Ashton - Black Parrot pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 26 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
ELF	02/21/2010	Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Very nice any time smoke;most people Prefer"I"smoke it Outdoors. Definitely Diffrent,i find this almost like McCl's Oriental#14 with Perique(tinned+prepared for Ashton by McCld's) Nice change of Scenery for those of YOU Tired of driving in CITY.....Give it a try! :+)
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Kilmarnock Piper	10/04/2009	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
Wow, that's an acridly vinegary McClelland, but I am in the camp that likes that smell. Not acrid when smoked, yet the perique content is moderately high. Not for the faint of heart; still I do love these aged VaPer flakes. My can is from 1995, and some of the tobaccos in this blend must have been aged when they went in the can. It has held up well, with just a touch of moisture remaining, and will continue to improve, which is good because I can't smoke this every day. More of a special occasion tobacco, like an evening when I've had too much ale and feel like singing pirate shanties to the imaginary black parrot on my shoulder. Raaak! Ahoy maties, there be rough waters ahead! Seems like a tobacco pirates would have liked, anyway. Salty brine in the nose and rum to chase it down with. Still, can be mellow and tasty as well, especially towards the end. Sip slowly, this one does not lend itself to heavy puffing. 2-15-10 A couple of months opened, and a couple more in a jar have mellowed this quite a bit. Still a bit sour and peppery if I puff a little harder, but I consider that a strength of this tobacco. Not for every day, but absence makes the heart grow fonder!
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Dubinthedam	08/30/2009	Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
I'm almost finished my 100grm tin (European version). Very nice Va/per. There are actually far to many aromatics on the European market and not enough solid VA based non-aromatics. Some may find this two bland, I like it a lot...solid stuff, similar to Scottish Cake and just as good IMHO. Raisins and plums, easy on the Perq. a good honest non-aromatic, non-latakia based blend. For sure a few tins will go in the cellar.
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DK	07/20/2009	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
Read my pointless review on Ashton Old London Pebblecut. My review of Black Parrot follows that one word for word, and is equally as pointless.
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Skando	03/08/2009	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
Original review 03/08/2009: I'm reviewing the 100grms can european version made by K&K. It's a broken flake, mostly medium brown with brighter and darker flecks. The can smells grass & sour, nothing overpowering. Moisture is high, the can stayed opened a month or more and the weed is still very "gummy" under my finger. I loaded my leather bag with 25grms or so; normally the tobacco gets dry in a week, but not this one... I had a dozen of pipeful till today, and first I would say that the rest will stay in the can for a longer time, since I notice it's too "fresh" and needs aging. The smoke is kinda neutral, bit peppery and astringent. It doesn't develop well any strength and body and stays quite monocromatic... the first half bowl being more enjoyable, the last rather dull. Needs very slow and short sipping to bring any flavour out. Again: sure it's a matter of aging. Edit 07/18/2009: yes, it truly was a matter of aging. After four months the second half of the can has actually improved, both in strength and body, which is not weak anymore. The vinegarish note of the Perique is very intriguing and ... appetizing. I will buy more tins for my cabinet, that's sure. I will update this further.
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thedstnguishdgntlmn	02/19/2009	Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
If you like any number of the McClelland Flakes with Perique in them this could be for you. I did not like it. Sharp and astringent.
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Past Master	06/11/2008	Medium	None detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Black Parrot is a good solid harmonious mixture of Virginia, Carolina and Perique. When the tin is first opened, you are met with a familiar tangy, vinegary, tin-can aroma. The square cut, broken flake is dark, with flecks of black and brown. The Perique component does not overwhelm the mixture, but remains as a good team player in the blend. If I were to pair this with a good single malt Scotch, it would probably be the Highland Park or the Talisker, something that can match the full taste of the smoke. Of the twenty-one reviews to date, including mine, eighteen (86%) are about evenly split between granting Black Parrot a 4-star, 3-star, or a 2-star rating. Only three reviewers give it a 1-star rating. Of those three, two complain that there is too much Perique and one complains that there isn't enough. I guess you can't make 'em all happy. Overall rating from 21 reviewers to date = 2.76 stars.
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Beer	02/06/2006	Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
EU version: I don't know why they call it square cut, since it's a broken flake similar in looks to Rattray's Brown Clunee (made by the same manufacturer, Kohlhase & Kopp). The tin aroma is delicate, fruity and sour. It packs easily and burns nicely if dried a little, with a delicate taste typical of a good Virginia with a moderate amount of Perique. It's good, but I have smoked more interesting tobaccos in this genre (including Ashton's own Old London and some McClellands), and at times it can become a bit dull and ashy. Recommended if you want a lighter approach to this classic type of blends, otherwise too delicate and undistinguished. Update on the US version: I like it more! The taste is richer, sweter and fruitier, although undistinguishable from many McClelland offerings (after all it IS a McClelland!). If you like the Virginias from this Kansas City brand, get this Ashton if you can still find it. Tasty, not bitey, and very enjoyable. The US version deserves a "Recommended".
