I'm really bad at reviewing tobaccos, because my sense of taste is weak. I know if I like it, or if I don't, but I can't pretend to tell you about all the subtle nuances of flavor. But I do know that I love straight Virginia tobacco.
McClelland 5100 you say? I always thought "it's just a bulk blend, it can't possibly compare with the tinned blends I prefer." And I thought "it's ready-rubbed. All of the best Virginias are flakes, or even plugs." So while I have FVF, WBCDF, Dunhill Flake, Christmas Cheer, McCranies, etc. in my cellar in decent quantities, I just never got around to trying McClelland 5100.
So I finally ordered 8 ounces. It's cheap compared to tins, so what have I got to lose? My reaction?
WOW!!!!! Why in the world didn't I try this long ago? It's got that rich tangy sweetness of great red Virginia tobacco. It's ready-rubbed, so packing was a breeze. Mine came to me at a perfect moisture level. It lit easy enough, and I think I relit once in the hour it took me to smoke my first bowl. Nice thick smoke, which matched what I will call a dense flavor, rather than an airy one (if that makes sense to anyone but me).
Was it the best red virginia I've had? Nope. But it was good. A solid 3 stars, maybe even 3.5 stars. But based on the cost, it's a spectacular value. Buy it by the pound and the price is currently $3.12 an ounce. And that's one of the best tobaccos you'll get for $3.12 an ounce.
I didn't get any tongue bite, but I'm pretty decent at smoking slow. With red virginias you're always taking a risk with your tongue. Straight Virginias also don't provide big nicotine kicks, so you'll miss that if that's what you're after.
So if you've gone through all the tins of virginias out there and you've never ordered a couple ounces of 5100, you owe it to yourself to add some to your next order.
McClelland 5100 you say? I always thought "it's just a bulk blend, it can't possibly compare with the tinned blends I prefer." And I thought "it's ready-rubbed. All of the best Virginias are flakes, or even plugs." So while I have FVF, WBCDF, Dunhill Flake, Christmas Cheer, McCranies, etc. in my cellar in decent quantities, I just never got around to trying McClelland 5100.
So I finally ordered 8 ounces. It's cheap compared to tins, so what have I got to lose? My reaction?
WOW!!!!! Why in the world didn't I try this long ago? It's got that rich tangy sweetness of great red Virginia tobacco. It's ready-rubbed, so packing was a breeze. Mine came to me at a perfect moisture level. It lit easy enough, and I think I relit once in the hour it took me to smoke my first bowl. Nice thick smoke, which matched what I will call a dense flavor, rather than an airy one (if that makes sense to anyone but me).
Was it the best red virginia I've had? Nope. But it was good. A solid 3 stars, maybe even 3.5 stars. But based on the cost, it's a spectacular value. Buy it by the pound and the price is currently $3.12 an ounce. And that's one of the best tobaccos you'll get for $3.12 an ounce.
I didn't get any tongue bite, but I'm pretty decent at smoking slow. With red virginias you're always taking a risk with your tongue. Straight Virginias also don't provide big nicotine kicks, so you'll miss that if that's what you're after.
So if you've gone through all the tins of virginias out there and you've never ordered a couple ounces of 5100, you owe it to yourself to add some to your next order.