McClelland Purchase Advice

[mityahicks]

Hello all. I entered the Pipe hobby close to when McClelland shut their doors and did not get a chance to try everything I wanted to.

I have a few favorites already but would like help on what to prioritize. My favorites have been:

1. Blackwoods Flake
2. Christmas Cheer
3. 2015
4. Darkstar
5. 5100

I've tried the different froggy blends and I like them, but prefer other English/Balkan/Oriental varieties that are readily available.

I was not as into 40th anniversary either.

Which Va/Vaper options should I prioritize?

 

[hawky454]

I’d recommend Red & Black and one that kind of went under the radar was Brindle Flake.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Hello all. I entered the Pipe hobby close to when McClelland shut their doors and did not get a chance to try everything I wanted to.

I have a few favorites already but would like help on what to prioritize. My favorites have been:

1. Blackwoods Flake
2. Christmas Cheer
3. 2015
4. Darkstar
5. 5100

I've tried the different froggy blends and I like them, but prefer other English/Balkan/Oriental varieties that are readily available.

I was not as into 40th anniversary either.

Which Va/Vaper options should I prioritize?

? ?

- - -

Jokes aside...

I'm sure you'll be bombarded with tin recommendations but let me suggest a few bulk alternatives:

No.2020 "Mature Cake"
No.2015 "Va/Per Flake"
No.2045 "Oriental Mixture"
No.5115 "Old World Cake"

Honestly though, with all the trouble it'll be to get some of these blends (and even more so with the bulks I suppose) I'd gotta say unless you *love* the way McC treat Virginias (and you did mention not being head-over-heels for the 40th) you're better off looking elsewhere.

Unicorn-wise, Esoterica does English/Balkan blends better IMO.

And personally for Va/Pers, I'd recommend Hearth&Home's premium blends (Signature Series, Marquee Series, etc) which are all very comparable and ages beautifully.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

? ?

- - -

Jokes aside...

I'm sure you'll be bombarded with tin recommendations but let me suggest a few bulk alternatives:

No.2020 "Mature Cake"
No.2015 "Va/Per Flake"
No.2045 "Oriental Mixture"
No.5115 "Old World Cake"

Honestly though, with all the trouble it'll be to get some of these blends (and even more so with the bulks I suppose) I'd gotta say unless you *love* the way McC treat Virginias (and you did mention not being head-over-heels for the 40th) you're better off looking elsewhere.

Unicorn-wise, Esoterica does English/Balkan blends better IMO.

And personally for Va/Pers, I'd recommend Hearth&Home's premium blends (Signature Series, Marquee Series, etc) which are all very comparable and ages beautifully.

Oops definitely misread your post, my mistake: I thought you meant the McClelland tins were "readily available" ?

 

[cigrmaster]

I recommend buying blends that are superior to MC. The only MC I stock is Butera Royal Vintage : Dark Stoved it is smiliaar to Dark Star and made from Lemon Virginia's. if you want to chase some hard to finds there are a few on this list, others are available most of the time.
Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake
Astleys no 44 Dark Flake
Solani 660 Silver Flake
Solani 633
Peter Heinrichs Curly Block
Dan Tobacco Salty Dogs
Fribourg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug
Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky- ages incredibly well.
Peterson Navy Rolls
Capstan Blue Flake
Wessex Gold SLice
John Aylesbury Luxury Flake( now called Classic Flake)
Wessex Brown Virginia Flake
Mac Baren Old Dark Fired

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Unless you have money to burn, look at other blends that for the most part, are as good or better.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Though I have amassed a lifetime supply of McClelland, they were purchased at retail prices. Too many good blends left available to spend a fortune on a couple of unicorn tins.

 

[sablebrush52]

Assuming that money is no object, I suggest the following:
Stave Aged Virginia 35 Ribbon
St. James Woods
Sophisticate
Tudor Castle
2010
Virginia Woods
Red and Black
5105
27, 25, and 22
McCranie's Red Ribbon and Red Flake

The Christmas Cheers vary from year to year, as they were all single crop blends.

No one else makes Virginias like McClelland. That doesn't mean that other Virginias aren't as good or even better, they're just different.

 

[mityahicks]

Thanks for the suggestions. It is not as if money is no object. I am a moderate smoker and am willing to pay more for this fine McClelland product of which I'm partial to.

I have most the suggestions of @cigrmaster . I like many of those, but prefer my McClelland.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Thanks for the suggestions. It is not as if money is no object. I am a moderate smoker and am willing to pay more for this fine McClelland product of which I'm partial to.

I have most the suggestions of @cigrmaster . I like many of those, but prefer my McClelland.

Then the list provided by Sable is a good one.

 

[tfdickson]

There are some great suggestions above but I would add Beacon Extra to the list. It’s by far my favorite VaPer that they produced.

 

[rmpeeps]

I’d recommend Red & Black and one that kind of went under the radar was Brindle Flake.

“Possibly”, and yes it’s in quotes, but some decently aged #25 in every bit as good as later R&B.

 

[mikethompson]

Why not go after blends you can get now? No sense developing a taste for unicorn blood.

 

[mityahicks]

Why not go after blends you can get now? No sense developing a taste for unicorn blood.

I'm still going after available blends too. If something up my alley becomes available, I'd like to move on it.

I don't mind if I can get more of it, and the enjoyment I get smoking these McClelland blends makes them worth the premium to me. I have no desire to own pounds of any one tobacco.