Dark Star
- Thread starter mortonbriar
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I have the Butera version of Dark Star which is called Royal Vintage: Dark Stoved. I cube cut it into very small cubes and then let it dry for around 3-4 hours. I also use one of my thick walled flake pipes.
I never thought there would be a flake more finicky than Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake but this MC stuff beats it.
I never thought there would be a flake more finicky than Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake but this MC stuff beats it.
Thanks for all the replies. It is nice to know I am not the only one having difficulty keeping this stuff alight. I do like the flavour, but yes 'chore' is not really the vibe I am looking for in a smoke!
I agree. I’ve gotten it to burn OK, but it’s probably my least favorite of the McClelland blends I’ve tried. It’s good, but very mild and a little bit boring
You're kidding me. You can rub out those little rubber flake nuggets? I can barely pull the threads of the leaf apart.
The sample I got from one of you in a ziplock stayed in that bag for about a year.
It was just shy of mummy dust when I started in on it.
Still a slow start to the bowl. Interesting stuff, though.
It was just shy of mummy dust when I started in on it.
Still a slow start to the bowl. Interesting stuff, though.
I imported my only tin of it waaayyy too early in my piping career. God I tried to get it to burn and foolishly gave up (either gave it away or chucked it).
Since been gifted the McC bulk navy flake (2035 was it?), which to me at least has the same fire retardant consistency
...and it now has its own dedicated pipe its so good.
Since been gifted the McC bulk navy flake (2035 was it?), which to me at least has the same fire retardant consistency
...and it now has its own dedicated pipe its so good.
It is a spectacular blend once you figure out how to get it to burn. It is not impossible, just takes some practice and patience.
Note to self: if I send Jay samples of tobacco, he will treat it like shit.
That appears to be the only way I can enjoy McClelland reds without destroying my mouth.
Actually, Dark Star starts as a sweet Yellow, and then gets stoved to black. Or, past tense, since it’s not made anymore.
Maybe it's something in their casing, then. Or maybe I'm being over paranoid.
Either way, many of my blends are "over dried" by many people's standards when I smoke them.
Either way, many of my blends are "over dried" by many people's standards when I smoke them.
Dark Star and the Butera are both made with Lemon Virginia's, no red''s at all which is the only reason I cellared it.
Metal walled pipe and a torch?
I have some of the butera version waiting for the right day. I remember wasting a whole tin of dark star and getting only one or two good bowls. I dried it til it got hard, but it didn't really peel apart either. I'll definitely try the cube cut
I have some of the butera version waiting for the right day. I remember wasting a whole tin of dark star and getting only one or two good bowls. I dried it til it got hard, but it didn't really peel apart either. I'll definitely try the cube cut
I'm not kidding! You pulverize it between your fingers. Can I post a video?
I just did it.
Fold the flake a few times and hold in left hand.
Take right hand index finger and thumb and pinch as small a piece off as you can with your thumbnail.
Keep between fingers and rub, rub, rub
Repeat to sprinkle on top or enough to fill bowl.
Drying not really necessary ?
Fold the flake a few times and hold in left hand.
Take right hand index finger and thumb and pinch as small a piece off as you can with your thumbnail.
Keep between fingers and rub, rub, rub
Repeat to sprinkle on top or enough to fill bowl.
Drying not really necessary ?