McClelland Black Shag
(2.55)
Sherlock Holmes kept it in the toe of a Persian slipper nailed to the mantelpiece. It was dry and strong. Kept at what we today have deduced to be proper smoking moisture and smoked gently, this excellent stoved shag will provide hours of smoking pleasure. Examine the ash carefully. A shag cut black Virginia tobacco, making it very easy to pack a pipe and burn evenly.
Notes: The first in the 221b Series is Black Shag, introduced at the 1997 Sherlock Holmes meeting of the Richmond Conclave of Pipe Smokers.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Series | 221b Series |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Shag |
| 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
|
2.55 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 16 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 05, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
Update 5/22/20
I've been smoking a lot of this one of late, and just finished a tin from 2009. The 11 years of aging does wonders for this blend - it ages beautifully, just as I knew it would. Originally subtly complex and deep in flavor, the age graces this one with additional depth, complexity and more spice rack flavors. This needs to be dried but not too dry. Most of all, if you don't snork and you tend to relate your feelings about a blend after 1 or 2 bowls, you'll entirely miss the point of this one. The experienced virginia smoker will enjoy this one - beginners perhaps not, until they learn to snork.
Original Review 12/5/11
Reviewing a tobacco based on what it is not is an easy trap to fall into if one does not like the blend. I've done so myself. As I see a lot of that here, I'm going to consciously avoid that pitfall and review it based on what it is.
I would not classify this as a shag cut - not like G&H's Kendal Kentucky. This is a small, tightly cut ribbon but not a shag. Mostly dark in color but not quite black, with streaks of brown. The tin note was very nice and not overblown. Not a sweet tobacco, this is more of a mildly tangy blend... but tangy does not really describe it well, either. The flavor does not overpower; the smoker has to be patient and puff slowly. Snorking helps this blend immensely, as it is a subtle flavor. Dark and toasty, and nuanced with a light coffee with cream flavor. Nicotine addicts should look elsewhere. I found this to be a good "wind down" tobacco and I preferred it smoked as the last bowl before bedtime (never understood how people can smoke a particular heavy lat blend loaded with nicotine before sleep, even if it is so named!) and as a "thinking" tobacco. Perhaps that's why it's named after Sherlock Holmes' blend! Great for pondering life's problems.
I enjoyed what this tobacco brings to the table. If you want heavy in flavor, a stoved VA is probably not going to work for you. But if you enjoy nuances occasionally and a subtly complex tobacco, this is worth a try. More tins headed to my cellar!
I've been smoking a lot of this one of late, and just finished a tin from 2009. The 11 years of aging does wonders for this blend - it ages beautifully, just as I knew it would. Originally subtly complex and deep in flavor, the age graces this one with additional depth, complexity and more spice rack flavors. This needs to be dried but not too dry. Most of all, if you don't snork and you tend to relate your feelings about a blend after 1 or 2 bowls, you'll entirely miss the point of this one. The experienced virginia smoker will enjoy this one - beginners perhaps not, until they learn to snork.
Original Review 12/5/11
Reviewing a tobacco based on what it is not is an easy trap to fall into if one does not like the blend. I've done so myself. As I see a lot of that here, I'm going to consciously avoid that pitfall and review it based on what it is.
I would not classify this as a shag cut - not like G&H's Kendal Kentucky. This is a small, tightly cut ribbon but not a shag. Mostly dark in color but not quite black, with streaks of brown. The tin note was very nice and not overblown. Not a sweet tobacco, this is more of a mildly tangy blend... but tangy does not really describe it well, either. The flavor does not overpower; the smoker has to be patient and puff slowly. Snorking helps this blend immensely, as it is a subtle flavor. Dark and toasty, and nuanced with a light coffee with cream flavor. Nicotine addicts should look elsewhere. I found this to be a good "wind down" tobacco and I preferred it smoked as the last bowl before bedtime (never understood how people can smoke a particular heavy lat blend loaded with nicotine before sleep, even if it is so named!) and as a "thinking" tobacco. Perhaps that's why it's named after Sherlock Holmes' blend! Great for pondering life's problems.
I enjoyed what this tobacco brings to the table. If you want heavy in flavor, a stoved VA is probably not going to work for you. But if you enjoy nuances occasionally and a subtly complex tobacco, this is worth a try. More tins headed to my cellar!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I'm gonna do a lot of guessing here so I might be wrong on multiple points. I think I'm right though and I'm sure that this is straight Virginia. I see where some others think there may be more to it than that.
