McClelland Royal Cajun Special
(2.96)
Two dark stoved Virginias and one wide cut lemon Virginia expertly blended with Cajun Black. This blend is one of a kind, ethereally smoky, deeply rich and incredibly complex. Virginia's natural sweetness cooled by Cajun Black's fire-curing and perique style processing.
Notes: Cajun Black is the first new pipe tabacco component in more than forty years. Cajun Black derives from Virginia seed brought to southern Kentucky long ago to grow in that fertile, heavy soil where it was crossbred to create dark fire-cured tobacco. It is stalk-cut and hung over slow-burning hardwood slabs in a three to five step smoking process until it turns a deep chocolate color and achieves its distinctive smoky flavor.
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
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.96 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 28 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 04, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
There's something not right about this blend.
It has that wonderful cajun black flavor -- that unique dark, sweet subtlety -- but it's not as smooth and creamy as the other Royal Cajuns. I taste something in this blend that tastes off to me, like capers in a chocolate mousse, or tomato juice in a fine port. I see why some claim to taste something citrusy in this one, but I'm reminded more of solvent. Indeed this one takes my breathe away -- and not in a good way: unlike any other blend I know, this one dries out my throat and lungs.
This blend does not work for me. Cajun Black is a new process, so perhaps McClelland is experimenting with its possibilities. According to my tastebuds this experiment failed.
I again applaud McClelland for their Royal Cajuns, but I'm very glad I didn't try this one first because I doubt I would have tried the others, and that would have been most unfortunate since RCE and RCD -- especially RCD! my #1 'baccy -- are extraordinary. Though I generally love McClelland's blends, I cannot in good conscience give this blend more than one star.
Others obviously enjoy it, and I can understand why, and even agree with many of their conclusions; but, ultimately, I don't like sage in my flan.
UPDATE 10/28/10: My opinion of this blend hasn't changed over the course of the year.
However, I discovered that this blend works beautifully as a condiment for high-key blends that would benefit from a helping of something darker. For instance, I do a 50-50 mix of this with Ashton's Winding Road and it works beautifully.
Now I find myself ordering more tins of this one star blend just to have around as a great condiment for other blends. Go figure.
It has that wonderful cajun black flavor -- that unique dark, sweet subtlety -- but it's not as smooth and creamy as the other Royal Cajuns. I taste something in this blend that tastes off to me, like capers in a chocolate mousse, or tomato juice in a fine port. I see why some claim to taste something citrusy in this one, but I'm reminded more of solvent. Indeed this one takes my breathe away -- and not in a good way: unlike any other blend I know, this one dries out my throat and lungs.
This blend does not work for me. Cajun Black is a new process, so perhaps McClelland is experimenting with its possibilities. According to my tastebuds this experiment failed.
I again applaud McClelland for their Royal Cajuns, but I'm very glad I didn't try this one first because I doubt I would have tried the others, and that would have been most unfortunate since RCE and RCD -- especially RCD! my #1 'baccy -- are extraordinary. Though I generally love McClelland's blends, I cannot in good conscience give this blend more than one star.
Others obviously enjoy it, and I can understand why, and even agree with many of their conclusions; but, ultimately, I don't like sage in my flan.
UPDATE 10/28/10: My opinion of this blend hasn't changed over the course of the year.
However, I discovered that this blend works beautifully as a condiment for high-key blends that would benefit from a helping of something darker. For instance, I do a 50-50 mix of this with Ashton's Winding Road and it works beautifully.
Now I find myself ordering more tins of this one star blend just to have around as a great condiment for other blends. Go figure.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Well, I was enticed by the description to order a tin of this, and was not disappointed. True, it is not exactly my style. I would like to get my hands on some of the Cajun Black blending element and try blending it myself with a nice, up front Virginia flake. I hate to admit it, but I like to inhale my Virginia once in a while and feel that nice "bite," and this one is definately not an inhaler! But it is a uniquely nuanced blend, and going on quality alone might be a four star tobacco for some. I found it a bit cloying. I think I will enjoy this as an occasional treat along the lines of Just For Him's "Shortcut To Mushrooms;" the two are more similar in their feel than in their taste.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 11, 2008 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This is a coarse, wide cut blend of mainly blacks with bits of light VA that result in a cool smoke without any bite. I still prefer the burn rate of my VA flakes without rubout for a long, slow smoke. Moisture content was fine from the tin and the McClelland ketchup smell barely noticeable. Although this tastes like a mild aromatic to me, I believe its from the tobaccos and processing and no condensation or contamination of the briars was experienced. However, this one has little nicotine kick and although tasty, I'm looking for higher octane.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 27, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
"Special" is the first Royal Cajun I've tried. I should say that I am a McClelland fan, and I do not get the "tomato" smell or flavor that people often reference. Maybe my taste buds are different. That being said, I really enjoyed my first bowl. I smoked it in a corncob, and it compares favorably with many VaPers (even though Cajun Black is not technically Perique) that I have tried. Upon the first taste, I noticed a slight sweetness with a citrus overtone. About a third of the way down the bowl the flavor became more rich and Perique-like. By the bottom of the bowl, I would almost swear I tasted Cavendish...must just be the blend. I believe this tobacco would be even better with some age. It's worth cellaring for a year or so to see. This is a pleasant, medium flavored tobacco that is not heavy or overpowering in any way. The smoke itself is full and pleasing to both the eye and the palate. For VaPer fans, I would recommend it without hesitation.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2006 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was eager to test this new Cajun Black tobacco, as I very much enjoy Perique and Virginia tobaccos. This was a unique blend, much of the background flavor of Perique without the peppery frontal taste. I happen to like the pepper in Perique so I was a little disappointed, this is however a good blend, with a rather smoky taste.
