Hunting Red VAs and McClelland Wannabes

[musicman]

I've tried most of the blends mentioned here, and my "go-to" red Va blend has become Watch City's Simply Red (Have yet to try Rougaroux). It's simply delicious, and is ready to go right out of the gate (no aging needed).

Old Gowrie and C and D Carolina Red are excellent as well.

I thought Sutliff 515 tasted like smoking white distilled vinegar. Hoping that some age mellows out whatever the hell they put on it. I was also not a huge fan of KBV Byronic Slices. They were like the flavor of 515 combined with the smokeability of Sam Gawith FVF. Soaking wet.

 

[alexander87]

F&T Blackjack, Rattrays Old Gowrie, C&D Carolina Red Va Flake Small Batch, Peretti 150th, WCC Simply Red to name a few. To me at least, the Sutliff Crumble Kake is like someone who took inferior tobacco and tried to make it taste like 5100 by adding a bunch of toppings and vinegar to replicate the tin note. Kind of like a Hooker wearing too much perfume to hide the smell of stale sardines.

This is good to know. I was just gifted a tin of Blackjack and Old Gowrie, both from 2013. I’ve never had either. Eager to try.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

As has been mentioned, the popularity of McClelland blends skyrocketed once they shut down and were no longer available. I've been pipe puffing for about 30 years and during that time, I usually kept a few tins of McClelland Va blends around but I can't say that I smoked them very frequently. I enjoyed their Va's, especially Christmas Cheer and Blackwoods Flake, but at least for me their Va's were not something that I could smoke all day, everyday. They were more like an occasional treat. However, I did indeed enjoy them and am sad that they are no longer part of the pipe tobacco landscape. I truly miss the holiday tradition of cracking open a tin of Christmas Cheer. IMHO, their Va's had a distinctive taste and twang, and I've found nothing that truly replicates it. It's kind of like comparing the unique twang of Cuban cigar tobacco with that of a Nicaraguan cigar. Different and unique, but not necessarily better. There are many fine Va's still out there to be had. Get out there and try a few and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Just don't try and compare everything to McClellands.

 

[doug535]

This thread reminded me that I had picked up a pound of 515 RC1 6 months or so ago. Didn't care much for it so I jarred it up with the plan of trying it every once in awhile to see how it changed. Well I dug it out lastnight only to realize I had bought and jarred it up on 12/18, time flies when you're not paying attention. The vinegar smell had subsided somewhat and it had picked up some similar earthy "tin/jar" notes as I get with McC 5100 that I didn't get back then. First bowl I get a "similar" taste to 5100 but not quite as I remember it being, so I'll have to do a side by side. Bottom line, after 19mos it has mellowed and is at least a decent smoke.

 

[pantsBoots]

Basically, I wouldn't worry too much about having missed out, but if you're curious, just buy a tin one of the popular McC Virginias on the secondary market just for educational purposes

Did just that with some old Xmas Cheer. Good stuff, for sure, but not as good as FVF, IMO.

 

[BROBS]

Did just that with some old Xmas Cheer. Good stuff, for sure, but not as good as FVF, IMO.

just a different animal IMO

 

[pantsBoots]

just a different animal IMO

Could be. The Xmas Cheer reminded me of FVF during the smoke. Different characteristics, but they both struck those dark Va notes.

 

[krizzose]

As for the McClelland vinegar smell, I'm also of the opinion that it was the result of their processing and not simply an addition of vinegar. I love their virginias, and am lucky enough to have a decent stash of various McC blends. But I've never tasted that vinegar in the smoke, whereas I have in 515RC and the Red Va Crumble Kake (though I like them both).

These aren't McClelland wannabes, as they stand on their own, nor do I think they taste like McClelland reds, but these are some damn good red virginias (IMO):
the red heavy Rattray's blends
C&D Red Virginia small batch
C&D Bijou
I also lean towards adding Watch City Simply Red, but I haven't had enough of it to be absolutely sure, but give it a try.

 

[HitchensDog]

As for the McClelland vinegar smell, I'm also of the opinion that it was the result of their processing and not simply an addition of vinegar. I love their virginias, and am lucky enough to have a decent stash of various McC blends. But I've never tasted that vinegar in the smoke, whereas I have in 515RC and the Red Va Crumble Kake (though I like them both).

