Can smell: pepper, spices, vinegar and fermented fruits, quite classic smell for a VaPer. Then the smoke... The blend seems too fresh with some roughness on the edges, a bit astringent and tannic but not really “green” just a bit underripe, some aging is recommended. Despite the freshness BP is far to be unpleasant: an interesting VaPer with rich flavors uplifted by the proverbial briskness of the Perique, BP is a bit on the strong/full side for my preferences …. but good! For the matter, it also leaves a quite clean aftertaste which surprise me pleasantly and if you (unlike me) are fond for DGT it works very well.

Ok, about the blend itself. Upon opening the tin, you know this would be a good stuff, although not as sweet in smell as the Orlik Golden Slice. The ABP is a broken flake and you do not need to rip before filling into a bowl. Just grap several and fold, pack it to the bowl and then enjoy the magic brought to you by fire and weed. The first taste is not that strong, thanks to the aged virginia. If you can make the ABP stay lit for the first 5 minutes, then you will have no trouble to smoke it until the end of the bowl, otherwise, you will have the pleasure to relight again and again.

During the entire smoke, ABP delivers a pleasent taste, however the others around you may not enjoy it as much as you do. The room flavour smells like something rich in oil and overburned. But as the smoker, this is definitely a blend worth enjoying.

Pitty to hear that ABP is hardly available now. Good news is that I have another 2 unopened tin in my collection. Guess I would age them for a very long time.

A definitely 4-star blend!

As an aside, I have been enjoying it with an oloroso (Lustau Almacenista, Lot 0259) It's mildness does complement the strong overtones of the sherry wonderfully, and helps bring out the undertones of the solera flavors.

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!

1-27-11 And another year almost in the jar. Very nice. I have nothing really to add, but glad I still have a few bowls left. I will buy another aged can if I see it. Wonder what the reissue's like? Nah.

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.

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.

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".

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

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

Tiger

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.

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