McClelland Dark Star

This could very well be my favorite tobacco. I prefer naturally sweet blends, and none are as sweet as Dark Star, I get flavor notes of caramel, molasses, toasted marshmallow, dark roast coffee, dark chocolate, subtle anise and a smokey woodsy note. I do rotate through some vapers and other Virginia blends, but I always like to have an open tin of Dark Star. I have read this blend can be difficult to work with, but I don’t seem to have any trouble with it. I just rub out the flakes, gravity feed into the pipe and fire it up.

This has a phenomenal tin note. It just needs rubbed out and to sit for a few min...then smokes great. Super dark but smokes light and cool. It instantly jumped up to my #2 favorite barely behind escudo. If you're into mcclelland blends you've gotta try this one

ok I am a newbie so I will not be able to give a detailed thorough embellished review but I will say that this tobacco is an instant favorite of mine. The smoke is as thick or thicker than Penzance and the flavor is full and smooth. No bite at all. Don't be discouraged by how wet the tobacco is when you open the tin. Just grind up in the blender and let it dry overnight. Worked perfect for me. :)

It's funny how something can smell horrible when you stick your nose in the tin but, when you smoke it, it's the greatest stuff on Earth. (Most-often the other way around.) This is twice as good as my next favorite tobacco; everyone should try this at least once. I'd smoke only this if it weren't so expensive.

Dark Star is my go-to tobacco. I primarily smoke Virginia flakes and this my favorite.

After trying McClelland's fantastic Red & Black, I was enthralled by the dark stoved Virginia and looked to this to satisfy that craving. The flavors described by the site, depending on how I cut it and how I pack it, all come and go. The grassy hay is present at first, but it quickly descends into deep, rich sweet flavors which are a true delight. I would give it five stars were it not for fussy it is for relights. It may be my inexperience, but this seems to be a phenomenon experienced by many other Dark Star smokers. Despite this, it remains my favorite Virginia, and would probably take very well to being blending with others, a la Red & Black. Extremely flavorful and a very sharp tin to boot. Would recommend!

One of my favorites. You have to know how to rub this one out and pack correctly or you will be relighting over and over! Regardless, worth the effort to learn - believe me.

I used McClelland Dark Star for the inaugural smoke of a 1907 McLardy Gourd Calabash that I restored. It was a cool, gentle smoke. I recommend Dark Star.

Smells just like Heinz 57. Tastes sweet, burns well if you let it sit in your pipe for a few days. It is an excellent Virginia. I appreciate all the hard work they put in to make it so good. I will definitely buy it again.

Incredible!

I have rebought this smoke several times. It can be frustrating to load and light. 10 seconds in the microwave makes it perfect for me. It dries just a tad and softens, making it easier to rub out. I like this smoke on a chilly night with a good whiskey.

Rich, full bodied, both sweet and smoky, Dark Star has become my favorite VA flake by far. The McClelland flakes are a staple for me (and I never get that “ketchup” smell in the tin, fresh or otherwise). Of them Dark Star is the one I save for special evenings by the fire. It can take a little coaxing to light moist from the tin, but it retains the best flavor with minimal drying and a course rubbing out. Smokes beautifully in my Savinelli Qandale with a peaty scotch!

I smoked a tin of Dark Star about 5-6 yrs. ago before I knew how to work this stuff and it bit me like a rabid dog! I just opened the tin and had at it.. WHEW! puffing and puffing to get it lit and keep it lit singed my nerves and tongue. I swore I'd never order this again. Now recently I took an interest in MC's St James Woods and liked it. So I had to give Dark Star an honest educated shot. I don't know what's the matter wirth me at the time because I've been smoking pipes for the better part of 45 yrs! Anyway, Also learned to rub out a bit, dry out a bit and even cube some a bit. Yes Dark Star needs some attention but boy is it worth it. Deep rich luxurious Virginia. This, like many of MC's VA's must be dried out a bit. unless cubed. Cubing it gives the flame more surface to ignite. I rate Dark Star as a 5star blend. Respectfully I must say it's NOT for a newbie to the fray. But if you're new and take my suggestions I think you'll do just fine. Oh, the strength level is,in my opinion, on the low side of medium.

I really like it but I wish the tobacco wasn't in big pieces I like loose tobacco so I can dry it and smoke it

I smoked McClelland's Dark Star ten years ago and it still smokes cool and tastes the same as then...Consistency!

I really like the flavor of this tobacco. However, it either smokes too wet with no drying time or too dry once left out. It also left a strange feel in my mouth that I have gotten with other McClelland blends. Ideally I would love this flavor with lower maintenance and perhaps lesser casing?

This is my go-to and favorite tobacco....A little hard to light and keep lit but it is a rich, full and smooth Virginia and I have been smoking it for years....I only wish it was available in bulk.

I trust P&C will my precious cargo. So should you.