Mac Baren HH Vintage Syrian

HHVS is really plenty of Latakia, it starts with that rare and precious Syrian ruling the flavor profile with Orientals well integrated, Virginias and Kentucky are in the background. Taste is savory rather than sweet, this Syrian/Orientals fullness seems remarkably pleasant, although quite monotone.... But, within minutes, the Kentucky comes out stronger and a cloudy smokiness takes the center stage, at this point the blend looses any interest to me, it isn’t bad but really dull with that dense smokiness through and through and anything else to tell of.

If you are looking for a decent Latakia - Oriental blend you must give this tobacco a chance. The blend is perfectly proportioned and was one of my very pleasant smokes of this kind.

The latakia strength is gentle and meanwhile considerable. Also it is elegant as expected from a Syrian. Orientals, and I think epecially the Turkish are a great addition of spices. Overall the whole taste is sweetened with som good quality virginia.

Packs and lights well, offers a long lasting smoke, and leaves a wonderful taste on the palate.

This is one of the finest English blends that I have ever smoked. Well balanced, no bite and burns clean to the bottom of the bowl. The only minor issue: the tobacco comes in very small cuts and morsels, which makes it slightly hard to pack properly and because of the that it requires a few relights. Latakia doesn't take a dominance and Orientals and Virgnia mixed with it and bring up a pleasant falvor. Nicotine is low. Another good tobacco from MacBaren.

The most obvious impression is that this is a well-made blend of high-quality ingredients. Unlike some other reviewers, I do not find the Latakia to be very strong, but I do find it to be at the correct strength for the classic taste. I go to my decades-old tins of Balkan Sobranie if I want more Latakia for a special occasion. I really like the restrained balance of this stuff, and I enjoy the dryness of the taste as a change from the creamier Virginias I habitually smoke during the day. For me, it's an evening smoke. The blend is very well behaved and smokes evenly and smoothly. A great reliable intro to Latakia blends for the newcomer, and a classic favourite for the old hand..

My this was love at first bowl for me. It comes with a bit of a story. Five or six years ago I had my 2nd go around with pipe smoking. My palette had moved beyond the cheap aromatics that caused me to stop before that into new territory.

I found myself smoking tins the tobacconist recommended. I was pleasantly enjoying Elizebethan by Dunhill and Navy Flake, but the "Across the Pond" by Frog Morton was my favorite.

As recently as a year ago I picked up the hobby again with renewed vigor and quickly developed a bit more of my palette and a substantial collection. I had a little bit of my Across the Pond left and when it was gone, it was totally gone. I did manage to find a tin that I vowed only to open on a special occasion since my old favorite had gone extinct. The culprit, Syrian Latakia.

Oh yes, I read reviews that most people preferred the Frog Morton Cellar with the Cyprian Latakia anyway, but I got my start on Latakia with Across the Pond. Cellar is a great and superb tobacco in its own right, and if I hadn't fallen in love with Across the Pond first, I'd likely prefer it, but that's not the way it was. I had become acquainted with the Syrian leaf first, and it just isn't the same.

After searching aimlessly for a long time for something, anything, with Syrian Leaf, I had no luck, and no hope for ever getting any of the leaf in the near term future. That is until I stumbled across the HH Vintage Syrian which I found available by the pound.....What?

Immediately, I grabbed me 16 ounces given that it had stellar reviews and my favorite leaf. Wow, just wow. I'm so happy again to taste this exquisite form of Latakia.

It's a subdued Latakia compared to its Cyprian brother. It's like smoking dark chocolate, or a mellow roast dark bean coffee. It is the same Latakia that I had in the Across the pond, except dare I say, even better.

I can't completely remember the former as its been so long, but it definitely has that same Latakia from Syria nuance and I taste the former glory again. Glad I got a pound of this stuff and will be able to enjoy it for many years to come as its now a staple in my substantial rotation. Thank you Mac Baren for giving me the opportunity to cellar and smoke this lost love tobacco I truly thought I'd never get to enjoy regularly ever again.

As a new pipe smoker , the only thing I knew is that I hate aromatics . My father smoked a coconut aromatic that I never knew the name of and I hated the smell. After learning that I like thick , heavy smoking cigars I stumbled into HHVS . Love at first feel. THIS is tobacco ! I cannot articulate exactly what is so good - it just is . I may not know much about art , but I know what I like . I smoked a few tins , then bought a few pounds . Sometimes it tastes a little light , but then I'll smoke Nightcap and it seems like too much of a good thing. I like both but smoke much more HHVS . The tins seem a bit tastier vs the bulk pound bags - but that could just be my imagination . I do prefer it in a briar slightly more than my only Meer . Either way , I'll take it . Apparently , I enjoy Latakia .

This tobacco reminds me of the old Dunhill Standard Mixtures: Full but smooth, with a base of ripe and soft Virginians accented with leathery, smoky Latakia that never overwhelms. In this respect it resembles Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake despite the different composition. There is none of the acrid sourness that I sometimes find in the current Dunhills, including Durbar and other lat-heavy blends. Is this the difference between Cyprian and Syrian? The quality of the Virginias? I don't know, but the smoke is creamy and smooth, with a fine subtle sweetness in which the spicy, woodsy quality of the Latakia melds beautifully with the ripe Virginia base (again like SG Balkan Flake). Slowly sipping on this is the best way to appreciate its quality, which is easy to do because it stays lit easily. Even the last quarter of the bowl (which I often don't finish when smoking the Dunhills) maintains this refined character. This is a textbook English, masterfully composed.

If your a latakia lover like me and more specifically Syrian Latakia this is one of the few blends that actually has Syrian Latakia. Oh that sweet smoky baked bread flavor is there with the slight vinegary kick. The opening is glorious with the smoky Latakia aroma. Light up is a breeze and burns very cool. The flavor and taste are what you would expect from Syrian Latakia with a bit of spicy kick from time to time but not really distracting from the overall taste. Burns very cool throughout the bowl and taste continues for the entire smoke. This is also great for mixing with other blends to enhance the smoky flavor of just about any blend. I mix about one quarter total weight with McClelland Just Plain Nuts blend and get a wonderful nutty smoky taste. Today finding any Syrian Latakia is like finding Gold. If you love it you must grab some of this loose or in a tin. Four plus stars for me.

The best Balkan mixture I've ever tried in my life, I think this is the worthy heir of the legendary Balkan Sobranie, which I was able to appreciate, because among the treasures of my grandfather.