A visual inspection shows me three components. 1. Fire cured Virginia (looks like small, black pieces of broken pine needles). 2. Stoved Virginia (very small, thin pieces of black broken flake) 3. Red Virginia (short brown shag)
The flavor is awesome. Tart, tangy, sweet, fruity, toasty, and very mildly smoky. Surprisingly complex. I find that it doesn't necessarily need to be smoked slowly, but it does need to be smoked gently. This is grade A tobacco and a top-notch smoke.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Burns well.
A visual inspection shows me three components. 1. Fire cured Virginia (looks like small, black pieces of broken pine needles). 2. Stoved Virginia (very small, thin pieces of black broken flake) 3. Red Virginia (short brown shag)
The flavor is awesome. Tart, tangy, sweet, fruity, toasty, and very mildly smoky. Surprisingly complex. I find that it doesn't necessarily need to be smoked slowly, but it does need to be smoked gently. This is grade A tobacco and a top-notch smoke.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Burns well.
Pipe Used:
MM Country Gentleman, Diplomat Apple, Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
McClelland - Black Shag (221b Series).
The blend's a mixture of black, and very dark brown pieces, is an exceptionally finely cut shag, and has a moistness from a fresh tin which is perfect. The delicate cut makes for easy filling.
The smoke: more of a sipping tobacco, not because of bite, because of speed: if puffed with slight vigour it's over way to quickly! The flavour's lovely: some depth, smoke, and toastiness from the fire-cured, and dark fruit from the non-cured Virginia. The smoke has a build that's quite thick, and it doesn't bite.
Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: a little heavy.
Black Shag? A wonderful smoke. Highly recommended:
Four stars.
The blend's a mixture of black, and very dark brown pieces, is an exceptionally finely cut shag, and has a moistness from a fresh tin which is perfect. The delicate cut makes for easy filling.
The smoke: more of a sipping tobacco, not because of bite, because of speed: if puffed with slight vigour it's over way to quickly! The flavour's lovely: some depth, smoke, and toastiness from the fire-cured, and dark fruit from the non-cured Virginia. The smoke has a build that's quite thick, and it doesn't bite.
Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: a little heavy.
Black Shag? A wonderful smoke. Highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Altinok Lee Van Cleef: Friday pipe
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 30, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This blend kind of had two strikes against it before I opened the tin. It's a shag cut Virginia, associated more with cigarette tobacco labeled as pipe tobacco for tax purposes than with good pipe tobacco. It's also Holmes-themed, which can often be gimmicky.
Imagine my surprise when I loved it. It's the most English pure Virginia I've ever smoked. I am not sure if there's some kind of fired Virginia in here, as the Gentleman Zombie found, but I do get a smoky flavor. The reds and the stoved leaf are obvious, as is the slight McClelland vinegar smell.
This is a really good blend, and something I can't think of a comparison for. It's very unique.
Imagine my surprise when I loved it. It's the most English pure Virginia I've ever smoked. I am not sure if there's some kind of fired Virginia in here, as the Gentleman Zombie found, but I do get a smoky flavor. The reds and the stoved leaf are obvious, as is the slight McClelland vinegar smell.
This is a really good blend, and something I can't think of a comparison for. It's very unique.
Age When Smoked:
2 - 14 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 08, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have had an interest in shag cut tobaccos for a while now. So the name and association with Sherlock Holmes was all I needed to give this one a go. I've now been through three tins in about two months, so this blend has been in my daily rotation and will likely remain there as long as it's available.
Appearance/aroma- I was somewhat disappointed in that this is not a true shag cut. The strands are cut very short, and have a "rice-like" appearance, rather than the angel hair pasta appearance of true shags such as Five Brothers, GH Kendal Gold, etc. No matter though. A short and very tiny cut blend of predominately black (about 80%) and reddish brown tobaccos. The tin aroma is smokey, with the fermented McClelland aroma in the background.
The Smoke - In a blind test, I would likely say that this blend contains a wee bit of Latakia. However it is subtle and I'm not at all convinced this is anything other than mostly stoved Virginia. The smokey and lightly sweet flavors meld into a delicious, dare I say barbecue-like flavor with a similar aroma filling the room. Nicotine content is mild, so in that category I'm not sure this blend would be to Sherlock's liking.
Even though Black Shag is ready to smoke straight from the tin, I prefer to dry it a bit before firing up. I give it two charring lights and it's ready to go. About halfway through the bowl, a pleasant creaminess replaces the smokey flavor, while the sweetness turns to a gentle spiciness. Thoughts of (imagined) Latakia disappear as straight Virginia flavors take over in full.
