McClellands Black woods Flake

[BigCasino]

Have been smoking this stuff for a week or two now probably through half a tin, so far I have rubbed it out completely, I have kind of just roughed it up a little bit and stuff it, kind of like what I have heard called the cannon ball method, and also I have taking the flakes and just sort of broke it into chunks/cubes, all methods smoked through the same pipe a brand new Rhodesian Made By Scottie Piersels, so I know there has been no ghosting issues.
The different flavors I have gotten from the different methods I have used has amazed me

1) rubbed out the blend tends to taste sweeter, a citrusy hay like if you will, with a little bit of spice under tones this method and flavor has probably been my favorite.

2) chunk/cubed, this method is almost the reverse of the first method, I get some strong peppery spice flavors, but then a subtle sweet citrusy flavor at the end, seems like a little more punch than the 1st method, 2nd favorite

3) Rough and stuff/ cannon ball method, I found to have less flavor, but seemed to be more straight forward kind of strong almost cigarette, probably my least favorite

I am curious if anyone else has similar/different thoughts about this blend or any other in the flake style.

 

[Puff Daddy]

Add variations in dryness of the tobacco to further muddy the waters. A bit wet = thick, rich, heavy mouth feel, almost tart. Dry = cleaner, sweeter, more interplay between the light and dark tobaccos.

 

[BigCasino]

Add variations in dryness of the tobacco to further muddy the waters. A bit wet = thick, rich, heavy mouth feel, almost tart. Dry = cleaner, sweeter, more interplay between the light and dark tobaccos.

i'll have to try that, I don't usually dry anything out, I just usually take it and stuff it, maybe thats why the rubbed out version tends to be sweeter tho, the ribbon like texture may dry a bit in the bowl as it's being smoked, where as the chunky versions should stay a little more moist?

 

[monbla256]

Blackwoods Flake is IMHO one of the FINEST Va flakes available and I enjoy it best fully rubbed out and a bit dryer than it comes from the tin. I've tried it in all the iterations as you have and have settled for the fully rubbed out version for my tastes. Many Va blenders could take a lesson from this blend for sure !  ( 'course they'd have to have access to the Va leaf and ketchup that McC uses )  :twisted:  :twisted:

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I've tried it in all the iterations as you have and have settled for the fully rubbed out version for my tastes.

My preference as well. In fact I would go on to say that I really did not understand or agree even with all the hype surrounding this fantastic blend until I starting smoking it on a consistent basis prepared in this fashion.

Blackwoods Flake is with out a doubt one of my absolute favorite straight VA blends. Plus it's easy to get a hold of.   

 

[AJ]

Blackwoods Flake is IMHO one of the FINEST Va flakes available and I enjoy it best fully rubbed out and a bit dryer than it comes from the tin. I've tried it in all the iterations as you have and have settled for the fully rubbed out version for my tastes. Many Va blenders could take a lesson from this blend for sure !  ( 'course they'd have to have access to the Va leaf and ketchup that McC uses )   :twisted:  :twisted:

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^All day, every day! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: 

AJ

 

[dshpipes]

Blackwoods Flake is one of my absolute favorites. I prefer it rubbed out (but still a little flaky) with no drying time.

 

[Brewdude]

Been a while since I've had this, but remember it fondly. Think I have a tin that needs opening after reading this.

Question: does this come in bulk labelled as something else?



Cheers,

RR

 

[monbla256]

Been a while since I've had this, but remember it fondly. Think I have a tin that needs opening after reading this.

Question: does this come in bulk labelled as something else?



Cheers,

RR

Nope ! Just in tins !!   

 

[Big G]

Blackwoods Flake is IMHO one of the FINEST Va flakes available and I enjoy it best fully rubbed out and a bit dryer than it comes from the tin. I've tried it in all the iterations as you have and have settled for the fully rubbed out version for my tastes. Many Va blenders could take a lesson from this blend for sure !  ( 'course they'd have to have access to the Va leaf and ketchup that McC uses )   :twisted:  :twisted:

Absolutely agree.  Fine stuff!

 

[rothnh]

Blackwoods is also one of my favorites. Like the OP and many here, I prefer to let it sit in the opened can for a week or so and then rub it out -- I usually cube cut broken flakes, but the Blackwoods performs best rubbed out IMO.

Seems to me that all the McClelland broken flakes I've smoked improve once the can's been opened and I let some air in for a week or two.

 

[Natch]

My favorite MC Va flake as well. Last year I opened an old tin of Lavinie's Black woods flake (prior to when MC bought the rights). Thought I had died and gone to heaven! But even fresh or with a few years on a tin, it's glorious stuff.

Natch