McC 5100 Red Cake

[seadogontheland]

Ahhh, the classic red cake. Another wonderful staple of McC. This is a mild, mellow, easy burning blend which has notes of sweet red wine, grassiness, hay, and roasted nuts. This one is great to store/cellar and have on hand always for a simple yet simply satisfying smoke. These flavors are not over powering, but pure in their presentation, definitely an easy smoke to enjoy in dreams lost to the hours of a relaxing day or evening.

 

[andrew]

I'm thinking this might be the leaf used for Christmas Cheer this year as it's a red Va this year. The last time it was a red Va for CC was 2008 and that was my first time trying CC, and probably my favorite one yet.

 

[derfargin]

Red Cake was the first straight VA that I found appealing mostly because it didnt bite the crap out of me when I smoked it. Kind if a straight VA with training wheels. Helped me ease into smoking and appreciating straight VAs.

 

[buroak]

A great tobacco, and my go-to for breaking in a briar. My only gripe is that it does not seem to do well in small Dublins. I have been trying to use it for breaking in one, but it generates to much moisture in the bottom of the bowl, even after being dried for 48+ hours. Carter Hall will have to take over the breaking-in task.

 

[seadogontheland]

I have not tried any of the CC yet, but would like to. I love this for its straight forward flavor with just enough strength to satisfy with one bowl but not over power with 5..lol.

 

[planetary]

There was a period of time about 11 years ago, when I was trying a lot of English and Balkan blends, that I came back to 5100 almost as a palette cleanser. 5100 is just like you say, seadog -- simple, sweet, easy. And relatively inexpensive, to boot!

 

[seadogontheland]

Oh yes...the cost can be fantastic.

 

[woodsroad]

$54/lb; $239/5#

 

[seadogontheland]

That's pretty good...I have not bought this in a while...where is it that price?

 

[woodsroad]

P&C.

McClelland prices have gone up a good bit everywhere.

 

[cobguy]

I love this stuff in bulk!
Besides being good alone, it is a superb Va to use as a blending component.
I made a small batch of 50/50 #5100 and Perique ... BAM! ::

 

[woodsroad]

1/2 Perique?

Discuss!

 

[cobguy]

I was smoking the Perique straight beforehand ... so that's a dilution, yes?
To me, once Perique gets to a really high percentage, it has a pepper/chocolate quality.
Reminds me somewhat of dark chocolate with cayenne ... yum.

 

[planetary]

Interesting. smokingpipes.com appears to have it at $47.77/lb.
4noggins is a bit more expensive than smokingpipes, but cheaper than pipesandcigars.

 

[seadogontheland]

$47 is not that bad at all.

 

[mso489]

5100 is a wonderful smoke on its own and perfect when you want a Virginia as a principle leaf in a home

mix; it goes great with burley and Cavendish, for example, or many other homemade combinations.

It's the perfect morning or all-day mix, or anytime you want a flavorful mild smoke.

 

[tppytel]

It's been some time since I've smoked 5100, but I recall it being very different than Christmas Cheer 2014. The CC was red, sure, but it was very dry (i.e. not sweet) compared to the typical McC red VA.

 

[waxmojo]

5100 is one my favorites. May be on the mild side for some but I love the flavor with a bit of tang to it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I LOVE Red Cake, let me count the ways...
And if you love Red Cake, give Top Hat a try. It's like the VaPer version.

 

[planetary]

woodsroad said:

1/2 Perique?

Discuss!

Half, say you?