Robert McConnell Black and Gold

Last of the oldish McConnell tins from my cellar. This is one is - surprise - black and gold in color, ribbon cut, with a heavy smell of fruit in the tin. It claims to have a "woodspice" flavor, and since I have no idea what that means, I have no idea if either the smell or the flavor meets that claims. But I'm willing to concede the issue.

In the pipe, this is indeed a bit fruity tasting to start, and proper drying before partaking is recommended to tame that flavor, which is mildly sweet and more than a bit sour. Raisiny and perhaps apricot. This is a well crafted aromatic that eschews its American counterparts goopiness and artificiality. Once dried and once I get a short way into the bowl, the tobacco flavor comes thru. Excellent Virginia leaf with a bit more than a smidge of fruity perique. I did not notice any orientals but they could have been a factor in this one's sour side. Reminded me a bit of Glen Piper, which is another McConnell aromatic that was well conceived. Once this blend got into its zone, it was well balanced with the flavoring becoming complementary to the Virginias tang and mellow sweetness. It had kind of a McClelland-esque fermented quality but on a smaller level. Overall this is a mild-to-medium smoke but is very flavorful and mouthfilling. No lightweight in the nic department either. Complexity is on the short end of the stick but still contained some minor nuances. Smoked at tin moisture (came very moist), these nuances disappear and the smoke becomes steamy and dull. This one, like most virginiais, needs to be dried out to reach its potential and I found it best just short of crispy. This is a good one to try if you're curious about aromatics but have found the typical U.S ones to be too chemically flavored. A nice change of pace for me but nowhere near a rotation maker.