Mac Baren Latakia Rolls Limited Edition
(3.33)
Encased in a wrapper of whole Virginia leaves, Mac Baren's limited-edition Latakia Rolls features a core of spicy Dark-Fired Kentucky and naturally sweet Virginias, alongside a significant percentage of smoky Latakia. The blend is then rolled by hand and stored for five days in wooden crates before being sliced into fine coins. Like nearly all of Mac Baren's spun-cut mixtures, maple sugar is used as an adhesive to bind the rope together, but it is otherwise quite pure in natural flavor, elevating each individual component to the attention of the palate.
Latakia Rolls beautifully showcases the natural character of each varietal, offering a pleasant balance of sweet, spicy, and smoky notes; the incense-like character of the Latakia complements the Dark-Fired's tart, mesquite flavors to produce a smoke that's incredibly complex yet smooth on the draw. No one flavor or component dominates, the cut instead offering a more blended, married profile regardless of how it's prepared in a pipe. Whether folded and stuffed, stacked, or rubbed out into a fine shag, Latakia Rolls is the all-day, spun-cut English blend we've all been waiting for.
Notes: Limited to 7,500 tins
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Extremely Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.33 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 03, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Full | Tolerable |
Summary: dark fired Kentucky Burley tames Latakia into a floral and herbal undertone.
Similar to "Dark Twist," this Mac Baren blend uses maple sugar as a binder, so you want to let the first couple puffs after lighting or relighting during the first half of the bowl burn off because they are bitey like piranhas on meth. After that, a bright Virginia and dark fired Kentucky Burley blend emerges, with the Latakia taking a minor role that colors the smoke and gives a floral and herbal undertone to the rich smoky Burley. The Virginias infuse this as the bowl burns down, changing it from spicy to sweet as caramelized sugars enter the flavor profile. Of all the blends I have smoked, this one tastes the most like luxury, a massively indulgent burst of flavor where sweetness is balanced with spice and warm nutty flavor as in a good American English.
Similar to "Dark Twist," this Mac Baren blend uses maple sugar as a binder, so you want to let the first couple puffs after lighting or relighting during the first half of the bowl burn off because they are bitey like piranhas on meth. After that, a bright Virginia and dark fired Kentucky Burley blend emerges, with the Latakia taking a minor role that colors the smoke and gives a floral and herbal undertone to the rich smoky Burley. The Virginias infuse this as the bowl burns down, changing it from spicy to sweet as caramelized sugars enter the flavor profile. Of all the blends I have smoked, this one tastes the most like luxury, a massively indulgent burst of flavor where sweetness is balanced with spice and warm nutty flavor as in a good American English.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2021 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
First off, I'm a little surprised to see the lower reviews for this blend. I think it is masterfully blended and offers excellent balance throughout the smoke as well. After a week opened in a jar smells almost indistinguishable from McClelland's Frog Morton Cellar. Excellent tin note. The Latakia is not overpowering to say the least. In fact, it's quite mild and in the background with the Virginia's taking center stage. It's sweet, burns cool and has a very tolerable room note as well. Starts out with a toasted marshmallow note when initially lit. Honestly delicious.
When you load your bowl, take three to four coins out of the tin and stack them on top of each other. Then pinch them together and stick them in your pipe . Try smoking it this way and it definitely seems to change the flavor profile and bring out all the blend has to offer. I've tried loading my pipe several different ways and , per Jensen the blender, he recommends doing it this way and it is definitely worthwhile. It is a very enjoyable blend to smoke from beginning to end, but the last half of the bowl is my favorite. The sweetness builds to an addicting level in my opinion. It is almost Maple syrup like in taste. Puff it slow when you get to this point and you won't regret it.
In short, this is an excellent blend with top quality tobaccos in it. If you're looking for a Latakia heavy blend, this isn't it. However, if you're looking for a well balanced blend where the Virginias, Latakia and Kentucky tobaccos play off of each other beautifully, then this IS it. The Virginias are so sweet and tasty and the Kentucky gives just the right kick in just the right area. This is a winner. Try it and cellar some more and I think you'll be a happy you did!
When you load your bowl, take three to four coins out of the tin and stack them on top of each other. Then pinch them together and stick them in your pipe . Try smoking it this way and it definitely seems to change the flavor profile and bring out all the blend has to offer. I've tried loading my pipe several different ways and , per Jensen the blender, he recommends doing it this way and it is definitely worthwhile. It is a very enjoyable blend to smoke from beginning to end, but the last half of the bowl is my favorite. The sweetness builds to an addicting level in my opinion. It is almost Maple syrup like in taste. Puff it slow when you get to this point and you won't regret it.
