Mac Baren St. Bruno Flake
(3.29)
St. Bruno Flake is a distinctive blend of smooth Virginia and smoky dark fired Kentucky — pressed and sliced into thin flakes that are easy to prepare and enjoy. It's topped with subtle floral and fruity notes for a unique aromatic experience.
Notes: Made by MacBaren since 2006, the company has owned the blend since 2015.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
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3.29 / 4
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Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 87 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2016 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Although a bit pricey, the two tins I ordered arrived today. Both had a Jan 2016 production date. Upon opening a tin, there was no "rush" of any aroma as with some tobaccos. Mild sniffing brought out the vinegar preservative used (an insert inside the tin explaining the reasoning for this), and not as prominent as with Mac Baren's ODF. Deep inhalation of the tin contents was the mild vinegar presence and a subtly sweet, fruity presence. If I had to say what fruit, I would choose apricot, and certainly not over the top. The tin note and ultimate smoke reminded me of Erinmore Flake; although I get no florals from EF as with SBF. The flakes were arranged in three neat layers and very thinly cut ala Mac Baren. I like to fold, twist, and slightly break my flakes before packing. This was very easily done with such a thin cut flake, making the packing easy. Lighting and keeping the bowl lit was no problem. Definitely a Virginia forward blend with a spice note I feel is from the Kentucky. I like some body in my smoke, and for a Virginia it has more body than what I'm used too. I'm sure that's due to the Kentucky presence and a good thing by me. I would not consider this a Lakeland in a GH or SG way. GH is definitely more flowery whereas SG is more incense like in their respective presentations. There was, however, a mild hint of what I would describe as a light (emphasis on light) rose flavored soap, very enjoyable for me and unlike Condor, and fading away to nearly imperceptible by the bowl's end. A mild and agreeable sweetness was present with every puff. Perhaps due to its freshness, there was a slight bit of moisture present during the first half of the smoke. It didn't smoke hot nor was there any bite, just a mild tingle to my tongue that I find when I smoke Virginias. Only toward the end of the bowl did I experience any nic hit. As I mostly work from home I'm puffing on a pipe all day long and am used to smoking much stronger tobaccos (Irish Flake, Stirling Flake, Aged Burley Flake, Wessex Burley Slice, GH Brown Flake, rotating through them on any given day). Nice fine ash at the end without dottle.
All in all I enjoyed smoking St Bruno Flake. Mac Baren has done a nice job with its manufacture and presentation as can be said with all of their pipe tobaccos. I do, however, find it to be too expensive for 50 grams. It is a very nice and satisfying smoke for every day use, but the price point is too high to do so. As I prefer a flake cut I most likely will pass on the St Bruno Ready Rubbed.
UPDATE 2-11-17: For me, as with most flakes I enjoy, smokes best when bone dry (crumbles into small pieces but not tobacco dust).
All in all I enjoyed smoking St Bruno Flake. Mac Baren has done a nice job with its manufacture and presentation as can be said with all of their pipe tobaccos. I do, however, find it to be too expensive for 50 grams. It is a very nice and satisfying smoke for every day use, but the price point is too high to do so. As I prefer a flake cut I most likely will pass on the St Bruno Ready Rubbed.
UPDATE 2-11-17: For me, as with most flakes I enjoy, smokes best when bone dry (crumbles into small pieces but not tobacco dust).
Pipe Used:
Stanwell Featherweight Poker
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2015 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
For a cheap convenience store blend you can still buy at Tesco's, this is one of the best all-rounder full-bodied every-day smoke I have ever had so far. These flakes comprise of virginia/burley tobaccos, and the room-note is something to die for. In the description above it says this is an aromatic tobacco, but it is not. The Lakeland casing does not smoke, nor feels, like aromatics at all. For one thing it does not bite, and the Lakeland essence is only there to compliment this blend, not to exonerate it. I don't see much of a Danish potpourri here. Secondly, as the Lakeland casing starts to wane, you will be greeted with some baccy that is good enough to be had on its own. I am finding this smoke very fulfilling and pleasing to pass through your nose. It reminds me a little bit to GH Best Brown 2, but this one is probably more sort of an everyday any time blend. It gets stronger and sweeter the more you smoke and, if smoked properly, a couple of flakes will keep you busy for a few hours. The moist content is about right, so I don't recommend drying these flakes for too long. In the strength department I'd say it is medium, but its flavour is more akin to that of stronger blends. In my personal opinion, and this is one of the reasons why I like this tobacco so much, the burley is this play's main character giving this blend its own signature and character. I can detect earthy undertones from the virginia, but the floral essence is more in the foreground. This blend is going to get a four star rating.
