McClelland Frog Morton on the Bayou
(3.20)
When vacationing on placid waters of the Bayou, Frog Morton prefers this rich Balkan blend, to which he adds just enough precious Louisiana Perique. Smooth and dark and calming, a relaxing Balkan Blend.
Notes: The name Frog Morton comes to us from the works of JRR Tolkien. Frogmorton: A village in the Eastfarthing of the Shire. It stood on the East Road, between the Three-farthing Stone (fourteen miles to the west) and the Brandywine Bridge (twenty-two miles to the east). Immediately to the north of the village, the stream known as the Water broke into two, creating a wide watery region - this feature seems to have given Frog Morton its name, which means "frog marsh".
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Craftsbury Series |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.20 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 61 - 70 of 70 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 14, 2006 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
It is a real pleasure to add my first review of this fine blend. Although I should preface this by noting that the tin I tried had been aged three years.
When I first opened the tin I was met immediately by the smell of Latakia. Having little experience with Latakia at the time I remember this smell to be overpowering, although now I do not find it so. There is a definite undertone of something citric in the tin-note. This blend comes in a very unexciting ribbon cut, although I never found any stems and overall would have to say the cut is nothing out of the ordinary, but nothing to complain about either. There is a topping to this blend although I can't really put my finger on it. But definitely a flavouring.
As for packing I used the Frank method and found it to be very wet and sticky. This is usually the case for McClelland's blends and is definitely the case here. But it lights with very little effort and remains lit with very little tamping.
As to the smoke itself, It is a very mild Latakia blend with a touch of spice. It is very cool smoking and burns very dry. No trace of tonguebite. It is a fairly well behaved blend that, on occasion can get bitter if abused. For this reason, it might not be a good blend for new pipesmokers. It IS a flavourful smoke despite it's mild character and while the topping isn't terribly overpowering it is somewhat noticeable. The spiciness is very slight but adds an interesting component to this blend that kept things interesting.
From the above description, it sounds as if this is a blend to be weary of, but rest assured that the flavour is the clincher. Stickiness and topping aside, the mild latakia and touch of perique combine to offer a surprisingly well rounded blend. It is complexe enough to maintain my interest and mild enough to smoke all day. Still, for those of you looking for your daily dose of latakia, you better go looking elsewhere as this is just a little too soft for stars.
When I first opened the tin I was met immediately by the smell of Latakia. Having little experience with Latakia at the time I remember this smell to be overpowering, although now I do not find it so. There is a definite undertone of something citric in the tin-note. This blend comes in a very unexciting ribbon cut, although I never found any stems and overall would have to say the cut is nothing out of the ordinary, but nothing to complain about either. There is a topping to this blend although I can't really put my finger on it. But definitely a flavouring.
As for packing I used the Frank method and found it to be very wet and sticky. This is usually the case for McClelland's blends and is definitely the case here. But it lights with very little effort and remains lit with very little tamping.
As to the smoke itself, It is a very mild Latakia blend with a touch of spice. It is very cool smoking and burns very dry. No trace of tonguebite. It is a fairly well behaved blend that, on occasion can get bitter if abused. For this reason, it might not be a good blend for new pipesmokers. It IS a flavourful smoke despite it's mild character and while the topping isn't terribly overpowering it is somewhat noticeable. The spiciness is very slight but adds an interesting component to this blend that kept things interesting.
From the above description, it sounds as if this is a blend to be weary of, but rest assured that the flavour is the clincher. Stickiness and topping aside, the mild latakia and touch of perique combine to offer a surprisingly well rounded blend. It is complexe enough to maintain my interest and mild enough to smoke all day. Still, for those of you looking for your daily dose of latakia, you better go looking elsewhere as this is just a little too soft for stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 13, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I had heard so much about Frog Morton on the Bayou that I could hardly wait to get the tin open and load my new (just broke in with about 12 bowls now smoked) faithful and magnificent smoking Nording freeform pipe. Opening the Bayou tin my first whiff, and the following 2-3 minutes of sensory testing, was interesting and reminded of Stokkebye's Proper English PS-52 but then I caught a drift of the Louisiana Perique and Bayou took on a individuality and personality of it's own to my senses.
From the first light Bayou tasted delicious and mouth-wateringly and smoked easily nearly to the bottom of the bowl on the first light to the very finish, leaving a nice clean white ash at the bottom which dropped out without the use of my pipe tool blade. This was one of the most pleasurable 40 minute pipe smokes I've had. The experience of Bayou lingered long after the pipe rested. It left its signature both in my mind and body with feelings of peacefulness, serenity and mellow thoughts. This tobacco will surely hold a place of high esteem on my shelves and in my pipes. If Dunhill's Nightcap is even near what Bayou is (which I have yet to try) there will probably be a constant bickering in my mind and taste buds about which one to smoke first and when.