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Jakob Kiilerich	10/09/2005	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
Whew! Vinegar 'n Heinz! And that should be enough said about this McClelland product. However - as most of the Ashton products - that sour smell disappears during the smoke. Black Parrot is quality VA with a good dose of the smoothest Périque I've ever had; peppery yes, but newcomers to Vapers might enjoy this anyway. I love to smoke Vapers once in a while, but because of the vinegar aroma, I'd rather have some Elizabethan or some Escudo. If, however, you like the base of Black Parrot but would like some of this without Périque, I highly recommend Old London Pebblecut from Ashton. The similarities are quite many, but with no added Pepper. Ok but not great either. Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark
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Elric	10/08/2005	Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable
Black Parrot is not a bad blend at all but suffers from having so much staunch competition. I originally bought this based solely on name to take to a Jimmy Buffett concert and was quite pleased. Unfortunately, once I tried other VaPers such as Dorchester, I haven't reached for this again.
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zulujerk	10/05/2005	Mild	None detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
I cracked open a January 2000 tin today. What a great feeling. It's amazing to see the tobacco still moist after years aging in the tin, to see the glitter of the power crystals that mark this time machine embedded in the flakes, and to smell that distinct McClelland aroma as strong as ever. I have little experience when it comes to aging--and in the future, I'd like to try a batch of old stuff alongside the new, but I don't have that luxury at the moment. So, my review will be limited to what I have on hand, and thankfully, it's very nice. I understand that aging is supposed to mellow a tobacco, and judging by the very mild taste, I suppose that to be the case here. Fellow reviewers seem to give Black Parrot a higher strength rating, but this particular tin falls well below those marks. That isn't to suggest there is a lack of flavor. The Perique is ever-present but doesn't strangle the Virginias with an uneven proportion. It's welcome getting that Perique fix without having to run for cover. Black Parrot reminds me very much of McClelland's 2015, although smoother and better integrated, which isn't a surprise since Ashton is an extension of the McClelland line. I'd like to see some kind of blind taste test with these two, I'd bet that there would be a bit of confusion. Again, this is best for those who like Vapers with a less pronounced Perique component. I fall within that category, and yes..although I very much admire Escudo's, I prefer this to such a Perique powerhouse. 3.5 out of 4
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Spike	08/05/2005	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
McClelland, vinegar odor, big taste, broken flake, smokes nicely, too much Perique for my taste. If you enjoy Esoterica's Dorchester you will probably enjoy this as well. Three and one-half stars. Actually, I might upgrade this review after the summer heat subsides. Not many pipe tobaccos do well in 100 degree heat!
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DUPE.1512	06/05/2005	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I'm not sure whats going on here but this was just a weird experience for me. Solani 633 and McClellands 2015 are in my regular rotation. This is the first VA/Perique I've ever smoked that does not taste like one. Perhaps I just got a bad tine but I wont be purchasing another...ever.
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flint	11/30/2004	Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Tolerable
I typically like McClellands blends but for some reason this one did not work for me. The tin had 5 years of age on it and it was still moist in the tin but Black Parrot seemed to taste like vinegary soot with a cigarette like aftertaste. This is the only time the famed McClelland vinegar smell came through the taste. I hope it works for you.
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Tiger	11/08/2004	Medium	Very Strong	Very Full	Tolerable
"Black Parrot" must certainly be for the confirmed V&P aficionado. But for me, the fruity, Perique-y taste is just several truckloads more than I can deal with. I can't imagine this is a V&P "for the huddled masses" but rather, one for the True & Annointed Believers, and that plus my own disinterest prompts me to rate the Parrot at just 2 stars and no more. Tiger
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bigblends	08/17/2004	Medium	None detected	Full	Very Pleasant
I remember trying Black Parrot back when I was finishing up college. I didn't care for it, so I stashed the tin away with some stuff I was packing up to take home to shove into a storage closet in the attic. Well, about six years later -- namely last week -- I decided to unearth some old boxes of junk from college. I saw the top of a tobacco can, yanked the can out of the cardboard box, and saw that it was Ashton Black Parrot. This can features the old artwork -- the line-art drawing of the parrot sitting among the wooden barrels. I was quite excited to find this, as I've rekindled my love for VA blends in a major way lately. Upon careful inspection, I found 2.75 ounces of tobacco and no mold. The scent was still good and pure, and age had put some crystals all over the leaf. So far so good. But how would it smoke? Well, the weed was on the dry side, but not crumbly. That's how I like VAs anyway. I smoked a roomy bowl of this six-year-old Black Parrot the moment I got home. I find Black Parrot to be a wonderful Perique-forward blend built on a solid foundation of quality Virginia and Carolina tobaccos. It's a complex and balanced nicely. On the dry side, the broken flake packs well, lights well, and burns well to the heel. Six years brought some obvious integration to this blend, yet I could still enjoy what each component had to offer. The cilantro/grassy notes were slightly more muted than those I experience in St. James Woods. The Perique brings little in the way of pepper -- but lots when it comes to earthy goodness. The smoke becomes richer and more robust as the bowl burns down, and the mid-bowl flavor shift is quite memorable. The bottom third is very tasty, and the overall smoke is dry and clean. I'd hesitate to compare the sweet notes of Black Parrot to those of St. James Woods, but BP offers more in the way of a food-like savory experience to make up for it. The mouthfeel is silky. Black Parrot is a solid choice for those who want a high-grade and full-flavored VA/P with good presence. Great stuff.
