Since there's nothing to tell beforehand, I have to say that this one goes in the "I don't think so" column.

I still have a tin in reserve, and I'll probably hold off opening it, though I doubt it could change all that much more at this point. I guess I'll eventually have to try a new tin at some point, just to see if the mixtures do indeed change with that kind of age on them as much as the roll cakes; I have had old and new tinnings of a couple of those side by side, and 20 or 30 years turns them into something different altogether!

So what exactly changed in the intervening time, enough to warrant my giving this blend top honours? I can attribute it only to the gain of experience, along with a slow and steady improvement in smoking technique.

Packed loosely and puffed slowly (in small sips), Mixture is just about ideal: mellow, mild, fragrant, and full of interesting flavours. And the coarse cut burns slowly and economically. A sensational value considering the quality and variety of tobaccos used.

Mixture is subtle, so there's a strong temptation to puff hard and fast to gain more flavour. Especially if one is accustomed to stronger, full-bodied tobaccos. But this is a horrible mistake, because the high concentration of Virginia tobaccos will scorch the tongue and result in bitterness.

One hopes that Gus Tation will one day join his mentor and embrace the commandment to "Love all", including even the Mac Baren line of tobaccos. Much joy awaits him if he does.

Love all, as Christ would, and peace to my brothers and sisters of the leaf.

Tongue taste (the taste you feel on your tongue when you first get the smoke into your mouth): honeylike, round and sweet, sometimes towards the spicier side.

Snork taste (the taste when you roll the smoke around in your mouth and out of your nostrils): semi-sweet, creamy, quite full-bodied. Aromatic but with a natural tobacco taste.

All together: a tobacco that manages to combine a good taste on the tongue and "snork" (which many in my experience fail - often it is either or), and which has a full bodied, powerful but still pleasantly mild taste.

Good all day smoke and very reasonably priced ($9 for 100grams is less than half the price of many fancier brands). I will order some tins to cellar before prices go up.

One of my first pouches as a pipe lover...it was a revelation, a straight, simple, easy and affordable smoke, nutty and creamy but sincere. This first pouch ended soon.

I boought a second pouch before this summer and had it cellared till I opened it yesterday. Incredibly disastrous, my tongue is still suffering the bites. Barely reached half of the bowl.

Both of the times the tobacco was too dry to smoke it without some vapor rehidr.

Will have to give a 3rd try to learn some more...essentially because a lot of you fellow pipesmokers like it and that should be a point.

UPDATE - I must update it and rate it 3 stars. I always had it further rubbed out and was completely wrong. I packed my last two bowls straight out of the pouch, pressing some broken flake one on another and topping with just a hint of debris. What i got now is a mellow, slow burning and sweet sweet blend. Cavendish and ripe Virginia finally lead the way. I didn't really expect it from a Mac baren pouch product but it's allright.

I can't add much more than what others have said, but it is a fine blend, given some drying it is smooth and light with no bite.

The flavor is crisp and sweet with undertones of toasted bread. Easily an all-day smoke.