In short, this is an excellent blend with top quality tobaccos in it. If you're looking for a Latakia heavy blend, this isn't it. However, if you're looking for a well balanced blend where the Virginias, Latakia and Kentucky tobaccos play off of each other beautifully, then this IS it. The Virginias are so sweet and tasty and the Kentucky gives just the right kick in just the right area. This is a winner. Try it and cellar some more and I think you'll be a happy you did!
Pipe Used:
Savinelli
PurchasedFrom:
Online
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Mac Baren - Latakia Rolls.
Having smoked this solidly since yesterday I think I've got a fairly well-informed opinion of it. It's a lovely blend!
The tin contains a mixture of rolls and long ribbons. There's more of the rolls, but don't anticipate a blend reminiscent of De Luxe Navy Rolls in appearance. The pieces of rope are half dark brown, the other half lighter brown with yellow ''birds eyes''. Taking a whiff from the tin sets a good precedent of the forthcoming smoke. The aroma's full, smoky/musty, and slightly tangy. This tin's moisture is perfect.
The flavour isn't as Lat-strong as I expected from the name. The Latakia's a definite presence, smoky and peaty, but the Kentucky's just as important. This brings a tangy, sour, BBQ flavour to the smoke; the fire curing goes without question. But the curing doesn't give an astringent taste, just a vibrant ''piquancy''. Now, the Virginia. I notice a slight touch of dark fruit, but the other ingredients are in charge. There's a delicate drop of maple, this mellifluous flavour is almost like a ''dessert'' course after the savoury lead of Lat and Kentucky. It burns perfectly, needing hardly any attention. Bite? Nowhere, for me.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: quite formidable but I like it.
Latakia Rolls? It's a DEFINITE four stars from me:
Highly recommended.
Having smoked this solidly since yesterday I think I've got a fairly well-informed opinion of it. It's a lovely blend!
The tin contains a mixture of rolls and long ribbons. There's more of the rolls, but don't anticipate a blend reminiscent of De Luxe Navy Rolls in appearance. The pieces of rope are half dark brown, the other half lighter brown with yellow ''birds eyes''. Taking a whiff from the tin sets a good precedent of the forthcoming smoke. The aroma's full, smoky/musty, and slightly tangy. This tin's moisture is perfect.
The flavour isn't as Lat-strong as I expected from the name. The Latakia's a definite presence, smoky and peaty, but the Kentucky's just as important. This brings a tangy, sour, BBQ flavour to the smoke; the fire curing goes without question. But the curing doesn't give an astringent taste, just a vibrant ''piquancy''. Now, the Virginia. I notice a slight touch of dark fruit, but the other ingredients are in charge. There's a delicate drop of maple, this mellifluous flavour is almost like a ''dessert'' course after the savoury lead of Lat and Kentucky. It burns perfectly, needing hardly any attention. Bite? Nowhere, for me.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: quite formidable but I like it.
Latakia Rolls? It's a DEFINITE four stars from me:
Highly recommended.
Pipe Used:
GQ
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
March 2021
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 04, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I saw this tin online a few weeks ago when it dropped and was curious as to what it could be like. I like coin cut tobaccos so I bought a tin just to try. Based on my initial tasting I wish this had come out when I was first learning about English blends as it would have lead me there without much fuss.
The tin art is great and looks like a cross between old timey design and new crisp asthetic. Opening the tin is an experience in luxury. Rich creamy Latakia comes to the forefront, followed closely by very sweet a slightly bready Virginias. There is a light smoked barbecue coming from the Dark Fired Kentucky lingering through the tin note. All in all a very enticing smell. The coins are just about where I want them in terms of moisture. It takes a light fairly easily. But what does it taste like?
At first light I taste smooth, creamy Latakia. It doesn't overpower anything in the blend. The Virginias are present and are sweet, bready, and give off a slight hay. As you smoke down, there are pockets of Dark Fired Kentucky that burst into the forefront and then slowly fade into the background again. The flavor likes to slowly evolve and change and makes this an interesting experience. I can taste the binder very slightly, it's a Maple sugar.
The taste is a medium. It is not bursting with flavor, but it's so complex, it doesn't have to. The strength is a medium. Lady N is content with a simple date tonight. The burn is consistently slow. The room note is a touch lighter than your normal English but as always your milage may vary. I give this a solid four stars, but I will say that this isn't an everyday sort of blend for me. This is a blend that I need to set time and relax with for complexity's sake.
The tin art is great and looks like a cross between old timey design and new crisp asthetic. Opening the tin is an experience in luxury. Rich creamy Latakia comes to the forefront, followed closely by very sweet a slightly bready Virginias. There is a light smoked barbecue coming from the Dark Fired Kentucky lingering through the tin note. All in all a very enticing smell. The coins are just about where I want them in terms of moisture. It takes a light fairly easily. But what does it taste like?
