i'll tell you the stuff holds up. aged like a find wine. not a terribly wild flavor, stays consistent from first puff to last. mild for sure, but not weak by any means. very enjoyable with a earl grey tea.

this tobacco is a great beginner english, but has enough in way of quality of smoke for the veteran piper.

That said, I for one adore frog morton. I can't really add much that hasn't been stated already; I just want to put in my two cents to counteract some of the "rougher" reviews as of late.

Upon opening the tin, I was greeted with a smell that was far too reminiscent of cheap ketchup-based barbeque sauce for my liking. Being that this is a McClelland blend I was expecting a ketchup smell due to whatever preservative they use (Google “McClelland Tobacco Ketchup Smell” if you are unfamiliar with this), but the scent was a bit overpowering for me. I simply smelled no tobacco at all.

The cut was a good ribbon, the moisture level perfect, and it lit easy enough. It also smoked well, never burning too hot or needing too many relights. The problem, however, was that the blend (1) was extremely mono-dimensional, not having any interplay between the different types of tobaccos and (2) was tainted by the taste of the preservative used to keep the tobacco from drying out. It tasted like a mild English blend that had been accidentally soaked in cheap ketchup-based barbeque sauce. And I hate ketchup-based barbeque sauce.

Maybe if the preservative was not present, I would have liked Frog Morton. Maybe it would have been a good, mild English blend with subtle nuances as a good mild blend should have. Maybe… but at least for me, all that could have made this blend delightful was covered up with the taste and scent of the preservative that McClelland Tobacco Company famously uses. And honestly, that ruined this blend for me.

This is a very easy smoke. I tend to puff hard and get a pipe hot because I am in a hurry to get that next taste of smoke in my mouth. This tobacco doesn't bite even with my puffing speed.

I have been trying to determine the difference in taste between this and Short Cut to a Mushroom from JFH. I find them pretty close. For the price I will stick to Short Cut for my all day smoke, and keep this around for a good night cap.

Upon opening the tin, you get what I can only describe as a chocolate, barbeque smell. This may be in part to that vinegar/ketchup odor that people say McClelland tobaccos have. I personally don't think it smells like that, but I can see why people think this about McClelland tobaccos. A dark mixture, with flecks of brown. Packs and smokes well right out of the tin, without the need for constant relights. A flavorful smoke throughout, and burns to a light grey ash. I have several pipes dedicated solely to this blend, and Frogmorton will always have a place in my rotation.

I'm going to add a smidge of perique or some blending orientals to this to see if I can make it more interesting. If you like a monodimensional mild English that you could probably smoke all day, this should be on your short list. It really did not stand out enough for me to encourage me to buy it again.

Honestly, I know alot of people love FM, but perhaps I'm not experienced enough yet to really enjoy it. I'll keep a tin around for the occassional smoke, but I doubt seriously this will be one in my regular rotation.

It has a lower nicotine content which has it's advantages at times. It is a great go to blend that can be smoked all day.

This blend smokes well, stays lit, has a good flavor, and decent roomnote. It smokes nice no matter the conditions. My personal notes rate this at 8.7 I'd smoke it again and again, but then I wouldn't try even more. I want to try more so I might not see this in my rotation for another year or so.

For those of you who have not been to McCranie's shop, I can tell you that they are huge advocates of McClelland Tobacco Company. I'd guess that 80% of their tins in the shop are McClelland, and from what I understand, their bulk tobacco is made with McClelland tobaccos. So of course Frog Morton is one of the "showcase" tins, sitting front and center on the shelf. The marketing catches my eye and I inquire about this stuff. I don't listen to the description; my mind is already made up. I'm buying a tin.

I knew I was going to love this stuff as soon as I popped the tin. So much flavor, and it burns so cool! "I don't know how to pronounce this 'latakia' stuff, but it is now my new best friend".

I've since tried many English blends, and have found a few I like better than Frog, but this is still deserving of 4 stars in my book.

As good as Westminster!!

Latakias to me are very hard to get blended correctly. Many tobaccos contain too much, while others are barely able to be tasted while smoking. Frog Morton does a great job of blending a Virginia and Latakia without letting either one predominate. It presents as a black tobacco with the tin aroma of light and subtle Virginia ribbons, with a note of almonds or walnuts in the nostrils. Smoking it is fun, with voluminous clouds of thick white smoke that provide a very sweet tone on the tongue. This mixture, like all Frog Morton blends, smokes very smoothly. It can tend, however, to smoke wet, as Frog Morton tobaccos don't readily dry out like a Early Morning Pipe or Squadron Leader can do. There is no tongue bite. Frog Morton is a blend I would suggest to a friend who has just started smoking and wants to venture beyond the aromatics that he's smoked before into the world of "real" tobacco. It will retain the sweetness that brought him to the pipe without burning him out by having a heavy-handed Latakia smack-to-the-face like some stronger mixtures could.

This tobacco is pitch black in the tin and is very moist when first opened. The tobacco has dried considerably since last visit which is very difficult to do in my experience with a McClelland blends as they don't normally dry out easily.

Upon lighting that familiar and unmistakable deep, dark,nutty, campfire smell of latakia. Yummy! this stuff is good, very soft and rich, smooth, not nessesarily complex but simple, yet elegant. I really like this stuff and don't have any put away for the future. That is definately going to change. Highly Recommend!

