McClelland 'Dark Star' (tinned): this begins as "bright, yellow, sugary,
top-grade virginia" that is "triple aged, pressed and stoved" resulting
in a black flake tobacco that is very similar to McC's bulk 2035, another
of my staple tobaccos. It doesn't contain the cutter-grade virginia leaf,
however, and is far easier to rub-out and to light. This is un-flavored
and with no top-dressing.
In short this is everything that BF was not: what I expected SJW to taste
like sans perique. The rich and complex taste and aroma of bright
virginia is maintained, losing only its bite and edge. 'What' you stove
has some bearing on the net result of the stoving process. This tobacco
clearly outdoes 2035 for me: it's richer, more refined, and with a more
complicated flavor and aroma. It possesses that savory 'salty' 2035
flavor and subtle sweetness; it's cool smoking, smooth, balanced and
refined. It starts out at a flavor/aroma intensity that is 'just right'
for me and then builds in the classic flake way. In short, superb. This
will definitely replace 2035 in my regular staple tobacco stash. I find
this to be what I expected of Samuel Gawith's 'Full Virginia Flake' and
which I did not find there. I'm about to climb out on the roof-top and
start ranting praise!
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