Mac Baren Solent Mixture

The Solent Mixture is an outstanding hybrid/crossover blend of aromatic and english characteristics.

Visually, this blend is comprised of golden ribbons and tan and light brown pieces of Virginia, with a sprinkling of black cavendish and latakia. The tin aroma seems aromatic; vanilla and rum, but with a smoky undertone.

The initial light is in conformity with this blend's appearance and aroma. That is, it has a navy-blend taste with smoke and spice. Throughout the bowl, smoke and spice interplay with rum and a subtle yet somewhat sweet vanilla. But it is not a goopy aromatic. On the contrary, the latakia balances the sweetness out quite nicely.

Unlike many MacBaren blends, there is little tongue bite here.

This is a complex blend that is truly luxurious and a real joy to smoke. It does flavor the bowl, but that just serves to increase and enhance the smoky latakia and rum. I have dedicated a Dunhill Cumberland and a Saseini 5-Dot to this wonderful blend.

I smoke many different types of tobacco, from mild aromatics (a la Affordable Pipes, which makes some real winners) , to Old Gowrie, various other MacBarens, and English and Balkan blends. But I always seem to come back to this tobacco.

The Solent Mixture gets my highest (subjective, naturally) rating. If you are seeking a "hybrid" or are an aromatic smoker looking for a tobacco that will introduce you to english tobaccos, here it is. This blend has earned a solid four out of four stars!

Mac Baren The Solent Mixture dates back to 1950 and is one of the company's original blends. It is English in overall character but, because of the addition of Jamaican Rum, sweeter than a traditional English mixture. 15% Syrian Latakia is used instead of the more common Cyprian variety, and adds it's own aromatic quality, therefore, the roomnote is not as heavy and smokey. The base Virginia tobacco is of high quality, similar to the leaf used in Dark Twist. No bite is experienced if smoked slowly. It is a very attractive tobacco in the tin, with light and dark ribbon cut Virginia and flecks of black Latakia. It packs and burns easily. Flavor is an intriguing mix that I find highly enjoyable and harkens back to a time when most pipe blends used Latakia as an aromatic flavoring, unlike today's vanilla laden blends. Moisture content is just about perfect. The Solent Mixture has none of the Honey topnote common in many Mac Baren tobaccos. "Old Fashioned" is a word that best describes this excellent pipe mixture. Personally, I'm very glad Mac Baren decided to import this blend once again. Overall - Four stars.

Upon opening I got a dark fruit note, with a hint of latakia. A touch on the moist side, but didn't have issues with lighting. The first few puffs bring that same darker fruit, almost a wine like quality, which is very pleasant. The latakia comes through but only slightly. The tin was dated from July of 2018, so unsure if it's Syrian latakia, or from Cyprus. Either way, it's smooth and pleasant, but not a lat bomb. A hint of coco, and rum round out a very nice smoke through the entire bowl. Highly recommended.

I purchased a tin of Solent Mixture in January 2011 and put it away until now, 10 years later. I age tobacco, but that wasn't my only motive with SM. English mixtures (specifically Latakia) had started to bother my taster and I gave them up moving more to VaPers, Burley, and Virginia flakes. Well, I thought it was time to try an English blend once again, and this hasn't disappointed. Syrian Latakia is a difficult commodity for manufacturers to get given all the wars in that part of the world and what a joy to taste its dry woody character once again. This is a smooth, mild English blend without much spice - maybe because its well aged now! In any event its perfect for my taster - like finding an old friend. Maybe I can smoke 965, Rattrays, Gawith and other Latakia blends again. There is no bite, and it never became hot.. I am happy I tried this blend and think it would be an excellent choice for those wanting to try a Latakia spiced blend. I couldn't taste any other oriental condiment leaf in this. Leaves a grey, dry ash.

Excellent blending shines through!

Smooth all the way - no negatives - delivers as advertised.

Unique flavor profile for me, which changes somewhat through the bowl. Spice, with latakia smokiness, with the hints of nuts and fruit shifting throughout.

Another Mac Baren classic. It reminded me of Esoterica's "And so to Bed." Since that great blend's production has been suspended, this is a worthy substitute. Give it a try!

This is an excellent tobacco. It smells good, It burns good, It taste good, It does not bite. You have to dry it, I normally let it dry for about 8 hours, but its smokable just out of the tin

As soon as I opened the tin, the smell was really good and very nutty. It was very similar to Dunhill 965 mixture. The tobacco is of high quality (as usually expected with all MC blends) and smoking it is a pleasure. Strangely no tongue bite, and smoking is very dry. I recommend this tobacco for every one in favour of English blends with high vitamin N 🙂

That is a 4 star!!! Other MC BITES may destroy your whole mouth,and this has the tendency also. But the ballance of sweet and smoky is almost perfekt to me.