McClelland No. 600 Special Black

I recently received an oz. of Special Black in a sampler pack I purchased to fill out an order and having never smoked any blends from McClelland other than Frog Morton, I wanted to try some of their flavored blends even though I smoke far less aromatics than I did 5 years ago.

I suppose I'll have to completely disagree with the other reviewer on just about all counts. The tobacco is a large cut with a taste that I can best describe as being a bit like strong coffee.

The tobbacco was a bit slow to light, but once lit, I only had to relight once. This tobacco is extremly slow burning and burned to a dark gray ash all the way to the bottom of my Brebbia Lectura Churchwarden. I experienced no sizzling and popping and upon cleaning the pipe afterwards, it appeared to have burned very clean as well.

I don't smoke nearly as much aromatic blends as I did at one time, but I would not hesitate to buy a few oz. of this blend. Rating, 3 stars.

Jar note of burnt vanilla, mild grass, and very mild spice. Tobacco is more course cut than Broken Flake, its black and a little on the moist side. Drying out and rubbing out larger chunks is needed. while rubbing out, it seems the cavendish is "over cooked" or burnt. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is mild and nic is very mild. Though no flavoring is listed, there seems to be some vanilla which fades away fairly quickly. Taste is mild and consistent, with notes of powdered cocoa, brown sugar, mild molasses, burnt marshmallow, a mild bitter nut background note, and a simi-smooth retro. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is good.