Mac Baren Golden Ambrosia
(2.67)
Golden Ambrosia is made from an almost equal mix of golden brown Burley tobaccos and the Modern Cavendish made from ripe Virginia tobaccos.
The tobaccos are pressed together and then stored for numerous days in which the tobaccos marry into a uniform taste. Then the tobacco is cut into big slices and partly rubbed up, so Golden Ambrosia contains larger pieces of pressed tobacco. You can choose to fill your pipe like it is or you can rub it up a little more. In any case the pressed tobacco secures a slow and cool burn. The taste is light fruit notes in perfect combination with the sweet Cavendish and the more bold Burley taste.
Notes: Introduced in 1985.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.67 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2005 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
In a visit to the Albayzin, the old Arab quarters in the magical Spanish city of Granada, I suddenly found this most picturesque ?estanco?, lost in the middle of one of those narrow, cobbled-stone streets, that offered some pipes and pipe tobacco. Why not? I had left mine at the hotel, so in I went and I bought a very interesting straight billiard, part of the bowl and the shank covered in leather. But when I looked for something to put inside, I only saw Borkum Riff, Amphora red and a couple of Mac Barens'. I though this tobacconist may have some French Caporal hidden somewhere, or a Spanish version of the old Napoleonic troops' pipe tobacco, but nothing doing.
As I was not planning to go back to the hotel anytime soon, I decided to try the Mac Baren tobaccos, and bought some Mixture Aromatic and Golden Ambrosia.One must hand it to them: as far as merchandising and distribution go, Borkum Riff and Mac Baren can be really found ANYWHERE (if only Dunhill or Rattray had the same market oriented strategy!).
I then found a small café, with a magnificent view to the Alhambra on the hills in front and, down below, to the rest of the city. Lamenting my lack of prevision (what an excellent time this would have been to smoke an Oriental mixture! I thought to myself), I asked for a ?cortado?, took a seat and proceeded to fill in and light up, as I took in the wonderful views that so inspired Washington Irving and Lord Byron.
Mid morning, balmy weather, blue skies above, almost no other tourists in sight, I sipped my coffee and then lit up the pipe. I had chosen Golden Ambrosia. In the pouch it had a fruity aroma, but nothing to really put me off. It was more of a topping than a casing. Not at all moist, the tobacco was supple enough to be rubbed up a little more, making the loading process rather simple. I followed the suggestions from other Mac Baren reviewers and packed it in a little loosely, to help in the cumbstion process.
Expecting the traditional incendiary experience from Mac Baren, I was surprised to try instead a gentle, mellow, yet very well structured tobacco taste! Slightly sweet, yes, but nothing compared, say, to Borkum Riff or Captain Black. This is in fact a medium strength tobacco, cool, with excellent burning characteristics. It is a mixture in almost equal proportions of aged Burley-the predominant flavour-and Golden Virginias, with some Black Cavendished Virginia leaf. The tobacco is of a dark brown hue with some black strands, partly rubbed, partly in broken flakes, very similar in texture to Mixture or Virginia No 1.
I don't know what the topping in Golden Ambrosia is. It has a winy, fruity undertone, very gentle and discreet, that, in my opinion, does not really interfere with the tobacco flavour. As I was sitting in an open terrace, the aroma quickly dissipated, but I was complimented on its smell by some of the locals (huele bien, señor, huele bien). Tasty, rich, slow burning, the agreeable sweetness of Golden Ambrosia complemented perfectly the dark, roasted coffee (I drink mine with no sugar). The flavour is rich and nutty, and surprisingly gentle on the palate, provided you puff in slowly and calmly.So I just sat back, enjoyed the flavours and let my self be carried away by the views and the whole experience.
If you like slightly aromatic tobaccos, and are willing to puff in gently and slowly, you may find Golden Ambrosia is a very nice change of pace. I plan to buy some more in the future. Not at all a bad choice.
As I was not planning to go back to the hotel anytime soon, I decided to try the Mac Baren tobaccos, and bought some Mixture Aromatic and Golden Ambrosia.One must hand it to them: as far as merchandising and distribution go, Borkum Riff and Mac Baren can be really found ANYWHERE (if only Dunhill or Rattray had the same market oriented strategy!).
I then found a small café, with a magnificent view to the Alhambra on the hills in front and, down below, to the rest of the city. Lamenting my lack of prevision (what an excellent time this would have been to smoke an Oriental mixture! I thought to myself), I asked for a ?cortado?, took a seat and proceeded to fill in and light up, as I took in the wonderful views that so inspired Washington Irving and Lord Byron.
