I packed my mini meer with the strangely cut leaves (I've never seen bits so small) and lit her up.

I bought this because I love Sherlock Holmes, probably like everyone else, but also because of all the lackluster reviews on it.

As I sat there, slowly sipping on my pipe, the flavors of the tobacco proved something to me.

Sherlock Holmes probably would have smoked something like this. All the naysayers can kiss it. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be very practical, in that buying a pound of Black Shag and keeping in it a persian slipper tell ME one thing. This tobacco was cheap and meant for smoking, plain and simple. It wasn't a choice because of flavor or aroma. Elementarily, it's tobacco and it smokes exceedingly well.

However, I did have little bit of a struggle keeping it burning, that could just be me trying to avoid the tongue bite so closely associated with this blend. Nevertheless, I got it to burn all the way down, with minimal bite, and absolutely no leftover dottle, or moisture.

This blend, as I said, is for smoking, not necessarily enjoying (though it is enjoyable) and to pass the many hours of contemplation life throws our way whilst leaving our pockets slightly fuller.

Love it or hate it, there is no grey area. I love it.

For best results, after opening the tin I'd let it sit with the lid on for a few days before smoking. It really helps bring out the wonderful tang of this blend.

If your looking for a heavy Vitamin N hit you'll be let down but it does has just enough to make it a really enjoyable smoke. Try it and find out for yourself!

I would not classify this as a shag cut - not like G&H's Kendal Kentucky. This is a small, tightly cut ribbon but not a shag. Mostly dark in color but not quite black, with streaks of brown. The tin note was very nice and not overblown. Not a sweet tobacco, this is more of a mildly tangy blend... but tangy does not really describe it well, either. The flavor does not overpower; the smoker has to be patient and puff slowly. Snorking helps this blend immensely, as it is a subtle flavor. Dark and toasty, and nuanced with a light coffee with cream flavor. Nicotine addicts should look elsewhere. I found this to be a good "wind down" tobacco and I preferred it smoked as the last bowl before bedtime (never understood how people can smoke a particular heavy lat blend loaded with nicotine before sleep, even if it is so named!) and as a "thinking" tobacco. Perhaps that's why it's named after Sherlock Holmes' blend! Great for pondering life's problems.

I enjoyed what this tobacco brings to the table. If you want heavy in flavor, a stoved VA is probably not going to work for you. But if you enjoy nuances occasionally and a subtly complex tobacco, this is worth a try. More tins headed to my cellar!

I always keep a tin of this in my collection.I only ever keep this and the Sherlock Holmes tin from Peterson's as my aromatics selection.As a general rule, I am an English-blend-only smoker.

There is the smell of American BBQ , mesquite I believe it is called, although don't quote me on the spelling. The taste is full and somewhat strong, however as it is a shag cut, it is to be expected.

Shag, as many know, is not a type of tobacco, rather it is just the way the tobacco is cut. So, therefore, it is easy to pack and easy to light. It doesn't burn out and has a nice taste. There is the downside of a somewhat strong room oder. Not a wife-pleaser.

I, as a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society, had an immediate attraction to the blend by its name and known to be one of Holmes' favourite tobaccos. I was not let down and have always kept a tin in my collection. I even went as so far as to tack a real persian slipper on my wall and kept a bit in and to my shock, it enhanced the flavour! Perhaps there is something behind what Doyle had written upon.

Quality is obvious but it lacks taste. Too bad!

The first half of the bowl seemed to be burning rather lightly so about midway I applied a new match and noticed a nice change in flavor and smoke thickness. The taste was a bit zesty and had a lemon taste to it almost. There also lingered in my mouth the taste of cardamom for some reason...as if I was enjoying an Arabic coffee in Beirut.

I did find that it made a nice first pipe of the day and that I was able to read my Spurgeon devotional with the utmost concentration. I think this tobacco is a nice smoke for someone who wants to just be lost in thought or a daydream for an hour or so. The pipe I used was a Peterson Rocky Donegal B-10 and the bowl lasted for around an hour. As I said, perhaps my light did not do well the first time because the 2nd light applied halfway caused me to enjoy the last half better.

No bite whatsoever, and that might have been due to the Peterson P-lip. But I was also taking care of the tobacco and sipping it in thoughtful light puffs.

Final thoughts: Not the best ever, but surely not terrible....will finish the tin and perhaps buy another.

Though not particularly black, Black Shag is yet another take on a McC red and dark stoved VA blend. Of course, the VAs are of unimpeachable quality. The gentle touch of exceptionally smooth and aromatic Turkish leaf adds variance and an exotic elegance. The string-cut makes this both accessible to use and easy to abuse with harried puffing quickly conjuring a harsh bitterness.

Perhaps a McC homage to Presbyterian Mixture, Black Shag is a thoughtfully constructed blend exhibiting both élan and depth.

Chamber Gauge: Narrow to Medium