Mac Baren HH Vintage Latakia

Smell: Latakia notes are there, but they are mild. I immediately got the impression that Latakia was not going to be the main player. I detected some sweet and nutty notes too.

Taste: Latakia is not the boss here. The tobaccos are well combined with each other and nutty notes (coming from Kentucky and Burley, I guess) blend quite well with Latakia's ones. The smoke is pleasant, with a decent body, not memorable. Overall I think it is a good balkan mixture and perhaps it can disappoint only if you are expecting something that leaves more space for Latakia.

Ratio Smell/Taste: The smell from the tin reflects well in the smoke. I got exactly what I expected after smelling the tobacco in the tin.

Moisture: Ready to be smoked.

Filter: With and without.

Ghosting: Very mild.

I gave this tobacco a third chance, no longer thinking about the fact that it might be an EM. So, taken for what it is I've been smoking it for three days. Just opened the aroma is salty and bitter. Can't quite tell what tobacco it's meant to be. It binds the tongue like sucking on an old loden coat. Over time this effect is lost but the aroma is that of a poor quality tobacco. To the point that if I ever had to choose between this and a contemporary Amsterdamer, I would take the Amsterdamer. Here we have a bitter, plush aroma with a strange depositing effect on the tongue that leaves the tongue bad. I don't get it. I regularry smoke not pleasant room note tobaccos but this is very stinky

Aroma from tin is rich and smoky, Latalkia-forward. Tobacco itself consists of flake-like pieces of Latakia and some light to dark brown Orientals/Virginia rubs. Moist is OK, no need to dry.

Being lighted it starts from grassy and sharp smoky English taste. It is very straightforward, without any nuances. It somewhat develops into bitterness/pepper and woodiness on retrohale to the last third. The Nicotine level is low to medium. Overall good experience.

For its price it is decent classic English blend. A little bit plain but well-balanced. Won't buy more having access to some other better species.

This is a surprisingly good blend for those of us who cannot smoke a classic English mixture too often - either due to price or taste. It has enough latakia in it to make it a “serious” tobacco, at least in my view, and reasonable amounts of burley and virginia to make it relatively smooth. To be recommended for somewhat experienced smokers who want something with a twist.