Mid morning, balmy weather, blue skies above, almost no other tourists in sight, I sipped my coffee and then lit up the pipe. I had chosen Golden Ambrosia. In the pouch it had a fruity aroma, but nothing to really put me off. It was more of a topping than a casing. Not at all moist, the tobacco was supple enough to be rubbed up a little more, making the loading process rather simple. I followed the suggestions from other Mac Baren reviewers and packed it in a little loosely, to help in the cumbstion process.
Expecting the traditional incendiary experience from Mac Baren, I was surprised to try instead a gentle, mellow, yet very well structured tobacco taste! Slightly sweet, yes, but nothing compared, say, to Borkum Riff or Captain Black. This is in fact a medium strength tobacco, cool, with excellent burning characteristics. It is a mixture in almost equal proportions of aged Burley-the predominant flavour-and Golden Virginias, with some Black Cavendished Virginia leaf. The tobacco is of a dark brown hue with some black strands, partly rubbed, partly in broken flakes, very similar in texture to Mixture or Virginia No 1.
I don't know what the topping in Golden Ambrosia is. It has a winy, fruity undertone, very gentle and discreet, that, in my opinion, does not really interfere with the tobacco flavour. As I was sitting in an open terrace, the aroma quickly dissipated, but I was complimented on its smell by some of the locals (huele bien, señor, huele bien). Tasty, rich, slow burning, the agreeable sweetness of Golden Ambrosia complemented perfectly the dark, roasted coffee (I drink mine with no sugar). The flavour is rich and nutty, and surprisingly gentle on the palate, provided you puff in slowly and calmly.So I just sat back, enjoyed the flavours and let my self be carried away by the views and the whole experience.
If you like slightly aromatic tobaccos, and are willing to puff in gently and slowly, you may find Golden Ambrosia is a very nice change of pace. I plan to buy some more in the future. Not at all a bad choice.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 02, 2006 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
If this were a little more powerful in the taste department, I would have given it four stars. As it is, this is a very fine Virginia/Burley blend with a somewhat fermented fruit topping that was pleasant without interfering with the true taste of the tobacco.
I submit that those of my briar brothers and sisters who enjoy lighter fare with added flavoring will find this particular Mac Baren offering to be tasty.
All Mac Baren blends seem to burn evenly right down to the bottom of the bowl and this one is no exception.
I submit that those of my briar brothers and sisters who enjoy lighter fare with added flavoring will find this particular Mac Baren offering to be tasty.
All Mac Baren blends seem to burn evenly right down to the bottom of the bowl and this one is no exception.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
As with my review for Rattray Sweet Fragrant I think this is one belongs to the few aromatics I tried and I really liked! I have to admit that I could go with that stuff all day long. It has a very enjoyable sugar/sweet taste that goes perfectly with some coffee! Although a broken flake it packs well and it has very good burning properties. I believe its good for breaking in new pipes too and I am sure it could win any pipe smoker experienced or not! Finally, it is not as sweet as Black Ambrosia and If you are like me and you like Virginia, Burley or Virginia/Burley blends with light toping and aroma go and buy the 100g. tin now!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 08, 2016 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I bought this years ago during a Holiday in Ibiza and Formentera... and forgot it in my cabinet.
The tobacco is dry but still pliable. The colour is some medium brown with some lighter and darker specs. The cut is unmistakably a ready rubbed.
I guess time has worked (very nicely, for me...) to mild the flavouring in some way. What I got is some fruity (would say: mainly peaches and pineapple) pouch note. That is detected in the flavour too, but in the far distance. Tobacco flavour, primarily of Burley, is the main player.
Smoked in Castello's with large bore, it offers a very pleasant and mellow smoking experience, and an unexpected rate of strenght. I've experienced no bite and no insanely hot pipe.
I would see myself choosing this when on the sweet tooth, if only were available in my Country,
Recommended.
The tobacco is dry but still pliable. The colour is some medium brown with some lighter and darker specs. The cut is unmistakably a ready rubbed.
I guess time has worked (very nicely, for me...) to mild the flavouring in some way. What I got is some fruity (would say: mainly peaches and pineapple) pouch note. That is detected in the flavour too, but in the far distance. Tobacco flavour, primarily of Burley, is the main player.
Smoked in Castello's with large bore, it offers a very pleasant and mellow smoking experience, and an unexpected rate of strenght. I've experienced no bite and no insanely hot pipe.
I would see myself choosing this when on the sweet tooth, if only were available in my Country,
Recommended.