So, with that in mind, I have to change my rating the Highly Recommended since I "Highly Recommend" any pipe smoker that I know to try it. I just recommend that you give it some time to appreciate it's subtle qualities. Really nice smoke.

My original post:

I just received a can of this last week along with my regular ration of Blackwood's Flake. My benchmark for Latakia's is CAO Old Ironsides, so my review is based upon my comparison to that blend.

Personally, I found this very mild. Nowhere near as rich as OIS. I found that the Latakia taste was there, but with nothing really behind it in the background. I found this to be one of the lightest tasting tobaccos that I think I've ever smoked. During a nice long draw, I got a satisfying taste that seemed to immediately evaporate into nothingness.

I found that it lit well and smoked consistently to the bottom of the bowl. None of the problems some mentioned below.

I was a bit torn between "somewhat recommended" and "recommended" because I think this one really depends upon your tastes. Someone who likes a rich smoke will find it very lacking. Someone who wants a light, delicate taste of Latakia may very well savor it. I think the previous reviews and those in the future will bear this out with dramatically differing ratings.

For my money, I'm sticking with OIS.

Smokers note~ Latakia in this blend is on the mild to medium side. Its well blended. The latakia notes are not overpowering. It is a great introduction blend to this type of tobacco.

(Original review) I must say that, as a new pipe smoker, I resisted any blend with Latakia. (My first encounter with Latakia was with Edward's Mark III and I believe that blend has about 50% Latakia-way too much for my taste!UGH!) But I found a year-old tin of Frog Morton at a local cigar shop that I would guess hasn't sold a bit of pipe tobacco in a year (I'm going back tomorrow to get a tin of Frog Morton on the Town!) What a pleasant surprise this tobacco turned out to be. Yes, I could taste the Latakia, but what a wonderful flavor this blend had. I can't say for sure if the delicious taste was due soley to the slight aging of the tin or if that is just characteristic of Frog Morton (I'll have to order a fresh tin to be sure!) but this was terrific. The Virginia comes through nicely, not overpowered at all by the Latakia. A superb balance of natural sweetness and a cool, smokey flavor. Definitely **** for Frog Morton. Does this make me a Latakia lover? I hope so...

Packing & Lighting: It packs easily, like FMATP. Not real easy to get lit. Several relights are required, puffing to keep it lit, and it still leaves dottle. There is moisture in the pipe. With undried Froggie, some mouth scour is produced, but no tongue bite.

Left to dry overnight, it is partially dry and still a little sticky, hinting at a fair amount of additive. But, it then tends to burn all the way down with one relight.

Taste & Aroma: There's not much Latakia here. FM is not a full or rich Latakia blend, yet is "mild, smooth, and dark." Upon first light, there is a nice velvety or creamy quality, which hints at a coolness like a mint, with a nice low smoky touch from the Latakia.

Mid-bowl: Very light nutty chocolate taste and aroma, from flavoring and stoving, with a peppery feel.

Nicotine: Mild

Room Note: Excellent

Overall: A very light, sweet nutty chocolate taste and aroma. A mild, lightly sweet and smoky blend, arising from the Cavendish and Latakia. Not nearly as sweet as FMATP. Using it undried, mouth scour occurs, otherwise easily smoked all day.

If Dunhill's EM or Nightcap are to robust due to Latakia, FM makes a much lighter choice. This would be classed as an aromatic English hybrid.

Still this a remarkably pleasant blend, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who is just starting out, or as a tame but tasty transition blend for someone curious about, but fearful of Latakia.

Now to the smoking part. This is a wide cut, black as night latakia blend that burns slowly, incredibly cooly and is fairly light in essence. I have been smoking a clay churchwarden lately and this increases the coolness of the smoke. The room note is wonderful, I love the smell of latakia: to me it is almost like liturgical incense. Wife thinks this is her favorite blend, the perfect combination for her. Me, I like the blend a bunch, but for an everyday smoke need a bit more body. But for the churchwarden with its massive pot(it takes me over an hour to smoke top to bottom) this blend is about perfect.

--

Mild, sweet latakia, with a hint of chocolate.

That's the idea, anyway, and the execution is spot on.

This is my first froggie -- the other three are waiting in the queue -- but my feeling so far is that this is training wheel tobacco, great for the beginner, but you're going to outgrow this one, fast.

Also leaves a fair bit of goop in my pipe afterward.

After just one tin (not finished):i strongly doubt that will open a second. Too much flavoring, leaves the pipe really dirty and stinky. I had to clean a good Chono with bowls of Belgian Vieux Semois (highly recomended for this purpose) after having smoked Frog Morton and the base-note of FM is still there. I must change my recommendation to not recommended. For your info I prefer GL Pease Westminster, Penzance, Pirate Cake and similar. For a change of pace Bed & Breakfast of Cornell&Diehl.

Happy trails.

I like latakia and oriental blends just find, and I'm a big virginia smoker, but the Frog just didn't grab me. I guess I could have got a substandard tin, and maybe I'll try another one of these days, but with great blends on the market like Penzance and Red Rapparee it's hard to make much of a case for it. The tin art is cute, I guess.

I've not detected much nicotine in this blend, and this is not what I reach for when I want something full-bodied. But it's dependable. Four stars.