PurchasedFrom:
Tesco
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25, 2004 | Strong | Mild | Full | Tolerable |
Oh, sweet lord this stuff is good!!
Rumours say that this wonderful tobacco is on its way out of the market (it is long gone here in Denmark); well not in the UK that is. It is as common as baked beans and Guiness are in the same country, and it is still produced by Ogden's of Liverpool. Indeed! It is available in every newsagent in London but only in pouches.
I've found a place on the internet where it is available: www.uktobacco.com Enjoy!
I recently went to London to look for pipe tobacco not available in Denmark. I stumbled over St. Bruno and bought a pouch, and boy am i glad i did! This overly matured VA flake reminds me of that certain smell of dark pine forests in the springtime; moist, swampy, earthy, deep and with a very faint scent of stinkhorn* (yes, I know it's crazy but it is not meant as a bad thing!*).
It will never bite you, it may knock you out, but if you are gentle on the puffing action it will reward you with a strong, deep and very complex aroma.
Yes, there is some light soapy topping added, but it tastes very natural and very good as well. I cannot quite seem to put my finger on it, but it is unique, delightful and discrete.
This is on my top 5 list of flakes; a worthy competitor to the esteemed Marlin Flake and Astley's No. 44.
Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark
Rumours say that this wonderful tobacco is on its way out of the market (it is long gone here in Denmark); well not in the UK that is. It is as common as baked beans and Guiness are in the same country, and it is still produced by Ogden's of Liverpool. Indeed! It is available in every newsagent in London but only in pouches.
I've found a place on the internet where it is available: www.uktobacco.com Enjoy!
I recently went to London to look for pipe tobacco not available in Denmark. I stumbled over St. Bruno and bought a pouch, and boy am i glad i did! This overly matured VA flake reminds me of that certain smell of dark pine forests in the springtime; moist, swampy, earthy, deep and with a very faint scent of stinkhorn* (yes, I know it's crazy but it is not meant as a bad thing!*).
It will never bite you, it may knock you out, but if you are gentle on the puffing action it will reward you with a strong, deep and very complex aroma.
Yes, there is some light soapy topping added, but it tastes very natural and very good as well. I cannot quite seem to put my finger on it, but it is unique, delightful and discrete.
This is on my top 5 list of flakes; a worthy competitor to the esteemed Marlin Flake and Astley's No. 44.
Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13, 2022 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Floral. Some woodiness. Slight incense. Very cool smoking. No bite. No harshness. No heat. Very consistent throughout. Very refreshing. Makes me think of springtime. Unique! Love it's subtle floweriness!
Pipe Used:
Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
1year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 2022 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Excellent flake tobacco. This shot straight up to my flake favourites, along with University Flake.
Neatly packed flakes in a somewhat unusual type of pouch, easy to work any which way you please. Wonderful pouch note of wholesome, good tobacco, with just enough added aroma to complement it. For a flake, relatively easy to light up and keep burning too, and the smoke also is completely wholesome, full-bodied and strong, providing a totally enjoyable and long-lasting moment of pipe smoking bliss.
It's classed as an aromatic but, compared for example to University which is clearly an aromatic, in my opinion this merely has that just about detectable aromatic undercurrent in it that perfectly supports the main players, ie. the excellent tobacco flavours selected for this blend.
Very good and will be surely buying again.
Neatly packed flakes in a somewhat unusual type of pouch, easy to work any which way you please. Wonderful pouch note of wholesome, good tobacco, with just enough added aroma to complement it. For a flake, relatively easy to light up and keep burning too, and the smoke also is completely wholesome, full-bodied and strong, providing a totally enjoyable and long-lasting moment of pipe smoking bliss.
It's classed as an aromatic but, compared for example to University which is clearly an aromatic, in my opinion this merely has that just about detectable aromatic undercurrent in it that perfectly supports the main players, ie. the excellent tobacco flavours selected for this blend.
Very good and will be surely buying again.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
The Danish Pipe Shop
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from pouch
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 10, 2018 | Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Aye, as a member of several forums I read a lot bout the St Bruno both in flake and ready rubbed style. Being a flake me-self I tend to go fer the flake baccies mostly. Upon the arrival o this tobacco I had high expectations as to it's reputation being so elevated. I were not disappointed! Popping the tin brings much anticipation. The aroma be mild, but familiar wit out havin been in it's presence afore. 'as a nice bit o moisture to it, rubs out to a nice ribbon and bit o crumbles fer easy packing. From the charring lite to the final puff she holds fast to the flavour wit out nary a hint o tongue bite. Gives the smoker a nice light ash and no ashy taste. I let it dry each time and it rewards me e'ry time wit a nice even long lasting smoke! This be a highly recommended smoke to any pipeman wot wants to be reminded o some o the olde timey baccies made bout 40+ years ago. Treat Ye-self to a nice tin t'day! Ye be nae disappointed! And if Ye are then send it to me and I'll dispatch it proper fer Ye!!
