McC's Dark Star

[indigosmoke]

I was thinking of picking up a tin of Dark Star at the local B&M. I need something to smoke while I'm waiting for an order from pipes&cigars to arrive. The pickin's are slim at the B&M's here. The reviews on tr.com are positive, but I'd like to know what you all think. A quick search didn't turn up much here. Anyone tried it? Reviews? Comments? Thanks.

[HU1844SMOKER]

I am a big fan of McClelland tobacco and I believe I tried it years ago and it was good like most of their stuff. My problem is that I bought so much pipe tobacco over the years I had to make myself stop. I will probably die of old age before I smoke it all. The good news is if it is ever banned I will still have plenty but am concerned about the shelf life. I have cans that are unopened but over 10 years old.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by indigosmoke

I was thinking of picking up a tin of Dark Star at the local B&M. I need something to smoke while I'm waiting for an order from pipes&cigars to arrive. The pickin's are slim at the B&M's here. The reviews on tr.com are positive, but I'd like to know what you all think. A quick search didn't turn up much here. Anyone tried it? Reviews? Comments? Thanks.

If you haven't bought it yet, PM me and I'll send you my sealed tin. I bought two and smoked one. I liked the taste but I had trouble keeping it lit. I was wondering what to do with the 2nd one, and it looks like you're the lucky winner.

[indigosmoke]

What can I say but thanks! and PM will be sent.

[Alyks]

Dark Star is a bit hard to work with because it's so dense. It is hard to rub out and hard to keep lit, but I think it's a good smoke. It's sweet, smooth, and lighter than one would think given the appearance of the flake. It's worth a shot if you like virginias.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by HU1844SMOKER

I am a big fan of McClelland tobacco and I believe I tried it years ago and it was good like most of their stuff. My problem is that I bought so much pipe tobacco over the years I had to make myself stop. I will probably die of old age before I smoke it all. The good news is if it is ever banned I will still have plenty but am concerned about the shelf life. I have cans that are unopened but over 10 years old.

Over ten years old? Wow, they've probably all gone bad by now. If you want, I'm a qualified bad tobacco disposal specialist; you could send them to me...

[indigosmoke]

Thanks guys for all the info. I can't wait to try it!

Alyks - what part of Canada are you in? My grandparents were from Nova Scotia. Grandpa smoked a pipe and I still have a pipe rack of his that I cherish.

[WWhermit]

I'm working through a 100g tin of Dark Star as we speak. The flavor is very, uh, dark. It's a good tobacco, yet it does plague people a bit with it's difficulty.

I usually take about 3 flakes and put them in a coffee grinder that I have reserved exclusively for tobacco chopping. A few quick spins and it's nicely broken up. Even then, I have to mix it with some plain virginia. It's still a dense tobacco, and the other virginia helps quite a bit in keeping it lit.

After this tin is finished, I'll be moving on to Blackwoods Flake, which I hear is vastly easier to smoke and enjoy.

WWhermit

[HU1844SMOKER]

Originally Posted by MarkC

Over ten years old? Wow, they've probably all gone bad by now. If you want, I'm a qualified bad tobacco disposal specialist; you could send them to me...

Trust me they are still good, if I ever get the hang of this forum I will send you some. I opened a can of MacBaren Scottish Blend and it is still primo. I bought it in December of 1998.