Why does Mcclellands smell like ketchup?

[jchaplick]

I know its a casing, but why do they do that, its such a put off to me, I hate ketchup

 

[jchaplick]

Its just the tin note, not the actually smoke, im smoking tudor castle right now, the smoke is fine, but the tin is ketchup

 

[schmitzbitz]

From what I understand, vinegar is used as a mold-inhibitor by McClellands, giving *some of* their blends that characteristic ketchup aroma. To my olfactory senses, it just means I'm in for some quality tobacco.

 

[rd02sir]

It's your genes. If Brussels sprouts and snow peas taste very bitter your genes are different than others. Makes certain veggies taste very bitter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylthiocarbamide

 

[mikewi]

Maybe that's true. I've never smelled anything like ketchup or pickles. Some of my favorites are from them, so I guess that's a good thing.

 

[brewshooter]

I don't smell ketchup, but I definitely get the vinegar.

 

[iowamike]

I don't get ketchup of vinegar?

 

[fred]

For years, some Pipe smokers have commented on the tin note of "ketchup", "vinegar", "barbecue sauce",etc from McClelland's Virginia blends. What that is comes from aging Virginia leaf that has not been stoved, or flue cured in cakes. It doesn't affect the flavor of the blends when they are smoked. If you take the blend out of the tin and allow it to dry a bit, this odor goes away. Some don't notice it while others simply cannot abide by it.

 

[judcole]

Thanks for the clarification, Fred. I enjoy McClelland's tobaccos, and never had any reason to think they are cased or topped.

 

[tanless1]

i smell it,yet some of my favorites,,,,,and i like the smell,too

 

[hauntedmyst]

i'm with you chaplick, I can't stand the smell of some of their blends. I tried one virginia of theirs that stank so bad, I couldn't enjoy the smoke.

 

[ontario]

Only ever bought bulk and no ketchup smell.

 

[pstlpkr]

To me a ketchup smell says: No Way Jose'.

I can't stand the smell of ketchup.

I like it occasionally on fries or in a BBQ sauce... but not in my tobacco.

::

 

[jchaplick]

Id stay away from Mcclellands virginias, although i do have to say, i just went against my nose and smoked a bowl (Tudor Castle) and it honestly wasnt bad at all, and the ketchup smell didnt translate into the smoke

 

[judcole]

the ketchup smell didnt translate into the smoke

For years, some Pipe smokers have commented on the tin note of "ketchup", "vinegar", "barbecue sauce",etc from McClelland's Virginia blends. What that is comes from aging Virginia leaf that has not been stoved, or flue cured in cakes. It doesn't affect the flavor of the blends when they are smoked. If you take the blend out of the tin and allow it to dry a bit, this odor goes away.

As Fred pointed out, it is not a topping or a casing, but simply the results of the aging process. If you don't smoke their blends, you are missing some truly fine Virginias.

 

[fred]

Some smoke these blends and enjoy them without concerns. With others, this can take a bit of getting used to, while some will never abide by them. I will occasionally catch this same scent from a freshly opened tin of other blenders tobacco that has been allowed to age. This is another area of individual preference, like most anything you can think of in Pipe smoking, and it certainly is to your benefit to know what the choices are.

 

[zanthal]

I haven't tried McClellands ... but it makes sense, ketchup has vinegar in it.

 

[igloo]

I have a half smoked tin of Beacon that just reeks and detracts from the enjoyment of the smoke .

 

[judcole]

I have a half smoked tin of Beacon that just reeks and detracts from the enjoyment of the smoke .

So follow Fred's suggestion and take it out of the tin and let it dry out a bit. Then put it back. ::

 

[igloo]

The Beacon has spent more time in the open air than John Muir and it still reeks . I have other straight Virginia blends that are ripe in the cellar . They too put off a slight , repeat slight vineger smell as they age . I keep putting this back in the jar hoping the blend will lose its odor . Checking it every six months or so . This horrid stench does not come from aging Virginia leaf that has not been stoved, or flue cured in cakes . Although eloquent in the choice of words and phrasing is utter hogwash .This weed has been drenched in some kind of topping where someone was over zealous with a bottle of cheap apple cider vinegar . I can envision them doing a Russian sword dance over the mixing table with a open bottle in each hand . Perhaps it was just the batch I picked up . I purchased a tin of each of the MCC PCCA blends when they fisrt came out in 2009 .The others are long gone and while they did not become favorites were very good . As for the Beacon I like to open the jar and place it on a stump before I go into the woods so I can find my way back after dark or in case I get lost .