Original review: On the one hand, this tobacco has a wonderful flavor and (for a latakia-based blend) a pretty good aroma. On the other, it's FAR too mild for me. Although this blend seems to be "bite free" for many smokers, I've roasted my tongue on it several times because the flavor is so weak that I end up puffing far too hard in the vain hope of actually getting a full-bodied taste from it. Also, there are far too many humectants (or something) on this leaf -- I've had one tin open for more than three months now and it's still overly moist. To be fair, though, I'll again emphasize how pleasant the taste is. The VAs are top-notch and possess a lot of sweetness, and the latakia is quite smooth. I mixed some FM with some burley and the batch is currently aging. Hopefully, the burley will give this tobacco enough "kick" to be satisfying while preserving something of the original taste. This is probably good for those who are just beginning to sample latakia and/or don't like much in the way of nicotine.

This is an outstanding tobacco for those who find aromatics a bit too sweet and English blends a bit strong. It bridges the gap well, and always smokes well in nearly any pipe, with sewage pipes being the exception, not that I've tried it, but i could imagine that tasting rather awful.

This blend is also not too strong so it is good for an all day smoke and won't bring those around you to tears or argument. I highly recommend this blend, especially to people who can't decide on their favorite style of pipe tobacco.

All that said, this was a nice early, or first pipe smoke...mild and ready to go right out of the tin, no drying needed - at least for me.

Aromatic smokers may want to try this as an adventure into English, or latakia though?

As a result I began reading reviews; particulary tobaccos that have been reviewed the most and contained descriptions of little to no bite.

I came across the Frog - who could resist a pipe smoking frog sitting on a log enjoying this Virginia/Latakia blend? I purchased a tin locally and couldn't wait to try it.

The aroma from the newly opened tin smelled thick of bar-b-que sauce - yes bar-b-que sauce. The first bowl smoked fairly smooth and cool. Room note had hints of soapiness that did not easily offend family.

Since this is my first Latakia blend I have nothing to compare it to other than to say it is a mild, somewhat slow burning, and a cool smoke. Most importantly no tongue bite. The last third of the bowl smokes the smoothest and with the fullest flavor in my opinion.

Based on other reviews and my own experience, this may be a good choice for those liking a Virginia/Latakia blend, however, it is not an everyday smoke for me. Once a week is a nice change of pace.

pipemojo

Well, I have changed. Apparently nicotine is not really good for me. A visit to the hospital confirmed the fact. I have cut down on the amount of smoking and strength of tobacco. I can really appreciate Frog Morton now. Frog Morton is a great tobacco. It truly is an all day blend. I recommend it to any sensible smoker, who doesn't need nicotine shot.

Well done; I will stick with the Frogs.

The Frog does not bite and has a wonderful spice/incense aroma that is best enjoyed with the the "nasal taste" rather than the tounge.

Latakia takes center stage but doesn't dominate. The virginia compliments well imparting a little "grassyness" though not in an unpleasant way.

This is very similar to Black Watch by ThePiperoom.com, which I similar to the Frog.

The two blends have ever so slight a topping, though Frog's topping is stronger than Black Watch and has more "spice" to it - but I like the spice.

All in all the Frog is a winner. Defintely worth a try for any pipe smoker from aromatic to English fans.

This blend is a modern classic. Well done McClelland

Original review (6-1-07, 3 stars)

Update, 10-18-07, 4 stars * * * * !

Much has been already said about this modern classic, so I'll refrain from trying to re-invent the wheel. Suffice it to say, this is one fine 'baccy.

I like the flavor, nice amount of Latakia, but realize this blend is not for me. I kept thinking "where is the smoke?" There is truly no appreciable volume of smoke, and it just does not satiate my palate....it lacks the fullness and richness I really go for.

This is definately a lataka lovers mixture to say the least. It smokes dry and has a somewhat pleasant taste, but it is not one of my favorite blends. The aroma is not a crowd pleaser until you put it out. Good quality tobacco though.

I love aromatics, but one review at this website suggested I give Frog Morton a try - I'm glad I did. It is quite a nice non-aromatic for those of us aromatic smokers out there. A welcomed change of pace for me.

11/16/2006 Update: An excellent introduction to blends that include Latakia. No longer in my rotation.

Reading the description on the tin, I expected something on the order of a Balkan blend, or at least a medium English rich in Latakia . What I was presented with upon tin opening fragrance and first light was an English/ aromatic crossover. This is the tobacco I expected Iwan Ries 'Three Star Blue' to be like, based on R.C.H's description in 'The Ultimate Pipe Book' which it most certainly is not. That however is another story and review so let's get back to the Frog....

I agree with those who say that this one tastes like it smells in the tin. There's Latakia in there but it is sweetened and takes a back seat to the Cavendish component with which it's blended. Is that chocolate or mocha I taste? I'm convinced it's the latter. I find this blend difficult to keep lit in a way which is similar to Tinder Box's 'Philosopher' which leads me to believe it may have a humectant as well. The ash of the two are almost identical with the tell tale black bits left by incomplete combustion. Bystanders have remarked that it smells good compared to my usual afternoon smoke (Dunhill 965) so a pleasant room note can be expected if that's a consideration for ya.

I don't hate this tobacco by any means but I won't be writing any purple prose about it either. It's just not my cup of tea, or bowl of weede as it were.

Somewhat recommended but it won't be a repeat by this pipier at least.

