McClelland 40th at SP.com

[Chasing Embers]

I haven't even finished my first tin of 40th, so the 20 I did buy when it first came out is likely a lifetime supply.

 

[mcitinner1]

Aye Captain. :clap:

 

[renfield]

I’m definitely a McClelland fan and have way more than a lifetime supply cellared. That being said, when they finally close their doors, hopefully far, far into the future, I’ll still feel great sadness as the pipe community will have lost something wonderful. We owe Mike and Mary a huge thanks for everything McClelland has done and how well they’ve always done it, whether you enjoy their blends or not. I’ll keep hoping for the best.

 

[cigrmaster]

I think Mary and Mike should do whatever they feel like doing and if retirement is what they want, more power to them. They have put their blood sweat and tears into their business and maybe they should enjoy some peace and quiet in their later years.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

@renfield, a well said thanks. I fully concur.
The thread about what constitutes a Scottish blend is apropos here. When Carl Ehwa founded the company, his vision was to replicate, as near as circumstances allowed, the independent Scottish blending houses of the past, which by 1977 had all been acquired by the major conglomerates. A lot of history, some tragic, has gone by in 40 years, but IMO they have remained true to that vision. Carefully selected ingredients processed with the old techniques of stoving, panning and pressure (the hallmarks of the Scottish independents between World Wars 1 and 2 when they had their peak years) have consistently marked their core products for 40 years.

 

[rhoadsie]

If the FDA axe falls, that will cut McClelland's tinned blends to almost half. They had 69 tinned blends at SPC in Jan 2007 and currently have 122 tinned blends at SPC. Coupled with the lack of a quality red virginia source and the end of syrian latakia, the number of tinned blends for market drops even lower.
I would think that would be factored into a future business plan and decisions made accordingly.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I just did a search for McClelland's #2015 VaPer and it appears to be sold out everywhere. Not being as familiar with US blends as I'd like to be, are there any other bulk VaPer flakes, McClelland or otherwise that might act as a substitute?
I'll be awfully miffed if I can no longer source #2015, it's a true classic in my view.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[sablebrush52]

Jay,
I did a little search for you on Tobaccoreviews using the following criteria:
Blend type: Va/Per

Country: United States

Cut: Flake/Broken Flake

Packaging: Bulk
Some American Va/Per bulk flakes you can check out:
4Noggins - Alamosa

McCrainie's - Southport

Park-Land Tobacconist - Red Paramour

Peretti - London Flake

Watch City Cigar - Flake #556, Hampton Roads, Old Dominican, Reindeer Droppings
I'm with you on 2015, which is why I cellared some.

 

[elvergun]

Has anyone smoked some of the fresh 2018 40th? If so, how does it compare to the one tinned in 2017? Is the quality still the same?

 

[mawnansmiff]

Many thanks for that Jesse. I have a little Peretti London Flake but never knew it was sold in bulk. As for the others, they are all new to me so off to Tobaccoreviews.com for a little research.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[gkr1]

Has anyone smoked some of the fresh 2018 40th? If so, how does it compare to the one tinned in 2017? Is the quality still the same?

I've only tried the 2017 tins. I'm assuming the 2017 will smoke better now with lil age and perhaps they are same batch of leaf. But if you offered me which one I would take I would opt for the 2017 tins. True 40th year and Awesome leaf. I guess you can compare to XmasCheer blends, they were different and some years were really good. So unless someone does actual testing is hard to know if 2018 is the same, better or not as good! And I do not know if the 40th will be part of their lineup or it will be gone once these tins are sold.

 

[sablebrush52]

Has anyone smoked some of the fresh 2018 40th? If so, how does it compare to the one tinned in 2017? Is the quality still the same?

From what I've been told, which is different from first hand knowledge, all of this is from the original batch.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Peretti London Flake was 2015 under a different name. Now gone.

 

[sablebrush52]

Sounds like a deal to me Sable! But if I don't like it, how about we make it a trade for something else you would recommend that is not an aromatic.

I can make that work. Just make sure that you give the tobacco about 30 minutes or more of drying time before packing. It should be pretty dry before you smoke it.

 

[josephcross]

2015 is some great leaf. I like the 40th but love the 2015.

 

[sablebrush52]

I stocked up on 2015 a few weeks ago. Glad I did.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I stocked up on 2015 a few weeks ago. Glad I did."
I didn't stock up on #2015. I wish I had :crying:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[drlpipe]

For what it's worth, I noticed that Mr Pipestud updated his offerings on his website this weekend, including some aged McClelland tins which isn't unusual. However in his write-ups for the blends he refers to all the McClelland blends (including the Matured Virginia and Personal Reserve series) as "no longer produced".
He either has good information, or bad information that he believes wholeheartedly. I'm inclined to believe it's the former personally. We'll see.

 

[gkr1]

Let see how long it takes to wipe out online inventory...
Panic buying in full effect!

 

[elvergun]

Let see how long it takes to wipe out online inventory...
Panic buying in full effect!

Ha. Prepare to eat crow or to start buying (whatever is left) like there is no tomorrow.