Very easy on my tongue. This blend simply doesn't bite me at all. I could see potential for mild tongue burn for those given to such things, but given the cut this one should be smoked rather slowly of course.
Final Thoughts- McC. Black Shag is one of my go-to tobaccos. I simply love it and must have it on hand at all times. As a fan of Virginias, I find this one to be very unique. I really can't think of anything that tastes similar to Black Shag. Smokey, sweet and lightly spicy goodness. Highly recommended.
Appearance/aroma- I was somewhat disappointed in that this is not a true shag cut. The strands are cut very short, and have a "rice-like" appearance, rather than the angel hair pasta appearance of true shags such as Five Brothers, GH Kendal Gold, etc. No matter though. A short and very tiny cut blend of predominately black (about 80%) and reddish brown tobaccos. The tin aroma is smokey, with the fermented McClelland aroma in the background.
The Smoke - In a blind test, I would likely say that this blend contains a wee bit of Latakia. However it is subtle and I'm not at all convinced this is anything other than mostly stoved Virginia. The smokey and lightly sweet flavors meld into a delicious, dare I say barbecue-like flavor with a similar aroma filling the room. Nicotine content is mild, so in that category I'm not sure this blend would be to Sherlock's liking.
Even though Black Shag is ready to smoke straight from the tin, I prefer to dry it a bit before firing up. I give it two charring lights and it's ready to go. About halfway through the bowl, a pleasant creaminess replaces the smokey flavor, while the sweetness turns to a gentle spiciness. Thoughts of (imagined) Latakia disappear as straight Virginia flavors take over in full.
Very easy on my tongue. This blend simply doesn't bite me at all. I could see potential for mild tongue burn for those given to such things, but given the cut this one should be smoked rather slowly of course.
Final Thoughts- McC. Black Shag is one of my go-to tobaccos. I simply love it and must have it on hand at all times. As a fan of Virginias, I find this one to be very unique. I really can't think of anything that tastes similar to Black Shag. Smokey, sweet and lightly spicy goodness. Highly recommended.
Pipe Used:
Modded MM Eaton "churchwarden" cob
PurchasedFrom:
Online
Age When Smoked:
3 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 17, 2014 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
I smoke a ton of Gawith And Hogarth Dark Birdseye and love that stuff. Believe it is just dark stoved Virginia tobacco cut into a fine shag cut. I thougt I'd try Black Shag because it sounded like what I like and I enjoy a number of other McClelland tobaccos. I'm smoking a bowl of Black Shag right now and can't tell it apart from Dark Birdseye. This one comes tinned and the other comes bulk. Take your pick they are both great. Strong, lights and burns easy. I like it!
Now that I've had a bowl or two I actually think DS is a little better than DBE to my thinking. That little bit of distinctive McClelland taste comes thru just enough to give it a little more depth. I think it might smooth out a bit with a little aging but.....don't they all?
Now that I've had a bowl or two I actually think DS is a little better than DBE to my thinking. That little bit of distinctive McClelland taste comes thru just enough to give it a little more depth. I think it might smooth out a bit with a little aging but.....don't they all?
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
No aged
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
It's a mistake to compare tobaccos against each other… every blend is carefully crafted with many reasons in mind, taste, burn, quality, aging.. but never " I made this so people can compare it to…"
With that said, if we knew nothing of McClelland and Black Shag was the only blend they produced they would be a success. Black Shag is a unique quality blend of tobacco that stands alone. I'm primarily a VA and Vaper smoker and Ive been meaning to try this but put it off until today. I found a tin of Black Shag at my local tobacconist with a date of 2011. Popped the top and found what is usually red and stoved VA in flake form but finally shredded. It had the McClelland VA smell and bit of vinegar and what's this? I touch of oriental that is giving it a small hint of English blend vibe, and dotted here and there with what I believe may be a wee bit of Black Cavendish they may be keeping a secret. It could be small bits of black stoved VA. What's not to love?
First impression, this was the exact rate of moister needed for a smoke now junky like me. This just didn't happen, McClelland designed it this way. This finally shredded VA goodness will have you locked and loaded faster than Delta in a Taliban firefight. I packed it in a pipe I just smoked and had handy, my monster Peterson XL305 (Ironically the Sherlock Holmes shape). Easy light and burn….
