Customer Reviews (30 Total)
Like a phoenix rising...
October 14, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
First, let me say that this Sutliff bulk tobacco came out of nowhere for me. I honestly couldn't tell you if it has been around a long time or is something new. What I am positive of is that I hadn't heard of it until McClelland announced they were c... Read More
losing down. That news hit me hard, because there were so many McClelland blends I never even had the pleasure of trying let alone the loss of favorites. Then suddenly all the online communities seemed to be abuzz about a 5100 Red Cake match available in bulk from Sutliff. I had to try it. Sutliff's cryptically named 515 RC-1 was not only good it was one of the most flavorful naturally sweet Virginia tobaccos I've ever had. It immediately required a spot in my rotation... my taste buds demanded it! You get the basics; fine ribbon cut, matured red VA, it's simple in appearance as well as behavior...it does exactly what you expect and want it to do. That's such a rarity if you think about it. Something so pleasing and workable and yet so simple. Sutliff, you did good. So, the downside...the flavor here is so good it makes you want more of it. Unfortunately, it is what it is. Smoking more, harder or faster, wont get more flavor out of it than it has to give. And, you should be disappointed in yourself for ever thinking you could (I admit I am). And, it has to be said that the same thing that led me to find 515 led plenty of others too, making it surge in availability. If I were a greedy bastard my suggestion would be a one star review and “look away”, but I can't not share such a fantastic VA. My suggestion is buy it when you find it. If it sounds good to you, it wont disappoint. This is one where I feel the internet hype measured up. Enjoy. Read Less
Sneaky Good
August 07, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Bought it as a blender but it is too good on its' own and have chosen it as a worthy stand alone blend. Hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with this fine offering.
Red Cake fans rejoice!
June 22, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
This is hands down the closest tobacco I've tried to McClellands famed Red Cake. Sweet, tangy, mellow, delicious. It isn't quite the same thing, but it's awful close, just as good in my book. The price is also great.
A Vinegar Aromatic?
October 17, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I am amazed at all of the posts saying that this tastes like 5100. It smells and tastes like cat urine. It does not have any quality at all like 5100. It leaves my mouth, throat, and sinuses coated in bitter vinegar. Good try, but squirting vineg... Read More
ar on a tobacco does not make it even close to a McClelland. Read Less
pleasure
December 15, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
this red virginia is similar to the mcclelland red cake, tangy and mellow. non so much deep as the mcclellands one. but a good treatment. I wish me this red virginia with some samsung, that would be a choice. thanks
Very smooth
August 03, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I can't compare this to something that I have never had but I can say it is a mighty fine smoke. Smoke it nice a slow and it has a good smooth taste with a slight tangy to it.
Savory and sweet
March 18, 2021
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
This bulk matured red Virginia from Sutliff has fast become one of my staples. Smoked by itself, it’s a great, mouth-wateringly tangy change of pace between bowls of sweeter fare.
But, more often, I’ve found that this product, combined with Sutliff... Read More
’s bulk stoved Virginia, makes a Virginia blend superior to many of the more popular tinned offerings I’ve had lately.
I’m aging a BUNCH of this, which isn’t hard considering a pound costs the same as three tins of anything else. Read Less
515 RC-1
October 01, 2020
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
A great red for either smoking straight or mixing. Has a nice amount of sweet-tangy interplay.
A great Matured Red at a Great value.
January 24, 2020
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
This is a great blending tobacco and smokes great alone too.
It's different from McC 5100. Better if you ask me. Great value
Quest for the best
October 12, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I received it just today my 4oz.The positive reviews inspired me to try this leaf and by the Gods is it delicious.Right after i finish my review i will order more .The taste is like aged tobacco which made me think that will age extremely well ,moist... Read More
ure just perfect out of the tin/pouch in my case .Lits easily ,about the infamous tongue bite ?i honestly cant say anything because i cant get tongue bie from any thing (i tried hardly to experience it just to know the "enemy".Highly highly recomended. Read Less
Tangy deliciousness
May 01, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I ended up trying sutliffs red virginia crumble kake prior to trying 515. I figured since I really enjoyed the kake, maybe the bulk, ribbon cut would be similar. Having tried them both now, I would say the kake is probably just 515 with some addition... Read More
al processing, pressed into a cake and aged. They are very similar in flavor. 515 is my go-to everyday, anytime smoke. The red virigina is tangy sweet, and mellow as others have stated.
