Mac Baren Cube

Blue Note, Petersons Sunset Breeze and now comes MacBarren's Cube. I find it very similar to the two Amaretto-flavored blends that preceeded it. But, I do like the cube cut and after careful consideration I think it has a better tobacco base than the other two. Right now, it is my favorite aromatic. But, as a disqualifier, and of course it is a big disqualifier, I mostly smoke Balkan blends.

Having moved on to pipe smoking after 10 or more years on cigars this was suggested by the tobacconist as a suitable blend for beginners. I would agree with that. On opening the packet the aroma is overwhelming. To me it smells of oats and fruit, similar to muesli and there's a temptation to put it in a bowl and pour milk over it. When smoked I find it has a background note of oats which seems to be common to a number of Mac Baren blends.

As I've smoked more tobaccos perhaps my palette had developed. I initially enjoyed Cube but subsequently half a bowl leaves my teeth and tongue coated with something. Perhaps it has just too much casing and humificant?

An interesting blend to try but I don't think I'll be going back there.

Firstly I just wish to state that I don't smoke many aromatics, I always have an aromatic tobacco in my rotation though for when I get a sweet tooth.

When I smoke an aromatic it's usually a Peterson, but I though I'd try this for a change, as my tobacconist recommended this. I found this quite moist out of the pouch, and it needed some air drying. The first bowl full was not very nice, it gargled far too much, gave me terrible tongue burn, burnt very hot and generally was very over powering.

The second and subsequent bowls have improved though, I smoke it through an old Falcon that I've owned since 1975. Also I now smoke it a lot slower, and sip. If you take your time with this tobacco then it is tolerable and even pleasant at times, but you need to really take your time, almost so the tobacco is going out. Although the taste is quite artificial.

I wouldn't buy this again, but I certainly wouldn't throw it, or pass it on. In future I'm going to stick to my Peterson aromatics.

There is so much kidology around tobaccos. I say this because once 50grms have been smoked of most tobaccos our taste buds and senses of smell are blocked. As far as room note is concerned most non smokers find all tobaccos offensive and I think this is due to the perceived health treat being in the close proximity of anyone wheedling a lit briar and, or course, smoking in the proximity of anyone is now against the law here in the UK

Getting back to the blend in question. I have tried the occasional bowlful of Cube in the past and found it to be a little too over the top. Due to the recent quality issues currently surrounding Peterson's University Flake, my regular choice, I opted for 50 grms of Cube.

Having endured the first few pipfulls the blend is very agreeable and well mannered. I have found it performs better in a larger briar, say a 5 upwards, as the smaller briars seem to make the taste a little acidic.

The jury is out as to whether I stay with this blend but before reviewing it I recommend, as with any tobacco, a fair trial of at least 50grms

My opinion of this tobacco is this:

Well it reminds me a biscuit with cinnamon - and taste and smell when i opened the pouch and room note, i found this kind strange, but i cant say its bad. Its cool burning and has easy puff. But i doubt i will buy it any time soon. It is just not my type.

Personal rate 5 from 10 as aromatic tobacco.

!Update - The flavoring falls of the ship pretty fast. Going deep on the tobacco taste, it's like smoking cardboard. Dropped one star. It's nice that i got a 40g pouch.

It's a very surprisingly change of pace, perfect for a morning smoke with coffee. The flavoring is unique. Be sure to have a pipe dedicated to it cause it will leave a permanent mark on it.

Cube is an interesting modern style and full aromatic, with a heavy, yet alluring top note of peach brandy/schnapps and butterscotch, erring on the side of toasted marshmallow. It makes an incredibly bold statement in pouch and room note and if you like your cased aromatics to taste like their descriptions, then you might find something in Cube to arrest your attention.

To a degree, the sheer level of casing renders the quality of the leaf rather redundant, with the mixture having a prepensity to smoke a little flat and airy, despite the wealth of tobaccos utilised. You'll be sure to find richer tasting Virginia and Cavendish in other blends, but get to the mid bowl and those Burleys start to pep things up with a welcome appearance. Sidestream and nose is particularly noteworthy, with a fruity sweetness that permeates the room and lingers long.

Cube is way too sweet to smoke all day as the flavouring is pretty intrusive; the tobacco itself largely uninspiring, but it's a nice time-out from more traditional blends, particularly in these summer months. It's certainly not the life-changer Mac Baren marketed it as, but then I'm prepared to tip my hat to them for a marked imagination and effort in trying to create something with modern appeal - a tobacco for the Noughties, if you will. Even if you don't like noveau tobacco, it stands the industry in good stead, and whereas the old blends will always be timeless classics, I welcome consumer choice as a very good thing indeed.

CORRECTION & END NOTE: Contrary to a posting below, Cube IS readily available to purchase in box form in the UK. As was previously mentioned, it's also available for sale as 25g+ loose weight, here in England.

The mechanics and results of smoking this blend were all ok...I expected more. Perhaps, it is only that I am wondering how much of my $$$s went to the packaging rather than the tobacco. Always looking for one best aromatic and this is not it.

Being a Latakia lover means this is not my first choice in tobaccos. I do like a change of pace so I decided to get a cube and have a whirl at it. My first impression was the tin aroma being very strong. The smell of fruit was akin to a strawberry wine. I can say that I was not expecting anything good to come after that whiff. I decided to press onward, and give it a try. What I was next surprised by was the fact that for being as heavy an aromatic as it is it was not very wet. That was a definite plus. It also packed well and required two matches to smoke the entire bowl (another plus). The taste of fruit was overwhelming and quite honestly too much for my taste. There was no goo on the heal of my pipe either. Considering the burning characteristics and room note I would recommend trying this blend, but not enthusiastically.