I've largely avoided McClelland Dark Star due to the horror stories I hear of prepping it. I've had some aging for a couple years, but a friend sent me some 2014 stuff to try so, why not.
I actually let the flakes dry for nearly 3 hours while I mowed the lawn and put the kids to bed. Then I hit it in the coffee grinder and took it down to a fairly small shag - almost a mixture cut. This sat another 20 minutes while I poked around making a gin and tonic, ate from an open refrigerator, etc.
Anyway, finally took her out and gave her a spin. The findings?
1. I lucked out on the prep and pack. Rather than battle like a Wookie in an Imperial garbage compactor, it stayed lit fairly well and played nice.
2. This is definitely Blackwoods Flake's older sister. If Blackwoods Flake is that cute, shy college girl, Dark Star is her older, confident sister who works in business and wears a pantsuit.
3. That Pantsuit is really quite zesty. Probably the zestiest Virginia I've ever smoked. If you had told me there was Perique or dark fired, I would have believed you. Did I smoke it too fast? Probably. Hello. I'm a pipe smoker. Smoking pipes too fast is my gift.
4. Particularly in the top half of the bowl, it was the familiar McClelland sweetness that I have grown to love, but I can't say I liked it more than Blackwoods Flake or various Christmas Cheers.
5. All in all: Good, not mind blowing. I like it, but not enough to cellar. For whatever reason, Blackwoods is my preferred, probably because I only have enough confidence to date the shy girl and not Ms. Pantsuit (she's a Ms. now, that's what you call someone with an MBA).
6. If prepping it was your barrier to trying it, get over it. Dry it several hours, grind it up a bit, give it a little air, and go to town. Come on man, get in there. Walk right into that office and ask Ms. Pantsuit on a date for some Tapas and wine. If its a bad night, just call her younger sister and take her out to pizza. You'll probably get married.
And that's my take. Toodles.
I actually let the flakes dry for nearly 3 hours while I mowed the lawn and put the kids to bed. Then I hit it in the coffee grinder and took it down to a fairly small shag - almost a mixture cut. This sat another 20 minutes while I poked around making a gin and tonic, ate from an open refrigerator, etc.
Anyway, finally took her out and gave her a spin. The findings?
1. I lucked out on the prep and pack. Rather than battle like a Wookie in an Imperial garbage compactor, it stayed lit fairly well and played nice.
2. This is definitely Blackwoods Flake's older sister. If Blackwoods Flake is that cute, shy college girl, Dark Star is her older, confident sister who works in business and wears a pantsuit.
3. That Pantsuit is really quite zesty. Probably the zestiest Virginia I've ever smoked. If you had told me there was Perique or dark fired, I would have believed you. Did I smoke it too fast? Probably. Hello. I'm a pipe smoker. Smoking pipes too fast is my gift.
4. Particularly in the top half of the bowl, it was the familiar McClelland sweetness that I have grown to love, but I can't say I liked it more than Blackwoods Flake or various Christmas Cheers.
5. All in all: Good, not mind blowing. I like it, but not enough to cellar. For whatever reason, Blackwoods is my preferred, probably because I only have enough confidence to date the shy girl and not Ms. Pantsuit (she's a Ms. now, that's what you call someone with an MBA).
6. If prepping it was your barrier to trying it, get over it. Dry it several hours, grind it up a bit, give it a little air, and go to town. Come on man, get in there. Walk right into that office and ask Ms. Pantsuit on a date for some Tapas and wine. If its a bad night, just call her younger sister and take her out to pizza. You'll probably get married.
And that's my take. Toodles.