Mac Baren Presbyterian Mixture
(3.20)
Mellow blend of US Virginia tobaccos and high quality Macedonian grades-exclusive, aristocratic pipe mixture.
Notes: This fine tobacco originally had no name. It was blended before the first World War especially for the Very Rev. Dr. John White, sometime minister of the Barony Kirk in Glasgow and Moderator of the General Assembly in Scotland in 1929. He introduced it to Stanley Baldwin, later Earl Baldwin, Prime Minister in 1923, 1924 and 1935. He liked it so much that regular supplies were sent down to him and it was he who suggested that it be called "Presbyterian Mixture". As there continues to be controversy over the question of whether Presbyterian Mixture contains latakia, the following quote from page six of the blender's 2008 catalogue should leave the matter settled: "Extraordinarily soft blend of finest US Virginia grades and a number of selected latakia leaf tips. Ideal mixture also for beginners with English tobaccos." Originally blended for mass market by William P. Solomon, whose recipe it still follows.
The "International" version is called "Melange".
Currently made by Mac Baren.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.20 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 291 - 300 of 302 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 26, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Presbyterian Mixture is a solid classic English. The Latakia is pleasantly applied offering a nice cedar-campfire aroma in the tin note and the smoke, but does not overwhelm the blend. The oriental and Virgina varieties are nice but not distinctive. There is a little bite. If you are looking for an all day English blend, this is a solid choice. However, I think there are more complex and delicious blends in this genre.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2017 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Hoo boy, this one was a real brain tease. Very earthy in the tin, but tremendously different when lit. If my first impression of the tin aroma was where I stopped, I would have been cheating myself of a real great puffer. Room note is very acceptable for my wife, and you gotta give the wife a say in these matters. Taste is sublime, considering the almost rancid aroma upon opening the tin, as I stated previously. But go thru the paces with this closet case, and you will not be disappointed.
Okayokayokay, after reading the other reviews of this blend, I seem to be the only one offended greatly by the tin aroma. Maybe the Tuscan Chicken with double garlic I had for dinner had something to do with my comment, but I still like it when it is burning.... I mean, I'm not chewing the stuff.
Okayokayokay, after reading the other reviews of this blend, I seem to be the only one offended greatly by the tin aroma. Maybe the Tuscan Chicken with double garlic I had for dinner had something to do with my comment, but I still like it when it is burning.... I mean, I'm not chewing the stuff.
Pipe Used:
All types
PurchasedFrom:
Jon's Pipe Shop, Champaign, Illinois
Age When Smoked:
Fresh tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 23, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I love the aroma out of the tin and enjoy very much smoking it. What else can I say great tobacco.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 02, 2012 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
When you open the tin you are greeted by a heavenly whiff but don't put your nose too far in as it can be overpowering. I could just sit with the tin open sometimes.
The VA gives this a nice sweetness on the tongue. If there is latakia in it then it is a different kind of latakia, I am thinking this is not cased there is just some fermentation of one of the tobaccos ( I like to think that anyway!).
It finishes with a nice spicy sensation all over the tongue.
This is my favourite so far!; I'm a Nightcap and Squadron Leader lover and I would place this on top because it tastes good, satisfies my nicotine habit, smells great unlit, has a very pleasant room note and I can imagine I'm way back when being the Prime Minister of our wonderful UK - I can't give her up lord. It's unholily good!
The VA gives this a nice sweetness on the tongue. If there is latakia in it then it is a different kind of latakia, I am thinking this is not cased there is just some fermentation of one of the tobaccos ( I like to think that anyway!).
It finishes with a nice spicy sensation all over the tongue.
This is my favourite so far!; I'm a Nightcap and Squadron Leader lover and I would place this on top because it tastes good, satisfies my nicotine habit, smells great unlit, has a very pleasant room note and I can imagine I'm way back when being the Prime Minister of our wonderful UK - I can't give her up lord. It's unholily good!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 23, 2012 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
I have a theory about this blend, to explain the disparity in reviews and the great Latakia schism in our congregation.
When this blend is mixed, the Latakia, being somewhat heavier, sinks to the bottom, leaving the lighter Orientals on top. When tinned, some cans will have almost no Latakia, and the cans from the bottom of the batch will have a fair amount.
Despite the occasional inconsistency from tin-to-tin, I love this stuff, especially on a sunny day on the boat. I smoke it all day long. Presby is good with Scotch or beer. Some folks even smoke it sober. I don't recommend that.
Sometimes I go a little overboard on it, but the ladies do love the smell of Presby!
When this blend is mixed, the Latakia, being somewhat heavier, sinks to the bottom, leaving the lighter Orientals on top. When tinned, some cans will have almost no Latakia, and the cans from the bottom of the batch will have a fair amount.
Despite the occasional inconsistency from tin-to-tin, I love this stuff, especially on a sunny day on the boat. I smoke it all day long. Presby is good with Scotch or beer. Some folks even smoke it sober. I don't recommend that.
Sometimes I go a little overboard on it, but the ladies do love the smell of Presby!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 12, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Nice English, with nice virginias, nice orientals, latakia (really?). Starts mild and procedes to moderate inoffensively. Others have said the room note is similar to incense, but I don't get it. If you are looking for a doctinal statement or firm conviction look elsewhere. Perhaps it should be called Unitarian Mitxure. Pleasant enough for the work day, but not for a contemplative smoke. No revelations will be forthcoming, the age of miracles is past. This Episcopalian likes to get a chance to smoke a Presbyterian from time to time.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 12, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
Mild, sweet virginia with a hint of tart latakia, very pleasant tobacco, easy to light, easy to keep lit and no bite at all.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 24, 2011 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a good one. The orientals are spicy and delicate, if smoked too fast you miss out on the 'niceness'. There is a perfect level of nicotine, but I did notice it seems to burn a little faster than everything else. I couldn't taste any latakia, but the virginias seem to compliment the rest of it.
This gives me the impression of a posh smoke, like what the queen's husband would smoke with a white glove and a top hat. I had 'one of those smokes' with Presbyterian on my back verandah..... I like this and I will buy more.
This gives me the impression of a posh smoke, like what the queen's husband would smoke with a white glove and a top hat. I had 'one of those smokes' with Presbyterian on my back verandah..... I like this and I will buy more.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 12, 2010 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was my first aromatic blend, and it was a little overpowering at first. I'm getting used to it, though, and it may become one of my favorites. Excellent with lemonade and/or dark chocolate (in my opinion).
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 11, 2004 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Very good smoke. I truly enjoy this blend. It's sweet enough to be a morning smoke but strong enough to be a late evening smoke, too. It reminds me slightly of a Dunhill mixture (maybe Durbar or My Mix 965) but it's a true original on it's own. I'm almost certain there is a pinch of latakia in there but it is barely detectable when smoking; and I'm not sure but I think I detect a citrus flavor in there somewhere, too. Again, very good change of pace. I only had one tin of this one and haven't gotten enother one yet but, maybe I will if I want a change of pace.
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