Just posted the following review on TR; reproduced here for your edification:

McClelland Dark Star

Moist, partially broken flakes which are black to very dark brown in color with occasional chocolate-hued veining. The tin nose is sharp yet deep, with a marked acetic acid note covering a pungent, woody sweetness and the aroma of fresh, wet clay. Measuring approximately 1” x 2” and 1/16th” in thickness when whole, the dark rubbery flakes are not particularly amenable to easy preparation and can be, to put it mildly, something of a pain to pack and keep lit. Experimentation with a variety of preparation techniques were necessary to find what works. For this reviewer, the flakes seemed to do best when allowed to reach a substantial level of dryness and then placed in smaller pipes with narrow gauge chambers, partially ‘rubbed’ (meaning, in this case, broken into chunks by hand or cubed with scissors).

In the bowl, Dark Star offers a pleasant combination of rich, syrupy spice and semi-sweet chocolate with notes reminding of wood smoke, old cinnamon sticks, molasses, and the caramelized sugar crust of crème brûlée fresh from under the broiler. For this reviewer, allowing the flakes to smolder (accompanied by measured sipping) produced the best results. DGT is delightful as is the second half of a fresh bowl, where the flavor nuances begin to emerge. Dark Star goes particularly well with a cup or two of freshly ground, dark roast coffee, preferably after dinner. On the full side of medium bodied, the finish is long with a savory, woody tang.

Not for the impatient, Dark Star is much quicker to punish inattention than it is to reward persistence. At the same time, however, this reviewer is left with a sneaking suspicion that there is more going on in these odd black flakes than just one tin can reveal. Based on a tin dating to 2004, it is highly unlikely that Dark Star could ever become an ‘everyday Virginia’ around these parts, but it does beckon for more attention and further consideration down the road. Given the constituent tobaccos of the blend, its suitability for cellaring and long-term aging seems obvious.

Likely the first flake I ever tried. Let it dry and break off or cut... you are so correct .

I love Dark Star.

Now the question that many Dark Star smokers ask... how does it compare to 2035 ? Kapnist, I for one would like you to do a review of 2035 and as a part of the review, do a comparison of 2035. My taste buds are not sensitive enough so I just think of 2035 as a "poor man's" DS.

Kap,

As per your usual, another fine review! Timely too, as it were, as I just got a tin of Dark Star, though I've yet to pop it. I have been wanting to try this blend for some time now, so your review just hit the sweet spot, so to speak. Thanks for posting another lucid and insightful review, brimming with cogent detail and thoughtful observations -- Bravo!

I am a fan of Dark Star, and my preferred method of prep being a very small cube cut with scissors. This is the method I use for all stubborn flakes (and many normal flakes) and it seems to work quite well. I had little problem keeping it lit and the flavor was quite good. I too look forward to a comparison with 2035. Thanks for the excellent review!

"In the meanwhile ... enjoy that tin of Dark Star you are about to get to (and let me know if you find scissors a good tool to use the prepare those black nuggets!)."

I've never met a flake or broken flake that didn't respond well to a sharp scissors. Cutting them into little cubes is the best way to prepare Dark Star, in my experience.

Natch

Any final thoughts in comparing Dark Star to 2035?

Well, heck, I just jarred up a pound of 2035 and with the couple of tins of Dark Star on my shelf, I'll think about it in the next life