These aren't McClelland wannabes, as they stand on their own, nor do I think they taste like McClelland reds, but these are some damn good red virginias (IMO):
the red heavy Rattray's blends
C&D Red Virginia small batch
C&D Bijou
I also lean towards adding Watch City Simply Red, but I haven't had enough of it to be absolutely sure, but give it a try.

I recently bought C&D Bijou just for something different from my normal VA flakes I smoke. I really like this blend.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I recently bought C&D Bijou just for something different from my normal VA flakes I smoke. I really like this blend.

Never tried it before, but I have a few tins that I plan on cellaring for a while. I’m tempted to pop one, but I guess I’m gonna be a patient boy.

 

[tfdickson]

McClelland going out of business was the best thing that ever happened to the popularity of McClelland blends

This is true. It’s not all that different than is the case for many artists- the best thing they can do for the price of their work is to die.

 

[HitchensDog]

Never tried it before, but I have a few tins that I plan on cellaring for a while. I’m tempted to pop one, but I guess I’m gonna be a patient boy.

I mostly smoke Va's, but thought I'd dip my feet into a couple of VA/OR's to mix it up, so picked up a tin of Bijou. The orientals don't over power the Va's and compliment the Va's well in this blend. I'm definitely buying more to cellar.

 

[logs]

Did just that with some old Xmas Cheer. Good stuff, for sure, but not as good as FVF, IMO.

FVF is more my cup of tea as well. McClelland had a number of blends I miss but Xmas Cheer never grabbed me.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Did just that with some old Xmas Cheer. Good stuff, for sure, but not as good as FVF, IMO.

More flavor than FVF. Both a pita to dry and smoke IMHO. Just a matter of which ones flavors you prefer. The very last release, 40th, is very good.

 

[pantsBoots]

More flavor than FVF. Both a pita to dry and smoke IMHO. Just a matter of which ones flavors you prefer. The very last release, 40th, is very good.

I've had exceptional luck with some FVF you sent me with drying it for a short period of time (got the idea from some review claiming it "arrives with the appropriate moisture"). It takes a few more relights than other Va, but not like when I first started smoking & didn't know how to pack backer. It is probably the only tobacco I can smoke while it still feels wet & still get good results.

 

[hawky454]

Kind of like a Hooker wearing too much perfume to hide the smell of stale sardines.

Oh man! ??

 

[hawky454]

McClelland going out of business was the best thing that ever happened to the popularity of McClelland blends

I kid (sort of), but really, aside from the Froggies and Christmas Cheer, McClelland was always a bit controversial for the ketchupy / vinegar thing. Back when they were readily available, most of the McClelland blends were treated as being something pretty run-of-the-mill compared to other (still) readily available blends. Basically, I wouldn't worry too much about having missed out, but if you're curious, just buy a tin one of the popular McC Virginias on the secondary market just for educational purposes

Absolutely! There were a few quiet McClelland fans but overall the hype just was not there until they closed their doors. Then, even their shittiest aromatic became a hot commodity. But people want what they can’t have. It’s just how it goes.

 

[rushx9]

I enjoy red VAs and have tried several of the 5100 "substitutes". I tried so many that when I finally got to try some 5100 I was pretty shocked. The biggest difference for me is that McC kinda tastes like it has some Prince Albert mixed in. It somehow simultaneously tastes like the finest red Va ever and a super tame OTC. Pretty weird.
I like 515rc-1 a lot for what it is, a fruity, acetic straight red. I also really enjoy Wessex Red Va, another underrated tobacco that catches flack for not being 5100. I didn't care for CRF at first, but like most red VAs, it improves drastically with age.
Imo, if you mix any of the current production tangy red va blends with a pinch of ol' Prince Al, you'll be on the same block as 5100.

 

[dcicero]

Thanks to you all for replying. I picked up Krumble Cake, rc-1, and GL Pease Embarcadero. So far I like Krumble, Embarcadero, and rc-1 in that order. Really, Krumble tastes quite a bit better to me than the others. Anyway, thanks for giving me some direction! Cheers!

 

[bent1]

Watch City Cigars "Simply Red" and "Rouxgaroux".

Simply Red is a solid blend, was surprised how good it is.