Can't Smoke McClelland VA Woods

[elwoodblues]

I'm posting here as I'm still a newbie...I can't get a bowl of McClelland VA woods to stay lit. I'm literally relighting every 20 seconds. At first I thought maybe it was too damp so I dried some out for about 5 hours and it's crispy, but no easier to smoke. I've tried packing it loose and tight. Although it seems to clump at the bottom of the bowl. I've smoked other VA stuff without issues before but this one just seems tricky. I'm using a MM Cob. Plus when it is smoking, there's no flavor. Carter Hall is even more flavorful (not a dig on CH, it's my go to OTC, but I get it's a mild one). Any ideas?

 

[bosmer]

Im not a fan of Virginia Woods and had similar problems(flavor, relights). I would suggest, if you like carter hall, perhaps mix some in with the VA to give it some better burn quality.

 

[cortezattic]

Life is too full of frustrating moments, and pipe smoking shouldn't be one of them.

I say put the tobacco in a Mason jar and move on. There's lots of blends to explore.

 

[huntertrw]

I have some 20-year-old Virginia Woods, and find it to be quite good.

 

[elwoodblues]

Thanks for the help so far...I have a bowls worth drying now for overnight, probably try it in the morning. If that doesn't work I'll either let it simmer (should I mason jar it?) or try the CH mix.

 

[pipebuddy]

I have quit on all McClelland several years ago. No nicotine and no taste (apart from the vinegar used as an anti-fungus). So I simply carried on.

 

[cortezattic]

Lots of guys like mixing blends. I was never really satisfied with my experiments doing it.

Mason jars are the way to go for storage.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I love Virginia Woods, and I cannot concur with the OP. I have never had a problem lighting it or keeping it lit. It's a very nice crossover pure Virginia with a very light aromatic quality. It is all a very subtle flavor, Virginias in general are very subtle.
Virginias take some time and commitment to learn to taste and appreciate. But, if you don't deem it worthy, there are lots of other tobaccos. You might come back to it, when you have more experience. Or not. Like I said, there are plenty of other blends.

 

[cortezattic]

Touting McClelland Virginias has become something of a meme in forums. I think many of their blends are good; but given the abundance of tasty alternatives, I for one would not knowingly miss any McClelland blend, should it vanish. This probably speaks more to my impoverished sense of taste as much as anything else -- but that's just me. So put me in pipebuddy's camp.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Sorry, I'll stop touting McClelland blends. I didn't realize that it was to meme level. I guess I just see more of the anti-posts than vice versa. But, most of the great Virginias by other companies start off in McClelland's factory. Anyways, I'll just keep my touting to myself.

 

[cortezattic]

most of the great Virginias by other companies start off in McClelland's factory

You know, I suspected that. It's the reason I inserted the word "knowingly" in my second sentence, above. It's pretty easy to pull the wool over my eyes ...er, taste buds, so I do remain wary.

 

[gkr1]

Make a suicide blend out of it, gift it. No reason to smoke something that you do not enjoy.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'd be willing to pay shipping. PM me if you are going to toss it.

 

[elwoodblues]

I think I'm going to hang on to it for now and keep trying it, as I do want to like it. But I will definitely send it your way if I want to get rid of it.
Do you guys dry it out much? How tight do you pack it?

 

[huntertrw]

Do you guys dry it out much? How tight do you pack it?

In my experience, the dryer the better. As for the tightness of pack, I've always used the rule of thumb that a properly packed pipe should draw just like a good cigar.