First off I love it for those times when I'm looking for something that leans to Full but isn't overwhelming. Usually a good choice early in the day and always for me in a small bowl. I taste stoved VA and Orientals with just a tad of unsweetened black cavandish which may be what imparts the ever-so-slight sweet essence. The firm shag cut right off the bat alerts the lucky piper to continuous light tamping since a lot of air-flow exists naturally as a result of the form. If one doesn't adjust to the cut, their experience is going to be terrible out of the gate, because the more firm kernels of tobacco permit a lot of air-flow and that can mean 'hot' if you don't adjust to a lighter puffing. Also, if this tobacco is smoked in any condition other than slightly towards the drier side ... an equally rotten experience will result.

On plus side is ... if you are familiar with this style of tobacco or make a few adjustments .... it is delightful. Understated in room note and a nice nut-sweet taste. To my knowledge and olfactory system ... there is not even a hint of latakia in this blend. The Orientals are smooth with some spice and the VA's are of the creamy stoved variety. I think this tobacco smokes best when it's a little crunchy to the touch ... if you must hydrate your supply ... do it sparingly in a humidor. Recently a friend gave me a supply that was very dry in the tin ... I mixed it with a little from a newly opened tin and let it sit for two days. It was almost too moist to smoke. Wonderful stuff - always on the list.

Cheers, VC

The small chunks burn slowly, and since you need to smoke this fairly gently a bowl lasts a pretty long time. The flavor seems to build up as you smoke it. Its pretty good tobacco, but I don't think I would get it again. It reminds me mostly of a very mild virginia except it still has a bitey nature, which if I have to deal with bite then I prefer a fuller taste overall.

UPDATE 01/06/2005: My opinions as stated above are further proof that it is never wise to review any tobacco prematurely. I had written this review after smoking three or four bowls of 'Black Shag', but, now that I've (mercifully) almost finished off my tin, I can say without reservation that I do not care for this tobacco at all. Yes, the latakia presence is there, but that's about the only redeeming quality I find in it. This is one of the most flat, one-dimensional mixtures I've ever loaded up a pipe with. The only part of my previous review that I do not retract is my note about the tobacco's incendiary character. It STILL blisters my tongue to smoke it.

The pouch aroma is weak and holds similarities to that of a stoved Virginia blend. This blend contains Virginia, Oriental, perhaps Turkish, and no Latakia tobaccos.

This blend has a pleasing, easy to pack shag cut that contains the occasional stem. Black Shag is tinned with medium to low moisture.

Black Shag lights easily and burns in the same manner. An interesting side note would be that the smoke produced from this tobacco seems to almost have a blue hue to it. The room note, although not offensive, is somewhat bland and uniform.

The taste, like the room note, is quite mild, yet not in the least way offensive. Even though this is a more mild English tobacco, it still has the ability to produce tongue bite.

Overall, I recommend this blend to anyone who enjoys very mild English tobaccos or to those, like myself, who smoke it occasionally to create a change in pace from the more Latakia-rich blends.

I cellared my tin for about six months, with a bit of rehydration. End result- dusty furnace. I can't say that it tasted "extremely mild" but I sure could agree with "flat".I hope I can find someone that appreciates this tobacco and I'll give them what remains. I have had enough for this lifetime.

The flavor is rich and spicy and it leaves a tickle when I exhale through my nose. If you puff too hard it can be a touch cloying Towards the end of the bowl the spiciness builds and I get a nicotine kick. My main complaint is that it can be a little sharp and not as round as I would like.

This would never be an everyday smoke for me, but I will finish the tin.

It packs well given its composition of slightly harder-than-normal tobacco; it is moist and as soon as you open the tin you can smell Latakia and orientals distnctly. The ratio Virginia to orientals favors unequivocably the latter tobaccos, and frankly that's exactly how I like my smoke to be.

It lights very easily, often without the need of a second light.

It burns evenly and well, but as most McClelland blends it should be smoked slowly to really appreciate every draw. No need to puff nervously, you'll get a tongue burn and overheat your pipe. My advice is: smoke it in a pipe with a longer stem, such as a 3/4 of a bend or a full bend.

The Latakia is evident as soon as you light up; other orientals and some Virginia complete the picture and are more evident farther down the bowl. Some moisture is left at the end, as with every McClelland.

It is a strong tobacco, not necessarily adequate for all day smoke. It is sold in a 50 gr. so if you are an habitual pipesmoker it would difficultly last more than a couple of days as an all day smoke.

The room note is pleasant and not too strong. A good tobacco to keep around for those pensive moments.

Give this a 4 out of 5.

Black Shag is a very fine shag cut dark tobacco with just a hint of English flavor. If you are after a big taste, look elsewhere. This whets the whistle without drowning the taste buds.

I smoke this on occasion and find it to be a delightful change of pace.

The tobacco is predominantly back with dark brown strands. A few lighter brown strands are barely visible. The smell is ketchup light, and similiar to McClelland's Virginia #25. And yes, it will bite like McClelland's mature Virginia line of tobacco's.

The fine ribbon cut packed well in both large and small pipes (Ascorti bented apple and Small Barling pre-trans). It was moist, but stayed lit.

Once lit, the taste is predominantly sour with sweet/ nutty/ spicy leather undertones. I find it to be on the stronger side, though the smoke itself could be described as thin as opposed to creamy. The flavor did not change through the smoke with the exception of increased sweetness at the end.

There is a peppery effect when blowing smoke through the nose, and I find the overall pungent room aroma pleasant. I suspect, however, non tobacco lovers would not.

The finish was short with little aftertase (or does the toungue bite distract?)

I like to smoke a bowl as a break from standard engligh blends. It seems to rejuninate my taste for them while providing an interesting diversion. I would recommend this as an occasional smoke to stimulate the palate.

Aroma: Pleasant stoved Virginia aroma, not particularly rich but naurally sweet.

Packing: The shag cut is fine enough for even my smallest pipes. It does require a bit of care packing into larger bowls to ensure evenness.

Lighting: Almost lights itself when you open the matchbox.

Initial flavor: Smooth, slightly sweet Va. Flavor, cooler than the cut would lead you to expect. Not as rich and flavorful as their Virginia #25.

Mid-bowl: Seems to hit mid range and high notes, but no low range which I miss. Can bite if you smoke too fast

Finish: Gains a bit more strength at the bottom, but leaves a nice gray ash.

Summary: I really wanted to love it for several reasons. The Sherlock connection for one, and the fact that I like Va #25. However, the hype failed in my case. I still prefer #25.