, the dark (due to 20 years of aging) easily packed ribbons, and the consistent mild smoke were simply fantastic.
Packs easily, mild nic hit, wonderful room note. This one is a masterpiece.
Pipe Used:
Satou bent apple
Age When Smoked:
19 years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 08, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This one seems to be pure red virginia mostly, my tin was sealed in 0499, it was a little moist for me, but the aromas coming out of the tin was delicious, it easy to pack and easy to light, the flavor is a mixture of sugar and sometimes molasses with a little bit of a spice in a nutmeg kinda way. In the nicotine department is very mild for my taste, this tobacco falls in the single note category but a very good one indeed. If you happen to stumble on a tin at a moderate price treat yourself if you are a virginia smoker.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 27, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
I buy at least 5 tin's of this stuff every time they come out with a new crop.very smooth paks well lites well on first try.smells great.the perfect VA smoke in a sea of wanna be's.the perfect smoke for people who smoke aromatics who want to try a a non aromatic tobacco.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 04, 2008 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
Ladies and Gentlemen. This is the day I am gonna get my ass kicked. The reason I am saying this is because I do not think this blend deserves 4 stars.
Please allow me the opportunity to explain before I am turned into Lamb Cake for that wonderful blend from Australasia.
When I read reviews looking for a great tasting blend, I specifically look for Virginia or Virginia Perique blends that can make my toes curl with delight and bring me to tears until my pipe gurgles from the enourmous amount of moisure generated by my emotional state. Think Reiner LGF, Old Gowrie.
I think I was expecting too much or I got a mediocre tin at best but I found this blend lacking in the taste department. It was very flat and almost tasteless. I really smoke lots of a blend and will never review until I smoked at least 3/4 of a tin.
The packing and burn are spot and I cannot fault it for anything it does wrong, it just lacks in the taste department.
Namaste Pipepundit, Howdy Pipestud, Groete Loosewatches and greetings to all the many many reviewers that make this site so great.
Mo, South Africa
Please allow me the opportunity to explain before I am turned into Lamb Cake for that wonderful blend from Australasia.
When I read reviews looking for a great tasting blend, I specifically look for Virginia or Virginia Perique blends that can make my toes curl with delight and bring me to tears until my pipe gurgles from the enourmous amount of moisure generated by my emotional state. Think Reiner LGF, Old Gowrie.
I think I was expecting too much or I got a mediocre tin at best but I found this blend lacking in the taste department. It was very flat and almost tasteless. I really smoke lots of a blend and will never review until I smoked at least 3/4 of a tin.
The packing and burn are spot and I cannot fault it for anything it does wrong, it just lacks in the taste department.
Namaste Pipepundit, Howdy Pipestud, Groete Loosewatches and greetings to all the many many reviewers that make this site so great.
Mo, South Africa
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 21, 2006 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
RR is a specific quantity-limited crop of 5100.
At first, I was really disappointed with RR 1996 after reading all the reviews here and the seeing the clear concensus elsewhere. I thought it was great quality tobacco (as is everything McCranie/McClelland) which at first made this an occasional switch-off smoke for me, but I thought it lacked the character I look for in a bowl; almost as bad as Ultra-Light cigarettes!
Upon revisiting RR and unintentionally slowing down my smoking style, the wonderful flavor of this blindsided me when I wasn't paying attention one afternoon while doing some reading. I've found McCranie's bulk "My Reserve" to be similarly enjoyable but with more depth. MR is 5100 with the addition of stoved VA.
Stock up on RR while you can.
At first, I was really disappointed with RR 1996 after reading all the reviews here and the seeing the clear concensus elsewhere. I thought it was great quality tobacco (as is everything McCranie/McClelland) which at first made this an occasional switch-off smoke for me, but I thought it lacked the character I look for in a bowl; almost as bad as Ultra-Light cigarettes!
Upon revisiting RR and unintentionally slowing down my smoking style, the wonderful flavor of this blindsided me when I wasn't paying attention one afternoon while doing some reading. I've found McCranie's bulk "My Reserve" to be similarly enjoyable but with more depth. MR is 5100 with the addition of stoved VA.
Stock up on RR while you can.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 10, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is one tobacco that was well worth stocking up on, and now that it's gone and the "new" version is out, the justification is in the can. Yes, there is tounge bite, yes it can fry you, yes it is a bit of a pain in the arse, but patience is the key. I first smoked this gift from heaven in a larger, thick walled, italian pipe and was a bit put off by the pungency and heat. However, after the second bowl, a bit tighter packing and a few days to rest my palate, I knew I needed more of this onhand. If you are a VA lover, more specifically, a "red" VA lover, I think you may have trouble beating this as one of the smoothest, spiciest, rich and clean flavours that will ever grace your pipe.
On a sad note, the "new" RR is a bit bland and only further justifies my current stockpile. While I enjoy a good Latakia and VA/P blend, when I want a straight VA, nothing is finer than this.
On a sad note, the "new" RR is a bit bland and only further justifies my current stockpile. While I enjoy a good Latakia and VA/P blend, when I want a straight VA, nothing is finer than this.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 16, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
A delicious tobacco. To state the obvious, it's a matured red virginia, ribbon cut, that smells rich and tasty at the tin and the match. This tobacco is one of the most dramatic "developers" I have smoked: the first third is toasty and citrusy, but as you work down, it's almost as though you are smoking an entirely different tobacco. The flavour deepens tremendously, turning rich, very spicy and sweet. I'm sure this will age beautifully. I can't say this makes an all-day smoke, but as an evening treat, little is finer!
target="_blank"
