McClelland Frog Morton on the Town

light English strange flavor if you like McClelland English blends (I don't) check it out

FMOTT is a popular, light English/aromatic that just rubs me the wrong way. It's not that I don't like the genre, rather FMOTT has way too much propylene glycol, which makes it difficult to smoke and adds an oily taste. It also starts life with a big puff of Liquid Smoke and "old lady powder" that literally turns my stomach. Airing it out for several days lessens the fake "smoke" and cheap perfume-y scents, but years (now) of aging have not helped this blend from my perspective. At some point I found what I thought was the best balance of perfume and tobacco, a sort of wistful something-or-other only faintly reminiscent of tobacco, but not at all satisfying to me. Basically, there are plenty of true English blends that offer more of the tobacco I'm after, and fewer problems, so no need for me to bother with this stuff. I can see that others like FMOTT a lot, but, according to my own system, if I don't "get" it, I cannot recommend it.

One more "English mixture". I do not like nuts aluminium can but that's the way it is. Smokes light and easy. What distinguish it is that strange "Basma" taste. You can like it or not (I'm indifferent). The main problem of this mixture is the total absence of nicotine. I'll add "Ten Russians" to it, maybe this way it will be more satisfying.

Tin: Smells like a typical English, but on the lighter side. There's a sweetness about it that peeks through the charcoal-y latakia smell. There's a slight tanginess to the aroma, sort of citrus-y, but it's minute and I wouldn't call it "ketchup" as many reviewers of the tobacco do. Nothing too funky or out-of- the-ordinary.

The cut is easy to work with. It's fluffy and easy to pack, with a soft feel in your hands.

Charring light: This is the heaviest that the latakia will get. Every time I char it, the latakia is the power player. But it still is not invasive.

1st Third: Mellow. Very sweet and airy, with latakia in the background. Creamy and has a small vanilla taste (but not a syrupy aromatic vanilla). The tanginess noted in the tin note note sneaks in and out.

2nd Third: The tobacco deepens greatly. There is no more tanginess. The sweetness subsides to the background and the creamy spicy nuttiness of the Basma is in a duet with the latakia. They go from the creamy spiciness to the rich smokiness interchangeably. There are subtle nuances of the sweetness that creep in. Very complex.

3rd third: Is much like the 1st third, but a little heavier on the latakia side. (Keep in mind that "a little heavier" is relative, and in no way is this a heavy smoke). The tanginess is starting to creap in again. Then it all dies away and leaves you satisfied.

Room note: Pleasant for a non-aromatic. Not as big of a response as from Mr. Morton's Cellar, but still a desirable smell.

Overall: One of my favorite blends. Masterfully crafted and very satisfying.

I open this can up a few times a week just to take in that smell. Like a smokey Earl Grey. Pleasant and mild. Stays lit to the end. Actually bought it due to the Tolkien reference name hoping not to be disappointed, and wasnt. Smooth.

I've had this tin sitting in the cardboard box that acts as a cellar to me at the moment for a little while now. Unopened, unloved. I ordered it based on all the wonderful comments and reviews on this forum and was really looking forward to it.

Then I got a tin of Presbyterian and had a horrible time with it. That scared me off other blends with orientals in them which included OTT. But, as my four year old begged me to show her how to hit a ball off a tee I decided to suck it up and open the tin. I loaded a three quarter bowl into my trusty billiard I use to try all tobaccos out in and went out side.

Man. What a difference two blenders can be. This stuff was amazing! It had a nice little sweetness that I can only assume came from the Turkish since there isn't any Virginia in it. The Latakia was mild and reserved but still the foremost noticeable tobacco. The orientals I can only assume were the creeping little spice that would show up ever so slightly and let you know there was something special about this tobacco. Two thumbs way up.

I have to say that I still lean towards the original Frog since it's a fuller, more robust taste, but OTT is going to stay a go to tobacco for a long time. I really think with the spice it would go good in the summer with a pale beer or big glass of iced tea. I'll give it a try one evening and revisit this thread.

The tin aroma is sweet and grain-like. Latakia really plays a bit part here, sweet and tangy Orientals overshadow the smoky Latakia leaf. Virginia base is there in the background, giving up it's warm, edible aromas. Just using the nose, you can sense the quality and range of the Oriental leaves used here. Unusual but very pleasant aromas unfold from the scent of this sweet blend. Fresh ocean air, algae, sweetly earthy, damp leaf notes, Flintstones chewable vitamins, prunes, chocolate chip cookies, coffee-flavored candy, freshly sliced pear. This stuff's tin aroma is very complex and quite interesting. Very, very nice.

Easy to handle, lights a little slow but burns well once lit.

Wow. Warm, sweet, tangy, baked peaches, dark chocolate, rolled oats, Cheerios, and caramel. Nice soft Virginia sweetness, Latakia is more pronounced than in the tin aroma, balancing the Orientals. A cool, delicious English blend. One of the most enjoyable blends I've smoked. The flavor gets deeper and richer as the bowl progresses. Anytime of day, this cool, flavorful blend never disappoints. Complex, intriguing stuff.

Excellent! 4 Stars and definitely on the favorites list

This was my first tinned tobacco, and as such a pleasant surprise from the store blends. It's a good mild all day smoke, that has a smokey, tangy flavor. I'm more into flakes and stronger english blends these days, especially those with with more nicotine. However, overall a great smoke, and perfect for the new pipe smoker.

Updated 9/15/11- I had to try this again after some months in the cellar and now, I GET IT, fragrant Orientals out front. Nice, latakia is hidden way in the background, some sweetness even a touch of chocolate flavor but it still needs attention to keep it lit. I'll have to give this 2 1/2 stars and it actually maybe my favorite of the Frogs.

Updated 11/27/11- As I keep coming back to this blend I keep picking up more nuances; yes there is a cocoa that melds very nicely with the musty oriental. It is very, very smooth and has that sweet & sour tang that I find so flavorful. A few negatives; it doesn't burn real well at a sip and I can't seem to get this dry enough for my liking. I've found that I have to dry it by using a microwave for about 6 seconds a bowl. That said, I feel this is a nice change of pace from heavy latakia blends and I will keep it in my rotation. I'm giving this 3 stars, a little light in "N".