Update: 7/25/06. It has been almost 4 years since I posted my notes on the Frog. I still enjoy it very much and fairly often. I continue to try other blends, and from time to time smoke much more of the other blends than I smoke the Frog. But, I always come back to the Frog when I get tired of the others, or when they start to disappoint me. The Frog has become my "old faithful" and when I need to re-adjust my taste in Tobacco, or just sit back and enjoy a smoke, it is time for a Frog. Always satisfying, always a good smoke.

It's generally OK but like I said - a little too sicky sweet for me. I had to pick up a tin to see what the fuss was about - heard so much about it - but overall I think that Penzance is my true blue as far as blends strong in latakia go.

The side stream smoke is, however, quite pleasant on the nostrils. A 2 star rating might be rather harsh. Perhaps by the time I finish off this tin my mind will change (I've only smoked about six bowls of the stuff, suppose my review should be taken with a grain of salt.)

I first tried this a few months back at a friends house. He had numerous fine tobaccos (mostly of the Dunhill brand) and then Frog Morton. I first tried some Early Morning Pipe,and the flavor in it somewhat resembled that of a burn pile. Lastly, I tried the Frog and at first it gave off an almost soap flavored taste. After I got it nice and burnt inside, it gave a very rewarding flavor.It almost tastes like that of the India "beedie" cigarettes after you smoke it a while. The flavor to me is still unknown, but to say the least I love it.I'd liek to shake the man's hand that made it.

Frog Morton was my first experience with Latakia as well. I'd like to find more brands (although in my area fine tins are limited) with this fine weed in to enjoy.

I went several months searching in pallor until I found a can of Frog Morton myself. I ended up having to travel about 60 miles to a far away mall to get it. I then ended up paying $14.25 for 100 grams, but a great graduation present to say the least

As far as taste goes, I find it tastes very much like it smells, which is a beautiful thing to find in pipe tobaccos. This tobacco tastes and smells exactly as I would want a smoky English to taste. Very smoky, but also slightly sweet from the VAs present. It burns slow, and in a well broken-in pipe it will burn all the way down. This is definitely the blend I go to for a walk in the woods on a cool day. I'd highly recommend smoking it with a cup of Lapsang Suchon tea, which is a very smoky tasting chinese black tea.

Bottom line, you owe it to yourself to keep a tin or so of this around. Get on it quick and stop wasting precious smoking time.

Upon opening the can one does not receive the original "ketchup" odor that you usually get with McClelland blends. Instead you are greeted with a wonderful aroma of Latakia. The blend is not heavy but you definitely notice it. If you do not life Early Morning or Nightcap by Dunhill, try Frog Morton, the Latakia is not near as heavy in odor.

The tobacco will burn a wonderful light grey color, and the smoke will just pour. This blend, no matter the size of bowl you are using, does not require a lot of relights. When you need to relight just graze the flame. For some reason this is just an ?easy? blend to smoke.

The taste that one receives is a very cool one, in a way almost like a mint. There is no ?mint? taste, it?s just that cool. There is not a single bit of tongue bite no matter how you smoke it. The room will be filled with a pleasant odor, not like an aromatic, but still very pleasant to be around.

This is the first in the Frog Morton series, and I imagine that the others will be just as good, if not better.

I recently opened a tin I had stashed away 3 years ago and decided to revisit this "amphibious" blend. My initial impression was that the humectant was very noticable in the tin and also in the first third of the bowl when smoking. I have a soft spot for this blend because it was the first latakia blend I tried after deciding to venture outside the aromatic domain. But, even so, I am afraid I can't seem to enjoy this blend like I used to. The latakia in this blend is of the cyprian variety which is less complex than the syrian type as well as a tad softer and sweeter. The VA in this is of the matured variety which is also not as spicy or bitey as some of the other VA's in the McClelland line-up. Overall this is a Latakia blend with training wheels. I suppose it is a good place to start and may even use this blend as my older son's first pipe when he turns 18. As for myself, the FMAP is now my favorite in the series.

i have to agree.i swear while i was smoking it,i got the taste of chocolate now and then.i`m not saying thats a bad thing,just not expected from an english blend.i would recommend this blend to someone who`s changing over from aromatics to english blends,it would be a good transition blend.i wish mccelland would bring out a bulk blend of the frogs.i would buy pounds of fmott.i will keep smoking my fmott,and cellar the rest of the fm for another day. p.s. i love the tin art.

If you've been smoking aromatic burley blends flavored with Elmer's Glue or melted Saran Wrap, and are looking for a Latakia-based blend with the same flavoring, you'll really enjoy Frog Morton. The gummy, melted plastic taste comes through clearly, with a nice low smokey note from the Latakia.

Based on its reviews and my experience with other McClelland blends, I was very eager to try Frog Morton. Well, I've tried it, and it's hands-down the worst tobacco I've ever put in a pipe.

As others have said, this is a "love it or hate it" tobacco. I agree.

Frog Morton is a very seductive Latakia-blend, but it lacks the complexity of London Mixture or Nightcap. In contrast to the overwhelming scent, the taste is very mild and discrete. A tobacco for quiet evenings, not asking too much attention but simply present as the blackbird singing on the roof.

I love it, but you musn't expect sensations that it can't give.

So 2 stars or 3 ? A bit difficult, but as giving stars means that you also have a certain responsability towards others .... (the recommendation ....) I stick to 2, because there is always a change that some would be disappointed about the lack of character.

