Mac Baren Stockton

This is only the 4th review of this blend and I come to the conclusion that for some reason this is not a very popular blend (compare with blb, nf, ..). Why this is so is not quite clear because this is one fine tobacco!

Discs are lighter brown than Dark Twist, and there is some similarity in taste, except this blend doesn't have the "molasses" quality of DT, so it's more the spicy aspect of DT that you will find here. More importantly: this has absolutely no bite!!! The first time I couldn't believe how hard I could push it without de slightest nip on the tongue (Especially since I can't get DT to work for me) As an experienced Mac amateur, I suggest leaving the tin open a few months before sampling for optimal results, and a (very) light packing, folding de discs in four and using 1 fully rubbed out on top for easy lighting.

As this is a Mac Baren blend, do not expect full bodied taste or big nicotine kicks: spiciness and discs doesn't make it comparable to it three nuns, save yourself this dissapointment, and enjoy it for what it is: a nice mild change of pace blend

An alternative to Dark Twist. Almost the same but MacBaren has been less generous with the casing. The discs are smaller, and the tobacco taste is more clean. If you like Dark Twist, but wants to try a more tobacco-like version of the same, give this one a go.

Virginia is evident upon opening the tin, and when first lighting. Some added sweetness and toastyness from the dark center. There is a nice toasted marshmallow taste and note along with the bready Virginia. There is also a cool sweetness in the background that I can't quite identify where it's coming from, but it adds some complexity to the blend.

Overall a pleasant smoking experience and highly recommended.

Prep: Despite the form, the moisture of the coins are near perfect, maybe a bit on the wet side.

Notes: Smores over a campfire. Have you ever experienced it? Because that it taste and smell of this wonderful blend.

The Virginias bring sweet grass, fruity notes. The dark-fired cavendish not only delivers the characteristics of kentucky (bbq-y, earthy, spice) but also an extra sweetness that is reminiscent of marshmallows with a slight maple flavor.

I hope MacBaren returns this blend to the U.S. A top 5 for me. 9.5/10

https://youtu.be/Xtq7Ruu0GzE

Summary: a curly cut of mixed Virginias and dark fired Kentucky Burley that benefits from mediating Kentucky Cavendish

To avoid the "Mac Baren bite," which is caused by their maple sugar flavorings burning hot when the bowl is lighted, you pile up some curly cut curlicues in a stack, then press them into the bowl; my big pipe takes seven in two layers, three on top and four on bottom. Then apply the flame, drawing into the stem of the pipe with short puffs, but not bringing the hot, steamy smoke into your mouth. Do this for a half minute until the maple sugar melts and becomes less incendiary, and you will enjoy the rich taste of a blend which like "HH Bold Kentucky" marries dark fired Kentucky Burley to a blend of bright and brown Virginias, producing a rich flavor with a sweet core. In "Stockton," however, a unique Mac Baren Cavendish made from more dark fired Kentucky Burley produces a counterpart to the brown Virginia flavor, thickening it and making more of a smooth transition from the Virginia sweetness to austere, formal flavor of the dark fired leaf (Mac Baren excels in such gradients, starting with their famous "Mixture"). The result, if I am honest, tastes like a Tootsie Pop or an Oreo cookie: a rich and dark bold roasted outer flavor with sweetness to follow, meaning that you get a blend which like the best of them avoids beating you over the head with its food flavors, keeping instead the tobacco at the forefront, and resembling some of the UK or German blends that use dark fired Kentucky Burley to give shape to what would otherwise be aimless Virginia sweetness. I hope this becomes a regular on the US market.

I have tried this a few times over the lsst 30+ years and found it bitey, somewhat due to the tobacco and somewhat due to my impatient puffing. I had one tin of this from 13 years ago that I finally decided to open and in a word it is sublime! No bite even when pushed and very smooth. It's funny how ones tastes change over time. Tobacco you loved now is just so-so and tobacco you thought was merely okay is now quite good. Obviously the long ageing had a significant effect on this. Sadly it is no longer available. My lone tin of Club Blend, also aged 13 years was similarly fantastic, but the Stockton is spicier and to me, preferred. Failing the foresight to age these blends, I think drying the tobacco a bit would, as others have done, be helpful. Now for my 13 year old tin of Dark Twist . . .

I used different ways of packing this curly cut every time I smoked it after reading several articles about ways of packing this cut; about 8 re-lights were needed. The taste is rather earthy and a little bit sweet. I found it to be a very cool smoke and really enjoyed smoking up the 100g tin.

A very mild blend. looks very nice in the tin and has a very mild smell. What stood out was that nothing stood out. its not that I disliked it nothing stood out nothing grabbed my attention to sweep me away. I would recomend this tobacco to the first time smoker as something mild to start out with. it was plasent and well balenced asll and all a good blend

After smoking some Club Blend, I was pleased to meet another similar coin cut tobacco by Mac Baren.

The difference is that here the dark center of the coins is not dark Cavendish, but dark fired Kentucky (the description on Mac Baren's website says that it's 60% Virginias and 40% dark Kentucky, with small percentages of other tobaccos).

It is probably one of the most natural blends by the Danish brand: they declare that only a touch of sugar is added, and personally I think that it is a VERY slight touch of it. It smells natural, it feels natural to the touch, and it tastes natural. Very well done!

Anyway, this is a tobacco that packs great, lights great and smokes great: even better than Club Blend (of which I recommend that you read my review because they are very similar).

If Club Blend could taste a little "empty" at times, and with a tingling feeling on the palate and throat (though it isn't particularly bitey), Stockton seems at the same time smoother, creamier... and tastier. It is moderately sweet, nutty, leathery, with hints of black coffee. It has a pleasant smokiness, and again tastes very "autumnal". Great consistency of flavour from the beginning to the end.

I like it very much, although it is not a particularly flamboyant or extrovert tobacco. Definitely a blend that you should try if you want a medium bodied and not too strong roll cake: of course it is recommended for experienced smokers, as it will give its best only with slow smoking. But it won't bite even if pushed hard.