Mac Baren HH Rustica

Not so strong as you could think and not so good as you could wish. The strength is more from the side of the nicotine than from the side of the tobacco. Yes, as the name suggest, this is really a “rustic” tobacco: rough, natural (not totally), strong, “no frills”. Opening the tin, the smell is mainly leather but the citrus note of Virginia is recognizable. While smoking no sweet notes, although the tobacco is less bitter than natural Kentucky. Obviously, some flavoring (casing) is present. “Hot press” method, dark Virginia and Burley fix the mix. Indeed pepper and spices nuances and a classic cigar note are recognizable. And yet in my opinion it is boring, strong but with little evolution. A natural smoke with a very high nicotine content. Robust and full bodied. Only for experienced pipe smokers. Four stars for the idea (N. Rustica), but two stars for the taste. So, in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 8 and three stars.

The aroma of the flakes is unique and inimitable, with a marked smell of paprika. You have to tame it a bit in the first few pipes. It is recommended not to smoke it in pipes that are too big, since its high nicotinic levels, together with the fact that it burns slowly, can make you feel its punch. For the same reason, I would also advise against taking puffs too close together. But these are just some recommendations that should not scare anyone, since even if you fail to comply with one of these two precepts, nothing may happen, depending on the day and the circumstances. However, even smoking it in small pipes, I get tired of its taste before I finish the pipe. And this despite the fact that it has a slight resemblance to some tobaccos that I really like, such as Jacknife Plug or Sansepolcro, but it seems that what makes Rústica different from them is not good for me. Delving a little deeper, I think it is due to the predominance of notes that are too acidic and bitter.

I have made an effort with this tobacco because the majority of users here, with whom I have an affinity of tastes, rate it very highly. But well, the strange thing would be to coincide always and in everything...

I'm finally giving it two stars because I'm going to have to put in a bit of effort to finish the tin. However, I will smoke it again after a while to see how it evolves.

Un tabacco vero. Piu speziato che forte in nicotina. Leggermente resinoso è un tabacco che richiede calma per essere degustato: il rischio è di fumare un tabacco forte senza più sfumature ed impazzire per riaccenderlo (è piuttosto ignifugo). Per fumatori esperti e tolleranti... Certo non un "all day" ma davvero piacevole da fumare ogni tanto... a stomaco pieno...

Mac Baren, you have redeemed yourselves. I will admit, curiosity led me to try this, despite my past experiences. I have always been susceptible to the infamous "Mac Baren Bite", but this blend intrigued me enough to give them one last go. My, am I glad I did. In many ways, this reminds me a lot of Gawith's 1792 Flake. It has the same creamy body, peppery spice, subdued sweetness, smoky/earthy backbone,and vanilla-ish notes. It also has a pronounced floral quality, albeit in a way totally distinct from Lakeland soap. Although a strong blend (my knowledge of nicotiana rustica comes from toxicology classes, after all), it isn't quite as potent as 1792; while back-to-back bowls might make even a veteran wobbly, a novice might be able to smoke this, if well-fed and properly hydrated. Smokes exceedingly slowly, with a cool, filling mouth feel. First bowls could be dried if desired, but I didn't find it necessary. Also like 1792, the room note is surprisingly pleasant, almost like a musky/floral cologne. I only regret only buying one tin. That said, these past two weeks will be memories I cherish.

2021 release No. 3591/5300

Smells like BBQ sauce when I rubbed it out. My tin came a little on the moist side. Needed more than a few relights, but can easily be fixed with a little drying time. It’s strong, and full flavored. Very unique tasting. I mainly pick up on cigar, BBQ, earth, wet soil, with some floral notes, and a tiny amount of sweetness in the background from the Virginias. It’s intense on the retrohale, so use caution. I didn’t have a problem with the nicotine levels, but I was aware it was there. I wouldn’t recommend this to an inexperienced pipe smoker, or anyone who isn’t use to nicotine. I think veteran pipe or cigar smokers will love this one.

Tin number 4402 of the 2020 release. Needless to say i love this powerhouse of a blend. After a year of aging the Va and Burley are more noticable and all the rough edges of the Rustica have melted away into one delicious blend. Glad that i stocked up on the 2021 release to cellar it. If you enjoy Bold Kentucky then get ya some.

I bought this because it piqued my curiosity. It was billed as a very strong, bold and full flavored flake.

The tin note is dark earth, smokey and a bit spicy. The flakes are on the smaller side, and are dark and shine in the light a bit. The moisture is good to go, but it takes some extra charring lights to get it going. I have tried folded and rubbed out, and would recommend rubbing them out about two thirds to completely.

The flavor is very consistent. It is a bold, earthy sort of taste, dark and spicy. Almost like the dark fired flake from the same line, if you’ve tried it. I haven’t noticed a lot of nuance in this flake. They are hot pressed, so the flavors have married very well. The flavor profile is definitely strong and aggressive. I appreciate this kind of smoke, so I’m loving this flake. The nicotine is stronger than I would have expected from Mac Baren.

For most folks, this would be an after dinner smoke. If your looking for good, strong tobacco, this will do it. If you’re not looking for a decent buzz, you should proceed with caution.

This is another one of those splendid one-time blends that there's no point in reviewing because the blend has already gone the way of the dodo bird and it's too bad for you if you didn't try it because you're SOL now, sonny!

Joking aside, if you come across a tin, it's definitely worth paying a little extra for it. Personally, I'd consider petty theft for it, but that's only because it's everything I want in a blend: full, strong (yet subtle), unique, and as close to au naturale as one can get - like a polar bear plunge in silk trousers.

Allegedly, this is based on a strain of tobacco originally grown in the US colonies, back when men were men, pipes were clay, and slave labor was still morally indefensible but somehow OK too. It's the great, great, great, great, extra great grandfather of modern burley, but the similarity stops there. Well, not quite - I suppose if you squint hard enough it can resemble a dark fired burley, which is probably the closest thing I can compare it to. It's as if ODF (not to be confused with ODB) and Vincent Manil had a love child and sent him to culinary school: the aroma is smoky like beef jerky, the flavor profile hits more umami notes than anything else, and it is brut - non demi sec ici, tres brut! Merci!

And, Lawd have mercy - it's strong.

If you are a dark fired, cigar leaf, semois smoker, you will dig this. The Virginia smokers will appreciate the nuances of the surprisingly delicate flavor profile, and straight burley smokers will enjoy the excitement. All others may think this is awful, which they're entitled to think, I suppose.

It will be a unique experience for anyone, if nothing else. Try some if you can, and send it my way if you hate it.

Rustica has an obvious floral and vegetative essence all the way through the bowl . Nothing like anything I have smoked up until now . It is also nutty ,smokey , herbal spicey ,toasty and woody . I get some burley-dark fired familiar notes as well . Very little sweet grassy hay citrus Virginas or the Rustica overpowers them one . The blend gets almost sweet cigar like near the bottom in every bowl . Glad I tried it . I probably won’t smoke it a lot and will experiment with it as a mixer . I’ve been smoking SMALL bowls and I enjoy the nicotine and haven’t felt nauseous yet ! A unique smoking experience. I feel closer to the earth . 3 stars