McClelland Royal Cajun Dark
(3.30)
A blend of five exceptional red and stoved Virginias seasoned liberally with cool, subtly smokey Cajun Black. An incredible smoking experience - deeply rich in flavor, compelling in aroma, exquisitely mild on the palate.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | Royal Cajun Series |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 50 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
|
3.30 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 12 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 09, 2006 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Very Pleasant |
It is somewhat a privilege trying something hitherto not attempted until now. Actually, in the case of Cajun Black and the McClelland Tobacco Company's first attempts blending with it, this pipe smoker finds himself at the headwaters of two new streams. One stream is a new process, the other rivulet blending with the resulting component.
Cajun Black and Royal Cajun blends are both interpretations. CB is an interpretation of an idea to double-process tobacco leaf typically flue- or air-cured, using fire and then "stew in ones juices" fermentation ala Perique. Since the constituent leaf is not limited to St. James Parish, look for other tobacco processors giving this a try in years to come along with L.A. Poche. As Latakia produced by different processors varies, it seems reasonable to expect the same about CB, to give but one of many possible analogies.
Royal Cajun blends are also first interpretations with CB in commercial smoking pipe mixtures. Provided other tobacco blending houses have ample access to CB, there's a whole lot of tobacco reviewing to come.
McClelland was smart to release multiple blends using CB, for knowing what CB tastes like as a blending component requires comparison of blends containing the CB common denominator. May there be a day soon when one may buy unadulterated Cajun Black to taste in isolation from other tobaccos and sauces. I am not sure that in any of the inaugural blends with CB anyone but L.A. Poche and the McNeil band know if pipe smokers are tasting CB ?unplugged? or not. Epistemological questions are yet hanging for most.
For now, CB is initially intriguing and what it will be seems at first glance promising. Since it is processed two ways, it has the attributes of a blend within itself. The possibilities of layering, folding, migrating and infusion of flavors with Cajun Black are just dawning. I doubt Latakia and Perique processors need liquidate their assets with the appearance of CB, but label artists will have work in the foreseeable future.
Hmmm, pipes dedicated to aromatics, pipes for English blends, pipes for Virginias and now pipes for Cajun Black. Que bono?
Cajun Black and Royal Cajun blends are both interpretations. CB is an interpretation of an idea to double-process tobacco leaf typically flue- or air-cured, using fire and then "stew in ones juices" fermentation ala Perique. Since the constituent leaf is not limited to St. James Parish, look for other tobacco processors giving this a try in years to come along with L.A. Poche. As Latakia produced by different processors varies, it seems reasonable to expect the same about CB, to give but one of many possible analogies.
Royal Cajun blends are also first interpretations with CB in commercial smoking pipe mixtures. Provided other tobacco blending houses have ample access to CB, there's a whole lot of tobacco reviewing to come.
McClelland was smart to release multiple blends using CB, for knowing what CB tastes like as a blending component requires comparison of blends containing the CB common denominator. May there be a day soon when one may buy unadulterated Cajun Black to taste in isolation from other tobaccos and sauces. I am not sure that in any of the inaugural blends with CB anyone but L.A. Poche and the McNeil band know if pipe smokers are tasting CB ?unplugged? or not. Epistemological questions are yet hanging for most.
For now, CB is initially intriguing and what it will be seems at first glance promising. Since it is processed two ways, it has the attributes of a blend within itself. The possibilities of layering, folding, migrating and infusion of flavors with Cajun Black are just dawning. I doubt Latakia and Perique processors need liquidate their assets with the appearance of CB, but label artists will have work in the foreseeable future.
Hmmm, pipes dedicated to aromatics, pipes for English blends, pipes for Virginias and now pipes for Cajun Black. Que bono?
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I previously reviewed Royal Cajan Ebony (RCE) and Royal Cajan Special (RCS). Now for a shot at Royal Cajan Dark (RCD).
