McClelland Virginia Woods

[OldCode]

McClelland Virginia Woods

I’ve lit up a bowl of this twice: It burns fine and taste like tobacco…but not going to be a keeper. I just didn’t seem to get much taste from it. I didn’t feel like I was smoking a Virginia blend either. It has an ok “woody” room note but the “taste” just wasn’t there. Very flat. Could have been to dry? To wet? The ineptitude of the smoker… I don’t want to spend time ripping on it incase someone really enjoys it.
If you like it, then smoke it! But it’s not for me.
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]

[DSturg369]

Never tried it, but now not sure if I want to.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by OldCode

McClelland Virginia Woods

I’ve lit up a bowl of this twice: It burns fine and taste like tobacco…but not going to be a keeper. I just didn’t seem to get much taste from it. I didn’t feel like I was smoking a Virginia blend either. It has an ok “woody” room note but the “taste” just wasn’t there. Very flat. Could have been to dry? To wet? The ineptitude of the smoker… I don’t want to spend time ripping on it incase someone really enjoys it.
If you like it, then smoke it! But it’s not for me.

I have several pounds of this stuff cellared, I love it. If you have opened a new tin, be sure to let it sit (closed back up) for a week. That gets rid of the ketchupy smell. My stock is 2+ years old so the moisture is about right, but don't be afraid to dry it a bit if you find it gurgly. Look at the date code on the bottom of the tin (## ## ## = PRODUCT BATCH YEAR).

VA Woods loves the Frank packing method, the cut is perfect for it. A thick walled pipe will probably smoke cooler, this is a VA blend and it can burn hot if you push it. I find it has a delicate sweetness and a definitive woodsy VA taste.

[EnyafanJT]

i actually prefer va woods fresh. if it ages too much you tend to lose the topping that makes it so enjoyable (for me anyways). i have smoked tins from 98, 97 and 95 the past year and i think the new tins are better smoked young.

[RJpuffs]

I just had a couple of bowls today so I could write a "fresh" perspective on it

Lemony tang with muted sweetness. Sharp almost to the point of being spicy (no, there ain't no perique in this one). Medium bodied, not too strong and not too wimpy - I like it in a larger bowl so I can get a full load of satisfaction out of it. It is a tasty morsel!

It does have to be packed on the tighter side, if not Frank'ed. Too loose will burn too hot. DGT tames some of the sharpness, but its a matter of individual taste.

[OldCode]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Lemony tang with muted sweetness. Sharp almost to the point of being spicy (no, there ain't no perique in this one.

Hmm... I didn't get any Virginia tang or spicy. I thought it was odd. Sounds like I may need to try a different sample from a fresh tin someday down the road. Mine may have been past it's prime and sat in it's little ziplock to long.