Mac Baren Solent Mixture

The Solent Mixture is Plum Cake up a notch in almost every aspect. A mellow mostly Virginia experience spiced up with some Latakia in taste, with a subtle alcoholic and caramel like note underneath. Discriminating element is the very pleasing scent while you smoke, equal to the tin note. No bite for me, easy handling and consistent burn.

If you where a VA/CA/aromatic smoker, I’d recommend Plum Cake to you and Solent Mixture for those who predominantly crave Latakia/Balkan style blends for a nice change of pace. I like both(y).

If you like either of them, be sure to try SG Bothy Flake!

Well, I think I don't need to add anything to what the fellow reviewers Strongirish and The German have very much accurately put in words, very much better than I could do.

The Solent is the most perfect crossover blend for EM and Danish natural aromatics, and perfect for the summer season.

The citrusy-smoky flavour, complemented by the perfect touch of rhum is something very inviting and refreshing. I can recognize the particular quality of the Latakia Mac Baren, the same of the HH Vintage Syrian. It smokes absolutely cool and unbiting, no matter how enthusiasticly you draw, but reveals all the best of its range by the slowest sipping.

Something one-of-a-kind, and to me a perfect masterpiece.

Definitely one of my favourite tobaccos. Had been going through several Mac Baren's and no one would really stand out, in any good way that is. Well their Stockton is fine but very unnuanced.

Well when I opened the tin of The Solent I was blown away! Also sceptical, because more often than not, the tin aroma and taste just don't match. This one did.

The Solent is extremely easy to smoke. Don't even have to think about how...just puff away! It will leave a very small and dry dottle at the bottom. So not only is it an amazingly tasting smoke, it is also by far the best smoking tabac in the whole Mac Baren range.

The taste? How does gold taste like? Well because of the Syrian Latakia, the amount of 15% is just right. It is a little fuller than it's Cyprian counterpart, but not as dry tasting. Apparently 9 diferent Virginias make up 75% of the mix, and leaves the rest to Cavendish and Burley. The interesting thing here is the Burley used, which I believe must be the Godfather of Burleys - very full and dry! Again, amazing!

To end it all, tobacco is presumeably sprayed with some kind of rum after blending. And that's what's gonna satisfy the sweet tooth of all sailors. Note: Not sweet as in aromatic baccy sweet - this IS a tobacco for the manly man of men.

Ohoy! There's not a downside to this tobacco, although ones mouth and palate must be trained for Syrian and heavy Burley, before this can be enjoyed. Or else it will dehydrate you within the first twenty minutes of smoking.

I smoke one bowl of The Solent a day, and I always crave it at bedtime. This is my nightcap, for sure.

This blend has that great Mac Baren honey/toasty/molasses flavoring style along with a slight Syrian Latakia added (15%). it is similar to Plumcake, however, it is more sweet, more flavorful and smoother on the tongue.

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.

I tried a sample of this one & was overwhelmed by the strength & how it burned my tongue. It's typical MacBaren in the pack: honey atop strands of rubbed out golden Virginia. It was all too powerful to taste any latakia. Hot, hot, hot! I spilled it out. Nothing else to say except pass.

1/2 of five stars

A very mild aromatic smoke with a little bit of rum and vanilla and a composition from Burley, Cavendish, Latakia & Virginia. Due to the little Latakia that it has it must be the ideal "introductory" tobacco to those that haven't tasted it yet.

It burns well and stays similar in taste almost until the end of the bowl and doen't get hot. Although it says it's an aromatic smoke I have to say that this is one of the lighest in this department and I believe even those that don't like aromatics should give this one a try.

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.