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				 Col. & Rev. - Review McClelland Beacon Extra 
 
			
			McClelland Beacon Extra0.0  -  2.0 = poor/inferior quality
 2.1  -  2.9 = fair
 3.0  -  3.5 = good
 3.5  -  4.5 = excellent
 4.6  -  5.0 = superior
 
 1)  Aesthetics:  McClelland does broken flake like nobody else, and this is a great example of densely packed, dark brown, broken flakes. Very good looking tobacco.
 
 Score for aesthetics:4.9
 
 2)  Pre-light Construction:  Well, even if you didn’t have your eyes open, you knew this was a McClelland product, the tin note gives it away as such, that particular scent that declares this a McC Virginia. This is a rich VA with Perique, at least to my nose.  Firm broken flakes.
 
 Score for Pre-light construction: 4.8
 
 3)  Post-light Construction/How it smoked:  To me, McC broken flakes come a little moist, so I rubbed some out and let it sit out for about an hour and a half before packing a pipe. A couple matches and a few tamps to get a nice charred, and then even light going.
 
 Score for post-light construction: 4.4
 
 4)  Flavor and strength:  Very tasty blend. The first thing that hits you is a prune-ish, light spice from the Perique. The Perique seems to be in the forefront (I like that), but the Virginias in this play a prominent role, filling the spice with rich sweetness. This is sweeter than my go to blend, G&H Louisiana Flake, which is richer and the sweetness more muted. It carries a potent nic hit for those who succumb to such things, so be careful – I personally like it. Hints of cocoa and cinnamon shine through. I like the complexity as it is not at all one-dimensional.
 
 Score for flavor and strength: 4.7
 
 5)  Aftertaste/Finish:  This finishes nicely, not as heavy as the flavors would seem to indicate, the Perique seems to linger the longest, but sweetly.
 
 Score for finish: 4.5
 
 6)  Aroma:  Rich, sweet, tobacco and slight spice.
 
 Score for aroma: 4.7
 
 
 7)  General Comments  A friend, ColKurtz gave me a sample of this to try. I think I can at least get another three bowls out of that sample.
 
 Overall score for the tobacco: 4.666667
 
 8)  Recommendation:  A pox on ColKurtz for giving me a sample of this, now I have to buy some for myself, doggonit! Thank you very much.
 
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				Todd__   "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"
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