Ah….! There's that tasty sweet Red and Stoved Va I have come to know from some of my favorite McClelland blends, Blackwoods and No. 24 and even St James Woods. This time its in a easy ready-to-rock like a Hendrix CD. I can see Black Shag and I are going to be good friends. This is a great blend by McClelland. I highly recommend it if you like VA's. Easy tasty smoke I am giving my highest 4 stars as I can't find any fault with it.
On a side note: This blend is PERFECT for breaking in a new pipe. Easy to pack and control. It will burn even and easy to a sweet fluffy ash. You'll get the sweet VA carbon as well.
With that said, if we knew nothing of McClelland and Black Shag was the only blend they produced they would be a success. Black Shag is a unique quality blend of tobacco that stands alone. I'm primarily a VA and Vaper smoker and Ive been meaning to try this but put it off until today. I found a tin of Black Shag at my local tobacconist with a date of 2011. Popped the top and found what is usually red and stoved VA in flake form but finally shredded. It had the McClelland VA smell and bit of vinegar and what's this? I touch of oriental that is giving it a small hint of English blend vibe, and dotted here and there with what I believe may be a wee bit of Black Cavendish they may be keeping a secret. It could be small bits of black stoved VA. What's not to love?
First impression, this was the exact rate of moister needed for a smoke now junky like me. This just didn't happen, McClelland designed it this way. This finally shredded VA goodness will have you locked and loaded faster than Delta in a Taliban firefight. I packed it in a pipe I just smoked and had handy, my monster Peterson XL305 (Ironically the Sherlock Holmes shape). Easy light and burn….
Ah….! There's that tasty sweet Red and Stoved Va I have come to know from some of my favorite McClelland blends, Blackwoods and No. 24 and even St James Woods. This time its in a easy ready-to-rock like a Hendrix CD. I can see Black Shag and I are going to be good friends. This is a great blend by McClelland. I highly recommend it if you like VA's. Easy tasty smoke I am giving my highest 4 stars as I can't find any fault with it.
On a side note: This blend is PERFECT for breaking in a new pipe. Easy to pack and control. It will burn even and easy to a sweet fluffy ash. You'll get the sweet VA carbon as well.
Pipe Used:
Peterson XL305
PurchasedFrom:
JR Cigars.
Age When Smoked:
2011
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 26, 2006 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
This seems to be one of those love it or hate it blends by reading other reviews. It's also interesting how different folks seem to sense different things present. Here's my take:
First off I love it for those times when I'm looking for something that leans to Full but isn't overwhelming. Usually a good choice early in the day and always for me in a small bowl. I taste stoved VA and Orientals with just a tad of unsweetened black cavandish which may be what imparts the ever-so-slight sweet essence. The firm shag cut right off the bat alerts the lucky piper to continuous light tamping since a lot of air-flow exists naturally as a result of the form. If one doesn't adjust to the cut, their experience is going to be terrible out of the gate, because the more firm kernels of tobacco permit a lot of air-flow and that can mean 'hot' if you don't adjust to a lighter puffing. Also, if this tobacco is smoked in any condition other than slightly towards the drier side ... an equally rotten experience will result.
On plus side is ... if you are familiar with this style of tobacco or make a few adjustments .... it is delightful. Understated in room note and a nice nut-sweet taste. To my knowledge and olfactory system ... there is not even a hint of latakia in this blend. The Orientals are smooth with some spice and the VA's are of the creamy stoved variety. I think this tobacco smokes best when it's a little crunchy to the touch ... if you must hydrate your supply ... do it sparingly in a humidor. Recently a friend gave me a supply that was very dry in the tin ... I mixed it with a little from a newly opened tin and let it sit for two days. It was almost too moist to smoke. Wonderful stuff - always on the list.
Cheers, VC
First off I love it for those times when I'm looking for something that leans to Full but isn't overwhelming. Usually a good choice early in the day and always for me in a small bowl. I taste stoved VA and Orientals with just a tad of unsweetened black cavandish which may be what imparts the ever-so-slight sweet essence. The firm shag cut right off the bat alerts the lucky piper to continuous light tamping since a lot of air-flow exists naturally as a result of the form. If one doesn't adjust to the cut, their experience is going to be terrible out of the gate, because the more firm kernels of tobacco permit a lot of air-flow and that can mean 'hot' if you don't adjust to a lighter puffing. Also, if this tobacco is smoked in any condition other than slightly towards the drier side ... an equally rotten experience will result.