The leaf is dark stoved Virginia in thick cut ribbons and rubbed out flakes with a nice background of Latakia. The smoke is cool and even, with one charring light usually enough to keep the whole thing going for about an hour of pure smoking delight. The room note is heavenly, and the Latakia, while evident, takes its part gently in the background without crowding out any of the other players. The taste develops and gets better as the bowl progresses. At times the warm & toasty Virginias stand out, but not for long, because the Latakia rears its head to provide curiosity to the nose and palate. This is a tobacco I could smoke all day. The only reason I don?t is that I would run out of the tin in a couple days and have to rush right down to the store to buy another.

I take back all the nasty things I?ve said about McClelland and its barbeque tin aroma throughout the years. When I first tried them, I was too young and foolish to appreciate the quality and magnificence of its pedigree. Frog is a must try for every pipe smoker. Even though taste is such a personal thing, I can?t imagine anyone not liking it, especially those new to non-aromatic English blends. While so many tobaccos are overrated, Frog Morton truly deserves all its accolades.

As for all the embarrassment about the chintzy tin art and the 3rd grade level froggy illustrations, get over it! Okay, so it?s not a visual masterpiece, and it?s a bit on the cutesy side. Is there no room for a bit of playfulness? Besides, it?s the contents that count, and the Frog never disappoints.

Five of five stars

SO, I popped the tin open. Now a few other reviewers here have said that they didn't notice the traditional ketchup smell that McClelland is famous for in this blend. I did. I thought I'd knocked over a bottle of it, based on the smell. Still, that's not always a bad smell, so I went ahead and packed some in.

It was wet, at least to my preferences. Even so, smoking it wasn't a problem, and it did burn fairly cleanly. The problem was that darned ketchup smell had transferred to the smoke. Worse still, it really hit as an aftertaste.

So, if I was trying to crossover to an English blend, and this was the first one I'd tried, I'd have given up.

Since the first pipeful I've tried it a few more times, and let it dry, and I'm still unimpressed.

A year later and I still crave this candy once in a great while, though I rarely keep it around at this point. The Hostess Fruit Pie and Yodels of the tobacco world? I often wonder why I've bothered to smoke it, half way through...but I keep going back for more...

And that tin I bought a year ago...still moist... *shiver*

-----------

After the many reviews of Frog Morton, I had to give this classic a shot. Ok the Tolkien thing sold me too. Good show McClelland...I don't part easily with my hard or ill gotten cash.

I can see why it is so popular. I have come to think of it as "English Light"? A good break when you don't want drug store sweetness or the punch of the heavier blends.

I love the earthy tones and smell upon opening the can. A bit of muddiness to the texture (twigs and all) and yes, the weird worscester sauce smell. It does conjure up Shire-esque visions though I suspect the hobbits would want something a bit stronger and sweeter (more on Dark Twist later...)

My first smoke of Frog Morton enraptured me. I thought... *This* is it! I was sure I'd cast aside both the drug store brands and the stronger non-aromatics for this as a regular treat. The taste was so completely different than most of the other tobaccos I've tried (which admittedly aren't a whole lot).

The wetness and getting the right amount of drying time frustrated me a bit but I think it has for the most part aired itself out. For the claims of no bite - this little b@*&ard bit me good once or twice...but perhaps it is the new pipe and my relative inexperience with pipes.

Even two weeks later it can still be a bit uncooperative as far as gurgle and relights, but that could also be me. For the most part though it will burn clear to the bottom and leave a decent ash with a bit of persistence. Fantastic white smoke. Lots of it.

I just took about a 1/4 pipefull with me while getting my car lubed. It lasted until I returned 30 minutes later (so much for 10 minute oil changes). Considering I look like a Hell's Angel compared to most of the upscale locals - my smoking this down in a hand-cut freeform bent pipe on a bench outside of the Mr Good Lube must have been a sight.

Is that casing bubble gum? For some weird reason that keeps coming to mind but not in a bad way. I enjoy the casing and the room note. It is very fruity but not at all overbearing. Very little tobacco taste comes through and I don't get a hit/rush off of this (my first bowl of Highland Targe did infact leave me with the feeling that a Highlander had kicked me down the stairs).

It is pleasant and light with the underlay of the English smokiness. I am sure friends would enjoy it around a campfire or dining room and that itself may make it worth keeping some on hand.

I have found that as the smoking of this has continued I have found it to become slightly more boring. Unlike Deep Hollow which I still can pop in and smoke with some excitement.

Frog Morton will likely come into my rotation again - and I do recommend it to those seeking an "English Lite" type mixture, but for now I will probably step onto another tobacco road, and see where my feet (or perhaps tongue and mouth) carry me.

I have found that I like to sometimes mix the frog with more traditional English mixtures like Squadron Leader or EMP; these tend to liven up the Frog, while the Frog tends to mellow out these blends a bit. Frog Morton is a must-try for all pipe-smokers, I would argue, especially those wanting to move from aromatic blends to English blends without a significant shock to their system.

Have you ever noticed that this tobacco never dries out? I wonder why that is?

On opening the tin, the tobacco is faintly damp and quite sticky. After it dries a little, it lights easily and smokes evenly. There is no bite at all, no matter how hard you puff. These are the good things about Frog Morton.