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Pipestud	03/15/2004	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
I popped the seal. I stuck my nose down into the tin. Whew! I pulled back quickly with eyes watering. This Black Parrot has a vinegar smell that shivered me timbers boys! Once past the whiff, I got my bearings and pulled out a few chunks of the soggy flake and rubbed it out to some degree and then let it dry for about 8 hours. That took care of the smell. I then loaded up in a small Jacono billiard and set fire to 'er. This is a somewhat strong Virginia/Perique that needs very slow puffing to be appreciated fully. It also needs some relights, particularly during the first third of the smoke. My impressions; not a bad smoke but no classic either. If there are any pirates reading this, you can have my Black Parrot. Not worth keeping. IMO
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Stogie	09/01/2003	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
I'm down to my last bowl of this enjoyable blend. Having fallen in love with another Ashton blend, (read; McClelland), Pebblecut, I had high expectations for Black Parrot. Tin Aroma: McClellands signature. Visual: A mottled broken flake, (Square cut?), consisting of mahogany brown base with streaks of lighter brown, blond and almost black. Texture: I think most McClelland flakes ship just a tad on the moist side, and that's just fine with me. Nice thick chunks of broken flake, with not to much "dust". Pack/Pipe: Smoked this fully rubbed out, and gravity fed into the bowl with plenty of tapping to settle tobacco. Topped of after tamping down once, and ready to light. Although I prefer smaller pipes, and especially when smoking flake tobacco, this particular blend seemed to perform best in taller stacks, so I usually smoked this in a pair of Nording freehands, a Von Erck classic, and numerous Ashton xx & xxx pots. Lighting/Burn: With the exception of Escudo, this is the best burning flake I have ever smoked. The rule was one long charring match, one quick relight after tamping the char down, and then smoke to bottom of bowl with just one more match at the very end to finish off a few remaining bits. And this was in my larger bowls! 1st 3rd: A little dull and ashy on first light, but it quickly settles down into a tangy bright flavor with an immediate background taste of stewed fruit. (Tastes very close to Escudo, but this has a lot more tang.) Produces plenty of white smoke. 2nd 3rd: Very consistent flavor. Still bright and tangy with just a little bit more stewed fruit. No ash or heat at all. Final 3rd: This portion begins just like the previous. Tang and stewed fruit. At the very end, it gets ashy and loses most of the flavor, but I carry on to cure the bowl properly. Leaves a grainy gray ash with very little charred tobacco. Notes: A very good blend, and super consistent. Really shines after it has been open for about 2 weeks. This blend does not unseat Ashton Pebblecut from first place though. Stogie rating of: 8 Pristine Punch
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Paddy	08/15/2003	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Very Full	Pleasant
This my first experience with Black Parrot and what a delightful experience it is. The tin aroma does carry the faint zing of vinegar which tells you it is a McClelland Va., but none of that comes through in the smoke as it does not with other McClellands. It arrives a bit moist in flakes as described, above, and rubs out easily. The initial light is strangely hot at the match, but once lit, the smoke smooths out immediately. On the tongue, it tastes of a sweet, raisiny Virginia with the unmistakable tang of Perique, a Three Nuns taste that makes me salivate. On the tongue, for me, it is almost identical to Three Nuns (tin version). It does not remind me of Escudo. But the smoke is quite different from Three Nuns in the nose where it is nuttier with a roundness which makes me think of a very high quality Kentucky, just a trace. There is also an almost imperceptible dark note that appears in the nose from time to time. The first bowl I smoked in an Ashton Old Church pot in which I usually smoke Va./Periques, and it was so delicious, I immediately smoked another in a Wiley apple which I also use for Va./Periques. There was no difference in the flavor of the smoke. This is a first rate tobacco, and it is a treat to know that if and when I cannot get hold of Three Nuns, I have something in its stead. Matter of fact, Black Parrot could be as satisying in its own way as Three Nuns - time will tell. Most highly recommended to the Va./Perique smoker. Paddy.
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Joe Patterson	08/10/2003	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
This certainly falls into the VA/P blends that can be equalled by no other. I find this tobak fine for my regular long car rides between cities. Smoking this blend can leave you with a bit of tounge bite, but a bit of air drying and a tall italian block of wood should clear any of that up nicely. I rub the flakes out a bit, still leaving some medium to larger pieces. Age only improves this fine weed. Enjoy.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 26 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >