It's a coal black flake not unlike Stonehaven in appearance. First time I tried it, I tried rubbing it, but it doesn't really want to cooperate with such treatment - the flakes just broke up into small chunks. So I started cube cutting(a very fine cut with the small scissors on my Leatherman) and gravity feeding (my method for almost any flake anymore) and it burns perfectly from the very first light. A lot of people complain about lighting this stuff and keeping it lit, but the cube cut-gravity feed method works great for me with virtually any difficult flake.

I made the mistake today of working in the yard with a pipeful of this in my jaw. Not a good idea, since I can't concentrate on the pipe when I'm hanging Christmas lights. I unconsciously puff too hard and it gets bitter like Irish Flake seems to be all the time for me. This tobacco needs to be treated like a fine Virginia - slow and easy, sipping and savoring. When I pay attention to it, it comes alive.

On sipping, the VA sweetness is very forward in the flavor, while the Carolina (I think just another name for Burley - please correct me if I'm wrong) and dark stoving provide a smokiness that borders on cigar- or cigarette-like ashiness, but if the temperature is carefully controlled this can be eliminated. Then you're left with just a rich, primal, slightly complex, smoky flavor that simply satisfies.

Dark Star fills a void somewhere between FVF and Irish Flake. It's got enough quality Virginia (which we expect from McClelland) to provide a solid foundation of flavor, and enough whatever else they throw in there to create a diversion from your everyday smoke. I'm going to give it four stars because I like unique, especially when done with such high quality constituents. I certainly hope to buy more for long-term aging.

I bought my first tin of this stuff more than a year ago and had no real intention of ever buying it again. But time went on, and like many have also said, there is nothing else like Dark Star on the market.

The second time I bought this tobacco, i decided that there was a simple way of resolving most of the issues involved with it. I took the entire tin of tobacco, and methodically rubbed it out into an old cigar box, spreading it evenly along the bottom. I then let the box sit on the shelf for about two days before transferring the tobacco back to its original tin.

The next day i simply opened up the tin, loaded a bowl of my nice, dry, loose flake, and very much enjoyed the depth and flavors of the stoved Va. Only recommended because it burns much too hot, if i puff constantly for twenty seconds, the bowl becomes too hot to hold and i am forced to set the pipe down.

I have mixed feelings on Dark Star. First, it is too moist to smoke out of the tin - even though you may think otherwise. Second, it is one of the most finicky of flakes to rub out. One has to take delight in having to really work a bit to get this stuff in smoking form. I preferred to fully rub out Dark Star rather than to fold it into the bowl. I use the term "rub" with this tobacco, but you have to physically break it up almost like one would snap twigs. Third, Dark Star is touchy at staying lit. It will take a few matches to get it going consistently, but eventually, it finally does stay lit. Fourth, if you smoke it too fast, it will heat up your pipe to levels you want to avoid.

Now, with all of that said, it is an intriguing smoke. If you take it real slow and just meditate on the flavor, a number of flavors will unfold, the most dominant being dark chocolate and smoke. The smoky taste may overwhelm some but I can guarantee after a full bowl of smoking Dark Star, one's mouth does taste like an ash tray - so much so, you will need a smoky scotch on the rocks to tame the smoke of Dark Star. Fortunately, the nicotine level is low, so the depth of this tobacco can be enjoyed. There is no hint of tongue bite on the positive side.

So, do I like Dark Star? Hard to say - especially when I have Frog Morton to compare it to. When I make the comparison, the ease and softness of the Frog is much more appealing. In conclusion, I'll repeat what the salesman at my tobacconist said about Dark Star: "it's different than anything else on the market and one should try it at least once". Will I smoke it again? Sure, but in a smaller bowl after it has a chance also to age a bit. This one is somewhat recommended.

All said, not steady fare but some fun stuff. This tin should last me years.

Updated: After a couple of months of fooling with this as a rolled plug in the bowl I fully rubbed out the remaining 3/4 of my tin. The result was startling. The candy-like cinnamon / Atomic Fireball flavor simply disappeared, replaced with an entirely different experience. Smoked with this preparation it is more like MacBaren Plumcake (but better). Still a novelty smoke for me, however.

I fill a pipe or two with folded flakes and then leave them overnight and smoke them the following evening and thsu I never have problems with the burn at all.

Many have accurately described the rich sweetness of the blend; I do not think there's anything else that approaches it by a mile. And I love the tin scent too...wonderful!

