McCranies Stirling Bridge

[SunriseBoy]

Has anyone tried SB? Is it another blend renamed? Please advise.

 

[tfdickson]

When McClelland shut down McCranie‘s was hit hard- more than most they relied on McClelland leaf for their house blends.

Stirling Bridge was introduced after McClelland closed. It’s an excellent VaPer- after buying a couple ounces to try I bought a pound. Definitely worth a shot if you like that category.

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

Most house blends are another blend renamed. Nothing wrong with it.

McCranie's uses every bulk they can find to get as close to their old McClelland house blends as possible. Mainly Sutliff and some P. Stokkebye.

The McCranies themselves are nice as can be and are probably happy to tell you what blend is actually what if you're curious.

 

[pipingfool]

I've had it and thought it was a very solid Va/Per. I put some in a jar and forgot about it for a bit and it was even better after a few months.

If you like Va/Pers, you can't go wrong with it.

 

[rmbittner]

Most house blends are another blend renamed. Nothing wrong with it.

Based on the recent PMRS interview, I would say that this doesn’t seem to be the case with McCranies. They seem to be taking meticulous care to find the highest-quality leaf they can afford to replace (as best they can) the blends lost when McClellands closed and to create new ones. The process is taking many months. They are not repackaging bulks.

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

Based on the recent PMRS interview, I would say that this doesn’t seem to be the case with McCranies. They seem to be taking meticulous care to find the highest-quality leaf they can afford to replace (as best they can) the blends lost when McClellands closed and to create new ones. The process is taking many months. They are not repackaging bulks.

That's true they tried as best they could to replicate the old McC bulks but they'll tell you some are just 1:1 bulks. Red Stag is TS1R, Bullseye is PS LBF. Again, nothing wrong with it. No point in reinventing the wheel.

 

[kcghost]

According to the younger McCranie on the PMRS they decided to find the best leaf they could find and use it to create new blends. They didn't try to make a different "Red Ribbon" because they knew they couldn't. They're using their time and modest expertise to create different blends that will suit their customers.

 

[alexnc]

This thread made me try Stirling Bridge. It’s good! Glad I did!