Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia

3rdguy

Solid blend with a few years on it. Capstan and Reiner Golden Flake are similar but both have a nice sweet topping applied up front. HH Pure Virginia does not have that, it is as pure a Virginia you can get. With age however you will get that sweet note and more. That is why I like this blend over those 2. You get a pure,natural sweet tasting straight virginia with time and this blend is cheap compared to just about anything out there and comes in bulk. Smokable as it comes but it doesn't truly shine above all others until it has some age IMO.

Fresh : Light in nic . Little to no sweetness. Retrohale was uninspiring. Pure tobacco taste. Good smoke but nothing that would make me long for it.

Aged: Light in nic. Sweetness. Retrohale has some dimension of flavor that can easily be picked up. Tobacco has some body to it, does not leave you wanting for something you can't put your finger on. Pure tobacco taste. Very satisfying and a rewardingsmoke.

Highly recommended and easy to obtain. Cellar down on this one.

This is undoubtely among the finest Virginia Flakes produced. The MacBaren care and packaging is always outstanding on their flake products. Crack the tin open to find wonderfully cut and pressed matured Virginia into beautiful homogeneous flakes of pure hot pressed Virginias absolutely and flawlessly stacked inside the tin. Amber in color, with a fresh citrusy smell that reminds me a bit of marmelade. I fold a flak and stuff into a medium or larger bowls evening out the top which sometimes exceeds the bowl limits. Takes 3 or 4 charing lights to get it going but then will not need many relight if you keep a steady and relaxed sipping cadence. Oh the flavour is grand! Tangy citruses and sweet grassy notes from top to bottom. I get no bite and I am presented by a wonderful and satisfying aroma of high quality processed virginias, Sweeteness is not excessive but present all the way to the bottom of the bowl. It is somewhat similar to Amphora Virginia blend also produced by MacBaren. Delicious and indulging. Makes no mess on the bowl and burns at a slow comfy pace.

One of the best straight Virginias in my opinion , more earthy than sweet but with some sublime fruit notes. Medium nic and excellent burning qualities!!

AP

Mac Baren and the H&H series is the top of their line and this one is no exception. The beautifuly presented Virginia stacks are laid out inside a foil wrapper. I prefer to rub my flakes out but the choice is yours. The moisture level was close to where I like it so drying time was not needed. The leaf is top shelf with wisps of grassy hay, and citrus. It lights easy, leaves little to no moisture when done. The strength is a bit under medium and there is no topping what so ever. Push it and it could bite. Age will do this well and I will be buying more for the cellar. This is a good smoke for all you straight Virginia lovers

Thanks Mac Baren!

Lager

Definitely my favourite in the HH line. Baren HH Pure Virginia is a high quality all virginian tobacco with a rather unconventional virginia taste profile. Straight out of the tin, I originally found the flavor to be OK but nothing to write home about and it possessed none of the sweetness promised on the tin description. However, after a month or two in a jar, boy does this stuff come to life - becoming darker and more flavourful, with a combination of bright and low notes and just the right amount of sweetness.

I believe HH Pure Virginia will age superbly and I have set aside several tins to enjoy down track. Excellent stuff!

I was recently gifted with a couple of tins of this with 3 years age and I am smoking my 1st ever bowl of it as I type. Wonderful very rich tin note of sweet grass & hay. Wave after wave of sweet smoking Virginia that takes to the match well straight out of the tin, with absolutely no bite. Even if puffed on hardily. It'll take me some bowls to figure out how much depth & complexity this has. I'm looking forward to enjoying a bowl during my evening happy hour one day soon. This very well could definitely be a keeper.

HH Pure Virginia is for connoisseurs of top quality Virginia tobaccos. Will definitely age, but I'll never know. An exceptional blend. Medium (maybe a little higher) strength and straight Virginia flavour. If you take it slowly, gently and moist from the tin it's gorgeous! Cut and rubbed or folded this really is something special. So do yourself a big favour and get some.

I agree with Pipestud's review: this is a very fine Virginia, indeed; for my taste, it is light years beyond MacBite Virginia classics such as Virginia #1. Complex, a little citrusy at times, some sweet and sour and loads of real tobacco taste. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. 4 stars.

Bread, Fruit, Sweet/Honey, Earthy, Peppery and Floral