Need Replacements for McC Flaked VA.

[tarheel1]

I dont have very much left of my McC va blends or the select reserve left. Missed out on purchasing last month before the announcement. I am looking for replacements for Dark Star, Blackwoods Flake, Saint James Woods, and Red and Black flake. The english and oriental blends i have others that I enjoy as much.

 

[jravenwood]

Look to Samuel Gawith flakes, they were McClellands equal in terms of virginias. FVF, the Four Seasons blends, Golden Glow, etc... ::

 

[tarheel1]

I dont think any of those come close to Dark star. Golden Glow was just too light in flavor I have St James flake, and it has been quite some time since I have tried Fvf.

 

[mikestanley]

Might want to look into GL Pease. Union Square. Fillmore, while too "much" for me, has a lot of Red Va.is popular.
Mike S.

 

[Waning Embers]

Best to have loved and lost. With McClelland's processes leaving with them, you're really not going to find replacements, just new blends to try.

 

[josephcross]

I really like Rattrays Hal o the Wynd. It’s not McClellands but it’s a very tasty VA blend. I’ll second Gl Pease Filmore and Temple Bar.

 

[jravenwood]

Best to have loved and lost. With McClelland's processes leaving with them, you're really not going to find replacements, just new blends to try.

This exactly, a person wont ever find a match to any McClelland, they were too good and ver high quality. CE nailed it..

 

[woodsroad]

I'm late to the table here, but I'll third the motion that there are no replacements for the McClelland blends. Not being elitist or romantic here, there are plenty of very good Virginia flakes out there, but none of them resemble McClellands.

 

[lazar]

I would explore Sutliff's offerings, considering that they were one of McC's suppliers.

 

[tarheel1]

"Best to have loved and lost" I quite understand this. I have been at this for quite some time. Been smoking a pipe since late 90s. I have loved many english blends that have gone by the way side such as Bohemian Scandal and a few others. I just should have stocked up when I had the chance. I have been trading and selling off my cellar for a while and not replenishing it.

 

[9mmpuffer]

Hal o the wynd is awesome, at least the tins I have from 2009.
You won't find a replacement to McC VAs, they are unique.