Mac Baren Golden Dice

Well, this was one of those tobaccos which I picked up not knowing anything about it except that it was by MacBaren and I tend to really like MacBaren products, so buying the $3.50 packet was a no-brainer. I must say that at the time I was deeply obsessed with virginia flakes and so the type of tobacco more than it's quality was off-putting at the time, I think I smoked one bowl and put it away, concentrating instead on the orchestral ebon majesty of Dark Star...However, I've been revisiting some of the aromatics recently, and I found this lurking around the other day, completely dried out in it's funky cardboard wallet, and I figured "What the hell...". After a little delicate reconstituting with distilled h20 (I consider the fact that it actually dried out at all to be a good sign--no PG) I tucked it into my coat pocket along with a no-name billiard/chimney knockabout pipe and went about my day. My first smoke was in the morning outdoors waiting for a train in a fairly stiff breeze but out of the direct wind, and I must admit that I was rather suprised by it's mildness and lack of flavor. Unfortunately I only had time for half of the bowl before I had to do the old knock out and board the train. Later, after dinner, I decided to give it another try, this time in a nicely broken in cob in which I usually smoke "domestic" burley. On first light there is the unmistakable aroma of vanilla, but not cloying or hot, plus a bit of the grassyness of the virginia. As the bowl progresses, there is a subtle melding of flavors and I swear that at one point there is almost a sort of chocolatey spicey thing going on that reminds me of chai tea. This is a silky smooth smoke that tempts you to inhale. The virginia starts to really come into it's own at this point about half way in as it starts to get stoved by the heat of the fluffy burning cavendish, and this blend definately benefits from judicious tamping to keep the burn layer tight enough to burn through the virginia chunks and not leave them lying on the surface. Towards the end of the bowl, though, I was a bit disappointed as the flavors so prominent in the first two-thirds fade away and the whole thing becomes a bit bland and somewhat ashy. To be honest, I knocked it out at this point, not wanting to ruin the experience. No bite at all, making it a good tobacco for the beginnner, in my opinion. Generally, the room note is pleasant (as per resident tobacco-hating female) and as someone mentioned earlier, this would make an excellent "party alternative" to Captain Black as I can't see it being offensive to anyone. I'll probably try and smoke a bit more of this over the next few days because I felt that the quality of the leaf was excellent and it was an enjoyable, easy smoke. Could be a decent all day smoke if this type of tobacco was to your liking exclusively. All in all, this is a mild aromatic type tobacco without the goop and bite typical of the genre. As always, MacBarens tobacco is of high quality, and the actual consistency of the tobacco is unique (oh, be sure to follow the instructions and MIX WELL before using). This blend very much reminds me of Stokkebyes Optimum Bulk in some ways.

I'd recommend it for what it is: a quality leaf aromatic type without the PG, smokable and well packaged as well as relatively inexpensive.

I fail to understand why legions of party goers force themelves to endure Captain Black in order to puff a pipe without horrifying the other guests. Perhaps tis the "chick pull" factor. None the less, GD is superior in every way. Smells great, tastes good and you can find it everywhere. Yes, it is very mild and yes it is lightly flavored, but a change of pace is good for anyone. Recommended for any type of smoker.

I approached this tobacco in a rather strange fashion. I ordered a pouch of this tobacco about eighteen months ago. Shortly after it arrived, a friend opened the pouch to smell the contents. The pouch was soon misplaced, and I only found it again a few days ago. I have smoked a few bowls since then, and have found Golden Dice to be a good, though unexceptional, smoke. The first light is mild and pleasant enough, but the stuff refuses to stay lit. When, eventually, the bowl is burning well, I get a flavour I can only describe as "pipe tobacco-y." I should think it's discretely sweet enough for anyone's taste, but no individual flavour stands out. Complex it is not, but it is certainly much better than the drugstore blends I have tried. Give it a whirl, you may enjoy it.