At first light I taste smooth, creamy Latakia. It doesn't overpower anything in the blend. The Virginias are present and are sweet, bready, and give off a slight hay. As you smoke down, there are pockets of Dark Fired Kentucky that burst into the forefront and then slowly fade into the background again. The flavor likes to slowly evolve and change and makes this an interesting experience. I can taste the binder very slightly, it's a Maple sugar.
The taste is a medium. It is not bursting with flavor, but it's so complex, it doesn't have to. The strength is a medium. Lady N is content with a simple date tonight. The burn is consistently slow. The room note is a touch lighter than your normal English but as always your milage may vary. I give this a solid four stars, but I will say that this isn't an everyday sort of blend for me. This is a blend that I need to set time and relax with for complexity's sake.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli Hercules Bulldog
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 20, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
On Friday afternoons after a long week at work, this has become the blend I l dream of smoking when I get home.
I love the leathery, earthy, nutty aroma of the tobacco when opening the tin, and stacking the coins of tobacco into my pipe is a satisfaction in itself. But the real reward comes from the depth of the flavors when smoked. The campfire incense latakia leads the way, but soon afterwards the nutty Lexington barbecue from the Dark-Fired Kentucky wafts in, and finally the sweet breadiness of the Virginias . . . and oh so rarely the touch of the maple sugar binder. It's like a four course meal. Yes, it does sport some rough edges from time to time, but for me this is a small price to pay for the the phenomenal complexity of flavors. Even before the bowl has turned to ash, I find myself yearning to smoke this again. It is like the famous poem by Basho:
"Even in Kyoto, Hearing the cuckoo's cry, I long for Kyoto."
Edit,11-28-2023: Hadn't smoked this in almost a year. The addition of the dark-fired Kentucky really makes this a nice change of pace to a typical English blend. I only have a few bowfuls left, so I need to ration what I have!
I love the leathery, earthy, nutty aroma of the tobacco when opening the tin, and stacking the coins of tobacco into my pipe is a satisfaction in itself. But the real reward comes from the depth of the flavors when smoked. The campfire incense latakia leads the way, but soon afterwards the nutty Lexington barbecue from the Dark-Fired Kentucky wafts in, and finally the sweet breadiness of the Virginias . . . and oh so rarely the touch of the maple sugar binder. It's like a four course meal. Yes, it does sport some rough edges from time to time, but for me this is a small price to pay for the the phenomenal complexity of flavors. Even before the bowl has turned to ash, I find myself yearning to smoke this again. It is like the famous poem by Basho:
"Even in Kyoto, Hearing the cuckoo's cry, I long for Kyoto."
Edit,11-28-2023: Hadn't smoked this in almost a year. The addition of the dark-fired Kentucky really makes this a nice change of pace to a typical English blend. I only have a few bowfuls left, so I need to ration what I have!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2021 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
From the name, I was concerned that it was going to be too heavy on the latakia for my tastes, I should not have worried.
The limited edition tin design is really nice and goes nicely with the other Mac Baren's rolls in design. When opening the tin and opening the "coffee filter" liner you are greeted by coin style tobacco. In my tin, at least, some of them are broken up already and not in "perfect coins" like you get with Escudo or LBF. The tin note to me was very slightly smoky.
The coins/rolls are easy to pull apart and to be able to load almost "whole" in a larger bowl or break-up more for a smaller bowl. The moisture content was fine. Lighting was easy. The first few puffs were usually fairly sweet which surprised me.. as the bowl progressed the flavors really depended on which components were hitting the flame at that moment but moved nicely from sweet to spicy to smokey through the bowl. Usually requires a couple of relights and burns down to a nice ash no matter the pipe I smoke it in.
It's a good smoke, but not something I'd overly miss if they never do another LE run of it.
The limited edition tin design is really nice and goes nicely with the other Mac Baren's rolls in design. When opening the tin and opening the "coffee filter" liner you are greeted by coin style tobacco. In my tin, at least, some of them are broken up already and not in "perfect coins" like you get with Escudo or LBF. The tin note to me was very slightly smoky.
The coins/rolls are easy to pull apart and to be able to load almost "whole" in a larger bowl or break-up more for a smaller bowl. The moisture content was fine. Lighting was easy. The first few puffs were usually fairly sweet which surprised me.. as the bowl progressed the flavors really depended on which components were hitting the flame at that moment but moved nicely from sweet to spicy to smokey through the bowl. Usually requires a couple of relights and burns down to a nice ash no matter the pipe I smoke it in.
It's a good smoke, but not something I'd overly miss if they never do another LE run of it.
Pipe Used:
various
PurchasedFrom:
can't remember
Age When Smoked:
1 year
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