It packed and lit well and would be good for those wanting to try something different, I will finish the tin and might try the other two Royal Cajun blends, but this will not be a regular smoke for me.
It packed and lit well and would be good for those wanting to try something different, I will finish the tin and might try the other two Royal Cajun blends, but this will not be a regular smoke for me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 08, 2006 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Opening the tin reveals a mostly black tobacco with about 10% lighter leaf. The cut is short, but somewhat coarse, promising a cool burn. The aroma reminds me of black cavendish, with traces of chocolate and prunes. That combination also shows up in GLP Cumberland, which also uses a dark-fired Burley (although not fermented). The tobacco was somewhat moist for me, and very slow to air out. Is there PG present?
The flavor is slightly sweet, with mildly smokey overtones, and generally mild in character. It does burn cool and dry, but I find it less spicy and interesting than I prefer. Good for a starter, or in the afternoon, but too mild for evening.
A good choice for all-day if you find the flavor rewarding. I will try the others in the trilogy to see if they pique my tastebuds.
The flavor is slightly sweet, with mildly smokey overtones, and generally mild in character. It does burn cool and dry, but I find it less spicy and interesting than I prefer. Good for a starter, or in the afternoon, but too mild for evening.
A good choice for all-day if you find the flavor rewarding. I will try the others in the trilogy to see if they pique my tastebuds.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 14, 2006 | Very Mild | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I stole a couple of bowlfuls of Cajun Special from my father's stash and really enjoyed it. It's low nicotine content was the only negative I could find, and the reason for 3 stars instead of 4. But that's ok, this stuff has plenty going for it outside of nicotine. It is sweet, smokey, smooth, and spicey. Kinda reminds me of a lightly sweetened dense flourless chocolate cake, with a cinnamon garnish (though this is no aromatic blend).
This Cajun Black (TM?) is quite an innovation. I hope it makes it's way into many new concotions. If it does, we are all in for good piping in the future. If I like it so much, why didn't I buy some for myself? I had tasted it at the end of an expensive two week vacation during which I already had spent around $200 on tobak. AND, it was only availible in Sacramento at the Briar Patch Tobacco Shop; 50 grams for $14.25. Hopefully there'll be room in my next Smokingpipes order to try all three of the Royal Cajun Family. . .. . and hopefully in bigger tins. yummy complex stuff.
This Cajun Black (TM?) is quite an innovation. I hope it makes it's way into many new concotions. If it does, we are all in for good piping in the future. If I like it so much, why didn't I buy some for myself? I had tasted it at the end of an expensive two week vacation during which I already had spent around $200 on tobak. AND, it was only availible in Sacramento at the Briar Patch Tobacco Shop; 50 grams for $14.25. Hopefully there'll be room in my next Smokingpipes order to try all three of the Royal Cajun Family. . .. . and hopefully in bigger tins. yummy complex stuff.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 10, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
And I am glad to be the second to recommend this. I first tried it at the Chicago Pipe Show; McClelland was passing out trilogy tins of their newest Cajun Black series. Unlike distinguished gentleman, I prefer the Ebony for its distinct jet black richness and nubian subtlety. Yes, Royal Cajun is similar to Best of Show in its black and lovely speckled gold/lemon appearance. It's not as special as I had hoped, though it is a treat. The description leaves much more to the imagination. The aroma, more worcestershire than BBQ is distinct and woodsy. You could smoke this all day and never get tongue bite; something rare for the sweet, though bitey McClelland aged Virginias, especially their rubbed out flakes. Definitely a force to be reckoned with, these excellent Cajun blends make a fine impression. Tobacco afficionados should heartily welcome tobacciana's latest surprise debut.
Three and a half of five stars
Three and a half of five stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 02, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I feel privilged to be the first to review this wonderful blend. Upon opening the tin one is greeted by a very dark and chunky cut tobacco.It is very similar in appearance to "Best of Show". The aroma is similar to an aromatic,yet THIS IS NOT A SWEET AROMATIC blend.THIS IS MORE "PERETTI-ESQUE" IN ITS TREATMENT OF A NATURAL TOBACCO WITH AN AROMATIC ELEMENT ADDED. It is also very moist, so I advise at least 30 mins. of open air exposure. 1st light yields a very naturally sweet flavor. This flavor is incredibly rich,yet does not change throughout the length of the smoke. This new "Perique Style Process" does produce a very unique flavor. It is not that typical McClelland ketchup smell. It has more of a vanilla cased Virginia smell.The smoke goes rather quickly and burns to a cool ash. This is for the adventurous. It is a cross between an aromatic and a virginia blend. Highly recommended for the smoker who likes change. 4of 4 stars. P.S. THIS IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE "CAJUN EBONY".
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
This review is from a tin with a few years of age on it, which has been open for a while and is dry as Tut's tomb. Mostly black leaf with a few strands of gold, with an unlit aroma like a light Latakia blend. In the pipe, the sweet & sour bass tang of dark stoved Virginia dominates with smoky and peppery undertones; there are also notes of chocolate, coffee - a pleasant roasty natural sweetness. I don't reckon it lives up to McClelland's self-inflicted hype - it is nothing quite as revolutionary as all that - but taken on its own merits it is quite enjoyable and, yes, a bit different from the norm. Just a bit.
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