Who's tried McClelland Blackwoods Flake?

[Cool Breeze]

I'm about to place a small order of a few tins that I've read good things about but haven't tried.
I'm definitely going to try some Escudo and a couple of others.

What do you guys think of Blackwoods Flake? The description sounds great but you know how that goes.
I looked at tobaccoreviews.com and it goes from stellar reviews to one star reviews. There doesn't seem to be many average reviews. People either seem to love it or hate it.

What say you guys? If you've smoked both, how would you compare it to Full Virginia Flake (one of my favorites)?

[Tobias Lutz]

This guy!



But I've never smoked Full Virginia flake (that I can remember well enough for a comparison at least)

I like Blackwoods. I have some tins stored up from the years my kiddies hatched.

[Trroutman22]

I have. It is a good smoke for sure. I like 5100 and Dark Star better. I would say it fits into the straight VA category quite well but keep in mind the ketchup.

[Cool Breeze]

I have some 5100 and I do like it a lot. Very nice, straight VA flavors.

How would you compare the sweetness of BW flake to 5100?

I'm always looking for naturally sweet tobacco. I love sweet, but usually do not care for artificially sweet.

[Trroutman22]

5100 is sweeter and Blackwoods has a hint of spice iirc.

[Cool Breeze]

Good to know.
Thank you for the replies guys.

[mooster]

I have. It is a good smoke for sure. I like 5100 and Dark Star better. I would say it fits into the straight VA category quite well but keep in mind the ketchup.

Same here.

[NeverBend]

Good to know.
Thank you for the replies guys.

Hi Paul,

My friend suggested that I try some McClellands (I haven't liked the few that I've tried over the past 10-15 years) because I'd complained about the quality of Virginia leaf available to pipe tobacco manufacturers these days. He said that McClelland still sources American Virginia leaf. I recently ordered 50 gram tins of Blackwood and Tawny Flakes and an ounce of #2010 bulk. The Tawny is terrible but the Blackwood and especially the #2010 are very good.

I got a ketchup note in the tins but less in the bulk, yet I taste it more in the bulk but it's an integrated part of the flavor. High sugar content so take it slow (all three). I re-ordered Blackwood (7 oz) and #2010 (pound).

Blackwood is a little heavier and though sweet, it's not as bright or sweet as #2010. I find the #2010 to be more complex and nuanced if a little lighter but it has a lot of flavor and it will be a staple for me going forward.

Whether the 'ketchup' is added or a result of the tobaccos used (or a combination), it's part of the flavor and well expressed in Blackwood and #2010. Blackwood has more syrup and direct sweetness than Full Virginia Flake but has less body, nuance and smokes with a bit more heat. The Gawiths, Sam and Hoggarth are more expert at processing their leaf but McClelland is, based on these two flakes, sourcing better Virginia.

#2010 is close to Virginia of it's type and style going back many years. Ain't a sexy name but it's a sexy smoke. Blackwood's a good tobacco too.

[Cool Breeze]

I appreciate it Pete.

2010 will go on the list too.

[El Whedo]

I recently ordered 50 gram tins of Blackwood and Tawny Flakes ... The Tawny is terrible.

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Maybe you just don't like toasted flakes?