I consider Deep Hollow to be an aromatic because you can definitely taste/smell the casing. To me its a sort of maple taste, with hints of raisin at points. The virginia flavor definitely comes through because the casing is not over powering at all, but they work together to create a very nice sweet flavor, with a great smoke that doesn't bite or smoke hot.

That being said, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but I'm not a big fan of unnatural sweetness, which is why this blend brings the best from both worlds. So if you're looking for something sweeter, or just straight up like aromatics, this is a good tobacco to turn to. Not an aromatic, but not a straight blend either. It's shy of four stars because it is sort of a one dimensional smoke.

Soli Deo gloria!

The room-note is pleasant, and it has a nice note that I just can't place, but the odor that you inhale is there and really is a great smoke. It is a mild smoke, and has a sweetness to it. I really like this blend, the Virginia's are top notch. I will always have more on hand so I don't run out and it ages.

i wasn't expecting something approaching an aromatic---besides being surprised, i was also pleased--i don't care for aromatics due to the heavy casing and PGs most blenders employ--i DO however enjoy an occasional bowl of sweeter tobacco--

this is your blend if you don't like traditional AROs--it's a good change of pace--packs well, burns right, very cool, doesn't bite at all-- a perfect "sweet tooth" fix for the non ARO smoker--

EDIT:

goin' on a year later--have to drop the rating to 2 stars--just never seemed to get going to me as time progressed--very little tobacco flavor--guess i'm just a burley man at heart--

for what it is, it's OK--just not my tobacco

Of the McC Virginia blends I’ve tried, this one is not my favorite, maybe it’s the topping, maybe it’s the lack of strength, I’m not sure, but I found DH lacking. You can kick up the taste a notch by drying this stuff to almost crispy, but that did nothing for its “n” strength. I would call this blend a fantastic cigarette tobacco, but I prefer a bit more stand alone tobacco punch in my pipe.

This is barely an aromatic. Others have debated the flavor; I get a hint apple. To me it's very pleasant, subtle, and goes beautifully with the Virginias. In fact, sweet Virginia is mostly what you get.

I'd describe this as "unchallenging" in the best sense of the word. Maybe it's not robust enough to cap off a meal with a glass of port. Instead, take a stroll, read a book, take a break when the fish aren't biting. (Speaking of which, it doesn't bite easily but it will if you puff too fast.)

This may be too mild an not complex enough for seasoned smokers. For those like me who like light sweet Viginias, it's a winner. If your are a new smoker I especially recommend this.

It is definitely flavorful and on the sweet, rich side of the VA spectrum. I'm in the camp that believes it is lightly cased (but I sure can't put a name on the casing flavor). If it isn't cased then maybe there are non-latakia orientals in there.

When it was young, it was definitely on the moist side, but over time dried a bit. The tobacco in the tin appears dark and smells sweetly fragrant.

The aged specimen lights well without much drying, though I remember it needing a little drying when young. The flavor starts sweet and pretty much stays there. It is a tad tangy at times, but in a good way that supports the sweetness. The bowl never gets too strong or especially complex, though it is pleasant throughout especially if you manage to keep it cool. The burning properties are about average.

The room note is surprisingly pleasant, certainly by the standards of a straight VA. I often choose this blend when I knew I'd be smoking around others. Still, it is definitely as just as good or better from the smoker's perspective.

If you are looking for stronger VA flavors, more nicotine or anything approaching an English or VAPer, look elsewhere. But if you want a pleasant, mild, sweet and fragrant smoke this is a good place to start. In fact, if you are an aromatic smoking looking to make a jump to VAs, this is definitely one worth checking out.

"a lightly fragrant blend of rich, red and black stoved Virginias"

I've been told it's lightly cased with Vanilla. I couldn't tell, I thought it wasn't cased at all, it has that natural sweet virginia taste, which is excellent. It reall comes out mid way through the bowl.

I'd reccomend this for VA lovers, It's a really pleasant smoke. It could be an all day smoke for sure.

THIS IS A VERY NICE MILD BLEND, IN WHICH I WAS ALITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT TRYING AFTER I OPENED IT UP. AT FIRST HAS THAT MCCELLAND KETCHUP SMELL. BUT AFTER LETTING SIT OPEN FOR A WEEK AND THEMN SMOKING A PIPE FULL, YOU DONT EVEN NOTICE IT. JUST A NICE RELAXING SMOKE W/ NO BITE AT ALL.I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE NEW AND OLD SMOKER.

Not one I will buy often, but it has its place.

Update, I am lowering the rating, I got tired of too many bowls of this being hard to keep lit, you have to overpuff at times to keep it together, makes for too much work. When right, flavors are good, but its hard to keep together through an entire bowl.