McClelland Frog Morton on the Bayou

Frog Morton on the Bayou is an interesting blend. My initial thought was: "Froggy plus Perique? What's not to like?"

However, having lived with this blend for three years now, I find there are some challenges to this type of blend - at least to my palette. The following review, therefore, should be approached with the understanding that clearly this blend - and this series - is overwhelmingly popular and that this is just one man's opinion.

The tin note is classic McClelland ketchupy Virginia tang. The Latakia here is on the mild side, as this series is meant to present a hybrid approach to a mild-to-medium English. I can't detect any aroma of Perique amidst the McClelland trademark tin note, but then the same can be said of many fine McClelland VaPers.

As I smoke this blend I struggle to find much difference from the original Frog Morton - perhaps a hint of spice to rise above the distinct Virginias. As a lover of Perique, I find myself frequently observing that I find the mixture of Latakia and Perique very difficult for a blender to pull off. It may be that the two flavors are not quite complementary. Substitute the Latakia for burley, as with, for example, Irish Oak, and I comprehend the Virginia/Cavendish/Perique mix. But the Virginia/Cavendish/Lataka/Perique mix largely eludes me.

Two comparable tobaccos that come to mind are Pipeworks & Wilke No. 13 and Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding. In this style of English/Cavendish/Perique blend - call it a slightly aromatic English with Perique - only Plum Pudding seems to really stand out. Don't get me wrong, all three are fine tobaccos. Yet the non-Perique versions (Frog Morton original and P&W No. 5) seem to rise above the Perique infused versions.

Now don't get me wrong: this is a fine tobacco. It could just be my taste, but it seems that the addition of Perique to a blend with so much already going on detracts rather than adds to the harmony of the constituent tobaccos.

This is certainly a blend to try, and a fine blend in its own right. But I wonder if blenders of crossover English blends reach ever so slightly too far in adding Perique to the mix? In any case, that is my opinion. But legions of FMOB smokers suggest that I'm in the minority.

Regardless, this is a fine blend and one I would recommend any pipe smoker to try. Such blends educate and diversify the pallet, expanding our experience of just what is possible with today's master blenders and abundance of fine tobaccos.

Rich tin notes of leather and jerky with a mild vinegar presence, moist out of the tin and requires dry time. Virginias are sweet, fruity and slightly earthy. Cyprian Latakia lends notes of hickory smoke and a touch of malt, together they are the main components. Perique with spice and stewed fruit sing through with the buttery citrus and leathery Orientals in a very harmonious way. Smooth and relaxing, On the Bayou is a classic Balkan and distinct selection from the Frog Morton.

This tobacco is a salmagundi of light brown, brown, and black; in flake, wide and ribbon cut, with stems. There is a smorgasbord of Latakia, Perique, oriental, Turkish, and Virginia. It packs easily.

The tin aroma is the standard, mild McClelland sweet fragrance, with a slightly smoky and citrus undertone.

FMOTB is slightly sweet and rather smoky. Otherwise, it seems similar to the other Frogs in the Sandbury Collection. It's not as sweet as FMATP.

Straight from the tin, once you get it lit, it burns with no tongue bite, and a chocolate oats character. That said, there was the attendant mild mouth scour. Sometimes the bowl burnt hot.

Albeit, not having that discerning a palate, I didn't perceive the Perique spice element, standing out on its own merit, that others have said is a FMOTB signature.

Being too mild to deserve the appellation of a Balkan, the Latakia is subdued. One reviewer called it a Scottish, due to the stoved Virginias.

Frogs raised on the bayou have a bit more nicotine kick than other Frogs.

Newly opened tobacco was barely moist. Using two lights, there was no gurgle, but a small dottle was left. Allowed to dry for 3 hours, it was absolutely bonedry and still left some moisture in the bottom of the bowl, again with mild mouth scour. Caveat: Even this old salt could sense the reduced flavors of the tobacco after it was dried.

The room aroma is pleasantly smoky, though an alfalfa ambiance was left on my clothes. After thorough cleaning of my meerschaum, a definite taste of Latakia was still left in the pipe when a straight VA was smoked.

This could serve as the impetus for delving into the plethora of English-style blends. To try Frank's method of pipe packing, Google "Frank pipe packing method."

A good friend of mine brought some of this in for me to try as I have never smoked any. His was dated back in 2017. Disclaimer, I only smoked two bowls, so this is more of a place holder to at least say I had the honor of trying this one out. A good English (Balkan?) blend which was consistently smooth and for an English quite mild I might add.

