Kyle Weiss
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2011
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It's a tale of sad love, this one.
A while back I was poring over some older tins at another local tobacco-shack here in Reno, one that doesn't particularly cater to the pipe crowd, and thus, pipe tobaccos get some natural age on them. Production years and makers have been all over the map with what I find, but I think I've bought up all the stuff I'm curious about--now just to get some more of that 2006 GL Pease stuff when I get the scratch together...
...McClelland Virginia Woods was one of them. A tin from 2007. It was $20. I know a few on here swear by the stuff, and the whole "ketchup" notion never bothered me with McClelland...but...
...we'll return to the "but" later. (...don't worry, I can hear the clowns laughing all the way over here...)
The tin, once popped, contained the most red coloration of any tobacco I've ever seen. Well, gee, there's Red Virginia in it. Red Virginia and I get along pretty well. Just the right moisture, only a slight vinegar/ketchup smell (actually, it smelled akin to a delicate white wine vinegar than anything). Your beauty entices me--no surprise there.
Virginia Woods has a great aroma on first light. The yard-mulch red color almost matches the scent exactly--it's...well, "woodsy." The tin says it, and now I say it. It isn't a pine forest, if you want to get into specifics, but more reminded me of the lower foothills of Appalachia, bringing back memories visiting family back east...it's a deciduous "woodsy." There's an extremely mild and pleasant white pepper nuance mixed in, and the mouth-feel is silky smooth. It's relatively clean. The smoke is responsive and cool, and it's quite mild and easy, even on a tender tongue.
Something went wrong. Why didn't I like Virginia Woods? It wasn't for lack of trying. All the right things were in place. Candles, Marvin Gaye on the phonograph...
...it just didn't happen. McClelland, I think you and I are almost finished with this extended honeymoon. This has been yet another time you and I have really sat down, after doing extensive research trying to figure out what blend you make is tuned for me (every blender/company has to have at least one, I presume), and I've been disappointed. You hold out when I'm needing some personal attention.
It wasn't what I did sense or taste, it's what I didn't taste. Woodsy aromas, or with other blends the straightforward Virginia hints, in other mixtures Latakia with a polished poise...the universal McClelland smooth smoke and, perfect moisture is wonderful...but...where's the love? I felt like I got a sandwich with good bread, the right mustard put on both sides, some lettuce and tomato added--but someone forgot the meat and cheese. Maybe you're concerned about my health? Generally speaking, there are certain tobaccos, those from C&D, Pease, SG, hell, even MacBaren, that I like them for what they aren't. They aren't over the top or compensating (not to say you are, baby), nor are they whittling away at want I define as "tobacco." Sure, some of them might be a little derivative of one another, but new ideas in pipe tobacco is pretty tricky when virtually all the tricks have been turned. I can forgive that, if you can forgive me for not being completely loyal. When I smoke tobacco to the point where it tastes like a neutered version (or something else entirely), I get concerned.
What finally makes me a little miffed is sitting down to a smoke and feeling like I missed out. Like playing the made-for-tv "R" rated action film with the curse words removed to protect me. Substituting "veganaise" for the real mayo on the sly, hoping I might not notice. Turning down (or up) the thermostat behind my back, installing a water saver in my shower, but still willing to buy me a cool leather chair to sit in while I smoke--but insisting it stays in the garage.
No, this relationship is strained. I've been paying attention. I've tried you old, I've tried you young. 3 Oaks Syrian is a okay once in a rare while. Dark Star is one of your "bad" sides (which is kind of invigorating in concept :heart but tests my patience for how much work it takes. That along with Frog Morton, Christmas Cheer, Navy Cavendish, perhaps even this Virginia Woods, they're really something I can suggest as smooth-smoking, mild/moderate nicotine, innocent smokes for basic palates and just-starting kind of guys. I realize that statement makes me sound like an arrogant piece of work, but let's face it--I like bold, yet simple. I like uncluttered, but a little edgy. I like to butcher my own steaks, eat hand-made pasta, and drink the beer my neighbor brewed in his garage. I like garden-grown vegetables, venison my friend took down and field-dressed himself and the only whiskey that can genuinely call itself "Scotch."
It isn't a dig on McClelland guys. There's tobaccos out there for us all, fortunately. It's troublesome for me because rather than straight-up hating it because of something identifiable, as in Lakeland-stink or perhaps a purposeful overuse of pressing, too much Perique, Latakia, Kentucky etc--I'm let down because of much of McC-stuff being neutered, somewhat cold and unresponsive. I have needs, too, you know.
I've never been the top of the bell-curve, average dude. Believe me, I've tried. I like the fringes, and not necessarily the extremes. I like my tobacco honest, even if I hate it, certainly not one that's passive-aggressive. We might be friends, perhaps a fling with yet-to-try Blackwoods Flake or your Grand Orientals when I get to them...don't call me, I'll call you...
...McClelland, there's no easy way to say this: you and I are breaking up. Don't cry, there's plenty of fishes in the sea. It's me, not you. Play Freebird if it makes you feel better. I'll even set you up with some first dates, because while you have good qualities, you deserve to be with someone.
