McClelland 221b Black Shag

[pruss]

Good afternoon everyone,
My good wife picked me up a tin of the this tobacco and I have a question for you, more knowledgeable, smokers. This tobacco is listed as "shag cut Black Virginia tobacco". To my nose it is aromatic, deep and sweet, with notes on the bitter side of bittersweet chocolate (thinking baker's chocolate). A number of the different reviews of this tobacco that I've read suggest that this is an "aromatic". Now the folks at McClelland don't call it out as an "Aromatic" tobacco... nor do there appear to be flavouring additives in the tobacco itself. So my question:
"What makes an aromatic tobacco an 'Aro'?"
Is it simply the inclusion of flavourings added to tobacco? Or is it more complicated than that?
I look forward to your thoughts.
-- Pat

 

[rmbittner]

To my knowledge, there have been no casings or toppings added to this tobacco, which would define an "aromatic." It is dark and sweet because a good portion of the Virginias have been stoved, which brings out both qualities.

 

[spartan]

If the tobacco is naturally sweet, and maybe water and sugar were sprayed on...I still don't think that qualifies.
To me it has to be some sort of chemical, or maybe an herb that isn't a tobacco that is added; deer tongue.
If we genetically alter a tobacco leaf to taste like we're smoking strawberries? That's an aro too lol.

 

[rmbittner]

By the way, pruss, you should pay attention to the names of those who have labeled this an "aromatic" and take their palates into consideration when evaluating their reviews in the future. Because it's not really anything like an aromatic.

 

[rmbittner]

BTW, I love stoved Virginias. if you like what's happening in Black Shag, you might also enjoy Butera's Royal VIntage: Dark Stoved and McClelland's Dark Star, a near-black flake that requires some work (it's very dense) but is well worth the effort.

 

[rmbittner]

Hope you like the Dark Star as much as I do! I think it's an amazing tobacco. And I found the Royal Vintage: Dark Stoved to be very similar in flavor -- but a whole lot easier to pack.

 

[pruss]

Thanks for the feedback and perspective folks.
Much appreciated. I'll certainly look out for Dark Star. One of the things I like most about the Black Shag is the way it burns. It's a nice, even and slowish smoke. The depth of flavour is rich without being over-powering.

By the way, pruss, you should pay attention to the names of those who have labeled this an "aromatic" and take their palates into consideration when evaluating their reviews in the future. Because it's not really anything like an aromatic.

Thanks for that good idea. I learned a long time ago that not everything on the internet is true, so it's really helpful to have a forum full of interested, engaged and *ahem* fanatic fans of the leaf to be able to bounce questions and ideas off of.
It's lovely to be on the front end of the learning curve with tobaccos.
-- Pat

 

[dragonslayer]

McClelland 221b Black Shag was one of the first cross over blends from aromatics to VA. Now that’s what I was led to believe, as it was thrown in an order for me to try. To be honest I didn’t care for it much. My guess is there may have been some heavy sugar casing on the leaf. I’ll probably give this one another shot down the line, but I’ve got a list of targets on the “try me” already. With at least 90% of my orders -- well actually last night’s WTF TAD was 100% cellar with 4 - 8oz tins of AK and 5 tins of Escudo, I’ll add in a couple tins of recommendations from people on the forums who share my pallet. But my tin cellaring choices are pretty much set, unless something blows me away. I do remember it being more of an aromatic in flavor, but in a few months it may get another shot. Will be checking out that Honeydew next month Roth.

 

[dragonslayer]

I've tried the Arcadia and didn't care for it at all. Being more of an oriental was outside my pallet.

 

[pruss]

though it did have a wee bit of that signature McClelland ketchup

That's interesting. I haven't smoked any other McClelland tobaccos so I'll keep my nose/buds open for that note. Can I assume that "ketchup" in this case describes a high sweet but acidic note (kind of like a sweeter version of the smell one gets when opening a can of tomato paste)? I'm wondering if this is what I'm describing as "bittersweet"... It's really fun/interesting to learn how to describe a new series of flavours/aromas.
I have yet to smoke Latakia in any form (that I'm aware of) although in nosing different blends at a B&M I did come across a number of blends that had an inherently peaty/smokey note. Is that a latakia hallmark? I love Lagavullin, drink Lopsaang Souchong tea and smoke my Thanksgiving turkey... if that's the note that Latakia brings I may have it in my future.
Cheers,
-- Pat