So I was reading the Lord of the Rings to my daughters last night. My 8 year-old saw the map of the Shire and wanted to look at it. I noticed that there was a little area from BagEnd on the way to Buckland called Frogmorton. Is this where McClellan derived the name of that series of blends?
(To be read in a podcaster’s calming, but inquisitive voice)
Long ago, my family traveled frequently by steam ship on the White Star Line. No, I did not lose ancestors on the Titanic, but my dad did inherit an old steamer trunk: huge piece of luggage about 5 feet high, meant to hold everything for a long sea voyage. Hand wrought steel outer shell, wooden interior architecture, lined in its entirety with silk. To keep it fresh and moth-free he keeps it fully stocked with cedar balls and blocks which has a very unique scent when paired with the naturally musky odor of the trunk.
I live in NYC, and whenever I visit my dad in Houston where I grew up, I always stop by my local tobacconist (shout out to the Briar Shoppe fans). Last holiday season when I was back, I randomly opened a drawer in the White Star trunk, and to my surprise I found a two ounce bag of McClelland Red Cake. I was overjoyed and marveled at the luck I had—I must have visited the shop a few years back, picked up a random bag of 5100 when I was in my early days of exploring straight VAs, and stashed the bag in the trunk for future visits to dad’s house!
As soon as I opened the bag to catch a whiff of the lovely McClelland aroma, I was disappointed. The strange scent of musky silk, old wood, and yes—stale, hard cedar was all I could smell. I initially thought it would go away with time but after smoking my first bowl of the stuff I couldn’t deny it. This McClelland may have been ruined.
The tobacco may have seemed alright to a casual pipe smoker, but for my palate I could taste odd and dissatisfying perfumey/floral notes that should not be present in a red VA, not to mention one of the most renowned ones. My hunch: the cedar and musk in the trunk permeated a somewhat porous plastic baggie and permeated the lovely 5100 over the span of the last 3 or so years.
I’ve since taken it back with me, jarred the stuff, left it out to dry, rehydrated it and re-jarred it. Still, when I take a handful of it and hold it to my nose, all I smell is early 1900s musk and old cedar.
If you or someone you know has any information on how to save this meager, but important bit of McClelland please let me know below.
From “This American Life,” this has been Tales of Tobacco: A Story of Love and Loss.
I have sealed tins of Dunhill Ye Olde Sign, BB1938, London Mixture, Royal Yacht, and Dark Flake. Also, have about six ounces of McClelland 5100 Red Cake in a bulk Mason jar. Having seen a couple of pipes I'd like to trade for on FB, I thought I'd ask you fine folks for some help in estimating the value of what I have, given the amount of time that has passed since these tobaccos were discontinued. Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
I have two specific questions but also propose that any old-timers regale us in this thread with tales of the early days of McClelland. I'd love to read about fond memories, amusing anecdotes, etc. First, my two questions. They're a little goofy and unimportant, but I ask them in all seriousness and really do want to know the answers:
- Why the name McClelland if the owners are the McNeils?
- Given the landlocked location of the McClelland home base, what is the deal with the logo showcasing a whale leaping out of the sea?
idk what's going on... like what assignments are graded? is attendance mandatory? there's no syllabus so im hella confused
I fully support my local B&M. I know their prices (along with most) will be higher than online but always happy to pay the extra price to support local business and for providing a lounge to smoke in during the winter. I also know supply and demand applies and I respect every retailer's right to set their prices as they choose. That being said, I had bought a 100g of 40th Anniversary last week at my B&M before it was official McClellands was closing. I stopped in on the day it was officially announced to see if they had anything left and they did, but they had jacked the price by 25% from last week. I can't help but feel conflicted; the capitalist in me completely understands, but the consumer in me is frustrated. Anyone else deal with this?
Title says it all. :(
I'm looking for a good everyday VaPer that I can hopefully buy in bulk. I love my Escudo, but it's refined, powerful, and intense. All good things, but the 2015 managed to have that sublime VaPer flavor profile while also being easygoing and somewhat rustic. Perhaps it was due to those red Virginias (I will also miss my 5100 Red Cake very much).
Any ideas?
Yesterday or day b4 I posted of who’s never smoked any Mc blends, a good amount of people actually have never had before so they say. Following users let chat a bit, you’ve been selected to sample your first Mc blend. We’ll all meet in the middle and if I have what we agree on we’ll crack it open and I will send a bowls worth to all.
u/libertyforlife u/wade550 u/roundedcolt8 u/dreemon u/goodbyelucky u/xxxrektemxxx u/-amir_ u/chaos_47
Winner winner chicken dinner
Ladies and gentleman, give it up for the lucky winners who will be smoking their first ever bowl of McClelland tobacco. We all discussed what are likes are and what we wish we could smoke of McClelland tobaccos. I have picked the tin! Click the following link to find out. Happy smoking people.
Review # 125
Blend Name: McClelland Frog Morton on the Bayou
Description on Tin: When vacationing on placid waters of the Bayou, Frog Morton prefers this rich Balkan blend, to which he adds just enough precious Louisiana Perique. Smooth and dark and calming, a relaxing Balkan Blend
Leaf: Nearly black short ribbon
Tin Aroma: Maple syrup on Ketchup, dried apples, earthy but faintly sweet, smoky
Age when smoked: About 2 years
Taste: Very sweet and sharp, very red wine vinegar. A touch of Heinz 57. Salty. Figgy. Almost chocolately. The littlest, littlest edge of pepper. Leather, oak, very light smoke. Oranges. Wood char. Creamy. Stewed fruit, as you expect from perique. Very sugary. The smoke is there but you’d think it was a ghost except I don’t smoke this in my English pipe. Grows dark, some Worcestershire sauce. A combination of char and stewed fruit, it tastes much like a Stoved Virginia. A little cocoa. The perique builds towards the end but it is more fruit than fire.
Nicotine: 2, very light
- Hot air – 1 Q, Larry’s Blend, Prince Albert
- I think I feel something – Captain Black, McClelland 5100
- Life isn’t so bad anymore – Orlik Golden Slice, Dunhill 965
- Golidlocks – Court of St. James, McClleland 2015 VaPer Flake
- Eyelid closer – Nightcap, Erinmore
- Where’d my legs go – Old Joe Krantz, Big N Burley, Haunted Bookshop
- Coma inducing – Black Irish X, Brown Bogie
Smokability: Fairly good for McClelland, you need to dry it some and expect some relights
Wife note: It is hardwood campfire with a smear of molasses
Thoughts: The Frog Morton line is often derided Fisher-Price Englishes, good for those who are for some reason terrified by the thought of Latakia. This is not even a Fisher-Price English. Often people say this is really a VaPer. It is not even that as the perique is so light. It is however a fantastic Virginia, with some classic McClelland flavors.
The only other Frog I’ve had the inimitable Cellar. That is a pretty good aromatic, but I’d much rather have the Bayou if I was forced to choose.
Similar Tobaccos: McClelland Contest Blend, McClelland 5100
What you should smoke instead: Sutliff Red Virginia Crumble Kake, Sutliff 515-RC, Orlik Golden Sliced
Summary: An English blend with excellent Virginia notes A Virginia with a whiff of Latakia and Perique
My Background: I have been regular cigar smoker about 6 years, and entered the world of pipes about 5 year
... keep reading on reddit ➡This was one of my all time favorites. Does anyone know of a similar vaper? I was really quite fond of its ketchupiness.