By and large, RCD is also tasteful and creamy. But RCE is far creamier than RCS and this blend (RCD) and I find there is some more similarity between RCD and RCS. Yet while smoking RCD, my taste buds 'signal' something additional that tends to distinguish it from RCS. Seems to me that RCD was spiced up some more with Orientals and a pinch of Latakia. But who am I to say for certain?
In the final analysis, this is a pleasant smoke though my heart goes out more to RCE and RCS, in that order.
By and large, RCD is also tasteful and creamy. But RCE is far creamier than RCS and this blend (RCD) and I find there is some more similarity between RCD and RCS. Yet while smoking RCD, my taste buds 'signal' something additional that tends to distinguish it from RCS. Seems to me that RCD was spiced up some more with Orientals and a pinch of Latakia. But who am I to say for certain?
In the final analysis, this is a pleasant smoke though my heart goes out more to RCE and RCS, in that order.
Pipe Used:
Various
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Updated 1/30/14- Corrected review, I had mistakenly switched reviews for the Dark and Ebony.
I like it ! I believe this also has the "Perique" style, "pressure/stewing" ,processing of the Virginia leaf , it gives a whole new Tobacco. The processing gives the Virginias a more buttery, sweet flavor, smoother. Interesting through the whole bowl, I almost hate to see a bowl end.
There is a slight background cocoa/ flavor but the predominant flavor is a sweet dark Virginia with heavy base notes. I do find this one dimensional like Esoteriaca's "Blackpool" ( without the liquorish) but similar in sweetness.
I would recommend allowing this to breath and dry before trying.
I like it ! I believe this also has the "Perique" style, "pressure/stewing" ,processing of the Virginia leaf , it gives a whole new Tobacco. The processing gives the Virginias a more buttery, sweet flavor, smoother. Interesting through the whole bowl, I almost hate to see a bowl end.
There is a slight background cocoa/ flavor but the predominant flavor is a sweet dark Virginia with heavy base notes. I do find this one dimensional like Esoteriaca's "Blackpool" ( without the liquorish) but similar in sweetness.
I would recommend allowing this to breath and dry before trying.
Pipe Used:
cob
Age When Smoked:
3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 20, 2006 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This reminded me a lot of Dark Star. The tin aroma was virtually the same as that of Dark Star. Loose shag cut that was almost exclusively black.
Was rather wet, and should be dried before smoking. Had to relight several times due to the moisture. The taste was dark and sweet with no casing detected. I can't say that I tasted anything that I could definitely say was the Cajun Black. The taste was that of a Va/perique blend with a nice sweet and sour taste but with none of the horrible peppery burnt taste of perique.
I look forward to trying the other blends.
Was rather wet, and should be dried before smoking. Had to relight several times due to the moisture. The taste was dark and sweet with no casing detected. I can't say that I tasted anything that I could definitely say was the Cajun Black. The taste was that of a Va/perique blend with a nice sweet and sour taste but with none of the horrible peppery burnt taste of perique.
I look forward to trying the other blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 05, 2011 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
I recently smoked a five year old tin of this. Opening the tin gave view to loose coarse cut ribbons in various sizes. As one would expect it was dark black throughout with traces of light brown. The tobacco was dry to the touch and smelt of cedar and spice.
After lighting it, the first thing I noticed was a subtle milk chocolate sweetness. As I progressed down the bowl I noticed a slight sour taste I could not put my finger on mixed with the subtle chocolate flavor. At times I could almost pick out a light peaty smokiness with hints of black pepper and at others an almost floral note mixed in with the chocolate. The room note was pleasant leaving behind a mild sweetness in the air. All the tastes were very subtle to me through multiple bowls in briars, cobs, and meerschaums. I would like to think this blend may have been a bit too complex for my limited palate to notice everything that was going on, but it may just be a milder smoke than I am used to having.
If you like a mild smoke with quite a bit going on, then this blend is for you. My tastes of late have been toward blends that are more in your face so I may have to revisit Royal Cajun Dark somewhere down the road. As of now, I probably will not be keeping any more on hand as it did nothing for me. I neither love it nor hate it.