The taste has been called monochromatic by other reviewers and that is fair. But, I have seen many monochrome photos that I admire and enjoy looking at. Not so this stuff. The taste of Frog Morton is boring. It is like a latakia-spiked candy bar, sweet and sticky to the end. I will spend my time in the future with tobaccos that taste like tobacco, not with this stuff. If you enjoy Frog Morton, please go ahead. I won't be competing with you for the last tin of this on the shelf, that's for sure.

Addendum: I have smoked this one a while now, and it has all the charm of vinegar soaked charcoal. Smoking it is a bit like kissing the bottom of my barbeque grill...

Several months later and still love it. Try McClelland 5110 as it's Frogs budget minded cousin Toad. Maybe a little less latikia that Frog.

My first thought when I got to look at the label was, "Geez,..did somebody find this drawing at a craft fair?" I mean--take a look at the label close up. This DOES NOT look like it was drawn by a professional illustrator for the label of a major pipe tobacco manufacturer. It looks more like something you might find hanging in your Grandma's kitchen. Even the type is messed up--I've seen secretaries make better layouts in PowerPoint. In fact, the label is so unbelievably silly looking that after staring at it for a few minutes at Tinderbox I actually felt a little foolish purchasing a tin.

An awkward transaction took place:

"Um, pardon me sales person, but I'll pass on the nice Dunhill tobaccos you've been showing me, instead I'll take the tobacco in the shitty label that looks like it was drawn by a third grader."

"Uh huh yes, the one with the retarded frog on it"

"No, I'm not into Lord of the Rings, Hobbits, or wizards or anything like that. I just want to try the tobacco in the painfully ugly can"

"No, I don't need a Churchwarden pipe to go with it! Please, just put the tin in the bag before somebody sees me."

After rushing from the store, finally free of what was becoming a horrifying exercise in bad taste, I went to my car and relaxed for a few moments. I tentatively poked and sniffed at the innards of the can.

"Hmmm,.. smells like latikia and virginia. Allright, that seems safe enough--can't be too bad I suppose".

Feeling a bit reassured, I packed a pipeful of Frog Morton. It was then that the true inner evil revealed itself. After smoking but half a bowl, I immediately felt the urge to play D&D. Please Lord, help me!

Even worse, I had to fight off the unholy desire to return to Tinderbox and purchase a knobby cane and one of those God-forsaken Danish pipes carved freehand from a hunk of drift wood.

I went home and lay on the couch until the urge passed. Thankfully it did pass, however I know there are many others who get caught up in the Frog Morton web, unable to break free.

Yes, pipes are treacherous business--never doubt it. Those with questionable taste should just stay away. You could end up like one of those crusty old coots polluting the atmosphere with Prince Albert Cherry Vanilla. Or worse, you could end up with the insane desire to place Boris Vallejo "Lady Demon" posters on the wall, watch reruns of Doctor Who, and attend renaissance fairs while dressed as a druid--all while smoking a clay pipe full of Frog Morton and thinking of yourself as "colorfull." (Shudder)

The tobacco lights easily and burns cleanly, not overly smokey. I can't say that I detect a casing as I smoke this blend in a Savinelli de Luxe Milano, a KS Dublin. I have just finished and ejected a very proper dry ash from the bottom of the bowl. "It took Frog Morton four years to perfect..." I wonder if the goal was a specific blend of bygone years....

The question in my mind is the Black Tobacco. The blend does not smoke or taste like a Heavy Latakia. It is far more balanced than a visual inspection would lead one to believe. I think that this blend presents itself as a Balkan: smooth and cool,spicy and woodsy. The Balkan and English smoker should enjoy testing this blend. No disappoints.

The pouch aroma is full, smooth, and rich with a smoky-sweet fragrance. This blends satisfying aroma foreshadows a well-aged and well-married tobacco blend. The Frog Morton blend utilizes, Virginia, Oriental, and Latakia tobaccos; with the majority of the composition being that of Latakia. Although considered by most to be an English blend, Frog Morton probably includes a slight casing of some sort.

Frog Morton has a beautiful ribbon cut of black and brown colored tobaccos, which are sparsely peppered with specks of yellow. This blend is quite moist yet not to the degree in which it would impart a residue upon the fingers when handled. This blend packs readily.

The initial lighting is performed easily and without an issue. A second light is rarely needed with this tobacco. The smoking aroma is smooth and pleasant enough considering this is a heavily Latakia ladened blend.

The strength of this tobacco is medium with a medium-mild taste. Frog Morton blend, simply stated, has no bite whatsoever. This unique characteristic aids in defining the blend as an all day smoke.

In closing, the Frog Morton blend is a dear favorite of mine and I always ensure that I have at least a pipe jar of it on hand.

One thing I'll say about the Frog is that I cannot ever get it to bite my tongue, no matter how hard I puff on it.

Whomever called this a pressed flake is way off.... The closest thing to Frog in bulk is Lane's HGL.

Lots of latakia here with (what I taste to be) a molasses type flavoring.

If you have a friend that smokes Captain Black who wants a good introduction to English Style blends then the Frog is for them.

I'd never hesitate to smoke this tobacco because it has body, it's creamy and smokes well all the way down. Is it for a purist? Probably NOT.

The cut makes it easy to handle, and once dried out a bit (OK, quite a bit) it packs and smokes well. The virginias, if that is what they are, are of a fairly dark nature and almost look like brown cavendish.

