Mac Baren Vanilla Roll Cake / Classic Roll Cake

Awesome blend. Vanilla is lead in the tin note, and after the first lighting, and does fade somewhat as you smoke. The Virginias come through as well with the sweet hay, bread like notes. There is also a hint of brown sugar probably from Cavendish.

The vanilla never dominates, but compliments the Virginia very well, giving this a sweet, creamy, bread-like taste. A note similar to being in a bakery.

The first pipe I had of this I put the coins directly into the pipe without any drying time, and had issues keeping it lit especially at first. Some bite did occur due to this as well. After that I made sure to dry it out some, and it was much easier both on my tongue and the lighter fluid. Just make sure to give it proper dry time and it should be fine. I imagine this will also cellar nicely as well. Highly recommended.

This is a real treat that made me redefine what a good tobacco is, the whole experience is unique and luxurious from start to finish.

You cant help but marvel in the thinly cut cross sectional coins or "cakes" that are packed in the tin; you can see the contrast of the various tobaccos used, giving one an immediate sense of novelty and refinement.

As the name implies, there is a wonderful vanilla scent that is rich in character yet mellow, along with some nuttiness and hay. It smells like there is actually quite a bit going on in there in terms of complexity.

The smoke is quite full bodied and satisfying, with discernible vanilla coming through along with a taste like baking shortbread. There are subtle hints of spice that could be cinnamon or maybe nutmeg that are more or less subliminal; the whole experience is like a superbly made dish where each bite leaves you curious to eat more.

What I also really liked was how the various tobaccos used tasted amazing together in a very non homogeneous way; also like a great dish, not every bite (or puff) is necessarily the same, the variety is quite apparent and makes for an interesting smoke.

The only area that I might critique is related to what I would call "mouth feel", which is more of a sensation than a flavor. It's not unlike what you would find in a good scotch or something like a gumbo soup made from a dark roux; you could say It wakes your taste buds up. Although this does enhance the flavor and contribute to the "body", it can also feel like a very subtle "bite" that sometimes leaves me wondering if it really needs to be there. It's one of those things that your not sure if you like at first but then then may later come to want and expect it.

But overall, a most excellent product for any occasion that is unlikely to ever disappoint anyone; I'm sure I've had a better tobacco but honestly cant think of any offhand.

Lovely aroma. Nice smooth taste. I love it when these guys say "no chance of bite". I sipped it and it gives me a case of cotton tongue. I hope I get used to it because it's lovely otherwise. Right now I prefer the vanilla flake because of this issue. The smell of the roll cake is gentler and smoother than that of the flake, which is a stronger scent, but for me, it's harder to smoke and enjoy because of the tongue issue. I may try this in my Peterson p-lip and see if it's a better experience.

Update: Haven't p-lipped it yet, but keeping a slow cadence I still get a touch of the cotton tongue, BUT NOT AS BAD. Otherwise, it's great and I really wish it didn't bite at all. I hope that cellaring it will eventually mellow that out. Giving one more star.

Another Update: adding the final star because if you really let it dry out a lot then bite is no longer an issue if you puff sanely. i use a non airtight drying tin and even a week or more doesn't hurt it or dry it out too much. Lovely aroma with this.

Mac Baren- Vanilla Roll Cake

I recently purchased this from an online retailer who marked all Mac Baren blends 15% off. This blend has been on my list to try but I am always disappointed by "aromatic blends".

This comes in a 3.5 oz tin and with the reduced price seemed like a great deal. This tin is labeled Mar2021.

Upon opening you are met with a very natural smelling vanilla aroma, that does not overpower and is quite alluring. The coins are not moist or damp with PG, and are ready to smoke out of the tin immediately.

The coins are easily packed into my Rossi 8320 Author and light easily enough, the initial Mac Baren bite appears while lighting the blend but passed quickly. The room note is beautiful and enticing.

The virginias in this are hay, little bread and some grass but mix well with the vanilla flavors presented, the vanilla is somewhat spiced not in a pepper sense but more so in a mulled sense.

I will be adding more of this blend to the cellar when possible.

My first Mac Baren spin cut. Perhaps some drying would enhance the blend but it smokes fine out of the tin. The lightly applied high quality vanilla mixes quite well with the tobaccos and complements the sweetness of the Virginia but not overpowering and you just barley know it is in the background. No bite even when pushed a little. Delightful smoke and pairs well with coffee and later with a sweet bourbon. I left a half a bowl on the porch overnight and it was very good the next morning. Quite enjoyable blend.

Not much to add from the reviewers above. I love spun cut tobacco, I love Virginias, I love the way Per Georg Jensen created intricate flavours to complement the already spectacular tobacco profiles. The coins are beautiful and smalish - brownish golden. They have a delicious blended smell of pure Virginia greatness with the best quality Vanilla aroma in the pipe tobacco mkt. Reminiscent of Vanilla Cream - my fave aro of all time, this is even better, because it is not as strong, just right and complements a creamy full bodied but tender smoke in a fantastic way. Room note is superb, flavour is delicious. No goop, no mess. fine ash after the delightful lunting. Ultra satisfying. Top rated.

Mac Baren - Vanilla Roll Cake.

Some blends require many bowls, assiduous deciphering, to gain an opinion. Others, usually aromatics, don't! This, of course falls into the latter; 1: it's an aromatic. 2: I only had my first bowl today!!

Anyhoo, opening the tin reveals a medium brown, 'speckled' with light spots, blend of slightly rough looking coins. I instantly noticed the aroma of vanilla emanating from the tin; very enticing! The moisture is perfect, so no waiting is needed for a smoke.

A 'Grown-Up' aromatic. Meaning, yes there's vanilla, but the smoke isn't a quagmire of sticky-sweetness. The vanilla offers a touch of decadence to the tobaccos, yet doesn't rule-the-roost. There's lots of sprightly, lively Virginia, giving a sharp zesty-note, plenty of nutty Burley, and just enough 'lazy' Black Cavendish. The smoke can become a little warm if puffed with too much alacrity, so take it easy! Other than that, it burns perfect; steady, consistent, even.

Room-note: very nice. Nicotine: a decent amount, separating it from a lot of 'weak' aromatics.

Vanilla Roll Cake? A lovely blend, a definite four stars:

Highly recommended.

Great coin tobacco. Filled as per jensen showed in the video which was shared by another reviewer. 2x 3 falled coins and some rubbed out. Full vanilla aroma but never overpowering. I m not enough advanced as a pipe smoker to differ the different tobacco but it s not only vanilla you taste. The tobacco taste is still there but noted with vanilla. I could compare it to some sweet where you find nuances. Burns great and nearly endless. Took over an hour to finish it (without breaks). Sometimes burns a bit hot so let the pipe rest (or it's my still amateur smoking speed) Price is great for what you get! I ll love to smoke it again. Over this and some other blends I started to enjoy light aros nearly the most till now.

If you are a sweet aro fan, don't listen to the reviews of non-pro fans saying how sweet this is. It is not sweet at all if you come from a background of Boswell Christmas Cookie/Cupcake or the over-the-top fruity mess that is Rattray's Exotic Passion.

If you enjoy Virginia's, this is a quality smoke. Very bready, with a hint of sugar. I want to describe the taste as similar to a touch of vanilla with molasses but the breadiness overpowers this. If you ever had freshly baked bread that's the taste this is most reminds of. You could easily smoke it all day because it's not super sweet.

The smell is not aromatic- someone asked me if I had smoked a cigar because they could smell it lingering on me.

Nic was low to me.