McClelland # 5110 Dark English Full

[DesertDan]

Well, I missed out on the "McClelland Era" of pipe tobacco being a dedicated cigar smoker during that time. On the occasions that I did have a pipe I smoked what I am relatively certain were various Lane blends from the local tobacconist.
Recently I splurged a bit for a tin of #5110 Dark English Full produced in 2012.
I don't know where this blend falls in the "McClelland Hierarchy", I'm sure others can offer enlightenment.
So, I pulled out my Neerup #3, one of my nicest pipes, a large acorn that has a V-shaped crater of a bowl (did I mention that I love English blends?) packed it and fired it up.

Do I even need to say it?

This stuff is superb, quite possibly the best English I have ever smoked.
Now, I'm sure that 13 years of aging is a significant factor, the blend is completely married and produces a singular flavor. Yes, the complexities are there if you want to suss them out, but like a great band, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and the music is fantastic!
The quality of the tobaccos is evident right from the start, rich and earthy. This blend is a delight from start to finish. which in this pipe took an hour and ten minutes.
I am going to try this in a couple of different pipes to put it through its paces before I put it away, because this can only be a special occasion blend, alas!
But I sure am looking forward to those occasions!

Cheers!

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

Sounds like a great smoke!

Very interesting that you found this in a tin. I thought it was one of their bulk offerings, so I'd say it's even more special that you were able to get it.

The bulk doesn't seem to be the type of thing people held on to. There's plenty of Christmas Cheer to be had on the secondary market and I think that's because that kind of limited release stuff feels special and finite from the start. People were more enclined to save their tins of Chrismas Cheer for rainy days and smoke up the common stuff. Ironically, plain old 5100 kicking around in a jar is a far rarer find today. And 5110 Dark English Full? That's a deep cut, man.

I recall Mike McNiel saying that McC had somewhere over 200 active SKUs by the time they closed things down. No doubt there's a lot of hidden gems out there. Glad to see you bagged one of them!

 

[DesertDan]

My apologies I misstated that, yes, it is a bulk blend, Ravenwood is selling it in 50g mylar pouches.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Well, I missed out on the "McClelland Era" of pipe tobacco being a dedicated cigar smoker during that time. On the occasions that I did have a pipe I smoked what I am relatively certain were various Lane blends from the local tobacconist.
Recently I splurged a bit for a tin of #5110 Dark English Full produced in 2012.
I don't know where this blend falls in the "McClelland Hierarchy", I'm sure others can offer enlightenment.
So, I pulled out my Neerup #3, one of my nicest pipes, a large acorn that has a V-shaped crater of a bowl (did I mention that I love English blends?) packed it and fired it up.

Do I even need to say it?

This stuff is superb, quite possibly the best English I have ever smoked.
Now, I'm sure that 13 years of aging is a significant factor, the blend is completely married and produces a singular flavor. Yes, the complexities are there if you want to suss them out, but like a great band, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and the music is fantastic!
The quality of the tobaccos is evident right from the start, rich and earthy. This blend is a delight from start to finish. which in this pipe took an hour and ten minutes.
I am going to try this in a couple of different pipes to put it through its paces before I put it away, because this can only be a special occasion blend, alas!
But I sure am looking forward to those occasions!

Cheers!

It's bulk Frog Morton.

 

[quantumboy]

Well, I missed out on the "McClelland Era" of pipe tobacco being a dedicated cigar smoker during that time. On the occasions that I did have a pipe I smoked what I am relatively certain were various Lane blends from the local tobacconist.
Recently I splurged a bit for a tin of #5110 Dark English Full produced in 2012.
I don't know where this blend falls in the "McClelland Hierarchy", I'm sure others can offer enlightenment.
So, I pulled out my Neerup #3, one of my nicest pipes, a large acorn that has a V-shaped crater of a bowl (did I mention that I love English blends?) packed it and fired it up.

Do I even need to say it?

This stuff is superb, quite possibly the best English I have ever smoked.
Now, I'm sure that 13 years of aging is a significant factor, the blend is completely married and produces a singular flavor. Yes, the complexities are there if you want to suss them out, but like a great band, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and the music is fantastic!
The quality of the tobaccos is evident right from the start, rich and earthy. This blend is a delight from start to finish. which in this pipe took an hour and ten minutes.
I am going to try this in a couple of different pipes to put it through its paces before I put it away, because this can only be a special occasion blend, alas!
But I sure am looking forward to those occasions!

Cheers!

I agree with every word. I still have the equivalent of about five tins left (in bulk) and it's always a great pleasure.

 

[khiddy]

It's bulk Frog Morton.

FM doesn't have orientals (discounting Latakia, which is an oriental, but distinct, obviously), whereas the 5110 RDE does.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

FM doesn't have orientals (discounting Latakia, which is an oriental, but distinct, obviously), whereas the 5110 RDE does.

Sorry the implication there was that "it's (a) bulk Frog Morton (variant)".

But having smoked them side by side, they look, smell, and smoke very similarly.

 

[Sig]

Sounds like a great smoke!

Very interesting that you found this in a tin. I thought it was one of their bulk offerings, so I'd say it's even more special that you were able to get it.

The bulk doesn't seem to be the type of thing people held on to. There's plenty of Christmas Cheer to be had on the secondary market and I think that's because that kind of limited release stuff feels special and finite from the start. People were more enclined to save their tins of Chrismas Cheer for rainy days and smoke up the common stuff. Ironically, plain old 5100 kicking around in a jar is a far rarer find today. And 5110 Dark English Full? That's a deep cut, man.

I recall Mike McNiel saying that McC had somewhere over 200 active SKUs by the time they closed things down. No doubt there's a lot of hidden gems out there. Glad to see you bagged one of them!

I'm one of those ninnys that jarred up 30+ pounds of McClelland bulk. Unfortunately I packed it all in 16oz jars, so when I pop one, it's a bunch of tobacco. Mostly 5100 and 2015 from 2008-2012 at this point. I'm not even sure what I have. My cellar is deep, but not wide....in the sense that if I want to get to the jars in the back, EVERYTHING has to be taken out. I'm so brilliant.

 

[Sig]

That 5110 is a great.
I believe it was their most stout Latakia blend.
I agree it should be for special occasions.
Great find.

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

I'm one of those ninnys that jarred up 30+ pounds of McClelland bulk. Unfortunately I packed it all in 16oz jars, so when I pop one, it's a bunch of tobacco. Mostly 5100 and 2015 from 2008-2012 at this point. I'm not even sure what I have. My cellar is deep, but not wide....in the sense that if I want to get to the jars in the back, EVERYTHING has to be taken out. I'm so brilliant.

Lemme know if you need any help smoking through it all when you pop one of those 16 ouncers, bruv

 

[Sobrbiker]

Lemme know if you need any help smoking through it all when you pop one of those 16 ouncers, bruv

I’d be willing to lend a helping hand as well.

 

[khiddy]

I’d be willing to lend a helping hand as well.

Count me in, too! Heck, I’d be happy to trade for a taste!