McClelland Frog Morton

I understand that every tabac manufacturer seems to feel obligated to offer some type of crossover blend in order to win new fans or entreat those back who may have moved on. Frog Morton is one of those blends. It is, in a word, singular, most unrelentingly so. I have heard it being compared to blending latakia, which is not far off. It doesn't bite, it stays lit(once suitably dried) and its aroma is mild and pleasant, even to those who are non-smokers. Yet, it is so one-dimensional that after a few bowls, my patience ceases and I desire something with more panache, strength or just plain "anything" to grab my attentions. Really, this could be called "Latakia Lite", or a "Diet Tobacco", as LSS says. NB-after all the above, I still smoke this occasionally.

I finally got around to trying this famous blend, and wow, what a treat! It truly deserves the mantle of "ALL Day English" more than any other blend. Although I usually keep 965 around as my all day blend, this may very well replace it. Although not a terribly complex smoke, this helps to make it an all day-er, since I leave that to Penzance or Nightcap. During the day I want a tasty, full-flavored blend that I don't have to concentrate on. This stuff has full flavor in spades! It has rich creamy smoke with a sweet smokiness that never develops into anything else but goodness. In fact if you sat down and really tried to concentrate on it, you would probably tire of it quickly. It is extremely forgiving as well- never any tongue bite no matter how preoccupied you get and forget good smoke technique. This also makes it a great smoke to recommend to newbies who want to start getting into english blends. An instant Classic in my book!

Frog Morton is a good choice for the smoker just starting with English blends because it just can't seem to bite, is nice and mild, has a bit of sweetness to it. I suspect most smokers won't stay with it in the long run, though, as they find blends with more interesting flavors and complexity. I have never been able to get this stuff to dry out, so even though it never bites, it is always goopy and prone to gurgle. This blend is also so mild that I often smoke a bowl and think OK, that was good, now I want to smoke some pipe tobacco. There may not even be any nicotine in this stuff, I don't know. In summary, good as a first English, but not any kind of benchmark.

I'll admit my bias towards "the Frog" straightaway: this is one of my all-time favorites! For those who don't know, the Frog is a "hybrid" blend: you can't call it an English, nor can you call it an aromatic. It has a full taste, but is not harsh and never bites. It is very moist out of the can: let it sit open for a few days before smoking.

Perhaps it's my sentimentality, but this was the very first premium tobacco I ever smoked. Prior to the Frog, I smoked the drug store varieties (sad but true). Whenever I am in an enclosed public space, I smoke the Frog, non-smokers seem to like it. After sampling many different premium blends, I still keep coming back to the Frog.

For those unfamiliar with the McClelland brand, there is something of an urban legand circulating amongst the pipe community: that ketchup and/or vinegar is somehow involved in the manufacture. When you initially open a can of any of their tinned blends, the faint (but distinct) odor of ketchup can be detected. I live in St. Louis (McC is located in Kansas City), perhaps I'll pay a visit to finally put the debate to rest!

Frog Morton is very one demensional it SCREAMS LATAKIA. For a latakia lover this isn't a bad thing. Because it doesn't have much complexity to it, it makes a great afternoon, mow the yard, kind of smoke. This isn't a tobacco for your heavy contemplating at the end of the day. A great SIMPLE latakia smoke, which isn't all that easy to find.

I saw this a couple years back at a tobacconist and thought, isn't that a cute can - the frog in a smoking jacket, vest, and bow time smoking.

I just had to get some. A couple tins later, and the tin is still cute. The tobacco in the can is an entirely different matter. I usually pour the contents out on wax paper to sit overnight to help remove some of the moisture content - as I do with all the McClelland tinned blends I buy. This seems to give it a fairly smokable state. Then I return it to the tin. I returned to this tin, opened 12/00 after not having a bowl of it since opening it then. In the tin, it is predominantly black with some dark and light brown strips for highlights - a short cavendish cut. The aroma is predominantly Latakia with a hint of sweetness - oh yeah, and the distinctive tinned McClelland Worchestershire/Ketchup smell.

It packs well, and takes to match quickly. I like this because it is predictable - sweet, smoky, Latakia. There are also the underlying hints of Virginias throughout. It has the flavors of a fuller bodied Latakia blend, but has none of the heaviness. It is light and effervescent - very enjoyable. Some have said that it is cased, if so, it doesn't give that appearance to me. Yes, it has that nutty sweet flavor, but it is just well aged unsweetened brown Cavendish, Virginia and Latakia. You can tell this has been aged for a bit to get the smooth, rounded flavors that flow together so well on the palate. For some reason, it is also not as offensive as some Latakia blends can be to the bystander. This is wonderful middle of the road Latakia blend, it makes one feel comfortable.