Comparing this to red cake is not really a fair comparison. They are certainly similar, but mcclelland virginias definitely have more of a ketchup smell, while the sutliff blends are more straight vinegar. I enjoy sutliff's version every bit as much as red cake, maybe even a bit more so. I feel like the vinegar (whatever it is they put on the tobacco) adds to the tangy flavor profile, and I very much enjoy it. If you don't like vinegary things, you will probably not enjoy this tobacco. If you are looking for an absolute match to red cake, this is not it. What it is, however, is a very enjoyable red virginia with some similar characteristics. It has quickly become one of my favorites (along with the red va crumble kake). I just bought a pound so I can cellar it a few years and see how it ages :) Read Less
Great leaf
February 18, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
An acquaintance gave me four ounces of this as a favour I did for him. Well, what a great pipe it makes for me. Smooth, enjoyable taste and has a fair depth also. A good all day smoke.
Highly recommended.
Flavor Bomb
January 22, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up a bag of this tobacco a few weeks back, being that I normally enjoy smoking Englishes, Balkans, and English aromatics. But I thought branching out and trying a straight matured red Virginia might be a goo... Read More
d experiment for my palate. Well, let me just say that I'm glad I did. Here in this tobacco I am tasting one of the things I loved most about all the best Englishes I know and love (including McClelland's). This is sweet,but not cloying, tangy but not sour, and full-flavored but not harsh. And for the price, I think it'll be wise for me to pick up a full pound at some point and put as much age on it as possible. I think that would be an even better experiment. Read Less
Unpleasant acidity
November 28, 2018
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
People have compared this to McClelland’s 5100, also known as red cake, because of a supposed similar profile that combines a tangy flavor with sweetness. I have only smoked this once, but the taste of artificially produced acidity overpowered all th... Read More
e flavors and subtle notes this tobacco may have. I will leave this in the cellar for a year then revisit and reevaluate. For now, I agree with Cosmic’s review above. There is something wrong with this tobacco’s acidity.
UPDATE: After four years of aging, this tobacco is still an affront to humanity. Read Less
Tangy for sure
October 18, 2021
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
This blend has is for those looking for the vinegary tang you get from Sutliff’s Cringle Flake.
Attention !!! This is POISON !!!
February 26, 2021
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Attention !!! This is POISON !!!
The hot vapor of the vinegar burns your mouth. And this is not a metaphor.
One minute of smoking is enough to never touch this muck again.
An Unfortunate Mockery of McClelland's 5100
January 14, 2021
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I had high hopes for this remake of the venerable 5100 Red Cake by McClelland but much to my dismay it bears nearly no resemblance to its archetype. This is quite evident without a back-to-back comparison to the original and even more obvious when a ... Read More
rigorous assessment is conducted. As best I can ascertain Sutliff has attempted to mimic the natural fermentation of high sugar content, flue-cured leaf by adorning inferior tobacco with a healthy dose of vinegar topping resulting in a foul, damp mess. I had hopes that age would impart an improvement to this offering but sadly this was not to be. I believe Sutliff has the means to do better and I hope they may one day try again to recreate this much revered blend with the aid of a more refined palette. Read Less
Like smelling/smoking pure vinegar. Stings the nostrils.
January 10, 2021
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
From the mix of 5 and 1 star reviews, and considering my bag literally (not figuratively) smelled like someone soaked a sponge in vinegar, cut it up and put a label on it...I assume you either get a good bag or a bad bag with this blend. I gave it a ... Read More
couple weeks with some airing out to no avail. It stings my nostrils, and this is coming from a guy who loves tangy blends with perique etc. I assume this is a hit or miss blend -- some get it good, some get it bad. Roll the dice, I guess. Read Less
Pickling time! Wait...what?
November 30, 2020
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Sour bomb! What in the Heinze pickling vinegar is going on with this blend? The reds aren't that citrusy are they??? Its like the Blender spritzed Yorktown with apple vinegar. Seriously weird and STRONG vinegar odder in the tin and pipe. When the red... Read More
s are this raw it will make your throat catch. Having said all that... I kind of like the after-taste. Not sure how to rate this? Its very unusual but like sour candy, enjoyable. Read Less
Good Replacement for 5100 Red Cake!