After lighting it, the first thing I noticed was a subtle milk chocolate sweetness. As I progressed down the bowl I noticed a slight sour taste I could not put my finger on mixed with the subtle chocolate flavor. At times I could almost pick out a light peaty smokiness with hints of black pepper and at others an almost floral note mixed in with the chocolate. The room note was pleasant leaving behind a mild sweetness in the air. All the tastes were very subtle to me through multiple bowls in briars, cobs, and meerschaums. I would like to think this blend may have been a bit too complex for my limited palate to notice everything that was going on, but it may just be a milder smoke than I am used to having.
If you like a mild smoke with quite a bit going on, then this blend is for you. My tastes of late have been toward blends that are more in your face so I may have to revisit Royal Cajun Dark somewhere down the road. As of now, I probably will not be keeping any more on hand as it did nothing for me. I neither love it nor hate it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
This was one of the first 5 blends I ever smoked. That being said it was a surprisingly good experience. I remember at the time I thought it was rather spicy and yet surprisingly smooth. I also remember at the time it bit terribly, I charred my tongue more than once on this blend, but at the time I was a very new pipe smoker and had no idea how to sip a pipe. I ended up using most of the tin to top a whiskey aromatic that I liked, this seemed to work well for me back then although I can't really remember how it specifically tasted. I would like to revisit this smoke, as I have fond memories of it even though I couldn't properly enjoy it at the time not really knowing how to smoke this sort of blend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 28, 2011 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I had the chance recently to open a tin of this dated back to 2008. The smell was a spicy, smoky, cedar with hints of sweetness coming through ever so slightly. For me it was very addicting and I truly enjoyed it. I was further impressed with the complexity that was to follow with the rich creamy smoke that was ever so sweet, ever so spicy, and had just the right amount of smokiness to it. If every tin is as rich and intriguing as this one Ill be on top of this for a loooooong time.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 18, 2008 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I think this is the best of McClelland's Cajun series. It has some depth and complexity and a rich pre-light aroma. The taste itself was a bit too mild for my own taste so I upped it from mild-medium to medium with a shot of Blending Perique. This seems to have worked out well for me though I wouldn't encourage anyone else to do that since it is very good on its own.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 28, 2008 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have to agree with other positive reviews so far for this blend. And of course, the new process and resulting new blend are intriguing. Overall the flavor is subtle and many-shaded. It has a very nice taste to it. It may not be a world-class blend, but I am truly enjoying a few bowls of this stuff. And it is worth picking up a tin just to say you've tried such an interesting new blend (and to support them in their efforts, when so many other blends and even brands are disappearing lately).
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 19, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Having smoked this ten times in various pipes, I figger I've plumbed the depths of this blend enough to review it. I find it very well behaved, and tasty, one might even say delicious. Very little to none of the infamous McClelland vinegar aroma or flavor either in the tin or in the pipe. Since I smoked a tin of Mississippi Mud from C&D recently, it seems helpful to compare the two. RCD is very similar in that they are both dark blends with sweetness, smokiness, and spiciness. However, RCD is much more subtle with none of the drawbacks that MM has: namely, the discordant flavors and the pipe-contaminating black cavendish.
So why not four stars? Honestly, this is just not what I want from a pipe. For what it was, it was great. It tasted like a cinnamon scone: sweet and bready with a bit of spice. But I want a steakhouse or an Indian food restaurant, not a bakery when I light up. I want cayenne pepper and cumin, not cinnamon and nutmeg. That's just me. This is a good blend, even a great one. But there are too many great blends to smoke them all, so you have to limit yourself somehow. This is highly recommended only for the aromatophiles who want something more natural.
So why not four stars? Honestly, this is just not what I want from a pipe. For what it was, it was great. It tasted like a cinnamon scone: sweet and bready with a bit of spice. But I want a steakhouse or an Indian food restaurant, not a bakery when I light up. I want cayenne pepper and cumin, not cinnamon and nutmeg. That's just me. This is a good blend, even a great one. But there are too many great blends to smoke them all, so you have to limit yourself somehow. This is highly recommended only for the aromatophiles who want something more natural.
target="_blank"