My first venture into the Frog Morton series, as I'm not normally a fan of the McClelland vinager/BBQ flavor. This flavoring is most noticeable at the beginning of the bowl in "On the Bayou" but manifests itself as sweetness intermittently binding the different tobaccos and tones down the latakia. I also tend to prefer perique.

Off the light the perique gives off its trademark spice and employs notes of fig and raisin throughout. The woody, smokiness of the Latakia is the star of the show, and provides a creamy chocolatey sweetness when interacting with the sugary dark fruit Virginia and buttery Turkish, the latter I found to shine with exotic spice on the finish. Well balanced, once you get over Latakia's heavy hand. The perique isn't too spicy but noticeable, smoky/sweetness is more this blends thing. At times a beefiness/meaty element comes through. This blend can be pushed and won't bite, doesn't get hot. Can leave some dottle with a couple relights necessary- but burns well and down to a partial ash with larger blackened pieces. A well blended Balkan style- the perique spice is more evident in a narrow bowl, but I'd recommend wider. Not quite 4 stars for me bc of mcclelands trademark soupy flavor, and the mutedness of the tobaccos, intentional or not.. but a satisfying B- and worth a purchase.

McClelland - Frog Morton on the Bayou.

This one's another from a trade me and Gentleman Zombie did, where we swapped a few that hadn't particularly tickled our fancy. I think good fortune's smiling on me as I've thoroughly enjoyed some of his 'dislikes'!

Opening the tin reveals a black and brown mixture (prominently black). The moisture's good but I'm unsure of how long it's been unsealed for- Franck reviewed this on 15/07/15 and I'm assuming this is the same tin. Although it's badged with the often vague title of Ribbons, I'd call it more of a Course Cut/Mixture: some twigs, some cubes, some shag pieces, and indeed a lot of ribbons.

I don't, by any means, think this is a Lat-Bomb: the Latakia's tasty, but nowhere near smoky enough for it to have that title. Personally, I like how the Perique comes over: easy to notice, but not too harsh (for me). The Oriental/Turkish offers great weight to the smoke, but the Virginia seems as light as they are heavy. This is what I'd call a 'Rustic' smoke: there's no underlying nuances or flavours: it's quite a solid blend.

The nicotine's medium, and the room-note's perfectly non-offensive: some might say boring!

I've had a few of the Frogs up to now to base my expectations on: this isn't the best of them, but I still feel happy recommending it:

Three stars. Thanks again Franck!

This is the sweet blend in the FM series just like cellar is the sour/tangy blend.

It has a mild balkan taste.

Summary: very, very mild and smooth balkan.

Wow...just WOW. This moody, rough and tumble Frog stands out from its more proper English brothers. It invades your personal space from the first light and stays there for the entire bowl. It is polite in one respecect however, leaving no mess other than a fine grey ash; it seems to be one of the cleaner-burning blends in this series, especially compared to the more Turkish-focused ones (ATP, OTT).

Unlike some other reviewers here, I find the perique to be really up front here. The tin says "just enough" perique was added, but there seems to be a rather hearty helping of it. The McClelland BBQ is especially in your face with this blend (heavy on the red VAs?), but the pungency of the perique sings over the top of them, and loudly.

The smoke is wonderful. More leather, more spice, more pine. All of the above with a shovel full of rich, dark earth. Unlike its cousins, this one felt like it (the perique, I suspect) could bite if you push it. It also packs more of a nicotine punch. The room note is wonderful, but non-smokers are unlikely to enjoy it.

Probably not an all-day smoke for most people, but if you like a heavy English, give this one a try. Two tongues up for the Frog from Cajun country!

(This seems like it would age well, but based on some of the reviews, maybe not. Guess I'll have to smoke it all up!)

After complete disappointment with Frog Morton Cellar I decided to open the tin of FMOTB. This blend is good example how sometimes tobacco content might decieve you. If you look at the ingredients you automatically think "english" or "balkan" and this blend is officially Balkan.

Well, my tin is 4 years old and I don't know what aging did to it but this is hardly Balkan blend. I don't taste Orientals at all, which is actually good for me as I am not a fan. Latakia is very very mild. What I taste is almost a… VaPer. Yes, I know it sounds strange, considering listed ingredients, but this is the closest comparison I can give. This tobacco has very nice aftertaste and it is very easy on your tongue.

If you buy this blend and expect Balkan, this is where your disappointment might start. If you expect just good tobacco, I think will be satisfied. Personally I find this blend very nice (I like Perique). It is not every day smoke for me, it is rather a treat. Will I cry because it is no longer produced? No…