From the first light Bayou tasted delicious and mouth-wateringly and smoked easily nearly to the bottom of the bowl on the first light to the very finish, leaving a nice clean white ash at the bottom which dropped out without the use of my pipe tool blade. This was one of the most pleasurable 40 minute pipe smokes I've had. The experience of Bayou lingered long after the pipe rested. It left its signature both in my mind and body with feelings of peacefulness, serenity and mellow thoughts. This tobacco will surely hold a place of high esteem on my shelves and in my pipes. If Dunhill's Nightcap is even near what Bayou is (which I have yet to try) there will probably be a constant bickering in my mind and taste buds about which one to smoke first and when.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 10, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
This is another wonderful addition to the McClelland cabinet. McClelland has been coming up with some wonderful blends and this holds its ground.
Looking at the tin one sees the same Frog Morton as the original. When you open the tin you are greeted with a wonderful, familiar aroma, a little stronger though than the Original. Some have noted how the tobacco seems a little moist; this was not experienced with my tin. Grab a hand full, load it up and light it.
The tobacco lights wonderfully. There is no need to keep a box of matches around for this one. You may want the tobacco to burn out, but it doesn?t want to; the tobacco is so cool is just keeps on going. The taste that you receive is much like that of the Original Frog Morton, very cool. There is no tongue bite.
This is not a boring blend. You will enjoy it clear down to the last puff. On the Bayou makes you want to grab a fishing pole, a couple of spinner baits and head out onto the lake. It?s the perfect lake tobacco. When the wind is blowing you can still taste and smell the aroma of the tobacco.
Here?s another keeper.
Looking at the tin one sees the same Frog Morton as the original. When you open the tin you are greeted with a wonderful, familiar aroma, a little stronger though than the Original. Some have noted how the tobacco seems a little moist; this was not experienced with my tin. Grab a hand full, load it up and light it.
The tobacco lights wonderfully. There is no need to keep a box of matches around for this one. You may want the tobacco to burn out, but it doesn?t want to; the tobacco is so cool is just keeps on going. The taste that you receive is much like that of the Original Frog Morton, very cool. There is no tongue bite.
This is not a boring blend. You will enjoy it clear down to the last puff. On the Bayou makes you want to grab a fishing pole, a couple of spinner baits and head out onto the lake. It?s the perfect lake tobacco. When the wind is blowing you can still taste and smell the aroma of the tobacco.
Here?s another keeper.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A very good sweet and savory blend.I rather enjoyed this one.An extremely mild blend for a Perique blend ,yet still yummy!This is my second favorite in the FM series. FMOTT is the first. This is definitely worth a try especially if you are a FM fan. 3 of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 09, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
While FM is an all day delight, with its subtle smokiness, FMOTB is notched up in strength, probably due to the obvious Perique. And, FMOTB is inherently more complex than FM though it still manages to be very near monochromatic.
Besides the noticeable casing of both of these blends, FMOTB has less of the smokey latakia smell one expects in a Balkan blend. Even FM doesn't really have the aroma profile typically associated with latakia-heavy blends.
I am pleased that my 100 gram tin did not have the typical McClelland-Moisture inherent in many of their other worthy blends (update: though I do use a few more pipe cleaners than is normal for me when smoking FMOTB).
Overall, not a mind blower, nor offensive, but unlikely to replace FM in the weekly rotation. If you want to try Perique without the typical zap it provides in blends like Escudo or Haddo's Delight, give FMOTB a try.
Besides the noticeable casing of both of these blends, FMOTB has less of the smokey latakia smell one expects in a Balkan blend. Even FM doesn't really have the aroma profile typically associated with latakia-heavy blends.
I am pleased that my 100 gram tin did not have the typical McClelland-Moisture inherent in many of their other worthy blends (update: though I do use a few more pipe cleaners than is normal for me when smoking FMOTB).
Overall, not a mind blower, nor offensive, but unlikely to replace FM in the weekly rotation. If you want to try Perique without the typical zap it provides in blends like Escudo or Haddo's Delight, give FMOTB a try.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 08, 2004 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a good English blend. I am not a big fan of Latakia, but this blend doesn't have a large amount of Latakia so it suits me fine. Had a couple of bowls of this with a couple of large pints of stout under the car port on a cool breezy night while looking at the Christmas lights in the old neighborhood and was very happy with them both. They went together very nicely! Nice aroma and not too heavy, but heavy enough for the cool night and the stout. May have to put some of this away for when it really gets cold.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 05, 2004 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
September 2004
These Frog Morton tobaccos are terrific, and Frog Morton on the Bayou is no exception. The Latiakias are smooth and silky, with just a touch of Perique--not much, mind you--to keep things interesting. The burn is great as well--two lights and it burned to a nice white ash almost to the bottom of the bowl in my circa. 1980s Nording freehand. This didn't get four stars from me only because it is slightly too mild for my trashed-out palate. My biggest problem was deciding which pipe to use, as I had not yet designated one for Latakia-Perique blends. As it turned out, this was not a substantial concern given the lightness of the Perique in this blend.