This blend is mild, especially considering the percentage of dark flakes in the sample that would lead one to believe that this was a latakia-laden blend. Not so. A little disappointing in that regard. the smoke is kind of, well, watery. It does gain in strength near the bottom of the bowl, but also gets kind of steamy, too, even when dried out. Why must McC be so heavy-handed with the moisture? And did you ever wonder why this stuff never molds, being so moist? Cigars certainly do. Humectants must be at play here, or maybe even more insidious chemicals... Hey, what IS that McC katsup smell, anyway?

At any rate, I would have to say that overall I prefer Frog on the Town and Frog on the Bayou to the original Frogmorton, in that these last two hold my interest a bit more than FM. Still, I will always keep FM around. It is like a good friend who's conversation can become tiring after while, but who makes a good occasional companion for old times sake.

Later thoughts: I've been smoking Latakia containing blends a little longer now and have come to really like Latakia. Frog Morton is an excellent middle of the road Latakia blend. Latakia does dominate the flavor but the smoke is sweetened by it's Virginias and whatever topping they use. I can now see this being a favorite for lots of people including me ;)

I love it. It is the yard stick by which I measure all other tobaccos - Do I like it more than The Frog, or less than The Frog?

In the tin, it has a great woodsy campfire smell that kept me going muzzle down in there until I was able to get it home for a try. I think I inhaled a few small pieces.

It is consistent throughout the bowl and really fairly dry, especially when compared to the awfull, heavily cased blends in the jars.

It smokes especially well in my Nording Freehand, nearly as good in the Barling and in an old Yves St. Claude. It does not do too well in a real cheap pipe (made in Italy is the only marking) that has been rather ruthlessly smoked.

The smoke in this does seem almost too cool which makes me wonder if perhaps one of its secrets is a little menthol in the casing. Anyway, my plan is to always have at least one tin of this around. It may not be easy being green, but this stuff sure makes it worthwhile.

An exceptionally dark, rich and full Latakia mixture designed for those who desires really satisfying Latakia flavor but want a tobacco soft enough to smoke any time of day. It took Frog Morton four years to perfect this unique blend designed for smoking in quiet serenity, and he considers it to be his proudest achievement.

Mostly Dark tobaccos with some Medium colored tobaccos , Strong Latakia Scent, with a background of Virginias, rough cut and perfect moisture level.

Packed Easily in my Italian Bent Apple, Lit easy with a Rich aroma, and tamped down nicely, light grey ash. Had to relight once or twice to keep lit.

I was surprised by this tobacco, not that it was great, but rather that it had a sweet taste on the tongue, it was smoky and sweet all at the smae time, my wife said it is strong but not entirely unpleasent, Reminded her a little bit of a campfire.This is the best i have had as of yet and will be in my regular rotation from here on out.

I give it a 5 out of 5 Superior!!

If you eat a plate of straight latakia, you might get more in your system than what Froggie delivers in a pipe. But as for me, I'll pass on this sweetened overcooked latakia stew.

The blend was simply delicious. Slightly milder (and less body) than "the town". As a fairly new pipe smoker, I really appreciated both the coolness and quantity of the smoke. I just love a tobacco that produces heavy smoke. The flavor was mild yet satisfing. Can't place the casing (nor can I on "the town"). Both have just enough of something sweet.

In a nutshell, Frog Morton has probably become my all day smoke. I enjoyed it very much. I'll keep some "Frog Morton on the Town" and "Renaissance" around when I'm looking for a little more body. Also recently purchased some "Squadron Leader" that I've yet to try. Stay tuned.

Perhaps it's my sentimentality, but this was the very first premium tobacco I ever smoked. Prior to the Frog, I smoked the drug store varieties (sad but true). Whenever I am in an enclosed public space, I smoke the Frog, non-smokers seem to like it. After sampling many different premium blends, I still keep coming back to the Frog.

For those unfamiliar with the McClelland brand, there is something of an urban legand circulating amongst the pipe community: that ketchup and/or vinegar is somehow involved in the manufacture. When you initially open a can of any of their tinned blends, the faint (but distinct) odor of ketchup can be detected. I live in St. Louis (McC is located in Kansas City), perhaps I'll pay a visit to finally put the debate to rest!

Moisture was not a problem for me (as was for others reviewing above), and the understated nature of the flavor of this blend is somehow comforting.

I'd compare Frog Morton to certain women I know. It's not the long-legged, wild blonde in the red Porsche. It's more like the sweet, demure young lady in your Sunday school class. Sometimes you just appreciate the simple things more.

Aroma: Very smoky and somewhat sweet. I could not determine what aroma what present, but it is definitely an aromatic crossover.

Packing: Best done with a light touch, or it will not burn.

Lighting: Took flame well enough when packed properly, nohing unusual.

Initial flavor: Just like the aroma, the Latakia predominates, with a sweet background. Because of the flavoring, I don?t taste any Virginia or Turkish.

Mid-bowl: The flavor does not vary as I progress hrough the bowl. Monochromatic is one word word for it, BORING is another. It does smoke dry and cool, though.

Finish: Still boring, leaves a dry ash but also leaves its aoma in the pipe.

Summary: If you are looking for a crossover, then it would be worth a try. The quality is there, but it is just not my style.

Does anyone really know what that smell is?