On plus side is ... if you are familiar with this style of tobacco or make a few adjustments .... it is delightful. Understated in room note and a nice nut-sweet taste. To my knowledge and olfactory system ... there is not even a hint of latakia in this blend. The Orientals are smooth with some spice and the VA's are of the creamy stoved variety. I think this tobacco smokes best when it's a little crunchy to the touch ... if you must hydrate your supply ... do it sparingly in a humidor. Recently a friend gave me a supply that was very dry in the tin ... I mixed it with a little from a newly opened tin and let it sit for two days. It was almost too moist to smoke. Wonderful stuff - always on the list.
Cheers, VC
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 03, 2020 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was my favorite McClellan blend. It took me a few bowls to understand how good it was. It actually has a toasted flavor that i have found no where else. Its mellow, sweet and rich. No trace of chemicals or dressing. It's consistency is completely unique also. It's almost granular, but smaller than cube cut. You can practically spoon it into your bowl. It doesn't compress much, just enough to stay put. It's very dark and appearance, almost black. And it has that wonderful toasted smell. Almost like something you could eat. When you open a new can it seems like it's too dry. But it's not. It's perfect. It's incredibly easy to work. It smokes very consistent and uniformly, and requires few re lights. But the flavor. I don't know if it's complex but it is a delicate flavor. No tobacco I've ever smoked became a favorite so quickly. I wish I had bought 10 cans of the stuff.
Update: smoked a little of this stuff recently. It's as good as I ever thought it was. Truly sad that we can't get any of mcclellan's wonderful plans anymore. This one was my favorite. But I can't pay $99 for a can. So I'll just what what I have left. I have a can of deep hollow then I would be willing to trade for some black shag.
Update: smoked a little of this stuff recently. It's as good as I ever thought it was. Truly sad that we can't get any of mcclellan's wonderful plans anymore. This one was my favorite. But I can't pay $99 for a can. So I'll just what what I have left. I have a can of deep hollow then I would be willing to trade for some black shag.
Pipe Used:
Cobb's mostly
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked:
Brand new. And a couple years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2018 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Opening the tin one finds dark and red ribbons that smell like sweet McClelland VA. Notes of tangy bread and rich earth and wood.
Loads and lights perfectly without any dry time. Stays lit easily with light tamping now and again and didn't require any relights.
Quick smoke description summary: Somewhere between Blackwoods Flake and Red Cake. Not as deep, rich, and bold as Blackwoods flake as well as not being as complex, but fairly close. Not as one dimensional as Red Cake, but has the same tangy-bready sweetness as that blend.
The smoke is sweet and creamy. It reminded me a lot of red-cake especially during the first 1/4 of the bowl. Lots of sweet tang, bread, and the typical dark fruit sweetness that you would expect from McClelland VAs. After about half way point it becomes more woody, maybe a tiny tiny bit of spice here and there with more citrus notes (lemon more so than orange) display as well. Reminds me of blackwoods flake in the flavor profile but not as bold, rich, or deep. This is an easy going smooth smoke that, like red cake, you can just load, light and enjoy without too much contemplation, however it does have some complexity. Wonderful smoke and can't believe I haven't tried it until now.....and sad that McClelland's has closed their shop. I'll have to pick up some of the remaining tins at my local shop.
Loads and lights perfectly without any dry time. Stays lit easily with light tamping now and again and didn't require any relights.
Quick smoke description summary: Somewhere between Blackwoods Flake and Red Cake. Not as deep, rich, and bold as Blackwoods flake as well as not being as complex, but fairly close. Not as one dimensional as Red Cake, but has the same tangy-bready sweetness as that blend.
The smoke is sweet and creamy. It reminded me a lot of red-cake especially during the first 1/4 of the bowl. Lots of sweet tang, bread, and the typical dark fruit sweetness that you would expect from McClelland VAs. After about half way point it becomes more woody, maybe a tiny tiny bit of spice here and there with more citrus notes (lemon more so than orange) display as well. Reminds me of blackwoods flake in the flavor profile but not as bold, rich, or deep. This is an easy going smooth smoke that, like red cake, you can just load, light and enjoy without too much contemplation, however it does have some complexity. Wonderful smoke and can't believe I haven't tried it until now.....and sad that McClelland's has closed their shop. I'll have to pick up some of the remaining tins at my local shop.
Pipe Used:
Doc K Briar bent brandy
PurchasedFrom:
Morgan Hill Cigar and Wine
Age When Smoked:
4 years
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