McClelland Black Shag

Visually a dark mix, roughly half black tobacco and the rest comprised of a mahogany coloured leaf with the occasional pale or blonde pieces. More granular that I would have thought a shag to be, could also be thought of as cube cut.

The tin note is predominantly caramel and dried fruit with an underlying spicy pepperiness.

Takes a light easily and burns to a fine white ash.

This is a very distinctive tobacco with an aroma that clearly divides and puzzles people. Well done to McC, the irony in this is sublime. The stoved Virginia component speaks for itself and scarcely needs elaboration. It forms the core of this tobacco, along with some complex red Virginias. The latter remind me of the quality and type of leaf in GLP's Filmore. They contribute a certain abrasiveness. My best guess, and I stress I am not trying to pass myself off as any kind of expert, is that the much noted spice notes in this tobacco come from Yenidje. Certainly, this tobacco has the sort of Perique like pepperiness and harsh mouth feel that I have noticed in McC's Yenidje forward mixtures. This also helps complicate this tobacco's almost perfume like notes.

This is a unique tobacco and well worth trying just for the adventure into strange blends. Probably not for the casual smoker or for those looking for a simple, unchallenging experience.

Lasts an absolute age in the bowl.

This is a distinctive tobacco that really hits the spot regularly and very enjoyable. Not as appreciated by my wife, but acceptable. The blend is a "little" rough, which is good from time to time. Quality is number 1; and I find myself going back and back to this special blend.

I found a jar with the remainder of a tin I bought in 2017 when I started pipe smoking again because of the tin art. At the time, I didn't particularly like it, so I put it in a jar and promptly forgot about it for 5 years.

Fast Forward to 2022. McClelland has closed and become something to savor in our collections. The jar with the Black Shag looked appealing to try. The tobacco has become even darker being mostly black and very dark brown. There is still a slight aroma of vinegar, but it is very subdued. The moisture level seems a little dry, but the cut makes the tobacco easy to load and light. The cut and moisture also makes this a tobacco which is easy to get going way too hot. I have to force myself to keep a slow pace which brings out sweetness with just a little spice/pepper in the background like a hint of perique. It's an enjoyable smoke with a room note my wife hates...

The 5 years of aging and probably my own growth as a pipe smoker have made this one that I really enjoy now. I have one more tin in my cellar and then it will be added to the McClelland "gone for good" list unless I can find some more at reasonable prices later.

I don't have a slipper from Persia to keep it in so the moisture might not be perfect, but that doesn't matter.

A solid, cool burning smoke, that is a true joy.

McClelland's 221b Black Shag smells amazing straight out of the tin. Stays well lit due to the cut of the tobacco. Upon initial lighting, this tobacco has quite a mild sweet taste with hints of vanilla. Room note is pleasant as well.

I like this blend when I don't want to think about anything. Just puff on it mindlessly while reading a good book. Somebody said coffee flavor with cream and I agree, only hold the sugar because it's not got much of a sweetness . Great cut, probably one of my favorites. It's the smallest ribbon cut ever and loads nicely in a small pipe. This was also the first blend that I could truly smoke all the way to the bottom of the bowl to a fine white ash, although after several re-lights.

Just received my first tin in the mail and out of the box it is a very dark tobacco in real short cut shag, the tin aroma is very sweet and smelled(to me) a little ketchupy but with a stronger aroma of dried raisins and apricots, very pleasant indeed!. Passed the charring light and puffing on it now it can tend to burn a little hot being it is a pure Virginia(or just me lol) and the flavor is nothing surprising or complex, but it has a very nice Virginia flavor with pleasant tones of dried fruits and dark chocolate or coffee on the finish. Over all it's a nice smoke nothing suprising, but a good change pace for a die hard Latakia fan or anyone looking for a light summer or all day smoke. This is my take on it and I'll be keeping a tin in my seller regularly.

I bought this tobacco because the cut is advertised as shag. This is not the same cut shag as the G&H Kentucky Kendall that I have also smoked and that is also advertised as shag cut. This tobacco is cut in a shorter length strip than the Kendall. Some of the strips are shorter than others and appear broken. It is dark, very slightly oily and has a sweet smell. During my smoking I do hear and feel a gurgle or bubble. It is a little more difficult to keep lit and going than the Kendall. Because of the gurgle and the lighting I only recommend this tobacco.

I prefer English mixtures and enjoy watching Sherlock Holmes on PBS, so I ordered a tin. It is a pleasant change from blends with Latakia. I have enjoyed several pipes of Black Shag when at the dog park with my Borzoi, Lara. It is a mild tobacco which burns to a nice grey-white ash and is a cool smoke in my Canadian shape pipes.