That aside this is a truly dark blend. There is probably only 10-20% lighter tobacco in the tin. The tin aroma is of much latakia, little or no virginia, and the possibility of some light casing. It is also a very moist blend. Some prefer to dry it out. I myself like a wetter blend than others so I just pack it a little more losely.

The taste upon lighting is one of a large yet somehow medium flavoured latakia. The smoke is copious yet as one other reviewer noted it is also a smoke of little body.

As you work through the bowl, the taste and aroma are fairly consistent and uncluttered. There is a light flavour that is reminiscent of chocolate here, but just barely. The ash is clean in the end.

This is a blend that you do not have to think about, just enjoy and puff away. There is no bite at all, it is one of the coolest smokes I have seen. A bit monochromatic for some, but a joy for latakia lovers and those seeking an uncompromising smoke. Highly recomended

At the same time both smokey and sweet, it is a wonderful transition from a summer spent smoking sweet Virginias to colder months that call for Latakia. Its entirely bite-free nature makes it a wonderful smoke for the beginner, and, while not as nuanced as some blends, the returning veteran can always find something delightful upon lighting up. Smooth, mild, mellow, and entirely uncomplicated.

Tin Aroma: dusky, but with sweet overtones.

Physical Characteristics: a fine ribbon cut of mostly oily black pieces, with a ribbon of something slightly lighter, here and there. Packs easily. VERY moist. I let it sit opened for several hours before even attempting to smoke it, and have since found that opening the tin upon purchase and then going back in a week or so to smoke it yields the best results for me.

First Light: Yum. This is a good mellow English blend, in the best sense of the word. Strong Latakia flavor, but not overpowering. The Virginias are in evidence, but sublimated to the Latakia and Orientals, so no complaints from me. I will definately be smoking a good bit of this in the future.

Notes: Like a good virginia, and unlike a lot of English blends, the flavor at the bottom of the bowl is the real treat here. The flavor during the last third of the bowl is bursting with duskiness, and is as smooth and thick as a good single malt. The first two thirds of the bowl are extremely pleasant as well, sweet and with a decidely 'earthy', smoky flavor, the flavor that draws me back to 'English' blends over and over again. A bit lighter in texture than it's cousin, Frog Morton on the Town, and the two of them, alternated bowl for bowl, provide me with a full day of english smoking pleasure. I can see recommending this blend to aromatic smokers who are interested in sampling a good english blend. There is the faintest hint of a topping of some kind, though for the life of me, I can't pin down exactly what it is.

I just had to get some. A couple tins later, and the tin is still cute. The tobacco in the can is an entirely different matter. I usually pour the contents out on wax paper to sit overnight to help remove some of the moisture content - as I do with all the McClelland tinned blends I buy. This seems to give it a fairly smokable state. Then I return it to the tin. I returned to this tin, opened 12/00 after not having a bowl of it since opening it then. In the tin, it is predominantly black with some dark and light brown strips for highlights - a short cavendish cut. The aroma is predominantly Latakia with a hint of sweetness - oh yeah, and the distinctive tinned McClelland Worchestershire/Ketchup smell.

It packs well, and takes to match quickly. I like this because it is predictable - sweet, smoky, Latakia. There are also the underlying hints of Virginias throughout. It has the flavors of a fuller bodied Latakia blend, but has none of the heaviness. It is light and effervescent - very enjoyable. Some have said that it is cased, if so, it doesn't give that appearance to me. Yes, it has that nutty sweet flavor, but it is just well aged unsweetened brown Cavendish, Virginia and Latakia. You can tell this has been aged for a bit to get the smooth, rounded flavors that flow together so well on the palate. For some reason, it is also not as offensive as some Latakia blends can be to the bystander. This is wonderful middle of the road Latakia blend, it makes one feel comfortable.

I digress, the blend itself is another English/Aromatic hybrid. It has a wonderful tin aroma which translates well into the taste of the tobacco itself. The Frog, as it is affectionatley called by at least one other person , is a very smooth, mild and fragrant tasting blend. The latakia is not domineering as it often is in english blends and the casing (some sort of alcohol I'd imagine) is mysterious and intriguing. Though I have found many more enjoyable and complicated blends since first smoking the Frog, I am impressed with the burning qualities of this tobacco. It burns very cool, it's very mellow and rather enjoyable. It's not terribly complicated but that adds to it's charm somehow. It's a great tobacco for the english smoker who wants something different, and a great tobacco for an aromatic smoker who's feeling adventurous. Over all a wonderful tobacco with a well deserved fanbase.

This tobacco seems to be a latakia/aromatic hybrid. It definitely has latakia, and a fair bit of it at that, and also seems to have a light casing (chocolate?). The result is an easy-smoking crossover blend that will likely appeal to both hardcore english smokers and aromatic fans alike.

It is a slow, cool smoker, although there is a tendency to wetness towards the bottom of the bowl (probably due to the casing), making this perfect for a meerschaum or calabash, and indeed it responds very well to such treatment. I've smoked it in my Peterson system and Falcon with poor results, but then I rarely get good results from any "system" pipe.

The taste is smoky but seems to lack that latakia nuttiness that is present in so many other english blends, possibly because this tobacco seems to be less "stemmy" than other latakia blends, although in compensation this blend has a more forward chocolatey flavor than most Cyprian latakia blends, whether this is because of the casing I can't tell.

The room aroma is medium strength, and from observer's reports it seems that the aroma is similar to the taste. At any rate, it doesn't seem to raise many objections.