Pipe Used:
GBD Digby Canadian, Peterson B10 Killarney,
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 15, 2015 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Fantastic tobacco readily available here in the UK.Always reminds me of the old TV advert fronted by the late John Arlott the old Bobby turned cricket commentator and his fruity Hampshire tones.I have always found this tobacco quite variable from pack to pack.Moisture? age? or just quality control with the common to be found twigs as long as a pipe stem. However, it is a rich nutty tasting quite strong baccy which usually for me needs a couple of charring lights to get going.Taste is consistent from top to bottom of the bowl leaving a fine ash with no wastage.Can gurgle a bit though.I always leave out on a plate overnight to rid any excessive moisture. A very yummy baccy which really satisfies with a long lingering aftertaste. One could be forgiven for thinking it an offering of Gawiths with its slightly floral aspect especially on first light.Very recommended.One of my mainstays.
Pipe Used:
Peterson,Falcon,Blakemar
PurchasedFrom:
Anywhere in UK
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2021 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Appena acquistato dietro consiglio di Bollito Pipe (se siete di Torino sapete di che parlo): cercavo un tabacco economico, non troppo forte, da tutti i giorni, in busta. Detti i miei gusti (Virginia o a base Virginia) mi è stato, appunto, consigliato. E mi piace! Virginioso, con una punta di Kentucky e una punta di saponato. Molto equilibrato, vario nella fumata, amichevole, facile: esattamente ciò che stavo cercando :). Ha un ciiiicinin di aceto...credo per conservarlo e credo che evaporerà a breve. I flake sono molto sottili, direi che 1 flake può essere la carica corretta per una pipa media.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 16, 2020 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I' m reviewing a tin that I opened a few months ago. While the topping was stronger at the beginning, now it toned down a bit. Classic "old school" British taste tobacco meant to be smoked at any time of the day. I must admit that I prefer it in colder weather.
To me, the Kentucky enhanced by the floral topping drives the show, the smoke is creamy and mellow and has no harsh spots. Woody with some earthiness and dark fruit for the most part, I also get some Virginia hay sometimes. Some vanilla like sweetness is present, probably from the tonquin. A no fuss slow burning tobacco that leaves you satisfied.
Virginia lover
To me, the Kentucky enhanced by the floral topping drives the show, the smoke is creamy and mellow and has no harsh spots. Woody with some earthiness and dark fruit for the most part, I also get some Virginia hay sometimes. Some vanilla like sweetness is present, probably from the tonquin. A no fuss slow burning tobacco that leaves you satisfied.
Virginia lover
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Medium to Strong | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I recently purchased this from a supermarket when I was caught short of tobacco away from home. I had previously smoked a couple of pouches of the ready rubbed version, which I enjoyed, but had not tried the flake.
I really like this tobacco. The flavorings work so well with the Virginia and Kentucky, all of which are perceptible without dominating the smoke. I also like that it is strong enough to satisfy my need for Nicotine, yet not so strong that I have to pick my moment to smoke it. I do find it a bit moist straight out of the pouch, but not so moist that it needs drying out, just a couple of sweeps with a pipe cleaner will clear up any gurgle. If I have time I'll use the DGT and this stops any gurgle altogether, although I mostly just stuff and puff it.
I was recently smoking this outside my local watering hole and smokers and non-smokers alike commented on its great aroma and shoved their noses in the pouch with great delight when it was offered. I think this is a great blend if you want a smoke that really satisfies and doesn't create an exclusion zone around you when your friends get a whiff of it.
I will revisit this blend more often in future and will be sure to retry the ready rubbed.
I really like this tobacco. The flavorings work so well with the Virginia and Kentucky, all of which are perceptible without dominating the smoke. I also like that it is strong enough to satisfy my need for Nicotine, yet not so strong that I have to pick my moment to smoke it. I do find it a bit moist straight out of the pouch, but not so moist that it needs drying out, just a couple of sweeps with a pipe cleaner will clear up any gurgle. If I have time I'll use the DGT and this stops any gurgle altogether, although I mostly just stuff and puff it.
I was recently smoking this outside my local watering hole and smokers and non-smokers alike commented on its great aroma and shoved their noses in the pouch with great delight when it was offered. I think this is a great blend if you want a smoke that really satisfies and doesn't create an exclusion zone around you when your friends get a whiff of it.
I will revisit this blend more often in future and will be sure to retry the ready rubbed.
Pipe Used:
Briars
PurchasedFrom:
Supermarkets
Age When Smoked:
Fresh pouch
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