I have one quibble and it's this that drops it a star...I have a tin of DS from 2007 open and a jar of 2035 that I stored away also in 2007. I cannot tell any difference, in the look, the smell or the smoke. So while I hold onto my precious tins of Barry Levin DS from the 1990's and the few more recent tins, what I buy now to store is 2035.

to start with I'm predominantly an English and Balkan smoker, so that's where I'm coming from. That said, I knew I needed to overcome my fear of being bitten by VA's, and to be honest the tin design sold this to me. I am a simple soul.

On opening the tin I was hit predominantly by the smell of uncooked Christmas cake, a rich plummy odour. The ketchup smell was also there but expected, and I know it has no bearing on the smoke whatsoever. The flakes themselves were dark, rich, and had a rubbery feel, moist as they were. Being fairly new at contemplating the tobacco itself, rather than the pipe I smoke it in, I was surprised not to see any trace of bright colours, something I found reassuring as a man with VA phobia.

I know that flakes can be a problem, and I prefer dryer baccy, so I gave it 30 minutes before rubbing out and packing a small Kaywoodie Zulu fairly solidly. I then sprinkled some of the "dust" on top as kindling.

I light using the "5,3,1" method, ensuring a deep overall burn, and settled down with some trepidation, praying my tongue would survive this pure Virginia experience.

It did.

Not only that, but I was rewarded with a long, cool smoke, free of any bite. I put this down to the triple ageing and stoving. As always the second half of the bowl produced the most satisfying flavours. The smoke is white and billowy, and unlike many other reviewers I had no trouble keeping it lit, mainly I think due to frequent and gentle tamping, and that good initial light.

This is a great introduction for a new VA smoker, which surprises me as it has the feel of a "high end" tobacco, which I would have initially imagined would be fairly temperamental, as most pedigrees are. I am pleased to say this has been an outstanding introduction for me to the world of VAs, and has given me the confidence to approach VAs as a regular part of my smoking experiences. Highly, highly recommended.

I still have a couple of tins that I'll age for a couple of years to see if it gets any better, but the heavy stoving doesn't make me think so.

Dark Star is precisely as the tin says,rich, cool, dark and spicy. Traditional McClelland "tang" in the tin note emanates from handsome, dark and leathery flakes. Hearty is a good way to put it. It does take some serious rubbing out to get these thick tobacco shingles in decent smoking form, or at least, that is my take on the process.

Tasty, mildly, mildly sweet and pleasantly complicated without forcing your tongue to work tobacco trigonometry. This isn't likely to be unlike anything you've ever tasted, but it's undoubtedly among the best. Cheers.

Update 5/11/09: I haven't at all had the various degrees of trouble smoking this that others have been reporting. I'm not doing anything particularly remarkable to the tobacco, but just for the record... I'll take a large-ish flake and pinch/crumble it into the palm of my other hand, much like wadding up a small peice of paper. The more force you use here, the better, grinding it between your thumb and forefinger. If there are any large pieces left, keep wadding, crumbling. Repeat until you've enough to fill your bowl, empty any extra into your tin. The flakes are simply too large and thick to simply fold in half and stuff into the bowl. You'd have to puff until you passed out to keep it lit. Sure, after all that work, this still may not be your thing, but if done right you should be able to smoke it properly and enjoy what is in my very humble estimation, the vest VA I've ever smoked... er, dark VA at least.

I am curious to see how additional aging will affect this blend. I have a few 50 gram tins aging, I am gonna open one after a year and another one after a few more years. I will update my review when that time comes. Until then enjoy life and keep on puffin.

Sure you've got to work it and dry it. I like using my hands and I don't mind one bit.

No one around me has said anything about the aroma and I haven't bothered to ask. I just enjoy it.

Dark Star is one of the most complex tobaccos I had ever smoked. Once dried, it needed little attention. I wish it were a little stronger, but every time I light up it gets better. A very nice tobacco to be enjoyed. Dark Star tastes like good tobacco.

If you've got a problem working your DS, bring it over. I'll be happy to do it after I've ordered and done couple of pounds to cellar.

Thank you McClelland.

The best results for me were to rub the flake out and pack the bowl lightly as this seems to not only increase the flavor of the tobacco but also aids in keeping it lit(didn't have any trouble keeping it lit). Dark Star produces volumes of thick luscious clouds of smoke, very enjoyable right down to the bottom of the bowl. Wonderful pure and sweet Virginia tobacco taste and recommended!

Updated 4/12/09 I must say that after allowing this blend to "air out" a bit it is quite exceptional! I am going to upgrade to 4 stars because I am finding myself reaching for this blend more and more and at the end of a bowl feel quit satisfied to say the least. This tobacco produces such a wonderful dark, full, rich and cool smoke it is my new "go to" blend, highly recommend!