Just not me.
A while back I was poring over some older tins at another local tobacco-shack here in Reno, one that doesn't particularly cater to the pipe crowd, and thus, pipe tobaccos get some natural age on them. Production years and makers have been all over the map with what I find, but I think I've bought up all the stuff I'm curious about--now just to get some more of that 2006 GL Pease stuff when I get the scratch together...
...McClelland Virginia Woods was one of them. A tin from 2007. It was $20. I know a few on here swear by the stuff, and the whole "ketchup" notion never bothered me with McClelland...but...
...we'll return to the "but" later. (...don't worry, I can hear the clowns laughing all the way over here...)
The tin, once popped, contained the most red coloration of any tobacco I've ever seen. Well, gee, there's Red Virginia in it. Red Virginia and I get along pretty well. Just the right moisture, only a slight vinegar/ketchup smell (actually, it smelled akin to a delicate white wine vinegar than anything). Your beauty entices me--no surprise there.
Virginia Woods has a great aroma on first light. The yard-mulch red color almost matches the scent exactly--it's...well, "woodsy." The tin says it, and now I say it. It isn't a pine forest, if you want to get into specifics, but more reminded me of the lower foothills of Appalachia, bringing back memories visiting family back east...it's a deciduous "woodsy." There's an extremely mild and pleasant white pepper nuance mixed in, and the mouth-feel is silky smooth. It's relatively clean. The smoke is responsive and cool, and it's quite mild and easy, even on a tender tongue.
Something went wrong. Why didn't I like Virginia Woods? It wasn't for lack of trying. All the right things were in place. Candles, Marvin Gaye on the phonograph...
...it just didn't happen. McClelland, I think you and I are almost finished with this extended honeymoon. This has been yet another time you and I have really sat down, after doing extensive research trying to figure out what blend you make is tuned for me (every blender/company has to have at least one, I presume), and I've been disappointed. You hold out when I'm needing some personal attention.
It wasn't what I did sense or taste, it's what I didn't taste. Woodsy aromas, or with other blends the straightforward Virginia hints, in other mixtures Latakia with a polished poise...the universal McClelland smooth smoke and, perfect moisture is wonderful...but...where's the love? I felt like I got a sandwich with good bread, the right mustard put on both sides, some lettuce and tomato added--but someone forgot the meat and cheese. Maybe you're concerned about my health? Generally speaking, there are certain tobaccos, those from C&D, Pease, SG, hell, even MacBaren, that I like them for what they aren't. They aren't over the top or compensating (not to say you are, baby), nor are they whittling away at want I define as "tobacco." Sure, some of them might be a little derivative of one another, but new ideas in pipe tobacco is pretty tricky when virtually all the tricks have been turned. I can forgive that, if you can forgive me for not being completely loyal. When I smoke tobacco to the point where it tastes like a neutered version (or something else entirely), I get concerned.
What finally makes me a little miffed is sitting down to a smoke and feeling like I missed out. Like playing the made-for-tv "R" rated action film with the curse words removed to protect me. Substituting "veganaise" for the real mayo on the sly, hoping I might not notice. Turning down (or up) the thermostat behind my back, installing a water saver in my shower, but still willing to buy me a cool leather chair to sit in while I smoke--but insisting it stays in the garage.
No, this relationship is strained. I've been paying attention. I've tried you old, I've tried you young. 3 Oaks Syrian is a okay once in a rare while. Dark Star is one of your "bad" sides (which is kind of invigorating in concept :heart but tests my patience for how much work it takes. That along with Frog Morton, Christmas Cheer, Navy Cavendish, perhaps even this Virginia Woods, they're really something I can suggest as smooth-smoking, mild/moderate nicotine, innocent smokes for basic palates and just-starting kind of guys. I realize that statement makes me sound like an arrogant piece of work, but let's face it--I like bold, yet simple. I like uncluttered, but a little edgy. I like to butcher my own steaks, eat hand-made pasta, and drink the beer my neighbor brewed in his garage. I like garden-grown vegetables, venison my friend took down and field-dressed himself and the only whiskey that can genuinely call itself "Scotch."
It isn't a dig on McClelland guys. There's tobaccos out there for us all, fortunately. It's troublesome for me because rather than straight-up hating it because of something identifiable, as in Lakeland-stink or perhaps a purposeful overuse of pressing, too much Perique, Latakia, Kentucky etc--I'm let down because of much of McC-stuff being neutered, somewhat cold and unresponsive. I have needs, too, you know.
I've never been the top of the bell-curve, average dude. Believe me, I've tried. I like the fringes, and not necessarily the extremes. I like my tobacco honest, even if I hate it, certainly not one that's passive-aggressive. We might be friends, perhaps a fling with yet-to-try Blackwoods Flake or your Grand Orientals when I get to them...don't call me, I'll call you...
...McClelland, there's no easy way to say this: you and I are breaking up. Don't cry, there's plenty of fishes in the sea. It's me, not you. Play Freebird if it makes you feel better. I'll even set you up with some first dates, because while you have good qualities, you deserve to be with someone.
Just not me.