These Frog Morton tobaccos are terrific, and Frog Morton on the Bayou is no exception. The Latiakias are smooth and silky, with just a touch of Perique--not much, mind you--to keep things interesting. The burn is great as well--two lights and it burned to a nice white ash almost to the bottom of the bowl in my circa. 1980s Nording freehand. This didn't get four stars from me only because it is slightly too mild for my trashed-out palate. My biggest problem was deciding which pipe to use, as I had not yet designated one for Latakia-Perique blends. As it turned out, this was not a substantial concern given the lightness of the Perique in this blend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 05, 2004 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I?ve been smoking this since it came out ? I really like it and its brothers FMOT and FM. The first week I had it, I burned a whole 100g tin. Since, I?ve slowed my pace. I still love the stuff. If you want a sweet, non-hot blend, that won?t dry out in the can, then this is for you. I must say that it needs to be air dried before loading a bowl or it gets just a bit too goopy for me. (No surprise here, I think all McC tobaccos are like that.) I find laying it spread out on a paper towel, or paper plate out for 30 minutes to an hour before loading is just right. The perique the McClelland uses is always excellent in quality, but it always dries out my throat, so be warned that this may happen to you as well. Also, I have found through my tasting adventures that McClelland?s choice in latakia is a bit ?softer? than what is used by other companies.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 28, 2004 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I tried this one while on a search for a "rest blend" to smoke as an offset to the usual heavier Balkan/Perique types I prefer. My first impression was that the blend was too moist and thus got too much of the "steam" taste, but after a few days of letting it sit, tried it again. It tastes very light to me, which I imagine would be like a medium to someone not accustomed to an Latakia type mix. It stayed light in different conditions (such as outdoors, porch, living room, different pipes) and I had to admit an admiration for the consistent character.
The taste and body is light, and if smoked too fast, it will bite, but not much, you'd have to be smoking with some other condition affecting it (like my bad habit of smoking in moving cars). The smoke starts off sweet, with a bit of spice, and as it progresses, the perique and latakia begin to assert, which for me is how I prefer it. However, in some pipes, the perique isn't quite in quite high enough proportion and thus I get that more sour or wet raggy taste instead.
It's nice enough that I've asked my tobacconist to keep it in stock, and it's in my rotation as an afternooon/rest smoke and works very well for me in that context. It's among the coolest smoking smoking of the light naturals that I've smoked, which sounds like like faint praise, but this would be a great intro the the latakia type blends for those who aren't familiar with that kind. I'll never love this type of blend, but I always do need to have one around as a lighter alternative that is truly light without bite and has good burning qualities.
The taste and body is light, and if smoked too fast, it will bite, but not much, you'd have to be smoking with some other condition affecting it (like my bad habit of smoking in moving cars). The smoke starts off sweet, with a bit of spice, and as it progresses, the perique and latakia begin to assert, which for me is how I prefer it. However, in some pipes, the perique isn't quite in quite high enough proportion and thus I get that more sour or wet raggy taste instead.
It's nice enough that I've asked my tobacconist to keep it in stock, and it's in my rotation as an afternooon/rest smoke and works very well for me in that context. It's among the coolest smoking smoking of the light naturals that I've smoked, which sounds like like faint praise, but this would be a great intro the the latakia type blends for those who aren't familiar with that kind. I'll never love this type of blend, but I always do need to have one around as a lighter alternative that is truly light without bite and has good burning qualities.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 01, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
My wanderings through the land of latakia have not been particularly successful, although I might be heading in the right direction. Dunhill's My Mixture 965? Ghastly! Samuel Gawith's Squadron Leader? Into the bin! G. L. Pease's Mephisto? Mildly intriguing. Frog Morton on the Bayou? Enjoyable.
Frog Morton on the Bayou has just enough latakia to provide a flavour completely different from my usual strong British flake tobaccos, but does not overpower one with the taste of old leaves and spoiled wine.
An interesting, nuanced, enjoyable bowlful.
Frog Morton on the Bayou has just enough latakia to provide a flavour completely different from my usual strong British flake tobaccos, but does not overpower one with the taste of old leaves and spoiled wine.
An interesting, nuanced, enjoyable bowlful.
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