Mac Baren Uncle Louie Rum

I stumbled across this rare to find 1.5 Oz. of Uncle Louie's Rum Tobacco at the Central Avenue Habanna tobac shop in Albany, NY. It took 15 minutes to cheque out because the clerk couldn't find it in the data base. He claimed the brand was discontinued but I hope not...we need plenty of diversity in Pipe Smoker World. Cost: $5.00. Tobac taxes in old New York State are some of the highest in the nation. Broke this blend in on a straight stemmed virgin briar I bought of the Habanna $24.50 each pipe board. A pleasant smoke, mild and satisfying to the bottom of the bowl. But like the chef Emeril I would have liked it "kicked up" a little more. So I took one of those aluminium covered clay disc pipe moisturizers and soaked it in my favorite Philippine Tanduay Rhum and put it in the bottom of the pouch. A week later it seems the flavour had improved and made the smoke more rhummy. I wonder if anyone else has ever tried such a flavouring approach? Happy hunting!

A good middle of the road Rum blend, I found it somewhat better than the whiskey blend from MacB. Worth a try.

I was just checking out a local B&M to see what they carried. They deal mostly with cigars but they carry several of MacBaren's blends in tins and the usual bulk mostly aromatic types. So I picked up a tin of this on a whim. Well, I like it. You can still taste real tobacco, mostly the burley coming through. The rum enhances the taste somewhat but really bolsters the aroma. The difference here with other rum soaked blends is the obvious quality of the tobaccos used. There is a bit more strength than your standard aromatic, not in the nicotine department but in the general body of the smoke. Unlike some of MacBaren's offerings, you can puff on this as aggressively as you like without fear of tanning your tongue. Will this become part of my regular stock? I doubt it but I am certainly enjoying this tin and would not hesitate to buy it again. I think rum is the most tobacco compatible spirit and this is certainly a good one and worth your consideration.

Here's a Mac Baren that I enjoy. Upon opening the tin you will notice a mixed cut tobacco in varying shades of lights & darks. The tobacco arrives at the appropriate moisture level, for me at least, not too wet not too dry. The tin aroma smells wonderfull with what seems like just the right amount of rum topping and tobaccouy (sp?) smells.

Packing: This packs rather well given the varying cuts of tobacco. I do recommend using your best 3 step pack here and don't over do it. If you pack this one too tight its tongue bite city.

Burn: Using your amazing packing skills this will settle into a nice burn with just the occasional tamp/relight needed. Its has a very nice sweet rum flavor that sticks around the entire bowl. You will also notice the occasional Virginia tang and nutty burley taste popping up as you work your way through the bowl. This is good quality tobacco here folks..

At the end you are left with mottled grey ash and no goop. This one burns well right to the end..and finishes clean. Not bitter.

All-in-all a good rum aromatic and a keeper for me. Remember, however, this is a Mac..and if you pack incorrectly and/or try to rush your puffing you WILL fry your tongue.

So smoke it slow & enjoy this Mac Baren offering..I do

When I'm not smoking Balkans or straight Virginias I like rum-soaked tobaccos as a change of pace: I think rum is the alcoholic flavour that suits tobacco the best. Here we have a mild mixture, good to be smoked in the morning or during the day, just too light as an after dinner. A good tobacco after all, never bitter, good burning and incredibly cool for the tongue, considering its category. Well worth a try.

Very similar to Golden Extra by MacBaren only substitute rum for honey-vanilla flavor. A fairly coarse tobacco with perfect moisture content. As with all MacB products is likely to bite if puffed too quickly. A bit one-note but exceptional for a Danish style Aromatic.

Okay fellers, I have to admit, I may not have tried this unless I had won it off of their website, but I have to say: It's prettty darn good! This is basically Mixture with some sugar cane rum added and it really works. The whiskey wasn't bad, but this stuff is better. It can nip, and makes the bowl quite hot to the touch. Overall though this is just the ticket when you want something sweet and friendly!