Mac Baren Presbyterian Mixture

I initially encountered Presbyterian when I first picked up the pipe – right after realizing that aromatics were not going to take me to the Promised Land. At first, I really liked Presbyterian (I think I may have even been enamored with Presby in the beginning). But I soon developed an affection for sterner stuff, craving more resolutely determined blends, in strength, taste and flavor. I’ve come back to Presbyterian a number of times over the past several years, trying to re-capture some of the old enthusiasm for this blend, but the thrill was gone (which is unfortunate, considering how much I have remaining in reserve). Presbyterian has received some exceptional reviews from some seasoned reviewers whose views and perceptive insights I both respect and admire. I wish I could be more objective about this, but the bottom line is this: Is Presbyterian something I see myself buying again? Is Presbyterian something I look forward to smoking again? If the answer to both of those questions is a pretty emphatic “No” (which it is), then I cannot in good conscience come up with a 2-star recommend. (But it’s not Presbyterian – it’s me). 1-star.

I really wanted to try this, exciting history and was relatively hard for me to find a tin. Opened it to see German label inside and a plastic bag, a disappointing start. My tobacco was not coarse, more like tiny wood chippings found on the floor. Dry tobacco. Easy to light due to dryness from can. Huge nicotine hit, the biggest hit I have had for some time, I love Vitamin N, but wow! A double whammy and then some. Aroma reminds me of Dunhill Royal Yacht. I guess I should try another can, but will save it for some time in the future, too many good smokes out there to enjoy.

Having read the other reviews, I think mine has serious quality control issues, the cut is terrible, tiny. 🙁

EDIT…On thinking, I would have said this is Royal Yacht is blind tasting. This is not what I expected

This has no taste. I don't understand why anyone would want to smoke hot air. Perhaps I'm used to very flavorful tobacco? Keep away if you like your tobacco to have taste!

It's like smoking warm air. Mild is one thing. Subtle flavors are another. But this? Theres honestly nothing to this tobacco.

From the tin, I smell some latakia. In taste, it's hardly there. From the tin, I smell SOME (not much) virginia bready sweetness. In the taste, none.

I love a nice subtle smoke. Tilbury is a favorite virginia, and its quite mild. Le Petit Robin wont melt your face, but you can find some quiet complexity. To call this mild is to overstate its flavor profile. I think I've found more taste drawing on a cold, empty pipe.

Why smoke if you dont want to taste anything at all? This one is NOT for me

I really, really wanted to love this blend. It's been highly recommended by several long time smokers whom I look to for tobacco advise. It has been reviewed well on this site.

It was horrible. I opened then tin and the product was really dry. The orientals overpowered the Latakia and changed the complexity of what should have been an English into something unpalatable.

It may just be my taste buds, but after half a bowl I was done. I traded it as soon as I found someone who wanted it.

The experience almost ruined me on orientals for ever but several months later another tobacco came along to save the day.

What we have here is definitely nothing to write home about. I was very disappointed with this one, maybe I got a bad batch? Upon opening, the tobacco was way to moist for my liking and I had trouble keeping it lit, even when airing it out. The flavor is not bad but at the same time it's not anything special and I would recommend Balkan Sasieni or Proper English for your full bodied needs before you go putting faith into this blend. For the price, this one is a dud!

I have been inevitably intrigued by the description of this blend claiming ancient and noble roots. I finally received a tin a few days ago.

I was disappointed that the tin's graphics are no longer printed on the metal but attached as a more banal adhesive label. It is the inexorable symptom of the tobacco's market's pains and uncertainties.

I expected a more defined and fragrant flavor form the Presbyterian Mixture. In fact, I am not pleased with the two bowls I tried. However, I recognize the compromising danger of laying the heavy burden of “expectation” on anything, and the distorted perception it may cause. I will leave the tin stored properly for a few more weeks and try it with a more earth-bound spirit.

However, I can report that it is mild in strength, flavor, nicotine, room note and aftertaste, in a fashion which does not allow me to recommend it, particularly as I realize many will, as I did, fall for the intriguing presentation and blend "name", so handsomely suited for a pipe tobacco. Great marketing in itself, really... however, so far, it seems to me that is all there is to it.

I will report further, in due course.

This was long a standby smoke for me, but the last tin I popped, which also happened to be my first tin which identified itself as blended by Kohlhase & Kopp, was nothing like my dear old Presbyie. It had none of the oriental complexity - my old friend had been kidnapped and replaced by a bland, Danish-style Cavendish. I'm still trying to get the traces of the impostor out of that pipe. Someone please tell me I'm wrong - surely K-und-K haven't ruined a venerable old blend??

IMO this smoke is bad. I just bought it because I saw the reviews here, but it's disgusting... when I opened the tin, the smell was that of a leather shop, but I said ok, maybe when you smoke it, it becomes much better... I smoked 2 bowls, I felt no taste, and an extremely light "leathery" taste... after the second bowl, I had a headache! When my woman got in, I asked her about the room's smell, and she told me she doesn't smell anything, but thought I had all our leather jackets out of the closet for some reason! I find it really bad! Grade:F