This was one of my very first latakia/VA blends, and I'm glad that it was. Its flavor is very nice, very rich, and one that I can definately see turning the aromatic smoker onto more rich, delicate mixtures of finer tobaccos. As one pops the top, the delicious aroma almost fills the room. I find no hint of the infamous "McClelland's Stench" about this blend, and thats quite a blessing. However, like most every other McC blend in the universe, it is perpetually moist. One might like to leave the tin open for about an hour before dipping in to fill a pipe, but honestly, I love this stuff so much that the extra moisture doesn't bother me at all. The packing is nice and easy because of the small cuts of tobacco. As flame hits the top, a wonderful flavor imparts itself to the user, and because of the moisture, generally manages to extinguish itself within a minute. This is just as well, so I tamp and relight. Again, this is a very -very- moist tobacco. Relights are frequent at the top of the bowl, but as you finish the first 3rd, become almost nonexistant. This is a fairly one-dimensional smoke, but it is a wonderful flavored one-dimensional smoke. The richness of the latakia and is well managed by the snappy sweetness of virginia, and somehow, this blend smokes very COOL. I honestly have no idea how they manage, but the smoke's temperature seems almost cold to the tongue, either way, its definately interesting. The flavor stays constant down the bowl, but never loses its charm. I heartily recommend this tobacco to all pipesmokers to try at least once. Not everyone will like it, of course, but I find it a delightful smoke for all times of the day. Oh yeah, and it has a Frog smoking on the front.

This is clearly my favorite McClelland blend, and most likely my favorite English all-day smoke. Mellow and smooth, I find that I don't need to be careful at all with this blend; it is among the most tongue-bite-free tobaccos I've ever tried. On opening the tin, the odor is clearly that of a full English blend: *I* like it, but some may not. The tobacco is moist-looking and dark black, with a small percentage of lighter brown flecks here and there. It packs well and lights easily, despite the apparently high level of moisture. I choose a 1/2 bent Peterson with a P-lip for the first test of this blend, a pipe that works well for me with Latakia mixes in general. The first third of the bowl is very enjoyable; the Latakia is very strong but not overwhelming, and the smoke is totally cool, thick, and mellow. The other tobacco present is not totally drowned out, but still plays only a secondary role to that of the nutty, rich Latakia. Be warned, however, that non-smokers in the room may not appreciate the strong Latakia smell! In the second third, the high moisture catches up with me a bit, and I need to use a pipe cleaner in the stem once or twice. The same rich, cool smoke is there, however, and the flavor is mild but complex, as with the first third. In the last third, the moisture remains present, and the very bottom of the bowl is tough to keep lit because of it. I really want to, though! The smoke is just as cool and flavorful right to the bottom. I probably smoke more of this blend than any other. If you enjoy a rich, flavorful, yet cool English blend, this is the one for you. The only complaint I have is with the moisture, and that may be a problem only with this particular pipe. Regardless, the taste makes fighting to the very bottom of the bowl worth it. UPDATE: I've found that, if I leave the tin open for several weeks, the moisture problems gradually improve a great deal. The pipe selection also seems to have an effect; the Peterson gurgled worse than several of my other pipes.

Presentation : comes in ribbon course cut, Had mostly dark leaf which i am assuming is back cavendish and latakia

Tin note : After aging for 7 years, there is some sour notes. the vinegar ketchupy tin note that mcclelland is known for is almost non-existent.

I mostly get earthy, herbal, fragrant notes of spices. I also get some syrupy sweetness from the tin note.

Flavour : tasty, sweet smoke. the sweetness from the virginia and black cavendish comes through. there are no hints of tang. the orientals give the herbal taste. The latakia gives the robust, smoky and sweet taste.

Mechanics : due to its course cut, it might prove challenging to pack and get the pipe lit. you might also need to remove some bigger leaves as it will get it the way of lighting the pipe or keeping it lit. Once lit, assuming the packing was done right, stays lit well.

Tongue bite : the moisture can be quite wet and its advisable to dry it before smoking it.

This blend (in my opinion) has one of the most nastiest tongue bites. it can burn so hot that my briar gets hot enough to cook my fingers.

The tongue bites, as mentioned earlier, if not paced well, can leave you not smoking for days.

Highly advise a corncob or a meerschaum as these are porous materials and can help with the moisture and perhaps, smoke cooler.

If you really must use a briar, use one with atleast thick walls or thick cake.

Conclusion : This blend was popular for being a beginner friendly blend. However, I beg to differ. The course cut sometimes make it hard to light.

Requires some drying time as it comes wet and it does not seem to agree with my tongue chemistry.