McClelland Bulk: 2015 - Virginia / Perique Flake...Comments on the Blend

[thesmokindragon]

I have been smoking C&D's Bayou Morning Flake (btw; really enjoying this blend) and I noticed a few reviews stating that they liked C&D's blend and that it reminded them slightly of MC2015, but liked MC2015 better...now I LOVE MC Vs, so this is a no-brainer, but would love some comments on the MC2015 blend..
I'm a VaPer hound, so I'm sure it will hit a HOME-RUN with me...and SP.com has it for $52./16oz...SCORE!
Blend Details;
Bulk No.2015 Virginia Perique Flake

Brand: McClelland

Blender: McClelland Tobacco Company

Tin Description:This tobacco is made from rich, orange and Red Virginias to which enough St. James Perique has been added to create a refreshing smoke.

Country of Origin: US

Curing Group: Flue Cured

Contents:

Virginia

Perique

Cut: Flake

Packaging: Bulk
and some bacci porn ;-) Drooling right now...images make me wanna chew some and smoke the rest ::

 

[thesmokindragon]

Thanks for the feedback BB, much appreciated...going to add a few pnds to my next TAD order ::

 

[phred]

I've been suspecting for a while that my B&M's Va/Per blend (labled "Devonshire #2) is McClelland 2015 - it's got that distinctive ketchup smell that I've read so much about, and it's definitely a good smoke. I need to do a back-to-back 'taste test' with LBF.

 

[bobpnm]

Agreed Roth. I love 2015 and 5100!

 

[cortezattic]

I don't get the comparison between 2015 and LBF. They don't taste the same, they don't have the same cut, and they

don't even have the same ingredients. LBF is far superior, IMO. 2015 is just a mediocre example of the VaPer genre.

 

[Perique]

How does 2015 compare to LNF? Maybe a better comparison than LBF?

 

[joeahearn]

I like 2015 a lot and it is very good mixed half-and-half with 5100.

 

[phred]

I don't get the comparison between 2015 and LBF.

That's exactly why I want to do a back-to-back comparison. I'm still enough of a noob that I don't know the specific differences between blends in the same "family", as it were. I've been learning the differences between major types (Burley, Latakia, Virginia, Va/Per), but I'm only just getting to the point where the subtler distinctions might be discernible to my palate. Yes, I've tried both LBF and 2015 (and again,reasonably positive it's 2015 but I could be wrong), but they've been far enough apart in my semi-random rotation that I can't honestly compare and contrast them yet.

 

[cortezattic]

To me, 2015 is a somewhat tart and spicy red/orange Va blend with a twinge of BBQ flavor -- not like BBQ sauce, but like charred meat on a BBQ'd sparerib. In it, Perique's main contribution is to deepen the Va's "bready" flavor and add spice.
OTOH, LBF is not at all fruity, and a considerably more grassy mix of brighter VAs; and the Perique seems to mitigate the Va's piquancy, or whatever sharpness they might have had. But the point is moot: it is probably working with the black Cavendish to produce its bold dark flavor and unsweetened chocolate-like finish. Altho both LBF and 2015 contain Perique, and are forced to exist in the same genre, they aren't similar in nature or appeal.
I am not at all impressed with McClelland Va bulks. If you want great Va blends, go for their tinned blends -- mostly top notch stuff. And you can find nonpareil substitutes for any McClelland bulk if you shop around.

 

[blendtobac]

The issue with Anni Kake crumbling is two-fold- the bulk gets handled a lot more, so it will tend to fall apart moreso than the tins, but the moisture content is a real balancing act. If it's moist enough for the flavor to be at its best, it will crumble fairly easily. If the tobacco is dried out enough to stick tighter, then the flavor suffers a bit. Since flavor is always the first consideration, I'd rather it fall apart during handling. The important part is that it's in the press long enough to accomplish the goals of marrying and maturing the tobaccos. I've smoked it fully rubbed out and broken up from chunks and there's no discernable difference in flavor to me.
Russ

 

[phred]

See? We've got Cortez and Roth, both experienced pipemen, both able to discern those subtle flavors that I'm just starting to discover, and they disagree about the relative merits of LBF vs. 2015 - so I need to find out for myself which one I agree more with (and it's entirely possible I'll have a 3rd opinion when all is said and done...).
I love this hobbby. :D

 

[andrew]

I am not at all impressed with McClelland Va bulks. If you want great Va blends, go for their tinned blends -- mostly top notch stuff. And you can find nonpareil substitutes for any McClelland bulk if you shop around.

Totally, the tins are what I buy for McC's. Some of their bulk only blends though like Old world cake are amazing.

 

[cortezattic]

Ya. I know better than to make sweeping generalizations. 5115 Old World Cake has a wonderful sweet/not sugary

berry-like tartness that is hard to find elsewhere. It has, however, McC's characteristic thick cut that seems

better suited to -- perhaps intended for -- outdoor smoking. I get best results if I rub it out especially well and

DGT it for an hour or so after getting it lit. It's not a beginner's smoke though. It can burn hot if you get greedy

for the zesty/fruity flavor hit.

 

[salewis]

I smoked a lot of VaPers and I think that 2015 is a very good one. I also like, although not a VaPer McClelland's Mature Virginia #27. Just found Heart & Home's LJ Heart Virginia which is a good VaPer and a little on the sweet side.

 

[wyfbane]

My B&M guy sold me some 2015 as that is the only thing that he smokes in his Calabash. And it is now the only thing I smoke in my Calabash. Love it. Gets me high, but I love it.
I really like the Mature VA 27 and the McB HH Mat Va is quite yummy as well.

 

[cortezattic]

I reviewed HH Matured Virginia a while ago.

 

[tarak]

Hmmm.....this thread got me to throw a couple of ounces on a friend's order to give it a whirl. I can already see a pound in my future....

 

[gnatjulio]

Gotta try this stuff.

 

[sallow]

I had a few ounces of this a while ago, and while I enjoyed it at the time I have not ordered more.
As I recall the virginia component is very McClelland, which to me means thick cut, a bit sharp tasting, with a proprietary odor. I did not get a whole lot of perique flavor from this. I do enjoy their take on virginia however, just not every day.
You may have talked me into this. Two ounces for the drawer and eight ounces for the cellar, just for kicks.

 

[jah76]

the virginia component is very McClelland, which to me means thick cut, a bit sharp tasting, with a proprietary odor....I do enjoy their take on virginia however, just not every day.

Sallow you pretty much nailed how I feel about McCelland VaPers.
HOWEVER I also think they get overlooked on the Virginia's in some of their English blends (which isn't like their VaPer Virginias) and I've yet to try any straight Virginia offering from them.
I always feel like I need some Perique backbone with my Virginias.