Mac Baren Norwood

Burley-forward, delivering an almost chewy nuttiness to this overall mild-to-medium blend. Enough Virginia is present to offset the slight bitterness from the burley. A fruity tin aroma, that is not present in flavor. A slight bittersweet chocolate/cocoa note is picked up and maintained through the smoke. Perfect moisture out of the tin, with a light rub-out to facilitate a moderately loose pack in the bowl. One light, burns clean.

Out of all Mac Baren's Burley mixtures, this is the one I enjoy de most, probably because of an extra Virginia content which gives it a sweetness that Burley London Blend, Mixture and Golden Extra (to name a few) lack.

After Stonehaven and Aged Burley Flade, this is probably my favorite Burley based blend.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT reviewing the present-day incarnation of this blend, but rather a sealed tin that I have done the research on, and it is definitely from the early '70s, and before 1974. I could explain how I know that, but this is a review, not an encyclopedia article. I bought it on Ebay from a guy who had inherited many old sealed Mac Baren tins, and I bought many for about $10 a tin; roll cakes, mixtures in 2012-13 or so. Smoked a lot, gave some away or traded...at any rate, I only have six sealed tins left of the classic aged Mac Baren.

Of Norwood in particular, I must have bought 5 tins from him, but now I have only remaining one sealed tin, and one in a jar that I jarred I suppose ten years ago. Obviously, I smoked a few bowls back then, but now I am revisiting it.

It is quite simply amazing, even though I am 53 years old, and was a toddler of 3 or 4 when it was tinned. It has lost nothing, and gained everything, and there must have been much more attention paid to quality in those days. Of course, I don't know how it tasted in those days, because I wad onry twee an a half years ord, doncha know? I'm smoking it in the form it is in now; preserved for nearly as many years as I have been, and I think it might have aged better than I have.

No "Mac Baren Bite." Quality tobacco, well-aged. Perfect melding and balance of flavors. I really don't know what to compare it to, but it is mellow and smooth, and one can taste the age, but it is not spoiled by any means, and is a quite heavenly experience.

These new tins of Norwood or other Mac Barens you kids today are buying...how will they taste if left sealed until 2072?

Out of the tin fruity, maybe plumb medium cut ribbon and mostly Burley to give a nut roast and VA that blends in just enough natural sweet. Packs well and smokes to the bottom with no relights. Bowl aroma exceptional. In the end there remains only a small amount of gray ash - where did all that tobac go except into a pleasurable smoke. Norwood is a foundational basic pipe smoke that sets the standard for me. Easy 4 Star, and even a favorite. Am fortunate to have cellered 6 more tins 3 years ago.

November 28, 2008 UPDATE: I got my mitts on a few tins of aged Norwood...tins look quite different from current version, and importer is different.

Anyway, the age really boosted this blend to a four-star winner. Bite has totally disappeared. Tobacco has mellowed and is nothing short of both satisfying and delicious. I will open other aged MacBaren tins that I just picked up at a later date, after I savor my vintage Norwood.

I also bought another tin of "recent" Norwood for the cellar...maybe you want to, too! Bottom line: aging a tin of Norwood really pays off with a fine, fine pipe smoking experience.

Govern Yourself Accordingly!

ORIGINAL REVIEW: This tobacco blend offers nothing that other MacBaren blends do not also offer, but do so far better. Rather than this, I would recommend MacBaren's Symphony, Golden Extra, or Burley London. Those tobaccos burn less hot than Norwood.

I wouldn't say that Norwood was bad. It's just not notable, and better alternatives abound.