McClelland Black Shag

This is my second stab at this mixture, the first was straight out of a new tin. After a few bowls I will admit that I really was less than impressed. As I so often do I put the remainder in a mason jar and stored it in the tobacco vault. 2 plus years have passed since that first try and I can say the time in the lock up improved things exponentially. This is a shag cut,albeit not a Samson or Drum cigarette shag. Packs well, lights well and stays lit. Taste is like black strap molasses with a little spice, I think the spice comes from a pinch or 2 of an Oriental. Maybe not? The flavor grew sweeter as the bowl was spent and the smoke was very pleasurable. Another sipper tobacco that will wear your toung out if you are a sprinter. All in all a good solid smoke, I think I will keep some on hand for an ocassional visit.

I think this is underrated here. It definitely is different, but in a good, stoved Va way. There may be a bit of Oriental there, but the development of the smoke doesn't seem typical of that type of blend to me. The sweetness at first light fades to a richer, spice-like high with the dryer Va as the base. Finish is both sweet and spicy, no sourness to my taste at all. No bite in a smaller bowl either.

All in all, not bad. Unremarkable, but not bad.

In the tin, it is very, very black. The tin note is dark virginia, a hint of the usual McClelland "twang" and something decidedly woodsy. The description does not mention latakia, but I swear I can smell it in the tin.

It takes the light fairly easily and stays lit. Being a fine, shag cut it tends to expand and puff up in the bowl upon the first lighting, and I found that two charring lights were better than one to get things moving. Once it settles in, it keeps on truckin' and puffs through to the end of the bowl.

The flavor is very subdued. It is sweet/sour, tangy, and dark. After tasting my way through half a tin, I was no longer convinced that latakia was present - I can't taste any in the smoke. That said, there's got to be more going on here than just Virginia - I'd be willing to be there's a fair pinch of oriental in the blend, even if it's not included in the description.

Overall, the smoke is mild. What flavor is there is quite good, but you have to look for it a little bid. This makes for a good smoke in the early evening when you're trying to relax and just enjoy the pipe. If there's anything else to distract you, the blend is far less satisfying and overpuffing by just a hair can turn "understated" into "flavorless" in a hurry.

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 purchased this tin on the fly from my local tobacconist simply because I liked the artwork on the tin (what can I say, I'm a sucker for good labels). Long story short, it has quickly grown to become one of my favorites. It packs very easily and stays well lit through the whole bowl. It has a wonderfully tangy sweetness that is perfect for outdoors on a warmer day when you just want to have some nice R&R.

For best results, after opening the tin I'd let it sit with the lid on for a few days before smoking. It really helps bring out the wonderful tang of this blend.

If your looking for a heavy Vitamin N hit you'll be let down but it does has just enough to make it a really enjoyable smoke. Try it and find out for yourself!

As far as a shag cut goes, McClelland has set the bar very high, indeed.

I always keep a tin of this in my collection.I only ever keep this and the Sherlock Holmes tin from Peterson's as my aromatics selection.As a general rule, I am an English-blend-only smoker.

There is the smell of American BBQ , mesquite I believe it is called, although don't quote me on the spelling. The taste is full and somewhat strong, however as it is a shag cut, it is to be expected.

Shag, as many know, is not a type of tobacco, rather it is just the way the tobacco is cut. So, therefore, it is easy to pack and easy to light. It doesn't burn out and has a nice taste. There is the downside of a somewhat strong room oder. Not a wife-pleaser.

I, as a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society, had an immediate attraction to the blend by its name and known to be one of Holmes' favourite tobaccos. I was not let down and have always kept a tin in my collection. I even went as so far as to tack a real persian slipper on my wall and kept a bit in and to my shock, it enhanced the flavour! Perhaps there is something behind what Doyle had written upon.

This blend was a must try simply because of the name. Upon opening the tin I noted that it was indeed a shag cut, very similar to that of RYO tobaccos. On the same token, it reminded me of smoking an unfiltered cigarette, perhaps a Lucky Strike in flavor. This is a very mild smoke, a bit of sweetness, but very simple. For me it has ended up being a good blend for a night out on the town here in Spain, it is easy to pack and does not require attention. This blend did not wow me in any way, but it was enjoyable all the same. I think this would be an interesting one to mix with just a smidge of Latakia perhaps, although I wouldn't want to overwhelm the subtle flavors already present.

For me this one really deserves a GOOD two stars. For what it is,a shag cut all virginia smoke, there is some really good flavor here if you are patient and sip it slowly. It is hard to go wrong with a Mclelland virginia and I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of ketchup smell. Not that I dislike that as it has been a precursor to some really enjoyable smokes, but this blend in the tin has a kind of zesty, spicy sweetness that transfers to the smoke as well. It's a mood blend for when I need something simple and pleasant tasting while I am studying. Why only two stars? Burns fairly hot even when sipped slowly and the taste falls a little flat in the last fourth of the bowl. Probably would be useful in blending. I found that adding a little cigar leaf helps a little bit.