McClelland - Organically Grown Flake

[OnePyroTec]

Getting the itch to pop this tin.

http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad104/16mmDrive-InFilms/pipe%20pictures/McClelland%20-%20Organically%20Grown%20Flake_zpsn1pjb6j8.jpg (http://s926.photobucket.com/user/16mmDrive-InFilms/media/pipe%20pictures/McClelland%20-%20Organically%20Grown%20Flake_zpsn1pjb6j8.jpg.htm l)

[Tobias Lutz]

Never seen this- what's the story behind it?

[OnePyroTec]

Short lived run in 2002. It is full organic, but the FDA demanded that it not be processed with the same machinery as other tobaccos which were not organic. TOOOOO much trouble so the concept line was dropped.

[Branzig]

Good concept, with the organic craze ramping up about that time it would of been easy money. Organics is big time business, I deal with it in my line of work and the margin is insane.

If you pop that tin let us know how it smokes and what it's like!

[LandonColby]

I'm no organo-nazi but this is enticing because it's not made any more...you should definitely post your thoughts

[OnePyroTec]

Never seen this- what's the story behind it?


Good concept, with the organic craze ramping up about that time it would of been easy money. Organics is big time business, I deal with it in my line of work and the margin is insane.

If you pop that tin let us know how it smokes and what it's like!


I'm no organo-nazi but this is enticing because it's not made any more...you should definitely post your thoughts
Tobias Lutz Branzig LandonColby

Starting to scratch the itch. BUT I have been told from a couple guys who have smoked this tobacco before that it does not store well after opening the tin being it is 100% organic. They said the tin should be smoked within the first week of opening. That being said, I can't smoke the tin within a week.

I'm thinking I need to split up the tin among a few smokers. You guys up for a taste? LMK

[Branzig]

Even jarred up it doesn't last?! That would seem odd to me.

If you want to share I'm not opposed to trying a bowl or 2. For scientific reasons of course [emoji14]

[Tobias Lutz]

I'm game :) It's a little tree-huggerish for me, but I'll manage ;)

[LandonColby]

I guess I can muster the strength to fill my pipe again. I'd be honored to try some!

But hey, if you pop that tin and change your mind because it's THAT good..I won't be offended if you decide to keep it haha

[OnePyroTec]

Even jarred up it doesn't last?! That would seem odd to me.


I know, it seems strange to me too. But the guys who have had it swear it will start to grow mold in the jar. I can't smoke a tin in a week or two, I just don't smoke a pipe enough. So I never was willing to take the slim chance these guys were right, and never opened the tin.

Today, I'm opening the tin. If I was duped into believing a mountain of misinformation then lucky you. :pipe:

[OnePyroTec]

Tin was bulging a bit, then gave a nice pop. A quick sweet smell came out followed by the McClellands vinegar/ketchup smell.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/01/6871f77d64c55f28017ac09a4e31f886.jpg

[LandonColby]

Oooooh man...that picture has me smackin my lips over here. I love McClelland's Virginias

[Bruck]

That's odd about it not lasting a week. I add no preservatives to my homemade tobacco products (I wouldn't even know how) and they last for months at least (don't have anything older than a half a year) as long as they're relatively dry.

[OnePyroTec]

This is one of the replies I got a couple years ago that kept me from opening the tin. Can't find the others stating basically the same thing. True or not, I not gonna find out. Option B of sharing the tin seems better anyhow.

"I've enjoyed a couple tins and cellared a few more of C&D's brief offering of Sun Butler's (Organic Smoke Inc.) collaboration, "Organic Pipe Dreams", which was grown with certified organic practices and treated only with organic agave, prune, and vanilla extracts to act as mold inhibitors. The McClelland product appears comparable, but I can only give you my impression of what I've tasted.
First, it's an exceedingly subtle Virginia experience. The flavour is very light, very mildly sweet, and very close to smoking "raw" tobacco--i.e., unprocessed leaf--without the bitterness. If you're a fan of Virginias, have several in your rotation, and are accustomed to smoking very slowly and contemplatively, then you will surely enjoy it. You will also want to smoke through the tin within a week or two at the most; due to the absence of chemical inhibitors, it will mold. Eleven years in the tin will have aged it wonderfully, and I doubt you could make it bite if you gave it a set of false teeth--but again, to really experience the subtlety of flavour, you will want to smoke it as slowly as possible. If you're not as acclimated to Virginia smoking, keep it set aside until you feel up to the challenge, as again it will produce mold within a short time after opening. Enjoy the hell out of it, share it with a friend."

[Heath]

Tin was bulging a bit, then gave a nice pop. A quick sweet smell came out followed by the McClellands vinegar/ketchup smell.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/01/6871f77d64c55f28017ac09a4e31f886.jpg

I love that ketchup smell from the virginas.

[Smoke rings]

OnePryroTec, if you have enough to trade a couple bowls Lmk
Thanks
Chaz

[OnePyroTec]

Sorry Chaz, I quartered up the tin this morning and it all set to be mailed out. I only kept a few bowls for myself.

[Branzig]

OnePyroTec didn't realize you were sending these out so soon!

Got mine today, thanks brother! I have smoked all I am going to smoke today, but I will try to light up a bowl tomorrow and let you know what my thoughts are.

You're to generous bro!

[Branzig]

OnePyroTec

Have you smoked any yet? Would like to hear your take on this stuff.

I just smoked a decent sized bowl of it and it was very nice. What I would consider a medium Va in the more citrus realm than hay. Good sweetness and bit of spice to it. Reminds me kind of a very toned down FVF but not quite as ballzy as Best Brown.

A very decent, mild smoke. No bite at all. Thanks for sharing again brother. :pipe:

[OnePyroTec]

Yes, I smoked several bowls so far and have one left. It is OKay & very mild or medium bodied as I thought it would be. I couldn't make it bite either, and got one of the bowls pretty hot from over sipping on it.

Glad I got it when I did and wouldn't have to pay today's price what ever it would be. Glad I was able to try it and share it with ya fellers too.

I can say it is not a tin I'd pay a premium for but would smoke it again it it ever showed up at PipeStud at a "regular" price.

[Branzig]

I can say it is not a tin I'd pay a premium for but would smoke it again it it ever showed up at PipeStud at a "regular" price.

I agree with you there 100%

It isn't special enough or great enough to pay a premium for. I wish it had just a little more something to it. Would make a great all day smoke though if you were ever looking for a Va to fit that bill. Too bad the price doesn't fit that bill though :p

[OnePyroTec]

In 2002, it was $11.40 a tin retail. I may go up to $12 - $15max. :rolleyes:

[Tobias Lutz]

The first thing I noticed was a lack of crystallization on the flakes. I haven't smoked a whole lot of tobacco with 13+ years on it, but what I have experienced has generally had a bit of shiny dusting to it. It smelled absolutely wonderful- not of bright Virginias, but a more robust and richer leaf. It had a damp hay smell that was just like standing in a barn's loft. There was the faintest prune note, with moderate sweetness. It rubbed out to be a pretty fine ribbon but lacked much "spring". It lit well and the first flavors I could identify were clover and a touch of mint. This was accompanied by a sweet spiciness that was like honey with white pepper stirred in. The was a definite "zing" of sour note like a slightly unripened cherry. The ash was pretty stout and the burn stayed cool. I didn't find it to bite, but the white pepper bit tickled my nostrils a little. I sipped on it for quite a while and it never became harsh. Regardless of whatever it didn't get in order to be considered organic, I think it was pretty tasty stuff. A shame it only had such a short run. Thanks for letting me try some, Wayne!