April 04, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
When I heard recently that Sutliff 515 RC-1 red Virginia blend was similar to McClelland's 5100 Red Cake (RIP), I had to try some.There were many McClelland blends I liked, but 5100, along with the Frog Mortons, were my favorites. I ordered 2 ounces ... Read More
of the 515. This is usually enough for me to get to know a blend. By the way, the name here seems an obvious nod to 5100 Red Cake. I mean, 515 - 1 as a reference to 51 hundred, and RC as a reference to Red Cake? Anyway, even after a few bowls of 515, I could see the similarity to 5100 Red Cake. The tobacco was at the right moisture level. The “bag note” was… well, a little grassy, maybe, but there really wasn't all that much of a scent to my nose. 515 is a mature red Virginia with a nice, gentle sweet taste. Some reviewers have noted a lemony, sour taste they didn't like. Well, I've not been getting any of that, although there is a slight tartness to it. I can also taste a little earthiness and breadiness in it. I also like the mouth feel and body of this blend. It produces a fair amount of thick smoke for a Virginia. This blend is very well-behaved. It burns well with minimal relights, and provides a pretty long smoke when packed firmly. In comparison to 5100, 515 RC-1 is perhaps a bit milder in strength and taste, but not by much. Maybe 5100 was a bit more tart. Although not an exact match (and should we really expect that anyway?), Sutliff 515 RC-1 is remarkably similar to 5100, and for me is a very acceptable substitute. Sutliff has hit a home run with this blend, I think. Recommended. Read Less
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Did not like - sour like lemon
Not 5100 But so close!
August 09, 2022
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I just bought this stuff. Bought a pound and I'm glad I did! It is acidic almost, at first. Drying it fixes that. If you have ever had Snyders Honey Mustard and onion pretzel bites, that is the sort of taste you might find here. I did. And I love it.... Read More
No,this isn't Red Cake. But I'm glad it's not. That belongs to McClelland,the same way Burley belongs to Cornell &Diehl or a solid English goes to GL Pease. But it is,in my opinion, able to scratch the same itch. In fact I'd argue it does so better than McClelland because I can enjoy it with a lot less trepidation. The looming fear of "once it's gone" does not haunt my waking dreams. Read Less
Not 5100 But so close!
August 09, 2022
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
I just bought this stuff. Bought a pound and I'm glad I did! It is acidic almost, at first. Drying it fixes that. If you have ever had Snyders Honey Mustard and onion pretzel bites, that is the sort of taste you might find here. I did. And I love it.... Read More
No,this isn't Red Cake. But I'm glad it's not. That belongs to McClelland,the same way Burley belongs to Cornell &Diehl or a solid English goes to GL Pease. But it is,in my opinion, able to scratch the same itch. In fact I'd argue it does so better than McClelland because I can enjoy it with a lot less trepidation. The looming fear of "once it's gone" does not haunt my waking dreams. Read Less
Close, good, but no cigar
January 03, 2020
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Like so many others I have bemoaned the loss of 5100. This straight Virginia ribbon does a reasonable job of filling that gap, but it's not up to the quality of 5100. The taste and flavor are just a bit off. I’m curious to see what aging will do to ... Read More
it. However, despite not being a substitute for 5100, it’s mild, fruity, and sweet with a decent room note. It's a good straight Virginia ribbon, and I would recommend it to those who like that blend of tobacco.It’s just not 5100. But nothing will ever be. Sigh. Read Less
New favorite bulk
December 24, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Just a few months in a jar does wonders. I have much fancier tinned tobaccos but I keep craving this instead. Wish it burned slower so it lasted longer. Vinegar taste comes in strong in the beginning but it burns away after a while to just sweet tang... Read More
y red va . Something this cheap has no business being this good Read Less
Good Stuff
November 28, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Just got 8 oz of this from smoking pipes and i must say it wasn't a waste of money. I does smell a little like vinegar but has a nice tangy taste and in no way does it taste like cat urine . It's well worth a try i give it a 4 out of 5 good job Sutli... Read More
ff Read Less
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Jar note of sharp vinegary, hay and tart stewed fruit. Tobacco is a ribbon cut of reddish brown and dark brown. Moisture content is ok, most pipe smokers will want to dry it out a bit. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is mild to medium an... Read More
d nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of vinegary sour, very bready, tart citrus, sugar, acidic, spices, zesty, lemon grass, dry wood, savory, rich earth, hay, floral, a semi-sweet tangy dark fruit background note, and a peppery retro. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great. Read Less
Good for blending
February 22, 2023
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Good for blending
Not sure if tangy is appropriate.
May 06, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
This blend is quite unusual. The tin note brinks on almost smelling aromatic. The very slight bite offers an odd sensation similar to the chill of menthol with a sweet undertone reminiscent of a dusty attic however not dry in the least. 10/10 would s... Read More
moke again Read Less
Danish style virginia
February 05, 2019
Product: Sutliff 515 RC-1 Bulk
Not my cup of tea. The leaf they use seems to be OK, but I did not enjoy the casing.
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