Pipe Used:
mainly CASTELLO's
PurchasedFrom:
tobacconist in Ibiza Spain
Age When Smoked:
5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2015 | Very Mild | Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I came across three little 5 gram sample packs of Golden Ambrosia, just enough for 3 medium-sized bowls. It states on the package that it is a light aromatic pipe tobacco and that it is... moderately light and pleasantly aromatic. It has a delightful flavoring in proper proportion to the normal tobacco flavor; the flavoring agents allow some natural tobacco flavor to shine through. It just gets better as you get deeper into the bowl. It smokes cool and stays lit fairly easily. Close inspection of the tobacco reveals high quality leaf, no stems, veins or midribs.
Pipe Used:
Orlik billiard, Missouri Meerschaum
Age When Smoked:
>10 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
I always liked this blend because everything about it is nice and uncomplicated.
Its readily available, cheap in price, has a nice tin aroma, packs easy, burns bite free with no care needed, tastes great and leaves a nice room note everyone seems to like.
The tin aroma is nice and smells like some undefined, sweet alcoholic but you also can make out all the tobaccos used which is always a good thing with aromatics.
I always found that Golden Ambrosias flavouring tastes like sherry and only very delicately accompanies the taste that the used tobaccos deliver. The flavour lasts down through the bowl but gets less and less after the first third, whereas the tobaccos come more and more to the front. So, overall there is a nice progression going on but not that complex that it would require all your attention. And that's a good thing. Because this is a good property for a true all day smoke. And together with its hassle free burning properties it fills that job profile perfectly.
Aftertaste is nice and sweet to the tongue.
I clearly and with a clean conscience can recommend this blend to anyone that is into only slightly flavoured blends or just feels like trying something new. I *especially* recommend this to the beginner, the flavouring does not kill the tobaccos used and in that it is a very good reference for tobaccos of its kind. All in all you can't really go wrong with this blend and it only barely misses the four star mark - just a tinsy bit more and it would be a clear four star blend.
Its readily available, cheap in price, has a nice tin aroma, packs easy, burns bite free with no care needed, tastes great and leaves a nice room note everyone seems to like.
The tin aroma is nice and smells like some undefined, sweet alcoholic but you also can make out all the tobaccos used which is always a good thing with aromatics.
I always found that Golden Ambrosias flavouring tastes like sherry and only very delicately accompanies the taste that the used tobaccos deliver. The flavour lasts down through the bowl but gets less and less after the first third, whereas the tobaccos come more and more to the front. So, overall there is a nice progression going on but not that complex that it would require all your attention. And that's a good thing. Because this is a good property for a true all day smoke. And together with its hassle free burning properties it fills that job profile perfectly.
Aftertaste is nice and sweet to the tongue.
I clearly and with a clean conscience can recommend this blend to anyone that is into only slightly flavoured blends or just feels like trying something new. I *especially* recommend this to the beginner, the flavouring does not kill the tobaccos used and in that it is a very good reference for tobaccos of its kind. All in all you can't really go wrong with this blend and it only barely misses the four star mark - just a tinsy bit more and it would be a clear four star blend.
Pipe Used:
It went trough rotation.
Age When Smoked:
They don't print production dates on it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 28, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
Mac Baren's answer to McConnell's Glen Piper (or vice versa). Very similar in appearance, smell and taste but I think this has the edge in being a slightly tastier smoke. Will bite if smoked hard.
Same as Glen Piper it is a bit boring after a while but good as a reliable quality smoke. As it is very light and neutral in flavour (for an aromatic anyway) it is probably good for breaking in a new pipe if you are an aromatic fan - that's probably what I'll be using the remainder of my pouch for.
As a moist, sticky tobacco this requires a few matches to get lit but does stay lit. Provides a nice long slow burning smoke. Better smoked in a larger bowl. Like other MacBaren tobaccos I smoke I find it does leave some gunk in your pipe.
Same as Glen Piper it is a bit boring after a while but good as a reliable quality smoke. As it is very light and neutral in flavour (for an aromatic anyway) it is probably good for breaking in a new pipe if you are an aromatic fan - that's probably what I'll be using the remainder of my pouch for.
As a moist, sticky tobacco this requires a few matches to get lit but does stay lit. Provides a nice long slow burning smoke. Better smoked in a larger bowl. Like other MacBaren tobaccos I smoke I find it does leave some gunk in your pipe.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 11, 2005 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I'm not sure what topping is in Golden Ambrosia, but it has a subtle white wine aroma and fruity like notes that do not interfere with the tobacco flavor. Very smooth, creamy and nutty. This is a definate winner for an "semi" aromatic.
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