Highest Recommended McClelland Virginia

[Sincerely]

Hey Brethren,

If I was going to buy only one (maybe three?) McClelland Virginia based blends -- which one(s) should it be?

I'm largely an English guy and have never quite fallen in love with VAs including legends like Escudo and Golden Sliced and Haddo's -- they're just "okay" to me.

But don't let that flavor your suggestions -- I truly want to know what was the best of the best of the infamous McClelland Virginias?

(Should probably go without saying I've never tried a McClelland VA based blend. I've now tried all the Frogs and 3 Oaks)

 

[sablebrush52]

Infamous?
My favorites among the McClelland Virginias were their matured red Virginias like Christmas Cheer, 40th Anniversary, and McCrainie's Red Ribbon and Red Flake. I'm also partial to 2010, 2015, which is a Va/Per, and 27.

 

[Sincerely]

Infamous?
My favorites among the McClelland Virginias were their matured red Virginias like Christmas Cheer, 40th Anniversary, and McCrainie's Red Ribbon and Red Flake. I'm also partial to 2010, 2015, which is a Va/Per, and 27.

If you had to narrow it to three?

And which one would be numero uno?

 

[magicpiper]

If you had to narrow it to three?

And which one would be numero uno?

If I had to narrow that list down to three it would be:
1. Any year of Christmas Cheer
2. Any other year of Christmas Cheer
3. 40th Anniversary ( could substitute with any year of Christmas Cheer)

 

[bluegrassbrian]

For me it’s Mature Virginia #27, 40th Anniversary, and Brindle Flake.

... but any will do.

 

[wyfbane]

Not a simple answer. It depends on supply. Simple answer is probably 40th anniversary. But if you can land a tin of '90's Christmas cheer, then you might want to do that.

 

[peregrinus]

Christmas Cheer, 40th Anniversary, and McCrainie's Red Ribbon and Red Flake. I'm also partial to 2010, 2015, which is a Va/Per, and 27.

All this^^^
However, if I were (forced) to a pick quintessential McClelland’s Virginia, it would be Christmas Cheer.

 

[alaskanpiper]

40th Anniversary is far and away my favorite.

After that, Blackwoods Flake and Christmas Cheer.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Infamous?
My favorites among the McClelland Virginias were their matured red Virginias like Christmas Cheer, 40th Anniversary, and McCrainie's Red Ribbon and Red Flake. I'm also partial to 2010, 2015, which is a Va/Per, and 27.

5100, 2020 (Oriental I guess...), 5115 are all fantastic too. The "cheap stuff" never get their shine, probably because they don't have exotic labels to stimulate the imagination.

 

[64alex]

I valued McClelland mainly for their Oriental series. So my 3 best would be:
1. 3 Oaks Syrian (For me the best last Syrian blend).
2. Drama Reserve (An excellent Oriental).
3. Tudor Castle (a Va/Per with a little bit of Oriental).

 

[rmpeeps]

Christmas Cheer 1997 is the absolute top, followed by 2000 and 2005.
For a little flip, find some #24, for a beautiful addition of some Turkish leaf.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Many of those listed are hardly representative of McClelland Virginias. Sable's List is. If you want three, any Christmas Cheer year, 40th Anniversary and McCranie's Red Ribbon. Get your wallet out, all will be quite pricy.

 

[bent1]

McCranies Red Ribbon (1983 or 1996).
McClellands Blackwoods Flake
McClellands Matured Virginia #27

In that exact order.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Highest Recommended McClelland Virginia

Yes



If you're having a hard time enjoying Virginias, you'd be wasting your money on McClelland, even when they were still at retail prices.

 

[petes03]

Blackwoods Flake, Christmas Cheer, Deep Hollow, 221b Honeydew Flake and 221b Black Shag are my favorites.

 

[sablebrush52]

If you had to narrow it to three?

And which one would be numero uno?

Three? 1996 McCrainie's Red Ribbon, 1997 Christmas Cheer, 40th Anniversary. Best? Don't be silly.

 

[logs]

Forgive me but why do you want to hunt down a McClelland Va when you've already said you don't like VAs blends? Sounds like wasted money to me.

 

[Briar Baron]

40th Anniversary and Christmas Cheer.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Strictly Virginia...
1. #27
2. Christmas Cheer (any yr really)
3. Blackwoods Flake

Now talking VaPer ...
1. St. James Woods
2. Pebblecut
3. 2015

 

[k9shag]

2008 McCranies Red Ribbon
2015 McClelland Xmas Cheer
McClellands 2015 (vaper)